Building a National Parks Service for 1958 – 1975

L. H. Smith Norman Bay, at the mouth of , looking back to Mt Oberon, where the cover photo was taken, and showing many campers enjoying their holiday.

Acknowledgements The publishers wish to acknowledge the assistance of Evelyn Feller in the production of this book, and of Don Saunders, Director of National Parks 1979-1994, in checking the text and captions. Author: Dr Leonard Hart Smith (1910-2004) Editors: Michael Howes, additional editing by Chris Smyth Design: John Sampson, Ecotype Photos: All photos, except where mentioned, are by Dr Leonard Hart Smith. A selection from his extensive 35mm slide collection has been scanned for use in this book. Note: This book is not complete. Dr Len Smith intended to revise it further and add chapters about the other Victorian national parks created during his time as director,1958-1975, but was unable to complete this work. We have published the book as it was written, with only minor corrections. Dr Len Smith was a keen photographer and took thousands of black and white photographs and colour slides. All photos in this book, unless otherwise credited, were taken by Dr Smith. Cover photo: National Park 1973. Hikers at summit of Mt Oberon with Tidal River Campground, Norman Bay, Pillar Point and Tongue Point in background. Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions in this publication are those of the author, the late Dr Leonard Hart Smith, Director of National Parks in Victoria 1958-1975. The Victorian National Parks Association does not necessarily support or endorse such opinions or conclusions, and takes no responsibility for any errors of fact or any opinions or conclusions. © 2016 Copyright for this publication remains with Helen Kosky, John Hart-Smith and Neil Hart-Smith.

2 2 Contents

Preface ...... 4 Chapter 1 The creation of a National Parks Authority ...... 8 Chapter 2 The National Parks Act 1956 ...... 16 Chapter 3 The National Parks Authority ...... 22 Chapter 4 Learning the trade ...... 30 Chapter 5 Committees of Management ...... 36 Chapter 6 Water for visitors to national parks ...... 48 Chapter 7 LP gas in national parks ...... 56 Chapter 8 Vermin control ...... 60 Chapter 9 Fire protection in national parks ...... 68 Chapter 10 Walking tracks ...... 76 Chapter 11 Roads within & leading to national parks ...... 84 Chapter 12 National park rangers ...... 90 Chapter 13 Garbage collection & disposal ...... 96 Chapter 14 The Yanakie Run ...... 100 Chapter 15 The Battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power ...... 108 Chapter 16 Mallacoota Inlet National Park ...... 116 Chapter 17 Mt Buffalo National Park ...... 122 Chapter 18 Private enterprise in national parks ...... 128 Chapter 19 Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta ...... 140 Chapter 20 The status of national parks in the government service ...... 150 Chapter 21 Ranger issues ...... 158 Chapter 22 Port Campbell National Park ...... 164 Chapter 23 The head hunters ...... 170 Chapter 24 Battles for survival...... 180 Chapter 25 Plans for reorganisation ...... 188 Chapter 26 The rock painters of Refuge Cove...... 200 Chapter 27 The Organ Pipes National Park ...... 208 Chapter 28 Some statistics ...... 212

3 Preface

Dr John Hart-Smith

ach Christmas time for many years before he became EDirector of National Parks for Victoria, my father Dr Leonard Hart Smith drove his family – my mother, my brother and sister, and myself – for a camping holiday at Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National Park (known to Victorians as ‘the Prom’). Our first visit was in 1949. After he had been appointed to his new post, we all went back again each Christmas for several years, and later with grandchildren too. By then, some of us were too old to live in tents, so we stayed in various lodges. There were many more lodg- es by that time than the few officers’ buildings left by the Commandos who trained there during World War II. Significantly, we were not the only families who went back year after year; the Prom had (and still has) a special allure. Those Christmas holidays were wonderful times, never to be forgotten. By the time I was 12, my father had walked me to the top of every moun- tain and to every bay and cove in the Dr Leonard Hart Smith OAM (1910–2004), Director of National Parks for Victoria 1958-1975. southern half of the Prom – and to the Photo taken about 1960. Lighthouse and back. there would be landscape and wild- necessarily focuses on the Prom. In those days, there were few tracks; life attractions in abundance to make That is where most of the support we had to follow wombat trails when people want to visit them. services were needed, since that is we could and bash through the scrub where most of the visitors went. when we couldn’t. He knew the park There had to be roads and tracks, like the back of his hand. The Prom camp sites, water, food, electricity, It would seem to be appropriate to that exists today is far more acces- sanitation, garbage collection, fire close by reminding readers of the sible to a much greater number of protection, rangers and other staff two aspects of my father’s assign- people. to look after the parks, and a whole ment with the National Parks Au- host of things that most people take thority. He didn’t choose them; an This is not a manuscript about the for granted and expect to be fixed enlightened government of the day scenic beauties of Victoria’s various whenever something goes awry. This assigned them. Neither involved ex- national parks, or of the animals and is the legacy he and his colleagues ploitation on behalf of private enter- birds that abound there. Instead, it left for future generations. prise or special interest groups. deals with the behind-the-scenes ac- tivities that enabled so many visitors My father’s manuscript covers many One was to facilitate tourists and to enjoy the parks, and ensured that of Victoria’s national parks, but researchers alike to visit, learn from,

4 PREFACE Victoria’s National Parks Service was less than 20 years old when Prince Phillip (left) visited Wilsons Promontory NP with Dr Smith in March 1973. Rangers at right are the late Steve Watkins, and Jeff Davies. and enjoy the beauty, the flora and manuscript tells the story of how that and benefit from – and they did, and the fauna in the parks. The second philosophy drove the development still do! But for how much longer? was to preserve those assets, so of the collective individual national that our children and grandchildren parks in Victoria into a coordinated could also enjoy them. My father’s enterprise that everyone could enjoy

5 Helen Kosky (nee Hart-Smith)

ictorians love their national parks. They understand that the Vparks belong to all people for all time. Following the passing of the National Parks Act in the Victorian Parliament in 1956, the first Director of National Parks for Victoria, Philip Crosbie Morrison, was appointed in May 1957. My father was appointed in 1958, following Crosbie Morrison’s untimely death in March that year. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1975, serving under Liberal and Country (National) Party governments. Before he retired he oversaw the drafting and subsequent passing of the very important National Parks Act of 1975. The beginnings of the National Parks Authority were very humble. In his manuscript my father describes how, arriving at his office on his first day, he found it to be a single room with two desks, four filing cabinets and two phones. His entire staff comprised a Secretary and a junior typist, who worked in another room. Over the years he built a team with Technical Officers, park rangers, planners and scientists, all committed to the task at hand. They were all instrumental in ‘Building a National Parks Service’. My father always acknowledged the valuable contribution and commitment each of his staff gave. It was a different Dr Smith’s son John looks towards the lighthouse on South-East Point, Wilsons Promontory NP, time then, and the parks service about 1951. was more like a large family than a bureaucracy. My father was known National Parks, the parks were During his time as Director many as ‘The Doc’. controlled by individual Committees changes occurred. Governments Building the National Parks of Management. Establishing changed, the Departments the Authority (which became the the working relationships and National Parks Authority worked National Parks Service in 1971) responsibilities between the within changed, and, the working was not straightforward or quick. committees and the Authority relationship with the Committees of For many years before and after required significant time and Management changed, before the my father became Director of diplomacy. National Park Service was created.

6 PREFACE Dr Smith’s son Neil, daughter Helen and wife Margaret in the early 1950s at Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory NP.

My father commenced writing this on the stove, late into the night. He manuscript ten years after he retired. wanted to give Victoria a well-run He wanted to give Victorians a record National Parks Service, and national of the development of our National parks that would endure for all future Parks Service under his directorship. generations. I approached the Victorian National Parks Association in 2012 hoping it would accept his manuscript for inclusion on the VPNA website. My brothers and I appreciate the VPNA’s support and assistance in helping develop the manuscript into the format in which it appears here. Our special thanks go to VNPA Publications Officer Michael Howes. On reading my father’s manuscript I began to appreciate how large and difficult a task he had been given. I now understood why, most work nights, his tea remained heating

7 Chapter 1 The creation of a National Parks Authority

s I write [around 1986-87], led to the birth of Victoria’s National the Mississippi River and the Pacific Victoria’s national parks system Parks Service and of the work of the Ocean during the period May l804 Aembraces 30 areas of land organization during the period 1958- to September 1806. Colter, with designated ‘national parks’, along 1975. the blessing of his leaders, left the with 15 state parks and 19 areas of expedition on the return journey, in However, if readers are to have other categories. The annual budget order to trap beaver. His experiences a proper appreciation of the is some $10 million and the number of during the next few years, especially development of the Service and people employed is around 400. his miraculous escape from a band of of its frustrations and successes, Blackfeet Indians, make compelling The identity of the body which controls and of the climate in which it strove reading; but his first-hand knowledge these areas is obscured by its to grow, it is essential that they and descriptions of the country incorporation in the new Department understand the origins of the national which he had explored and knew so of Conservation, Forests and Lands. parks concept and how, over the well were not accepted by his fellow Once there was a body known as years, Victoria acquired its national Americans. He became a subject of ‘the National Parks Service’; but in parks, how they were managed and jest and ridicule, and the region of his 1983 the political pen descended the circumstances which resulted, reputed discoveries was long known like the executioner’s sword upon ultimately, in the creation of Victoria’s as ‘Colter’s Hell’. the National Parks Service, the National Parks Service. Forests Commission of Victoria, the Nor were the stories told by that Fisheries and Wildlife Service, the redoubtable frontiersman James Soil Conservation Authority and the The National Parks Bridger any less remarkable or Lands Department, and the shattered acceptable. Yet the ‘rumours’ fragments were restructured to form concept persisted and, in 1879, a party of the conglomerate known as the The national parks concept is three private individuals, Messrs Department of Conservation, Forests of American origin. There have Folsom, Peterson and Cook, decided and Lands. been other accounts of the events to risk the promised dangers of which gave rise to the national extermination by Indians, and duly All too soon, the fact that Victoria once parks concept and the creation of completed a 35 day journey of had a National Parks Service will be the first national park, but none, exploration and discovery. However, forgotten, sunk in the quicksands of I think, surpassing that of Hiram it is said that these explorers were so political ideology, lost in the Orwellian astonished at the marvels of Nature Martin Chittendon, in his book The memory hole; and future generations which they had seen that (no doubt Yellowstone National Park, first may not even be aware that it was influenced by recollections of the published in 1895. once a flourishing enterprise. The ridicule and disbelief to which Colter same may well be said of the other The first white man to visit the and Bridger had been subjected) they government agencies mentioned; Yellowstone Country was John were “unwilling to risk their reputations but it is not my purpose here to Colter, who had accompanied Lewis for veracity by a full recital of them” to dwell on their demise but rather to and Clark on their epic journey of the welcoming party which had been give an account of the events which exploration of the wilderness between arranged to mark their safe return.

8 CHAPTER 1 Eugene von Guérard’s 1857 painting ‘Ferntree Gully in the ’ encouraged visitors to the area to see its tree-ferns and other plants. In 1882 it became Victoria’s first official protected area, a ‘site for public recreation’, but was not made a national park until 1927. National Gallery of , Canberra. Gift of Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE, 1975. Image courtesy National Gallery of Victoria.

In 1870, a Government-sponsored exceeding 150 feet as the explorers expressed the view that private expedition led by General Henry stood in awe. There were geysers to ownership of any part of the D. Washburn, Surveyor-General of the right of them, geysers to the left of Yellowstone country ought never to be Montana, along with eight other men them, there were mud geysers, mud countenanced, but that the land ought who were willing to face the risks and volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains, to be set apart by the Government privations of the journey, set out to vast silent forests, rivers ... it was and reserved forever for the use and assess the truth of the amazing stories as if Nature’s wonders had all been enjoyment of all the people. This view of the earlier explorers. Along the assembled in the one place. was accepted by the entire party way, they were joined by a military and, even before the official reports escort led by Lt Gustavus C. Doane. On the evening of 19th September, had reached the Government, the The complete party, which included almost two months after they had ‘National Park’ concept was being two ‘coloured cooks’ and two packers, set out, the party camped near widely proclaimed. numbered nineteen persons; in the junction where the Firehole Legislation to have the Yellowstone addition, there were thirty-five horses and Gibbon Rivers unite to form National Park declared was and mules. Fain would I linger, to the Madison River and, after their introduced in the Congress on 18th gaze once more at the incomparable evening meal, the party fell into a December 1871 and simultaneously in scenery of the Grand Canyon camp-fire discussion on the question the Senate. The Bill was duly passed of Yellowstone and the beautiful of what might be done to bring the and signed by President Ulysses S. Yellowstone Falls, but we have a long Yellowstone wonders to the attention Grant on 1st March1872. way to go and I must leave it to the of the world. There were some who reader to pursue the details of their saw the prospects of exploiting the Following this, other areas of land amazing discoveries, which included beauty spots for personal gain, but were reserved as national parks, the famous ‘Old Faithful’ geyser which the conversation had not proceeded but it must not be assumed that the spouted water and steam to a height far before Judge Cornelius Hedger Government recognized the need to

The creation of a National Parks Authority 9 provide the finance and manpower management, no organized inter-park required to protect and manage communications and no direction by the national parks which had been any government agency. reserved “for all the people for all The foregoing should not be time”. Nathaniel Langford, who had construed as a criticism of the been a member of the Washburn- Doane expedition in 1870, was Committees of Management. The appointed first Superintendent wonder is that the Committees were of Yellowstone National Park, but prepared to undertake their tasks served for eight years without salary without the necessary government or financial assistance for park support; but it should be recognized improvements. that, in the early years of this century, the population of the State was The problems which beset those relatively low and the economy as a responsible for the management of whole was hardly in a strong condition. the national parks in America are National parks were not recognized admirably described by John Ise in as functional units within the economy, his book Our National Park Policy but as a kind of luxury and, although (1961). Mr , Premier of Victoria when the dedicated in the name of ‘all the Although consideration of these National Parks Authority was created in 1956. people’, could be ‘enjoyed’ by only matters is beyond the scope of the a relatively small percentage of the present work, it was some comfort 412 acres) was permanently reserved population. This was partly because to me to learn that, even in the U.S. as a national park. Over the years, of the remoteness of most of the parks national parks, administrators had other areas were reserved as national from centres of high population and their problems, illustrating the old parks, including Wilsons Promontory partly because transport was not adage ‘fellow feeling makes us (1898), Mount Buffalo (1898), Bulga freely available. Nevertheless, the wondrous kind’. Park (1904), Tarra Valley (1909), Committees ‘held the fort’ and, had it Wingan Inlet (1909), Mallacoota Inlet not been for their efforts, the status of (1909), Alfred (1925), Lind (1926), national parks would have been even National parks in Australia The (1926), Kinglake (1928), lower than it was. Wyperfeld (1921) and Churchill It is common knowledge that almost It has to be remembered also that (1930). every country in the world now has reservations of areas of land as some form of national parks system. national parks were almost invariably It was only a few years after the Act of made by governments in response Dedication (1872) that national parks Control of national parks to persistent lobbying of groups of began to be reserved in Australia. in Victoria people or organizations dedicated The first was Royal National Park, to the cause of Nature. Governments about twenty miles south of Sydney, Until 1956, national parks in Victoria generally are reluctant to take any in 1879. In 1866, an area of 597 acres were reserved under the Lands Act initiative without first feeling the at Tower Hill, near Warrnambool in and managed by Committees of public pulse, and it was necessary south-western Victoria, was reserved Management appointed by the Lands for any natural history organization as a public park and, in 1892, was Department. Such committees were to demonstrate that it was in the raised to the status of a national park required to submit a statement of interests of the Government of the by a special Act of Parliament, to receipts and expenditure at the end day to accede to the requests. The become Victoria’s first national park, of each financial year, but otherwise reservation of Wilsons Promontory as but the Act was never promulgated. functioned as autonomous bodies. a national park is a good example of Other reservations were made, as Committees were free to produce this; had it not been for the persistent public reserves or as sites for national their own regulations and to raise lobbying of the Field Naturalists led by parks; these included a reservation of funds to provide whatever services Sir Baldwin Spencer and others, the 412 acres at Fern Tree Gully in 1882, they could in the way of Park Rangers boundaries of that park would most but it was not until 1927 that an area and developments. There was no probably have been very different of 512 acres (including the original unified approach to national parks from what they are.

10 CHAPTER 1 However, over the years and (c) the Secretary for Public Works development in Victoria. The especially after World War II, the (d) the Director of Finance significant events which led to the Government was persuaded to passing of the National Parks Bill in (e) the Secretary for Health investigate the possibility of creating a October 1956 were as follows: central body to co-ordinate all aspects (f) the Chairman of the Forests 1. On 27th September 1955, Mr of national parks management. In Commission Dewar Goode, as Chairman 1949, the Government requested (g) the Manager of the Victorian of the Land Use Committee the State Development Committee Government Tourist Bureau. of the Australian Primary to investigate and report on national The State Development Committee set Producers Union, in conjunction parks in Victoria. In 1951, the out the basic functions of the Authority with the Victorian National Committee submitted its report and recommended the creation of Parks Association, convened which, inter alia, recognized that “the three advisory committees, to advise a public meeting, attended (present) system of administration the authority in regard to matters by representatives of State of national parks by honorary relevant to their respective spheres, and Federal bodies, as well committees of management gives namely, national parks, alpine areas interested bodies and individuals. results which may be described and tourist resorts. It was further The meeting resolved that as mainly unsatisfactory”, and proposed that representatives of the arrangements be made for a recommended the creation of a Fisheries and Game Department, deputation to wait on the Premier to constituted authority having the the State Rivers and Water Supply press the cause of national parks. necessary powers to “advise and co- Commission, the State Electricity ordinate the work of the committees”, Commission, the Victorian Railways 2. On 17th November 1955, a but recommended against a Commission, the Country Roads deputation led by Mr P. Crosbie continuance of the (present) system Board, the Soil Conservation Authority Morrison, President of the Victorian under the guidance of a Government and the Police Department be on National Parks Association, Department. The report stated that each advisory committee, along with and supported by seven other “the existing policy on national parks an equal number of representatives delegates, waited on the Premier. lacks cohesion and has no sound of public bodies. The Director of the The Premier was asked: basis of development”. National Parks and Tourist Authority (a) to bring down legislation to was to be Chairman of each of the provide for a National Parks advisory committees. Authority; Recommendations of Perhaps the task of implementing (b) to authorise a land-use survey State Development so grand a scheme proved too of the State with a view to Committee daunting for the government of the having appropriate areas day. Certainly, the Director would reserved for future scientific The State Development Committee have needed to possess the wisdom investigation and national recommended as follows: of Solomon and the endurance of parks; an Olympic marathon athlete. At all 1. That early legislation be introduced events, nothing seems to have come (c) to make an immediate grant of providing for the reservation in of all that effort. These were days of £20,000 to the Tourists Resorts perpetuity and for the control and political instability, as governments Committee to be expended in management of National Parks and followed one another in and out of preparing the following places Monuments in Victoria. office. Between 1943 and 1955, for the enjoyment of the Olympic Games [in 1956] 2. That a National Park and Tourist Victoria had no fewer than nine visitors, namely The Grampians, Authority be created under the different governments. Wilsons Promontory National responsibility of the Minister for Park, Healesville Sanctuary, Tourist Development, such Authority Mount Buffalo National Park, to consist of Dawn of a new era Warburton - Healesville - (a) a full-time Director who, in the In June 1955, Mr H. E. Bolte began Marysville area, Kinglake absence of the Minister, shall be his long reign as Premier of Victoria, National Park, Sherbrooke Chairman retiring from office in August 1972. National Park and the Snowy (b) the Secretary for Lands This was an era of unprecedented Mountains Region.

The creation of a National Parks Authority 11 The Premier promised that legislation have been directed into the sails of Now, to my mind, the definition of would be introduced during the lain Murray’s Kookaburra III, it would a national park contained in the Autumn of 1956 to provide for a have lifted the yacht out of the water Bill, for purposes of legislation, land-use survey and for the setting and carried it to a resounding victory. was unequivocal, while Mr Dower’s up of a National Parks Authority, But I digress, and remind myself that, definition was a grand mixture of and expressed the opinion that in this narrative, it is not going to be rhetoric which included a vague the proposed Authority should be possible to examine the Hansard description of the sort of country completely independent of various reports in detail. I had not read them comprising a national park along with government departments then until long after I became Director of a management prescription. It does involved in matters pertaining to Land- National Parks, but I commend them not say how ‘extensive’ the area was use and in various aspects of the to the careful study of everybody to be or how ‘beautiful’; yet it was not control of national parks. He was less interested in national parks. to be ‘too wild’ but merely ‘relatively wild’, and so on. Yet this was the forthcoming in regard to the request The Bill, as presented by Mr Fraser, definition preferred by the Member for the £20,000. was severely criticized by the who had been chosen to lead the Opposition and the Country Party. Opposition’s reply. Mr Clive P. Stoneham (Midlands) led The National Parks Bill the charge from the Opposition; he However, there are certain aspects found the Bill “frankly disappointing” of the Hansard reports on the At the deputation, the Premier and accused the Government of debate which should be considered; invited the Victorian National Parks ‘fumbling’. He warned that, unless the because, in effect, they provide Association (VNPA) and allied Government was prepared to accept the background against which bodies to submit their ideas on draft substantial amendments, it was every action of the body which was legislation, and the views of every going to lose “a glorious opportunity ultimately created to administer relevant government department were of doing something worthwhile for national parks would be projected sought. A study was made of relevant Victoria” concerning national parks. and because they indicate very legislation in New Zealand and other Mr Stoneham described the definition clearly the sort of climate in which the Australian States, Great Britain, South of a national park as the “most controlling body was going to work. Africa and the United States. Only miserable definition of a national It has to be understood that, at the after the closest consideration had park” that he had ever read. The Bill time the Bill was before Parliament, been given to all available information defined a national park as follows: “ there was no established body, was the Bill drafted. ‘National park’ or ‘park’ means any government or private, which had the area proclaimed under this Act to The Honorary Minister, Mr A. J. necessary knowledge or expertise be a national park”. Mr Stoneham Fraser, delivered his ‘second reading based on practical experience offered, instead, a definition of a speech’ on 30th May 1956, and which the Government could have national park preferred by a certain the Parliamentary debate began. If appointed to administer Victoria’s John Dower, in his report on national national parks had suffered in the national parks system. Nor, indeed, parks in and Wales, namely, past because of a lack of competent was there a national parks system, ‘an extensive area of beautiful and administrators and field workers, but merely a number of areas which relatively wild country in which for the Parliamentary debate revealed had been reserved under the Land the nation’s benefit and by national a wealth of knowledge which, if it Act as national parks. There was decision and action: could only have been harnessed no co-ordination of management to the national parks themselves, (a) the characteristic landscape practices; this in fact was the reason would surely have carried Victoria’s beauty is strictly preserved, why the Government at the time was national parks to a position of world endeavouring to establish some (b) access facilities for public open-air leadership. form of managing body to develop a enjoyment are amply provided, system and provide a National Parks As I wrote this, the third heat of the (c) wildlife and buildings and places Service, even though these concepts America’s Cup Yacht Race was in of architectural and historical might not yet have been recognized. progress off the coast of Fremantle interest are suitably protected, and [1987] and the thought occurred to Now, it would have been possible me that, if only a fraction of the hot air (d) established farming use is to incorporate the new body generated during the debate could effectively maintained.’ (whatever its nature) in either the

12 CHAPTER 1 Lands Department or the Forests 1952, following receipt of the report way towards achieving the Service’s Commission; but the Government had of the State Development Committee. basic philosophy. There is no decided to create a National Parks It is not proposed to discuss that Bill; necessity to develop the parks as Authority and incorporate it in the but its title, ‘A Bill to make provision resorts – there is plenty of space Premier’s Department. The reason with respect to the development, elsewhere.” for this is somewhat obscure; but improvement, maintenance, This is a remarkable statement in Mr Fraser, in response to comments protection and management of tourist many ways; at that time, there was by Sir Herbert Hyland (Leader of areas, alpine areas and national no National Parks Service and one the Country Party) referring to the parks, and for other purposes’ seems can only assume that the statement ‘jealousy between departmental unduly long. In the light of the doubts embodied Mr Butcher’s personal heads’ which Sir Albert Lind said and fears revealed in the debate on views at the time. I feel bound to add had been responsible for legislation the 1956 Bill, it is hardly surprising that, in my long years of association of this kind not having been placed that the 1952 Bill did not proceed very with Mr Butcher, I was totally unaware on the statute book for the benefit far; but Sir Albert expressed regret he held such extreme views. On of the State, previously. Mr R. T. that the two aspects – national parks the contrary, during that period, he White (Ballarat North) threw further and tourism – were not joined in the demonstrated a full appreciation of light on the matter, saying that he one Bill, because he considered them the need for proper conservation thought that “this Bill represents a to be complementary to one another. practices in providing for visitors to compromise by Cabinet to settle a However, not everybody saw national national parks. But the authors of fight between the Minister for Lands parks and tourism in the same light, Hansard had before them only the and the Minister for Public Works.” Mr and Mr Fennessy drew the attention published words and did not hesitate White further confided to Parliament of the House to an article written by to use them to discredit national parks that the Premier was reputed to have the Director of Fisheries and Game in so far as the tourist aspect was told both of these Ministers “to step in Victoria, Mr A. D. Butcher, who concerned. aside, as he would take charge of the was to have been a member of the Bill”. At a later stage of the debate, National Parks Advisory Council to Mr White added a little colour to this which reference is made below. Mr statement, saying that the Premier Fennessy informed his Parliamentary The National Parks Bill had told them to “Sit back, shut up” colleagues that “the Victorian National (1956) and he would “take charge of the Bill”. Parks Association wants no intrusion It would seem that national parks were whatsoever into national parks”. It is difficult to imagine how anybody regarded as gems worthy of many a The article, inter alia, contained the who had survived the perils of crown. following remarks: adolescence could have been so naive as to present such a Bill The Government’s intention of “Perhaps I might interpret the Service to Parliament. The 1956 Bill, as transferring control of national parks philosophy as one which has as its presented, provided for the creation of to the Premier’s Department was basic objective the retention of the two bodies, namely a National Parks criticized by several speakers, park areas in a completely natural Advisory Council, consisting of the including Mr L. M. Fennessy state. Here lies, I feel, the outstanding following members ex officio: (Brunswick East), Sir Albert Lind unsolved problem of the National (a) the Premier of the State of Victoria, ( East) and Mr C. P. Parks Service. The people obviously or such other Minister as the Stoneham, who considered that have the right to visit the parks and Premier from time to time appoints the Lands Department was better to enjoy them – this in turn requires in that behalf, who shall be qualified for the purpose. the provision of at least certain basic chairman, facilities. However, every facility provided takes away something of the (b) the Secretary for Lands, An earlier draft Bill natural conditions which the Service is (c) the Chairman of the Forests endeavouring to maintain. Popularity Commission of Victoria, In the course of the debate on the can contribute a serious threat to (d) the Chairman of the Soil National Parks Bill (1956) several continued preservation. Conservation Authority; Members made nostalgic references (e) the Chairman of the State Rivers to a bill which had been introduced “A policy which holds that national and Water Supply Commission by Mr A. E. (later Sir Albert) Lind in parks are not resorts can go a long

The creation of a National Parks Authority 13 (f) the Chairman of the State National Parks Authority, which was from among the butterfly boys were Electricity Commission of Victoria, to consist of non-government bodies to gain control over national parks, he (except the representative of the could lock up an area of Victoria – for (g) the Secretary of the Public Works Victorian Government Tourist Bureau) the upkeep of which the community Department. whose qualifications and experience would pay – and members of the and a National Parks Authority having in matters relevant to national parks public would not be allowed access the following membership: were, to put it mildly, minimal or non- to what is really their property.” existent. Above all, the Premier of (a) the Director, ex officio, who shall The Bill was attacked by several the State was to be the leader of the be the chairman of the Authority, other Members. The Leader of the advisory body. (b) one member appointed by the Opposition (Mr John Cain) expressed Governor in Council who shall These proposals were the subject of concern at the intent of the Bill to be the deputy-chairman of the heated debate in Parliament. Among place the control of national parks Authority, the most outspoken critics was the in the hands of a number of private (c) one member appointed by Member for Benambra, the Hon. T. citizens while the long-serving officers the Governor in Council as W. Mitchell MLA, who warned the of the Lands Department and Forests representing organizations Honorary Minister (Mr Fraser) that Commission were to be placed in concerned with the protection of “if he and his Government were inferior positions, while the Director native fauna and flora, not co-operative, the Bill would be was to be ex-officio Chairman. He (d) one member appointed by hammered out of existence in another argued that “the sensible course is to the Governor in Council as place”. The ‘other place’, of course, have an Authority containing a blend representing organizations was the Legislative Council, where the between the well-meaning dreamers concerned with outdoor Government did not have a majority. and departmental experts”. Mr Cain said it was ridiculous for this or any recreation, Mr Mitchell was renowned for other government to present legislation (e) one member appointed by the enjoyment he derived from which proposes the Premier as the Governor in Council as participating in Parliamentary debates Chairman of any ‘advisory body’. He representing persons having a and took full advantage of them. made it very clear that, even if the Bill special interest in national parks, His famous speech, in which he were amended (as proposed by Sir (f) one member appointed by categorised those who had aligned Albert Lind), to enable the Premier to the Governor in Council as themselves with the cause of Nature appoint another Minister as Chairman representing the Country Women’s as ‘butterfly boys’ constitutes a fine of the proposed National Parks Association of Victoria, heritage of hyperbole for posterity. It Authority, he would “not be happy if appears to have been an open secret (g) one member appointed by the Honorary Minister (Mr Fraser) were that the person most likely to be the Governor in Council as to be so appointed”. Naturally, Mr appointed Director was Phillip Crosbie representing the Royal Automobile Fraser did not appreciate this. Club of Victoria, Morrison. Mr Morrison had for many years been the Editor of that excellent Sir Albert Lind regarded the draft (h) one member appointed by magazine ‘Wildlife’, and his Sunday legislation as an ‘insult’, while Mr the Governor in Council as evening broadcasts on natural Stoneham said that it was ‘a legislative representing the Victorian history had been enthusiastically Government Tourist Bureau, monstrosity’ and that nothing could awaited by thousands of listeners, be more absurd than to suggest (i) one member appointed by the for many years. This well-known and the complex task of controlling the Governor in Council as being a respected public figure was also national parks of this State should be zoologist who is a member of the President of the Victorian National undertaken by part-time enthusiasts, Royal Society of Victoria. Parks Association and a member of under the ‘domination’ of the Director. It will be seen therefore that the body the Wilson’s Promontory National Park Mr Mitchell rose to even greater consisting of the heads of the various Committee of Management. But Mr heights in his oratory and asked the statutory authorities most likely to Mitchell, with the adroitness of Mark House whether “the butterfly boys provide the necessary scientific Anthony in his celebrated speech would be required to account for the and technical knowledge, expertise after the assassination of Julius money spent if these broad acres and management skills was to act Caesar, informed the House that “if were handed over to them”. In a in an advisory capacity to serve the Crosbie Morrison or any other dictator vain attempt to bait the unfortunate

14 CHAPTER 1 Honorary Minister, he averred that “the (e) the Secretary of the Public Works in the Assembly, no doubt because, Government will give them ducats Department or his nominee; by the time it had passed through the and let them buy butterfly nets and (f) the Chairman of the Soil Assembly, it had been ‘hammered go after yabbies with fish traps”. In Conservation Authority or his into shape’. It seems that, in the end, fairness to Mr Mitchell, when called nominee; common sense and a genuine desire to order by the Chairman (Mr Vernon to place some worthwhile legislation (g) the Director of Fisheries and Christie), he claimed that he was “only in the statute books eventually Game; a bushman - just a peasant” and that triumphed over the pride and he “did not know anything about big (h) one member appointed by prejudices which, at different stages business”. Such modesty must have the Governor in Council as of the debate, had threatened disaster taken his Parliamentary colleagues representing organizations for the Bill. by surprise, but he revealed his concerned with the protection of From my reading of the Hansard further doubts by asking whether native fauna and flora; Reports, it appears that it was almost “if bug hunters are to comprise the (i) one member appointed by entirely due to the penetrating insight controlling body of our national parks, the Governor in Council as of the Hon. I. A. Swinburne, MLC where are they likely to be - anywhere representing persons having a (North-Eastern Province) that the from Balwyn to Bullioh. They are special interest in national parks; Parliament eventually escaped from likely to be up a hollow log looking for (j) one member appointed by the quicksands of confused thinking bandicoots.” All this under privilege the Governor in Council as and abusive rhetoric, and produced of Parliamentary debate! representing the Ski Club of a Bill which contained the necessary There were others of a more serious Victoria. elements for the establishment of a turn of mind who, while highly critical The Governor in Council shall from National Parks Authority on a practical of the Government for its ineptness, time to time appoint one of the basis. In essence, the Swinburne nevertheless offered constructive members to be the Deputy Chairman amendments replaced the two bodies comment. Sir Albert Lind and thereof.” mentioned on page 7 by a single the Leader of the Country Party body having the composition set made valuable contributions to the The debate continued, enlivened by out above, with item (j) amended as debate, although Sir Albert seemed some heated exchanges between mentioned on the same page. determined to combine tourism and the Government Members and those national parks in the one Bill. Mr of the Opposition and Country Party. Fraser expressed a willingness to Matters of particular concern were discuss the Bill with Members of the those dealing with the granting of Opposition and Country Party and ‘the leases and permits under the Mines House went into Committee for further Act, finance, the conduct of visitors to consideration of the Bill’. The result national parks, and so on. Despite its was that, on 3rd October, Mr Fraser most unpromising start, the Bill was submitted an amendment which “reported to the House with further proposed that “For the purposes amendments and passed through its of this Act there shall be a National remaining stages” and introduced Parks Authority consisting of: into the Legislative Council, on 9th October 1956, by the Hon G. L. (a) the Premier of Victoria or such Chandler (Minister for Agriculture). other Minister as is for the time The debate in the Upper House was being nominated by the Premier resumed on 17th October, when a who shall be the Chairman of the number of amendments were made, Authority; including one to have the skiing (b) the Director; fraternity represented by a person (c) the Secretary for Lands or his nominated by the Victorian Ski nominee; Association, instead of the Ski Club of Victoria. (d) the Chairman of the Forests Commission of Victoria or his The debate in the Upper House nominee; proceeded more smoothly than it had

The creation of a National Parks Authority 15 Chapter 2 The National Parks Act 1956

he principal aim of the National in effect, represented a commitment 5 (1) will surely be recognized as a Parks Act (1956) was create an by Parliament to those ends. most important piece of legislative Authority - the National Parks machinery which gave the Director T Section 4 of the Act stated that: Authority - having the responsibility direct access to the heads of the of administering the national parks of For the purposes of this Act there relevant government departments and Victoria. To this end, the Authority was shall subject to the Public Service others, and enabled all those bodies established as a body corporate and Acts be appointed a Director of and persons mentioned to be involved its composition was defined so that it National Parks. in the moulding of the National Parks Service. I personally consider that would have continuity of membership. The Director shall be the executive this was the most effective (if not the The Act defined its objectives and the officer of the National Parks Authority. duties of the National Parks Authority only) manner in which the Authority and embodied appropriate statutes, This statute created the office of could have functioned at the time. which enabled the Authority to pursue Director of National Parks and the objectives defined by Parliament. amounted to an instruction to the These and other relevant aspects are administering body (the Premier’s Secretary and other staff examined hereunder. Department) in accordance with Section 6 of the Act provided that normal public service procedures, and defined precisely the relationship 1. subject to the Public Service The Act in detail of the Director to the Authority. Acts there may be appointed a Secretary to the Authority and such Section 3 of the Act reads as follows: Section 5 of the Act stated that ‘for other officers and employees as are 1. The objects of this Act are the purposes this Act there shall required for the administration of be a National Parks Authority’ and (a) to provide for the establishment this Act, and listed the membership thereof. This and control of national parks; has already been given in Chapter 2. for the purposes of this Act the (b) to protect and preserve 1, along with the statutory provision Authority may with the consent indigenous plant and animal for the appointment of a deputy of the Minister administering the wildlife and features of special chairman. Section 5 (3) stated Department concerned make scenic scientific or historical that “the Authority shall be a body use of the services of any officer interest in national parks; corporate under the name of the or employee in any Government (c) to maintain the existing ‘National Parks Authority’ and shall Department. have perpetual succession and a environment of national parks; It will be seen that the appointment of common seal and shall be capable (d) to provide for the education and a Secretary and ‘such other officers’ in law of suing and being sued and, enjoyment of visitors to national etc. is not a legal requirement subject to and for the purposes of parks and to encourage and imposed by Parliament, because the this Act, of acquiring holding and control such visitors. use of the conditional (‘may’) makes it disposing of property and of doing clear that such appointments are not 2. The Premier of Victoria shall be the and suffering all other acts and mandatory. Although there does not Minister administering this Act. things as bodies corporate may by appear to have been any problem law do and suffer”. The objects of the Act, as defined, in regard to the employment of a constitute the broad framework within The remaining provisions of Section 5 Secretary and a typist/stenographer which the Authority was to work and, need not concern us here; but Section (junior), it was extremely difficult

16 CHAPTER 2 in the was established in 1909. for the Authority to obtain approval 2. Any area of land declared by this or regulation prescribe classifications to employ ‘other officers’. any subsequent Act to be a national of national parks and any park may be declared to be subject proclamation under this section The intention of Section 6(2) was to such conditions (including may proclaim land to be a national no doubt laudable, but such a responsibility for fire protection) park of any such classification. provision could have had the effect of restrictions and reservations as preventing the Authority from building 4. Any declaration of any other land the Governor in Council having up its own team of specialists. as a national park under this Act regard to recommendations of the Moreover, it is very doubtful whether shall be made by Act of Parliament Authority thinks fit and prescribes any Permanent Head would be and not otherwise. by proclamation published in prepared to admit that his department the Government Gazette and Sub-section 1 clearly defined the was so over-staffed that it could afford such conditions restrictions and areas of land over which the Authority to service another department. reservations shall have effect had jurisdiction, while sub-section accordingly: and the Governor 2 enabled the Authority, through Power to proclaim in Council may having regard the Governor in Council, to impose to any recommendation of the conditions on the management National Parks Authority revoke amend or vary practices to be adopted in regard to Section 7 of the Act stated that: any such condition restriction or land under its control. Sub-section reservation or impose any new 3 appears to have been the dream 1. The areas of Crown land which child of some individual; but, under condition restriction or reservation have already been reserved under the conditions which prevailed from by a subsequent proclamation the Land Acts, and which are 1956 to 1975, had little relevance. published in the Government referred to in the Schedule to this Sub-section 4 was of the utmost Gazette. Act, are hereby declared to be significance, as it meant that national national parks under this Act. 3. The Governor in Council may by parks could not be created or

The National Parks Act 1956 17 Whisky Point and Norman Island, Wilson’s Promontory NP.

destroyed by the Governor in Council, provide conveniences amenities parks under the control of the but only by Parliament, the supreme and attractions and provide Authority, subject to the constraints body. roads and tracks in or into the of the Act, and it empowered the park; Authority to do all those things which (b) permit any person or body were necessary for the fulfilment of Powers of the Authority of persons approved by the the objects of the Act; but it precluded Section 8 of the Act stated that: Authority to manage or occupy the possibility that the Authority might any such accommodation or endeavour to become a construction 1. Every national park shall subject to camping place at such rent authority in its own right. Section 8 this Act be under the control of the charge or fee for such periods (3) was, in my opinion, a very wise Authority which shall exercise such and subject to such conditions provision; the involvement of the control subject to the objects of this as the Authority specifies; Authority in the acquisition, control Act and to any condition restrictions and maintenance of a range of, and reservations prescribed by (c) carry out works of maintenance in the park; for example, vehicles and heavy any proclamation under this Act in equipment and a work force to suit, (d) subsidize any person or body relation to the park. would have seriously impaired its carrying out any works of ability to devote itself to those aspects 2. In the exercise and performance permanent improvement in the of park management for which its of its functions under this Act the park with the approval of the collective expertise best suited it. At Authority in respect of any national Authority. park may subject to this Act - the same time, I always maintained 3. The Authority shall not itself (a) carry out permanent works for (and still do) that it was imperative undertake any constructional the establishment, protection for the Authority to have on its staff works but shall arrange for any (including fire protection), officers who were competent to such works, and may arrange for development and improvement assess the needs of the parks and any works of maintenance, to be of the park and (without limiting the quality of the work performed by undertaken by private contractors the generality of the foregoing) others. I never saw the Authority or or by any public Authority at the may erect buildings for the its staff as a kind of rubber stamp, expense of the Authority. accommodation or convenience and evidence of this will be found of the public, set apart and This section had very important throughout this work. establish camping places, implications; it placed the national

18 CHAPTER 2 Duties of the Authority Mining Leases or Permits 2. Insofar as there is not at any time such a committee of management Section 9 of the Act defined the duties in National Parks in respect of a national park the of the Authority, viz: Section 10 of the Act provided that Authority may appoint a committee, (a) unless inconsistent with any “no lease or licence shall be granted representative of local interests special purpose for which under the Mines Acts in respect of and of national park interests, to a national park has been any part of a national park except with manage the park on behalf of the proclaimed, to maintain every the consent of the Authority; provided Authority and may delegate to such national park in its natural that if any person is aggrieved by any committees such of the powers and condition and to conserve therein refusal of the Authority to give any functions of the Authority as it thinks ecological associations and such consent he may in writing to the fit. Minister appeal to the Governor in species of native plants and 3. Subject to any general or special Council whose decision shall be final”. animals and as far as practicable directions given by the Authority, to exterminate exotic plants and I could only hope that nobody would any committee to which any powers animals therein; suspect the presence of oil in one of have been delegated may exercise (b) to encourage and regulate the our national parks! those powers in the same manner use of national parks by the public and with the same effect as if they and to provide for the enjoyment had been directly conferred on that thereof by the people in such Committees of committee by this Act and not by a way as to leave the parks Management delegation. unimpaired for the enjoyment of 4. Every committee purporting to act future generations; As explained earlier, at the time when the Authority was formed national under any delegation under this (c) to protect national parks from parks were controlled by committees section shall, in the absence of injury by fire. of management. The transfer of proof to the contrary, be presumed This section was of the utmost power from the Committees to the to be acting within the terms of the importance; section 9(a) makes it Authority was a very contentious delegation. very clear that, in undertaking or matter, and required very special 5. Any such delegation may at any in authorizing any works for any legislative provisions for its time be revoked by the Authority accomplishment. Section 11, dealing purpose, the Authority’s role as a in whole or in part, but such with this matter, reads as follows: conservation body was paramount, revocation shall not affect in any and placed the responsibility for 1. Where at the time when a way anything done under the ‘exterminating exotic plants and national park is proclaimed there delegated authority. animals’ in national parks fairly and is in existence a committee of 6. No such delegation shall prevent squarely on the Authority’s shoulders. management under the Lands the exercise by the Authority itself Section 9(b) required the Authority to Acts or the Forests Acts in respect of any of the powers and functions encourage visitors to national parks of the whole or part of the land conferred on it by this Act. (thus dispelling the doubts expressed comprised in the park (whether or by Mr Fennessy) and to provide for not in addition to any other land) Section 11 was a veritable minefield. their education and enjoyment, but in the Governor in Council, after Several important aspects of the such a way as not to impair the quality considering any recommendations section need to be explained if of the park, and to make regulations of the Authority and of the the reader is to have any clear governing the conduct of visitors to committee of management, may - understanding of the relationships parks, to that end. Finally, Section (a) decide to leave the committee between the committees of 9(c) makes it the responsibility of to function subject to this Act; or management and the Authority. the Authority to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the national (b) by Order published in the The first obvious question is why parks against injury from fire. Government Gazette revoke the Parliament, in passing the Act, did appointment of the committee not take the bold step of making the of management so far as relates committees directly responsible to to the whole or part of the land the Authority, just as it placed the comprised in the park. Authority in control of the thirteen

The National Parks Act 1956 19 national parks under Section 7(l). powers delegated. Clearly, any act with the relevant committee and, The answer is that the committees of delegation had to be very carefully of course, with the Parliamentary would never have agreed to such worded. Draughtsman, and also with the an arrangement and it is certain public utility concerned. Frankly, the As it turned out, the Authority did that the Country Party would have Authority did not have the resources not deem it necessary to revoke opposed such a proposal. And there (i.e. manpower) to become involved in any delegation of powers to any would have been good grounds for this sort of activity and it became one committee, but it would have been doing so. Firstly, until the National of my functions to bring the existence political suicide for the Authority to Parks Authority had actually met of the Authority to the notice of the have any such plans. The same and demonstrated that it had the relevant public utilities and set up the applies to sub-section 6; if the capacity to administer national parks, necessary consultative machinery to Authority had felt the need to exercise the committees would have felt very deal with any problem which might this power, the political repercussions insecure; there was in fact a good arise. This approach served as the would have been explosive. deal of nervousness in evidence. basis of many fruitful discussions Fortunately the Authority recognized Secondly, until the Authority had between the Country Roads Board that these trails were loaded with land produced a set of regulations under and the Authority concerning roads mines, and was careful to avoid using the National Parks Act and had had which lay close to the boundary of a them. them proclaimed by the Governor national park or where, in the interests in Council (under Section 15), the of public safety, a realignment of the committees of management (and the Powers of public road encroached on part of the park Authority) would have been without or, in some cases, resulted in a small regulations to enable them to control authorities addition to the park. Without such human and other activities within the Section 12 reads as follows: a provision, there could have been national parks. Until the appointments chaos. of the committees of management “Nothing in this Act shall derogate had been revoked, it was feasible for from the powers authorities and them to continue to function under the functions of any public: utility except The National Parks Fund Lands Act. Clearly, if these conditions that any such power function or Section 13 of the Act reads as follows: had been allowed to perpetuate authority shall (except in case themselves, the situation would have of emergency) in relation to any 1. There shall be established and kept become untenable; but sub-sections national park be exercised subject in the Treasury a fund to be called 1 and 2 of Section 11 embodied the to the conditions restrictions and the ‘National Parks Fund’. legislative machinery for dealing with reservations in any proclamation the problem. under this Act relating to the park 2. There shall be paid into the Fund - unless the Governor in Council (a) any gifts or bequests made to The legal implications of sub-sections otherwise directs whether generally the Authority; of Section 11 are, of course, very or in any particular case after proper; but let’s look at sub-section (b) any moneys appropriated by considering any representations of the Parliament for the purposes of 3. This means that, once, a particular Authority in relation thereto.” power had been delegated to the this Act; committee by the Authority, the I do not know whether Parliament had (c) any other money received by committee had the same power anything of a specific nature in mind the Authority. when it made this provision, but I think in regard to that function as the 3. There shall be paid out of the Fund - Authority had under the Act! Sub- that the intent is clear. If the Authority section 4 was potentially fraught had acted strictly in accordance with (a) costs and expenses incurred with great danger for the Authority; the provisions of this section, it would by the Authority in the exercise because, if the Authority wished to have been necessary to determine of any functions powers or question a particular committee for what restrictions or reservations authorities or the performance having breached any agreement with should be imposed in any particular of any duties conferred or the Authority, unless the Authority park and have such restrictions imposed upon the Authority by could prove that a breach had or reservations proclaimed by the this Act; occurred, it was to be assumed that Governor in Council. This would have (b) any costs and expenses, as the committee had acted within the entailed preliminary consultations certified by the Minister, of the

20 CHAPTER 2 administration of or arising and other park personnel were not seen as a ‘tall order’. The relevant under this Act. covered by ‘Vote’ money, but had information had to be collected to come from the ‘Works Allocation’, from the various committees of 4. A separate account shall be kept in which came from Loan Funds. This management and it took some time the Fund in respect of each national was because park personnel were not to develop the machinery to ensure park and any tolls fees rents that there was some degree of charges or other moneys received public servants and not subject to the by the committee of management provisions of the Public Service Acts. uniformity in the form of these reports, of any national park shall be to facilitate the extraction of the relevant data and incorporate them used by such committee for the Annual Report purposes of such park. in a consolidated report. It was never Section 14 of the Act read as follows: possible (for me, anyway) to produce The provisions of this section ensured the annual report as expeditiously as I that all moneys pertaining to national 1. As soon as may be after the would have liked, but the early reports parks were kept separate from thirtieth day of June in each year do, I think, convey some idea of the other Government moneys and that the Authority shall cause to be problems confronting the Authority effective accounting procedures prepared and delivered to the and the National Parks Service and of could be adopted so that it was Minister a report setting out - our endeavours to promote the cause readily possible to ascertain the (a) the activities of the Authority of national parks. financial position of the Authority and the results thereof during or of a particular committee of the year ended on such day; management. (b) the condition of each park; Regulations Section 13 (4) ensured that revenue (c) a statement of accounts, with Section 15 of the Act enabled derived from park services provided separate accounts for each the Governor in Council to make by a particular park could not be park, showing the moneys regulations with respect to the used except in regard to the park received and expended and the classification of national parks, their in question. The Authority did not purposes to which the moneys protection, preservation and care, interpret this section as implying so expended have been etc., the conduct of the several that each committee had complete applied; categories of visitors to national parks autonomy in regard to the use of and their safety, the fixing of tolls, fees (d) estimates of the work proposed ‘park revenue’, and required that and charges, etc., the proceedings of to be undertaken by or under consolidated budgets be prepared the Authority and of committees under the supervision of or on behalf for each park, embodying details the Act, the prescribing of penalties of the Authority and of the of works programmes and financial for breaches of the regulations and, moneys likely to be required for aspects, with disclosure of the source generally, with respect to all those the financial year then ensuing of finance (i.e. from park revenue matters or things deemed necessary for carrying into effect the or from Authority allocations). This in the implementation of the provisions purposes of this Act. was very proper, I think, because of the Act. park revenue was generated very 2. The Minister shall cause such It will be seen therefore that the largely by financial investments in report to be laid before both National Parks Act provided for the the park made by the Authority or by Houses of Parliament within twenty- creation of a specialist Authority and its forerunners (e.g. Tourist Resorts eight days after it is delivered to set out the legal framework required to Committees), acting on behalf of him or, if Parliament is not then enable the Authority to function under the government. Committees were sitting, then within twenty-eight the Act. Later, it became necessary inclined to regard ‘park’ revenue days after the next meeting of to amend the Act in the light of the as ‘their money’, but this constraint Parliament. enabled the Authority to ensure that Authority’s experience and to meet the there was an equitable distribution The wisdom of Parliament in imposing exigencies of the time. These matters of the money made available by the such a duty on the Authority was will be discussed at the appropriate government for use in the parks. never in question; but, considering stage. Government allocations were never the staff provided by the government adequate and it is important to to accomplish the entirety of duties remember that the wages of Rangers prescribed by the Act, it must be

The National Parks Act 1956 21 Chapter 3 The National Parks Authority

he first National Parks Authority The Authority held its first meeting on beginning the close collaboration consisted of the following 30th May 1957. The Premier, the Hon. between the two bodies which played Tmembers: H. E. (Henry) Bolte MLA, presided such an important part in future years. and explained in general terms the Chairman: The Hon. A. J. Fraser, Because the Authority did not begin functions and responsibilities of the MC, MLA, Assistant Minister of State to function until almost the end of the Authority, and urged ‘caution and Development and Decentralization. financial year, no works programmes deliberation’ in planning. The second were developed during this period, Deputy Chairman: The Hon. C. E. meeting was held on 4th June, when and no financial allocations, either to Isaac OBE, representing persons certain procedural matters were or by the Authority during the 1956- having a special interest in national discussed. It was determined that the 57 year. Prior to the creation of the parks. Authority would meet monthly and Authority, individual committee of that, as quickly as possible, visits Members: management had received grants should be paid to every national park towards the cost of maintenance Mr W. T. Long, Secretary for Lands in the ‘schedule’. Thus, Departmental and works from the Tourist Resorts Heads were required to devote the Mr A. O. P. Lawrence, BSc (Adel.), Committee, and this body undertook necessary time to attend a meeting Dip.For. (Oxon), Dip.For. (Canberra), to continue this system until the end of the Authority once a month and to Chairman, Forests Commission of of the 1956-57 financial year, so that visit the national parks, some of which Victoria the transition from the old to the new were a considerable distance from system proceeded smoothly. Mr J. H. Aldred, AFIA, Secretary for Melbourne. Wyperfeld, in the north- Public Works west, was about 450 km distant, and Mallacoota Inlet National Park lay Mr G. T. Thompson, AMI E Aust, General policy of the some 550 km to the east. Similarly, Chairman, Soil Conservation Authority non-government members found it National Parks Authority Mr A. Dunbavin Butcher, MSc (Melb), necessary to arrange their business The Authority very quickly began Director of Fisheries and Game interests to attend meetings and to examine its charter and plot its inspections. One such member, Mr course. Its first Annual Report stated Mr Dewar V. Goode, representing Dewar Goode, resided at Brim Brim, that it was preparing a general plan organizations concerned with the about 400 km west of Melbourne...a for the entire system of national parks protection of native fauna and flora. long way from Mallacoota. of the State, but clearly such a plan Mr E. H. R. Burt, representing the could not be completed until all The Authority lost no time in launching Victorian Ski Association the parks had been inspected and itself into its work. The first park the Authority had gained first-hand Mr J. C. Dickson, representing the (Kinglake) was visited on 20th June knowledge of their particular features Victorian Government Tourist Bureau and, during the next few months, and management requirements. visits were paid to Churchill, Fern Mr Crosbie Morrison, Director of Tree Gully, Sperm Whale Head (The The first Annual Report, covering National Parks Lakes), Tarra Valley, Bulga Park, the year ended 30th June 1957, one These men were about to venture Wilsons Promontory and Mount month after the first meeting, was into uncharted waters; they virtually Buffalo National Parks. Naturally, the naturally brief, but it affords a broad had to make their own maps to guide Authority was accompanied by the view of the course which lay ahead, themselves and others who followed. committees of management, thus especially in regard to the following:

22 CHAPTER 3 Philip Crosbie Morrison (left) with Committee of Management members at Mt Buffalo National Park, 1957. Photo courtesy DSE Historic Places.

1. Fire protection: It was planned to of employing the press and Proposed National Parks make a careful survey of the individual broadcasting services to promote fire hazards peculiar to each park the cause of national parks, and Even before the Authority had begun and to take appropriate protective proposed to publish, from time to to function, it had before it a list of measures without delay. time, bulletins and brochures to areas proposed as national parks, including Tower Hill, Werribee Gorge, 2. Public access: The Authority provide for ‘the education of visitors to national parks’. the Brisbane Ranges, the lower recognized the importance of , Mount Richmond providing public access to the and the Daylesford and Hepburn national parks; but, in order to Condition of the national spa resorts. While the Authority preserve the parks’ features, felt appreciated the need to extend and that motor roads should be limited parks diversify Victoria’s national parks to the ‘functional minimum’, while The first report also gave the system, it decided, in general, “to walking tracks should be developed Authority an opportunity of presenting focus attention first on bringing the to standards enabling them to be Parliament with a statement - an national parks under its control to the negotiated by ‘all able-bodied visitors, inventory - on the condition of the desired pitch of efficiency” before not only the young and nimble’. national parks, and of drawing involving itself in other desirable 3. Flora and fauna conservation: The attention to the deficiencies in regard additions. Authority considered that species to amenities, roads, walking tracks, surveys of flora and fauna should water supplies, informative notices, Staff and office be undertaken, either through the introduced animals such as deer, Fisheries and Game Department foxes and rabbits, and the prevalence accommodation or the Forests Commission and the of vandalism and illicit shooting in The position of Secretary was National Herbarium. Later, it was some parks. Obviously, the Authority not filled until 7th October 1957, hoped to be able to have one or also recognized some of the problems when Mr R B (Ron) Newson took more biologists on its own staff for that lay ahead. This statement of up his appointment. Miss June conservation management. ‘assets and liabilities’ provided a Bloomfield was appointed as a typist/ 4. Public relations: The Authority useful reference against which to stenographer, but resigned later; she recognized the importance project future developments. was succeeded by Miss Joy Barker

The National Parks Authority 23 (aged 16 years) as a junior typist/ Friday 28th February for discussions embraced some 70 per cent of stenographer. with the Committee of Management, local listeners, including the present so it may well be said that he ‘died author. Crosbie Morrison had the The staff was initially housed in the in harness’. His death undoubtedly scientific knowledge to understand ‘Conference Room’ in the Public had an effect on the course of the the world of nature, and the sensitivity Offices in Treasury Place, but later Authority; but, because he had been moved to the Observatory Building to explain its mysteries to his listeners in office only a few months, it is not in the Domain, South Yarra. The in language which could easily be possible to say what form the later Authority’s first annual report referred understood. National Parks Service might have to this as the ‘permanent home’ of the But his activities were not confined to taken under his directorship. staff. his editorial office (where I often met I personally had been acquainted him), and he enjoyed ‘camp-outs’ with with Crosbie Morrison for many years fellow naturalists, among whom he Role of the Director and valued his friendship; he was assumed a position of leadership in The Director of National Parks was warm and cheerful, always alive espousing the cause of conservation. the only member of the Authority and interested in what one had to In 1952 he was elected President who was engaged ‘full time’ on the say. He was very knowledgeable of the newly-formed. Victorian Authority’s work, the other members and had a good sense of humour. I National Parks Association, and being fully occupied with their can still see the twinkle in Crosbie’s continued his crusade for a specialist duties as heads of their respective eyes as we talked. For the purposes administration for national parks in government departments or in their of this narrative it may be worthwhile Victoria. He was also a member of private vocations. It therefore fell to to record some of the details which the Wilsons Promontory Committee of the Director to harness the resources appear to me to be relevant to the Management. of the Authority and, later, of the subject of this book, because those When, in 1956, the National Parks Bill committees of management, in who have ‘inherited the kingdom’ was finally passed, he was already mapping out areas of national parks will, for the most part, have little or no being referred to in the House as the management (in the broad sense) knowledge of the first Director (or of Director of National Parks, and was where their collective endeavours the second, for that matter). appointed to that office in May 1957. should be directed. It is difficult to Phillip Crosbie Morrison was born The first meeting of the Authority was conceive that any particular member in 1900. He attended University of the Authority could or would held on 30th May 1957; but, without High School and was later a have been able to find the time to a permanent home or staff, his task brilliant student at the University of prepare a plan of management for was daunting. Along with the other Melbourne, where he was awarded any or all of the national parks which members of the Authority he had his MSc degree for studies on the would embrace all the relevant to meet the several committees of Great Barrier Reef. His interest in functions. This, surely, was the task management and ‘persuade’ them biological research won him a place of the Director, employing all the to join the Authority on its uncharted in the expedition to Central Australia resources available to him. I am not course, and visit the national parks and later across the Nullabor with Sir aware whether the first Director ever in order to be able to make informed Russell Grimwade. In the late 1930s, received any specific instructions assessments of what was needed when Sir was seeking in regard to his work, except those to accomplish some measure of a young man to produce a nature embodied in the minutes of the compliance with the objects of the magazine, Sir Russell persuaded him Authority; I certainly did not. Act. No easy task! Yet his interest in that Crosbie Morrison was the ‘man the use of the media to gain access for the job’. The first issue of Wild Life to a wider audience remained The first Director: Phillip appeared in mid-October 1938 and, undiminished and, at the time of his Crosbie Morrison for many years, it enabled Crosbie death, he was preparing a series of Morrison to spread the gospel of television programmes to the same The untimely death of the first Director, conservation across the State and end. in the early hours of 1st March 1958, beyond. Even more effective perhaps was a sad blow for the National Parks was his Sunday night broadcast Authority and all those who knew him through 3DB (the Herald radio well. He had visited Fern Tree Gully on station), which within three months

24 CHAPTER 3 Appointment of new Sherbrooke Forest Committee of Development and later Secretary to Management was duly appointed by the Premier’s Department) into his Director the Governor in Council. Later, when office to examine my publications. I The death of the first Director the former Monbulk State Forest and gained the impression that he, too, created a vacancy, which was duly Sherbrooke Forest were amalgamated was pleasantly surprised. Naturally, advertised. Shortly after Crosbie’s to form Sherbrooke Forest Park, the the Minister did not offer any death, I began to wonder whether name was changed to ‘advisory’ encouragement that an application an application from me might be committee. I had made it clear to from me would receive any special considered. I decided to call Mr A. Mr Lawrence that I did not wish to consideration, but I left his office O. Lawrence, Chairman of the Forests become involved in the ‘management’ feeling that it might be worthwhile to Commission, to inquire whether there of the park, but was happy to assist in apply. was any reason for hope, and was the way of advice from the committee The terms of appointment of the first informed that my name had already of which I was appointed Chairman. Director required that the applicant been mentioned to the Minister. I Thus it came about that, along with possess a degree in the biological was not told by whom, and must now the other members of the Advisory sciences, but this restriction did not inform the reader why I had called Mr Committee, I found myself taking appear in the advertisement for the Lawrence. an ever-broadening interest in such second director, who was required to In 1956, the Commission found matters as ‘general policy’ in regard have, inter alia, a degree in science. itself under attack from certain to management, reafforestation, I learned much later that some 28 conservation bodies, especially public relations exercises through other people had also applied, over the erection of a ‘hut’, obtained press releases and informative and in due course interviews with a from Camp Pell in Royal Park by notices designed by the committee, special committee were arranged. Melbourne High School, in that part destruction of foxes (which were I cannot remember the names of of Sherbrooke Forest which had causing much harm to the lyrebirds all of the members of the selection been allocated to the school in the and other fauna), provision of visitor committee, but I do recall that the mid-1920s as a consequence of the facilities such as fireplaces, picnic following gentlemen were present: adoption of a plan known as ‘The tables and shelters, water supply and Sir John Jungwirth, Secretary to the Schools Plantation Scheme’. The walking tracks, etc. The committee Premier’s Department; The Hon C. details of the scheme and the pros was also concerned with fire E. Isaac, OBE, Deputy Chairman of and cons of the introduction of the protection aspects. the National Parks Authority; Mr A. O. Camp Pell hut into Sherbrooke Forest Lawrence; Mr A. D. Butcher, Director I was aware that the work of the need not concern us here; but the of Fisheries and Game; and Mr G. committee was very pleasing to the Commission was brought to realize T. Thompson, Chairman of the Soil Commission, even though it placed that it needed some body of private Conservation Authority. additional pressure on certain officers citizens to ‘advise’ it on matters whose tranquillity had been disturbed; I had, of course, submitted a formal pertaining to the management of but I was a little surprised that my application, setting out in detail my Sherbrooke Forest. Mr Lawrence name had already been mentioned to academic qualifications, experience (whom I had not previously met) the Minister as a possible successor and achievements in the literary had apparently heard of my interest to the late Director. However, I and photographic fields, which the in Sherbrooke Forest and did me decided to seek an interview with members of the selection committee the honour of inviting me to form a the Minister, the Honourable A. J. had studied. After the usual round of committee to advise the Commission. Fraser, and in the hope of creating a interrogation had been completed, I inquired whether the committee would Now, although I had spent much time favourable impression I took along be interested to see copies of my in the forest studying its lyrebirds and with me a number of journals in which published work. other features, I had not concerned my articles on various aspects of myself with management aspects. natural history and national parks At the committee’s invitation I began However, after discussing the matter had been published. I think he to hand out copies of Walkabout with Mr Lawrence, I set about the was impressed, perhaps even a Wild Life, The Argus Week-end task of selecting a committee of little surprised, because he invited Supplement, The Age Literary local residents who were interested Mr A. G. Coulthard (then a senior Supplement, The Argus Wild-Life in the welfare of the forest, and the officer of the Department of State Section, The Illustrated London News,

The National Parks Authority 25 Country Life, Sphere, The National declined. I attended the Tarnagulla for my father to obtain work in the Geographic Magazine, and finally State School, where I was fortunate country, and so in 1922 he somehow Life magazine. From the remarks in having several very fine teachers. found a position in Melbourne. My of the panel of interviewers, I was I always feel especially indebted to mother remained in Tarnagulla with led to think that not many of the Mr. William P. Carroll, who was my my sister and me, the older members other applicants had offered such headmaster for three years (1921-23) of the family having dispersed to conclusive evidence of their ability to and inculcated in me an enduring love other parts; but in August 1923 combine literary and photographic of English literature, and assisted me she moved to Melbourne with the skills in so many diverse fields. Some to win a junior scholarship in 1923. two youngest children, and the time later I was informed by Sir John family became re-established in My father was one of those pioneers Jungwirth that the Authority wished to Surrey Hills. I attended the State who never had the opportunity of nominate me for appointment by the School for several weeks under learning a particular trade, and Public Service Board, but that there the headmastership of Mr Herbert earned his living by working on was a problem. It is a Public Service Maroney, who kept me in training for farms, helping with the harvest Board rule that, if there is a public the junior scholarship examination during the summer months and servant who is judged capable of which was held at Dunolly in the third shearing sheep in the spring. Winter performing the duties required by a week of December. It was necessary was always a hard time for him, but particular position, that person must for me to return to the country he worked where he could. His be appointed. Sir John said that because the syllabus for country work took him to various parts of the there was such a person, namely Mr pupils differed somewhat from that for western and north-western districts, John McNally, who was at that time a city pupils, and there was insufficient and even as far as Deniliquin in New senior officer with the Fisheries and time between August and December South Vales. He carried his few Game Department; but he (Sir John) for me to cope with the changes in necessities in a blanket roll across and the Authority did not want Mr syllabus. I was fortunate in winning his back, and rode to work on a McNally; they wanted me. So Sir John one of the twenty junior scholarships bicycle. It was a hard life. persuaded the Public Service Board awarded to country schools. to create a new position at the same I had four older brothers and a I have mentioned these events of salary level as that of the Director younger sister; my mother looked the early parts of my life because I of National Parks, namely a Deputy after us as well as any mother could. have come to realize that my interests Director of Fisheries and Game, and She was an excellent cook and baked and inclinations, and my ability to the new position was duly advertised. her own bread, and made her own survive under harsh conditions, were Mr McNally was a clear winner in this jams, as well as practically all the established during those formative field and was duly appointed, leaving clothes of the younger children. She years, and that my early training the way open for me to be appointed had a beautiful voice and I have clear equipped me to meet the challenges Director of National Parks. So Mr recollections of her as she stood encountered in later years. Butcher obtained a Deputy Director, ironing the clothes while singing one and John McNally obtained the job he of the many songs she knew. She I spent four years (1924-27) at really wanted, and so did I. also recited poetry and prose, and I Melbourne High School, the first two have no doubt that she influenced me years (up to Intermediate Certificate) as I grew up. at the Main School, which was at Autobiographical note the corner of Nicholson Street and We lived on the edge of the forest It may help the reader to understand Victoria Parade (where the Royal and I often accompanied my father what follows if I give a brief outline Australasian College of Surgeons on his hunting trips through the bush of the principal events which led now stands). The last two years and, when I was older, I was often ultimately to my appointment. I were spent at ‘The Branch’, situated in the bush alone or with my sister. I was born on 25th January 1910 in Victoria Street near Lygon Street; was drawn to the bush and keen on at Tarnagulla, in Central Victoria. but the final term of 1927 was spent observing birds, and eagerly awaited Tarnagulla was once a rich gold- at Forrest Hill, South Yarra [where the the arrival of the spring with its annual mining centre, with several large present Melbourne High School still displays of acacias, orchids, flame mines; it was also the business centre stands]. At Melbourne High School, heath, calytrix and other wildflowers. for a fairly large farming district. After in 1926 and 1927, 1 was a member the 1914-1918 World War, the town But it was becoming more difficult of the school lacrosse team which

26 CHAPTER 3 won the premiership and the Fearon up the Rhine through Switzerland, Risborough, under the auspices of shield in D grade. In the class room over the Great Saint Bernard Pass, the Company, I visited numerous pulp I showed a preference for chemistry, through northern to Savona (on and paper companies in England and physics, mathematics and English, the coast), before turning westward Scotland, in order to see at first hand and in 1927, at the Leaving Certificate along the Italian and French Rivieras how wood is converted into paper Honours examination, I was awarded as far as Nice. From here I travelled and to learn from men of experience a first class honour and. the Exhibition partly by train to the foothills of the about the problems likely to be in Chemistry. High Alps, in the south of and, encountered in the process. from a village called Gap, I began In 1928 I achieved my youthful a cycle tour in quest of the relatives After leaving Princes Risborough, ambition and joined the Education of my maternal grandfather in the I spent six weeks working in the Department as a junior teacher. At surrounding district before resuming laboratories of Sir Norman Haworth, the beginning of 1929 I was awarded the train journey to Paris. In the at the University of Birmingham, a Secondary Teacher’s Studentship long vacation of 1936, I returned to learning something of the mysteries and commenced a science course Germany where I made myself familiar of cellulose chemistry. From here at the , with Munich (including an accidental I moved to Canada, where I spent completing my BSc degree in intrusion into Hitler’s ‘Brown House’ some time at McGill University, 1931. I was granted an extension and a non-accidental hasty departure Montreal, learning from some of the to continue my studies in chemistry from there), before embarking on leaders in wood and pulp technology and was awarded my MSc degree. mountaineering excursions in the and actually engaging in my first I was granted a further extension to Bavarian and Austrian Alps. On all pulping experiment and producing a undertake research in chemistry in of these trips, I travelled alone to sheet of paper made from Australian 1933 and sought a further extension develop my self-reliance, but took hardwood. While in Montreal I visited in 1934 in the hope of winning an every opportunity to converse with one of the major pulp and paper 1851 Exhibition Scholarship. Two of others travelling in the same direction. companies in Quebec, along with a these scholarships were awarded senior officer of APM who happened annually to science students from Before completing my studies at to be in North America at the time and the six Australian States (not each Oxford, l accepted a position with who had had considerable experience State) and in July it was announced Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd. in the pioneering work on the use of that I had been successful. Earlier (APM – now Amcor) as head of the eucalypts in the manufacture of pulp in the year I had been awarded one Company’s Research Laboratory; and paper in Australia. of the four ‘free passages’ granted but, before doing so, I made it clear annually by the P&O Orient Shipping to my prospective employers that From Canada I proceeded to the Companies to senior students from I knew nothing about the industry Forest Products Laboratory at the University of Melbourne. On 21st and requested permission to learn Madison (Wisconsin) where, under August 1934, I embarked for England something about it before returning the guidance of experienced men, I on the Orama and arrived at Tilbury to Australia. The Company agreed spent some three months extending on 26th September. and I was privileged to work at my knowledge of pulp and paper the Forest Products Research technology. Before leaving America, I sent the next two years at Oxford Laboratory at Princes Risborough, I visited a number of pulp and on research in organic chemistry, Buckinghamshire, where I learned paper mills along the west coast, under the direction of Professor (later from those who were competent to in Washington State and Oregon, Sir) Robert Robinson, FRS, and was teach me how to analyse woods observing the operations in those awarded my D. Phil in 1936. and pulps, and I practised until I companies and gathering pearls During the vacations I enjoyed was competent to teach others – an of wisdom from those very friendly several cycling tours, notably through essential step in developing the APM men who guided me through their England and North Wales, where my Research Laboratory. I made working respective ‘plants’. Over a glorious companions and I walked to several drawings of the equipment required, weekend, I seized the opportunity to mountain peaks. During the long so that later I was able to call on walk in one of Oregon’s magnificent vacation of 1935, after a 1000 km the resources of the Engineering forests skirting the mighty Columbia cycling tour through Cornwall and Department of the Fairfield Paper Mill River. When I returned to Australia Devon, I visited the Continent and to have the necessary equipment in July 1937, to take up my duties at completed a cycle tour from Cologne constructed. Whilst still at Princes the APM Research Laboratory, I was

The National Parks Authority 27 enabled to set about my tasks with appliances in the factories, and The purpose of these activities, enthusiasm and confidence because submitted their reports to me. If the of course, was to enable me to of the opportunities I had enjoyed appliances complied with the relevant understand the processes involved in whilst ‘learning the trade’. standards, the Inspector affixed a various aspects of gas manufacture ‘badge of approval’ to every such and utilization of gas, and to meet the There were already several well- appliance; if not, the manufacturer people involved, so that I could play qualified chemists and assistants was required to rectify the faults. a more useful role in my particular at the laboratory. They, of course, sphere. It was not good enough to sit were better informed on the local So that I could adequately play my in my office handling correspondence scene than I, but we combined part, I put myself through a course and reading about the world of gas our knowledge and experience to of instruction by the staff; I learned in text books and journals. I had, in develop the laboratory into an efficient how to determine the calorific value so far as it was possible, to be a part organization which, over the years, of town gas, how to test water heaters of it. provided employment for additional for thermal efficiency, and so on. I scientific and supporting staff. Even visited the factories where I observed One important aspect of the work was in 1937, the Company had begun the multifarious processes involved to organize and conduct meetings work on the establishment of a large in the manufacture of appliances. I of various committees dealing with pulp and paper mill at Maryvale [near found myself in a new world where I the relevant standards for the several Morwell] and, in preparation for this, saw moulds being made and used types of gas appliances. These a ‘pilot’ mill was built at Maryvale, in the manufacture of castings; I saw committees were composed of senior capable of producing ten tons of pulp men sand-blasting rough castings, officers of the gas utilities throughout per day. The Research Laboratory and worked my way through the Australia whose responsibilities provided the necessary testing enamelling processes. I saw metal covered design, testing, servicing, facilities for these operations. It is a guillotines in use, machines producing etc., and representatives of appliance matter of history that the country was hot pressings, and so on. I met the manufacturers concerned with at war during 1939-45 and, during this men engaged in these operations, the manufacture and sale of gas period, both the Company and the from the engineering workshops to the appliances. After a short period, by Research Laboratory had important managing director’s office. invitation, I acted in the dual capacity roles to play in regard to the war effort. of Secretary and Chairman, and Every Wednesday afternoon for the the experience thus gained was In 1946, I was appointed Chief first six weeks, I visited the West invaluable in later years, in my work in Technical Officer of the National Melbourne works of the Metropolitan the national parks field. Gas Association of Australia. The Gas Company where I donned a Association consisted of all the pair of overalls, tied a handkerchief My work with the National Gas gas utilities throughout Australia around my neck and protected my Association required me to travel and all the major gas appliance head with an old hat, while I was interstate and, from time to time, I was manufacturers. The major part of slowly conducted through the works enabled to visit some of the national the Association’s technical interests from the point where the coal was parks and equivalent areas. On was the development of appropriate delivered to the point from which the several occasions I undertook long standards to govern the quality of all gas was distributed to the consumer. walks in the Blue Mountains (New types of gas appliances and to police I followed the coal to the hoppers, South Wales), the Royal National Park the observance of such standards to the retorts, and so on; I saw the and Stanwell Tops (NSW), and in the of safety, efficiency and durability in gas being washed and purified Lamington National Park in south- the various factories. The Association while, through the kindness of the eastern . The knowledge had its own testing laboratory in Assistant Works Manager, Mr W. gained from these excursions (which were often prolonged) may be likened Melbourne, while the Australian (Bill)) Mathieson, I learned something to mileposts along the track leading to Gas Light Company and the South about the manufacture of gas. Later, national parks in Victoria. Australian Gas Company acted as I extended my knowledge by visits to agents in the testing of appliances in the South Melbourne works under the After World War II, my wife and I, and South Australia guidance of Mr Roy Pethebridge, and along with our three children, began respectively. I was assisted by a staff to the Footscray Gas Works, where to take camping holidays. After two of competent officers and a team of the Manager, Mr Roy Parsons, skilfully fortnight-long visits to Appliance Inspectors who inspected guided me through the works. in 1947 and 1948, we journeyed in

28 CHAPTER 3 1949 to Wilsons Promontory, where brought him wide acclaim. It is not we walked, fished and swam for three known what direction the National weeks. We returned to the Promontory Parks Service might have taken had every year thereafter and, as time he been afforded the opportunity of passed, my elder son and I extended fulfilling his great promise. In a report our walks to Mount Oberon, Sealers on policy, written towards the end of Cove, Refuge Cove, Waterloo Bay, 1957, Mr Morrison intimated, inter alia, the Lighthouse, the southernmost that the Authority’s policy should be to point, Tongue Point, Mount Wilson, give the committees of management Mount Ramsay, etc. It will be seen ‘as much autonomy as possible’; it is therefore that, by the time I was known also that he had it in mind to appointed Director of National Parks, I had demonstrated an interest in the employ his talents in exploiting the world at large and had acquired a audio and visual arms of the media little knowledge of it, which was likely in promoting the cause of national to serve me in good stead in my new parks. Had this course been followed, position. If I have tested the reader’s the Director would obviously have patience, I have done so deliberately, had less direct involvement in the because there were some (notably Dr Smith was a keen photographer and an more mundane aspects of park certain politicians) who were unaware authority on lyrebirds. management. of my background and seemed to The Annual Report for 1957 refers have been taken by surprise at my later described my experiences with appointment. They were probably the lyrebird family in an article which to the Observatory building in South unaware that I had played an active was published in the Argus Week-end Yarra as providing a ‘permanent role in the establishment of APM’s Magazine on 31st December l938. home’ for the staff. Even if it had been Research Laboratory and in breathing This auspicious beginning brought intended that the Authority should fresh life into the Technical Section me a reward of two pounds and two function as kind of secretariat, the 12 of the National Gas Association of shillings ($4.20) and inspired me to feet x 15 feet (about 4m x 5m) space Australia, and seemed to have no greater efforts. I gradually extended occupied by the Authority’s staff knowledge, of my interest in the world the range of my work. With my wife’s would hardly have sufficed. of nature. help I built my own dark-room, thus enabling me to undertake my own It will be seen from the resumé of developing and enlarging services. my training and experience that I Literary and photographic At the time of my appointment, I had had been concerned with the more activities had some 80-odd illustrated articles practical aspects of management published. By permission of the and with the training of staff. I had I think that my interest in photography Public Service Board I was enabled been involved in the development of was inspired by [Melbourne to continue these interests, though, teams of people whose purpose was University] Professor [of Chemistry] E. as my involvement in national parks to provide a service. I recognized the J. [Ernst] Hartung, who occasionally increased, at a slower rate. value of publicity, but had not had gave his senior students a glimpse Now the reader may feel tempted experience in that field. However, I of his magnificent photographs, to ask, “What has all this to do was not greatly concerned; I had a and by my old school friend Jock with the development of a national feeling that what visitors to national Andrews, who was a very competent parks service?” Let me explain. I and versatile photographer. I did not parks needed was a supply of good have presented a brief outline of acquire my first camera until early in drinking water and toilet facilities, and the training and experience of two 1933. I took numerous photographs the other ancillary services. I hoped directors. The first was a marine whilst overseas and after returning, that my long years of experience in zoologist with extensive experience but fear that I did not always do diverse fields where ‘things had been in journalism and the broad field justice to my subjects. made to happen’ would stand me in of natural history, and one whose good stead. In September 1938 I found my first proficiency in broadcasting, lyrebird nest in Sherbrooke Forest and especially in the field of nature, had

The National Parks Authority 29 Chapter 4 Learning the trade

he sun was shining brightly out of a blue sky when I arrived at Tthe Observatory Building near Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, where the National Parks Authority had become established, on 1st September 1958. I was met by the Secretary, Mr R. B. (Ron) Newson, and our typing assistant, a delightful young lady of sixteen years named Joy Barker. Ron showed me where I would sit – it did indeed feel strange to be sitting in the chair previously occupied by my old friend Crosbie Morrison. After a few minutes, I began to take stock: the office, about 12 ft wide x 15 ft long, contained two ample desks with comfortable chairs, and there were two four-drawer filing cabinets, two teledexes (one each - I inherited Crosbie’s) and two telephones. There was a bench about 18 inches wide running the entire length of the western wall. We had two tall metal cabinets for hanging coats in. Our typist shared an office with two other ladies employed by the Weights and Measures Department, about 20- 30 ft away.

I hardly noticed that, apart from Ron Rudd Campbell, appointed as first ranger at Wyperfeld National Park in 1958. and Joy, there was no welcoming committee or any instruction regarding my duties. Ron explained that an I understood, of course, why there The first meeting Authority meeting was scheduled had been no welcoming committee; My first meeting with the Authority for the following day and that the the Minister was always occupied was on 2nd September, 1958. The meeting room was in the grounds of with Cabinet on Monday mornings, Minister, the Hon. A. J. Fraser M the herbarium, nearby. He handed and the several Permanent Heads me a copy of the agenda, which did were occupied with the affairs of P, was present and welcomed me not mean much to me at the time. their respective departments. In any warmly, and the Deputy Chairman After a while, I began to study the case, we would all be meeting on the also added a few words of welcome. I National Parks Act (1956) and began following day. responded (suitably, I hoped), saying to understand the structure of the that I was aware that I had much to Authority, its duties and powers, how it learn about Victoria’s national parks, was expected to function, and various but that I hoped in due course to other aspects of the legislation. prove worthy of a place in the national

30 CHAPTER 4 parks team. Then the business of the manner in which the Secretary, Mr experience when I found myself in meeting began, and I still recall how James Harrison, prepared the minutes charge of the research Laboratory lonely I felt - they talked about works of meetings of the Council of the at Australian Paper Manufacturers programs in parks and areas of which National Gas Association and of other Ltd, without previous experience. I I had no knowledge, and it seemed meetings, which he arranged. On developed a system largely based to me that it would be years before making inquiries, I was introduced to on the letters of the alphabet; but, I could even begin to comprehend a little book entitled How to Conduct as we were virtually self-contained, the enormity of the task ahead of Meetings: a Textbook for Chairmen, and as reports, etc., were largely me. However, I think that I managed Secretaries and Conveners of concerned with functional matters to conceal my embarrassment and Meetings, by John P. Monro, B.A. In (Bleaching, Pulping, Sizing, etc.), asked a few questions from time to conducting meetings and preparing the system worked satisfactorily. time and, by the end of the meeting, minutes of the numerous meetings However, when I moved to the gas was feeling a little easier in my mind. which I organized during the twelve industry, I found myself dealing with years I spent with the Association, The departmental heads all promised a wide range of different subjects and in conducting the affairs of the their support and invited me to use (domestic gas cookers, various Sherbrooke Forest Park Advisory the resources of their departments, types of water heaters, space Committee, I had used the methods and it was arranged that I should be heaters, refrigerators, commercial recommended by Monro. introduced to the various committees and industrial applications) and with of management as soon as possible. I decided that Monro’s methods were numerous appliance manufacturers A visit to Tarra Valley and Bulga Park ideally suited to the Authority’s needs. and gas utilities throughout Australia, was arranged and duly took place. At All relevant details of the meeting as well as various aspects of the the meeting I made the acquaintance (date, venue, time of commencing) manufacture of gas, etc. In addition, of Mr E. J. (Ern) Edwards, a District were recorded in the heading, there were standards for the various Engineer employed by the Public and the minutes were numbered types of gas appliances, and the Works Department, who acted as a consecutively (as were the respective records of numerous meetings of the liaison officer and consultant to the meetings) and were identified by several committees with which I was committees of management. This key words. The minutes were not associated. An alphabetical system was the beginning of a very fruitful in narrative form, but contained would have been inadequate. collaboration which extended over relevant references to any supporting many years. material, which was appended. As Fortunately there were two people some of the matters dealt with by on my staff who came to my rescue. the Authority extended over several Alan King Martin had been a Office management meetings, in subsequent meetings it contemporary of mine at the university was only necessary to refer to ‘Minute and had been a Flight Lieutenant in One could almost be forgiven for x’ (of a previous meeting) and the the RAAF in World War II, and Miss thinking that there could be no development of the particular matter Marie Coleman, who had become problem in organizing the work of an could readily be traced. This was the my first secretary, had served with office as small as ours. I hesitate to method adopted from my first meeting the WRAAF. These two fine people use the word ‘management’, but it with the Authority. collaborated enthusiastically in the did not take long for me to realize that preparation of a filing system based some fundamental matters needed on the decimal system, which enabled attention. Filing system us to file papers quickly and find During my pre-National Parks days, 1 them again without delay. An index to Minutes of meetings had learned the value of an effective the files was essential; but, although filing system – that is, one which extensions (to cover new appliances, Although I was anxious not to appear enables the required information to be new manufacturers, etc) could be critical, after I had studied the minutes stored yet readily available. No doubt made very easily, it was important of the early meetings I concluded that because of the unfortunate train of that there be only one controller of the the method of recording the minutes events which had preceded my arrival files and that the index be kept up to was unsuitable for the Authority. When at the Director’s office, such a system date. It is to the great credit of those I joined the gas industry in 1946, I was lacking; hence it was necessary mentioned that, after twelve years, the was immediately impressed by the to devise one. I had had a similar system still worked efficiently.

Learning the trade 31 The situation now confronting me was position to initiate correspondence or of the Public Service. I was especially in many ways similar to that which reports were provided with up-to-date pleased to meet some Members who faced me in the gas industry in 1946. indexes to the files, and the senior were familiar with Wilsons Promontory Instead of being required to deal with typist was responsible for records of through their commando training members of the Association (gas ‘consecutive numbers’. The value of during the war years, and we shared utilities and appliance manufacturers) the consecutive file was that, if the reminiscences of our experiences in and the various functional arms of the main subject file was not available, remote parts of ‘the Prom’. gas industry, I was now concerned the relevant item of correspondence In due course I was invited to meet with some thirteen national parks, could readily be located in the the committees of management government departments and consecutive file. for Wilsons Promontory, Mount committees of management, as well The method described proved Buffalo, Fern Tree Gully, Kinglake as the Authority itself. In addition, satisfactory for the years 1958 to and Churchill national parks. Whilst the various functions of the Authority 1975, but some modification would such meetings were pleasant, committees and parks had to be have been necessary to cope with the committees seemed a little identified and covered by the system, the changes which occurred in the apprehensive about their future and which also had to be designed so National Parks Service after 1975. made it clear that they were looking to as to provide for later developments the Authority for financial support, but Now there will perhaps be some such as new parks and changes in they obviously placed a high value on who will wonder why I have gone legislation, etc. their independence. into such detail about matters which I no longer had the services of Alan appear to be so fundamental and It was one of the highlights of this Martin and Marie Coleman, and had obvious. It is precisely for those part of my life to visit Tarra Valley to grapple with the problem single- reasons that I have done so, because and Bulga Park. The Alberton Shire handed. It took me over six weeks, my experience has made me realise Council, with its office in Yarram, including a great deal of after-hours that all too often these matters are was the Committee of Management work, to produce the system, which neglected. It must not be supposed for both parks and, over the years, was still in use after 16½ years. that my various activities occurred I developed a close liaison with the in sequence; almost every day was Shire Secretary, Mr A. E. (Arthur) different from the previous one. I had Curry, who was always enthusiastic Identification of items of the benefit of frequent discussions and co-operative. I also met Mrs K. correspondence etc with the Minister, Mr Fraser; there M. (Kara) Healy, who had succeeded One of the chief reasons why were telephone calls and letters to be her late husband Jim as Park Ranger correspondence and reports are often dealt with, discussions with officers at Tarra Valley. Her love of the parks, difficult to find, I think, is that such of other departments, and so on. especially Tarra Valley, which adjoined items are filed in the wrong place. And records of these matters had to her own property, and her knowledge I therefore adopted the practice be kept on file. Some exercises ran of the botanical and faunal features of (which I imported from the gas over several months or longer; but, the parks, were an inspiration. for the purposes of this narrative, industry) of numbering each item This was a time also when I made the manifold functions with which I of correspondence consecutively the acquaintance of a number of the was concerned are treated, in so far and incorporating the file number in officers of the various government as this is possible, as if they were the reference. Two copies of each departments and paved the way discrete. letter were retained on the Authority’s for valuable collaborations in later files; one (yellow paper) went on the years. Before the creation of the ‘consecutive file’, and the other (pink Authority, there had been no central copy) on the subject file. There was Introductions body responsible for national parks a reference number on each letter, Shortly after my appointment, the to which other organizations could e.g., ‘Reference No. 123 - 3/3/16’, so Hon. Cyril Isaac very kindly took me refer. When the Authority became that it was not left to the discretion of on a tour of the Houses of Parliament aware that the PMG’s Department had a junior clerk or typist to decide where and introduced me to a number of bulldozed a strip of forest adjoining to file a particular item. Those officers Members. Our discussions were the through Lind (when we had been fortunate enough cordial and served to dispel the National Park, I was asked to bring to acquire some) who were in a feeling of being isolated from the heart the Authority’s interests to the notice

32 CHAPTER 4 Wonga Hut was built in 1958 and became the Authority’s headquarters for meetings and for overnight stays in Wyperfeld NP.

Learning the trade 33 of the Department, with a request that it confer with the Authority before undertaking works which, by their very nature, detracted from the amenity of any national park which might be involved. Thus began, through the good offices of Mr K. Smith, Director of Engineering, an agreeable association with the PMG’s Department. I provided Mr. Smith with a list of the national parks and details of their location, and he duly informed the relevant Divisional Engineers of his department, who thenceforth co-operated very well with the Authority. In the preparation of the list of parks and their location, I had the assistance of the Lands Department.

First visit to Wyperfeld The Authority had postponed its first visit to Wyperfeld National Park because of the death of the former Director, but arrangements were made at the second meeting following my assumption of office for a visit in mid-October l958. On 14th October, the Authority travelled by train, in the Commissioners’ carriage, to Wail (near Dimboola), where a visit was paid to the Forest Commission’s nursery. On the following day, the Authority proceeded from Dimboola through Rainbow to Wyperfeld National Park, where it was met by the Committee of Management. The road was little more than a sandy track, with several very treacherous Don Saunders joined the NPA in 1963 and was Director of National Parks from 1979 to 1994. stretches both within the park and Photo by Jenny Lau. along the approach road. After a brief discussion at Wonga Hut, the party about Wyperfeld, Victoria’s largest Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, some proceeded in Land Rovers (kindly national park, and had looked flocks of Galahs and a few Emus, provided by the Forests Commission, forward to the visit. But it was a dull but I was disappointed at seeing so Lands Department and Fisheries day, rather miserably cool during few kangaroos. I was to learn that and Game) to Black Flat and the morning, with periods of light Wyperfeld does not embrace the Brambruck, where a picnic lunch drizzle which restricted visibility, and temporary visitor with open arms, (prepared by the Dimboola Hotel) was the country was SO flat. I was, of but gradually reveals her secrets taken. course, delighted to see a number of and charm only to the persistent and My reactions to this visit were very Regent Parrots, Mallee Ringnecks, faithful courtier. mixed. I had heard a great deal Mulga Parrots, Major Mitchell and

34 CHAPTER 4 Appointment of given to the Deputy Chairman for Throughout my entire period of his persistence and determination service I found it highly beneficial to Park Ranger to make the best use of the time. discuss park matters and national Hitherto the park had not had a Park We arrived back in Melbourne at park philosophies with the Park Ranger, although for many years a mid-afternoon and I immediately Rangers. The exchanges were neighbour whose farm was situated proceeded to the office, where I two-way, like a reversible chemical about 6 km south of the park had prepared a press statement for reaction; but I doubt whether we ever devoted a great deal of time to release by the Minister. reached an enduring condition of caring for the park in an honorary From the discussions between the equilibrium, because we were always capacity. He was present during the Authority and the Committee, and dealing with dynamic situations. Authority’s visit and it was a great from my own observations, I learned moment for all concerned when the much from the visit to Wyperfeld Deputy Chairman announced that concerning such matters as the Authority had acceded to the roading, water supply, soil erosion, Committee’s request that Mr Albert conservation, vermin control (rabbit Edward George (‘Rudd’) Campbell destruction), fire-protection, etc. be appointed Park Ranger, on a 3-4 The ‘follow-up action’ which it was days per week basis. It was left to necessary to take in consequence the Director to make the necessary of the visit was also a new learning arrangements. At the conclusion experience for me. I felt that I was of the visit, I was called upon to beginning to learn the trade. make the Authority’s response to the Committee’s expressions of pleasure Of course, the learning process never at the Authority’s visit and interest stopped; the more often I visited the in the welfare of the park, and I can parks and talked to the rangers and still remember the nervous tension committees, the more I observed and I experienced at the time. I had to the more I learned. Naturally, as time speak with confidence to a group of passed, I found myself discussing men who so obviously knew so much park matters with the local Shire more about national parks than I did. Councils. I hesitate to mention any of However, I think that I managed to them by name, because I learned that conceal my nervousness. all Shire Councils are interested in the various aspects of their districts, and I The Authority spent the night at found them very helpful. My problem, Dimboola and, during the evening, I of course, was to find the time to visit visited the local radio station, where them, but it was essential to develop I was interviewed concerning the friendly relations with Shire Councils Authority’s impressions of Wyperfeld and their officers; to do otherwise and its plans for the park’s future. The could lead to misunderstandings and interview was broadcast during the such situations are not resolved by reading of the news on the following remaining ‘aloof’. morning, and was heard by members In due course I enjoyed the privilege of the Authority. of ‘dropping in’ on men like Jack On the return journey, the Authority Collins (Secretary of Karkarooc Shire resumed the official meeting, which Council), Roy Livingstone (Secretary had begun two days earlier; the main of the Shire of Dimboola), Keith item on the agenda was National Lovett (Lowan Shire Secretary), the Parks Regulations, which at the Secretary and Engineer of the South time were in draft form only. The Gippsland Shire Council, the officers irregular vibrations of the train, and of the Orbost Shire Council, and the noise, made it difficult to conduct others, whenever I happened to be in the meeting, but full marks must be their respective districts.

Learning the trade 35 Chapter 5 Committees of Management

t must be very clear to anyone who the mercy of every national park the several committees would co- has closely studied the events and committee of management in the operate in the attainment of their Icircumstances which culminated State, and would not have had the common objectives. The Authority in the creation of the National Parks experience in its new field to enable certainly needed the assistance Authority and the appointment of the it to make proper judgments. It would of the committees, and vice versa. Director(s) that the new Authority, have been like throwing a baby into a Achieving such an understanding with all the good will in the world, had school of piranhas. with the committees was no easy little if any detailed knowledge of the In speaking on this aspect in the task; and, in those cases where the day-to-day problems encountered in Legislative Council on 23rd October committee had been able to generate managing national parks. The only 1956, Mr Swinburne said: “I do a sizeable amount of park revenue, reservoir of such knowledge resided not submit that a sum of money this was more difficult than it was in with the respective committees should be set aside which will be those cases where the committee of management, which had been disproportionate to what is required, had little or no money. The richer appointed many years before the but an amount should be specified committees clung tenaciously to advent of the Authority, under the which is sufficient to enable the their autonomy and were inclined to Lands Act. I recognized this; but, at Authority to meet its obligations look to the Authority as a provider the time, was unaware that the Hon. I. under the measure. There can be of money. I saw the Authority as A. Swinburne MLC, when contributing no doubt that the success or failure the supreme controlling body and to the debate on the National Parks of the Bill will depend wholly and the committees as the Authority’s Bill, on 23 October 1956, said, inter solely on the enthusiasm of local agents working in their respective alia, “We do not want to under-rate the committees. If they do not work fields (parks). I wanted to develop efforts of the local committees over effectively, the Authority will be unable a national parks service which would the years, because the Authority will to function. Under this Bill there ultimately replace the committee of not be able to function without their will be established committees of management system; but, clearly, this assistance”. management for those parks that so was a long-term objective. However, When the Bill was being debated far have had no such committees, equally obvious was the fact that, by the Legislative Assembly on 28th but the committees concerned will be if the Authority encouraged the August 1956, Mr Olive Stoneham MLA unable to achieve anything worthwhile committees to look upon themselves (Midlands) suggested that the sum of unless finance is available to the as autonomous bodies, the task of £500,000 be provided for use by the Authority so that it can say to a local ultimately creating a national parks new Authority to enable it to meet the committee, ‘It is your job to develop service would be so much more needs of the parks. It is just possible this park in such and such a way, for difficult. One major difficulty was that Mr Stoneham, whose party was which purpose you will be provided the fact that neither the Authority nor in Opposition at the time, was ‘flying a with a certain sum’”. the Director initially had knowledge kite’. I did not learn of this until much Although I was unaware of Mr of the parks to match that of the later, but I do not think that, under any Swinburne’s views until long after he respective committees. That was the circumstances, the government would had expressed them in Parliament, challenge; that gap could be bridged provide money on that scale to a body I always recognized that it was one only through hard work and the active which had not yet demonstrated a of my most important and urgent involvement of the Authority and the capacity to manage national parks. tasks to devise the machinery which Director in park management. The Authority would have been at would ensure that the Authority and

36 CHAPTER 5 Fraser NP committee of management, circa 1965.

Taking the committees meeting, on 26 February 1959, of the Thursday, 26th February, when it was executive members of the committees agreed – on board of management of Wilsons (a) that immediately subsequent to Promontory, Mount Buffalo, Fern Tree It has been explained in Chapter 2 the cancellation of your Committee Gully and Kinglake National Parks, in why the National Parks Act did not of Management from office the office of the Hon. G D Chandler, revoke the appointment of the several under the Land Act, they would MLC, who was Minister for Agriculture committees of management which be appointed as Committee of and Chairman of the Fern Tree Gully had been made under the Lands Management by the National Committee of Management. Those Act and re-appoint them under the Parks Authority under the same present pre-empted any decision National Parks Act 1956. Negotiations terms and conditions they now which the Authority might have been between the Authority and the enjoy. However, appointments to contemplating (as a matter of fact, committees had commenced even fill vacancies occurring from time the Authority was not contemplating before I took up my appointment, to time would be for a period of any action) and, when they had and I continued the consultative three years. Notice of cancellation concluded their deliberations, they processes whilst devoting as much under the Land Act and notice summoned the Minister, Mr Fraser, time as possible (with the full co- appointing the Committee of to Mr Chandler’s office, where they operation of the Parliamentary Management under the National presented him with the committees’ Draughtsman, of course) to producing Parks Act would appear in the ultimatum. The Minister acceded to a set of Regulations acceptable to same gazette. both the Authority and the committees the demands of the committees and of management. This entailed a great confirmed his decision in a letter (b) works programmes would be deal of liaison with both bodies and dated 12th March 1959, which read prepared by the Authority and voluminous correspondence; but as follows: the Committee of Management in joint consultation; and, when the Regulations were promulgated “Dear Mr.... agreement had been reached by the Governor in Council on 17th This note will serve to confirm advice between the Trustees and the November 1959. conveyed during a discussion with Authority, the work would be However, the anxiety of certain of the representatives of your Committee of carried out by the Public Works committees regarding their future Management, which took place in the or some other appropriate roles under the ‘control’ of the National office of the Minister of Agriculture Department - otherwise the work Parks Authority culminated in a (the Hon G L Chandler, MLC), on would be carried out as arranged

Committees of Management 37 by the Trustees subject to the reached between the Minister and had done, in fact, was to create two Authority’s approval. the committees. The words ‘under classes of members of committees the same terms and conditions of management, namely those with (c) Developmental funds: efforts as they now enjoy’ meant that the gold passes, appointed for life, and will be made to provide funds members comprising the committees a second class of members whose for the purpose of carrying out of management at the time (26th appointments were to be limited to developmental works agreed February 1959) would be appointed three years, with the option of renewal. upon in accordance with the for life; that is, the Authority could not foregoing, and discussions would The provision (c) regarding dismiss them. This was an additional be entered into immediately with developmental funds was hardly the thorn in the Authority’s side; but, in the Tourist Development Authority result of mature thought. The whole fact, the whole proposal amounted for the purpose of endeavouring purpose of creating the National to a hollow victory for the committees to arrange for funds to be made Parks Authority was to co-ordinate and the manoeuvre merely reflected available from the Tourist Resort the management and development of the nervous state of the committees’ Fund on the same basis as in national parks, and the Act embodied collective mind. The Authority had previous years. the necessary provisions to enable no intention of dispensing with the the Authority to devise appropriate Yours faithfully, committees of management and administrative machinery and make the political climate of the day was (Signed) A J FRASER financial disbursements to the such that, even if the Authority had committees for works in national Minister of State Development and proposed this course of action, parks. At about the same time as the Chairman, National Parks Authority” the Government would not have supported it. The Government relied National Parks Act was passed, the Copies of this letter were sent to the on the support of the Country Party Tourist Development Act created a Secretaries of the several committees in the Upper House, and the Hon I Tourist Development Authority, with of management concerned and to A Swinburne was deputy leader of appropriate funding for the special the Hon. G. L. Chandler, Chairman, the Country Party in the Legislative purpose of providing for works, etc., Committee of Management, Fern Council, as well as being a strong in areas other than national parks. Tree Gully National Park, (for his member of the Mount Buffalo National Only a very naive person could information), and to the Director of Park Committee of Management. imagine that the Tourist Development National Parks for transmission to the And there would have been strong Authority would heed a cry of anguish National Parks Authority. This was opposition from the Liberal Party from the committee of management of done without delay. The Authority was itself, because the Hon. Gilbert a national park. very concerned that the Chairman Chandler was Chairman of the Fern What the committees were had acted without consultation with Tree Gully National Park Committee of endeavouring to establish was that the members, but perhaps even more Management. the National Parks Authority would be concerned that one of the Chairman’s The committees’ actions served to obliged to make financial allocations ministerial colleagues should have reflect the bewildered state of their to the committees which were not less so actively collaborated with the minds and, in seeking to demonstrate favourable than they had been when dissident committees of management their strength against the Authority, the committees had been funded in their endeavours to undermine they had merely succeeded in by the Tourist Resorts Committee. the Chairman (and, thereby, also revealing their weaknesses. If the The National Parks Authority noted the Authority itself). However, after committees had sought a meeting this with interest, but did not permit discussion, the Authority agreed with the Authority their fears could itself to be intimidated. It must be to do the only thing it could have have been dispelled, because the remembered that the matters under done, namely ‘accept the situation members of the National Parks discussion took place before the and learn to live with it’. But I doubt Authority were very practical and committees concerned had become whether Dale Carnegie would have understanding men of considerable responsible to the National Parks endorsed the action of the committees experience. But the committees Authority; but, after this had been concerned. chose to exercise their political clout accomplished, the committees Before leaving the matter, it seems and endeavoured to isolate the soon found that they were not being worthwhile to examine briefly the Minister from the Authority of which he disadvantaged under the new system. significance of the ‘agreement’ was Chairman. What the committees

38 CHAPTER 5 Getting to know of Victoria], who had just recently of the Authority), I accompanied been appointed the Authority’s first several others on an excursion which the Committees of Technical Officer and was, I think, began in a boat trip across the Lower Management visiting Wyperfeld for the first time. Lake at Mallacoota and continued In the course of our walks and talks, in a walk along the telephone line to Clearly, it was essential for the I learned about the fire which had . The party included members of the Authority and the swept through the park in 1946, and Jack Fitzgerald, Norman Wakefield, Director to make the acquaintance I saw how the cypress pines had Tony Wilson (whose parents owned of the members of the committees of suffered and how the mallee had the Gypsy Point Hotel) and a few management as quickly as possible. recovered, and, of course, I gathered others. Jack Fitzgerald was the An exchange of correspondence much information about the native Lands Department’s Eastern District was not adequate; those concerned birds and wildflowers. I saw the Surveyor; Norman Wakefeld was a had to meet vis-a-vis and develop bare sand dunes and an abundance well-known naturalist and a member the means of continuing the liaison. of rabbits. I was thrilled at seeing of the teaching fraternity. We had This was no easy task, because mobs of kangaroos and emus. The lunch near the lake and discussed the members of both the Authority committee may not have been the pros and cons of having the and the committees, in the main, aware of it, but I was back at school, lake included in a Game Reserve had full-time jobs to occupy their learning as fast as I could. I slept on under the control of the Fisheries and time. Nevertheless the Authority did a camp stretcher in the Wonga Hut Game Department or, possibly, in an make a point of visiting as many where there had been a warm fire extended national park, should the national parks as possible to meet during the evening. We sat around a boundaries of Mallacoota Inlet NP the committees and discuss park rough wooden table on long stools, ever be extended to include the Howe matters ‘on the ground’. But there beneath a kerosene lamp hung from a Ranges and, hopefully, to the New other times when it was possible for beam in an unlined roof, while insects South Wales border. I was seeing the Director to meet the Chairman in their thousands zoomed in from things – first hand! of a committee alone, or a group of outside. But there were no complaints members. I recall paying several During that first year, I visited from the pioneers who shared these visits to Strathmore to confer with Mr on several rude comforts with me. W. J. Northey, Chairman of Wilsons occasions, initially at the invitation Promontory National Park Committee One morning Hugh Wilson presented of the Chairman, Sir George Knox, of Management. As Mr Northey had me with a glass of crystal-clear and later with other members of the long since retired from his position water which he said had come from committee. We walked around the with the Lands Department such the bore at the western end of Lake park as I listened to the committee’s meetings were held in the daytime; Brimin, not far from Wonga Hut. At his plans, and in due course I helped but Mr Harold Tarr, Chairman of the invitation I drank it; it was salty, but to make some of their dreams come Wyperfeld Committee, was a master- not too salty for a thirsty man. But I true. To be honest, my first reaction builder and was not available during did not ask for a re-fill. The committee was that Churchill was not worthy of the day. On numerous occasions, used that water to give the birds and a place in the national parks system; therefore, I drove out to Nunawading kangaroos a drink in the evenings. but, after discussing the matter with in the evening and I have pleasant Later in the visit we explored the the deputy chairman, I decided that, recollections of my evening visits to possibility of developing a bore to as Parliament had placed it in the the home of Mr and Mrs Tarr. provide potable water for visitors; we Schedule, it would be wiser to accept the situation as it was. So I took a will return to this subject later. Probably the best way of forging more positive view and recognized the bonds of co-operation and Even before a committee of that Churchill afforded scope for understanding was through joint visits management had been appointed the development of a very useful to the parks. I recall my second visit for Mallacoota Inlet National Park, recreational area close to Dandenong to Wyperfeld, along with members of there was a great deal of controversy and the surrounding district. I the committee, in September 1959. regarding the ultimate fate of Lake supported the committee’s request for Among those present were Harold Barracoota, situated among the a Park Ranger and, before long, had Tarr, Hugh Wilson, Ros. Garnet, sand dunes about 9.5 km east of found young George Sharpe, who E J (‘Ernie’) Hanks, Bill Middleton Mallacoota. Along with had had some experience in Kruger and John Landy [later Governor and George Thompson (a member National Park in South Africa. There

Committees of Management 39 The NPA’s first Technical Officer, John Landy, surveys Lake Barracoota at Mallacoota Inlet NP (now part of Croajingolong NP), in 1957. Famous as an Olympic athlete, Mr Landy was 2001-2006.

was no house for him to occupy, so gazed across the wide open space so dense that Sir George had had no we arranged for the committee to hire toward Doveton and Dandenong. I compunction in selling some of it to a caravan, which was hidden away in supported the Committee’s proposals the racing fraternity for use in brush a quiet corner of the park. Sir George for improvements to the dam with fences. Naturally, we discussed the and Lady Knox showed their interest the object of attracting water birds. matter of fire protection and, in due by frequently inviting George to their Although the park was only sparsely course, we began to talk about a home for a meal. forested, we were frequently house for the ranger. I investigated During my visits to the park, I often entertained by the warbling of the the possibilities of having Stockdale stood beneath those mighty SEC Golden Whistler and the Grey Thrush. and Leggo provide one and, with the power lines and enormous towers, Occasionally in the course of our Authority’s concurrence, construction trying to reconcile their presence rambles we disturbed a wallaby, was well under way before 30 June with national parks philosophy as I especially in the tea-tree, which was 1960. The ‘standard’ house was

40 CHAPTER 5 modified to incorporate an office, that the Authority was in a difficult handling. It is conceivable that so that the ranger would not have situation in endeavouring to deal the Authority, either alone or in to conduct national parks business with committees and make financial consultation with a committee, could in the dwelling. The standard house allocations of public money to find itself involved in matters which provided for the use of cement tiles bodies over which it had no legal might affect other parties, and it on the roof, but Mr. Gordon Wright, control. I said that the Act had made was considered essential that the who was the committee’s spokesman provision for the transfer of control subject under discussion should not on the project, insisted on using from the Lands Department to the become a political football at either glazed earthenware tiles; because, Authority and that it was surely a the Parliamentary level or at that of he said, “We must have the best for natural expectation of Parliament local government before the Authority our ranger’s house.” As Engineer that this course would be followed; and/or the committee had reached a to the City of Dandenong, he was otherwise the provision would not decision. When such a decision had obviously accustomed to dealing with have been made in the Act. The been announced by the Minister or a larger budget than that of the infant committee had so long enjoyed an the Authority, other interested parties Authority, and this incident serves to autonomous existence that it had would have something definite on illustrate the sort of problem which difficulty in recognizing that the future which to comment. frequently confronted the Authority. success of the Authority and the It had come to the Authority’s notice Compromises had to be made and committee, in achieving their common that, where Shire Councils had a accepted in other parks such as objectives, required the close and ‘representative’ on a committee of Kinglake and Wilsons Promontory, but active co-operation of the two bodies. management, it was the practice not in Churchill. The committee did not give me the of that representative to ‘table’, at As I have already mentioned, it assurance the Authority had sought, meetings of the Council, the minutes was not always possible for the but I had given them a new light of meetings of the committee full Authority to accompany me on the matter and, in due course, concerned. Such minutes might well on my visits to the parks to meet the committee did come under the refer to matters raised by the Authority the committees of management. Authority’s control. We had made with the committee, or they might I suppose that on such solitary a start, but there was a rough road refer to matters being considered missions I was somewhat vulnerable, ahead of us. within the committee. Apparently, it and I cannot honestly say that I was So the process of liaison continued, was the practice of the local news received with open arms at my first as I learned the trade and the reporters in attendance at meetings meeting with the Fern Tree Gully committees and the Authority moved of the Shire Council, committee. The committee was very towards a working relationship. Prior which had a ‘representative’ on the apprehensive about its future under to the advent of the Authority, the Wilsons Promontory Committee of the control of the Authority, and I was committees of management had Management, to extract items of aware that there had been some enjoyed almost complete autonomy. interest from the minutes and publish unpleasantness at the last meeting of Now the division of responsibility them. The Authority did not have a my predecessor with this committee, between the two bodies in the specific item in mind, but deemed a few hours before he succumbed to management and development of the it advisable to take a cautious look a massive heart attack. The Authority parks had to be worked out. before embarking on a trek over what had requested me to discuss with the might prove to be a minefield. committee the advantages of coming The Authority determined that, under the control of the Authority, but Responsibility of henceforth, members of committees the committee seemed determined members of of management who were affiliated to make a show of strength and was with Shire Councils or other non- initially very aggressive. But I felt like committees of government bodies would be a salesman who knew that he had a management appointed as ‘nominees’ of the good product to sell and managed to It will be appreciated that the affiliated body; because, as such, retain my composure. Authority, in its efforts to develop a they were not obliged to table the After the archers had fired all their national parks service, was likely minutes of committee meetings as arrows, we settled down to a more to become involved in a range of they had formerly. To avoid any rational discussion. I pointed out issues which required delicate misunderstanding over the change in

Committees of Management 41 procedure, arrangements were made another and without the care of a with public bodies such as Shire for me to be invited to a meeting of shepherd. Councils, etc. the Council, The statement read as follows: It must be presumed that the when the matter was discussed Committee will be working in amicably. “NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY accordance with the terms of To obviate the possibility of the 276 Collins Street, Melbourne, C l reference agreed upon between the inadvertent divulgence of Authority 12th May, 1960 Committee and the Authority and that or Committee business by a their freedom to act will be restricted member of committee who was MEMORANDUM to Members of in all cases to the national park with unaware of the Authority’s policy Committees of Management which they are associated. on the matter of confidentiality, the RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF In general, it is not anticipated that Authority requested me to prepare COMMITTEES OF MANAGEMENT Committees will be dealing with a statement for distribution to the matters which could involve any committees of management. The Now that the Committees of controversy between departments, draft of that statement was very Management of the various National because all such matters will be carefully examined, paragraph by Parks are all under the control of the dealt with by the Authority and the paragraph, before being finalised. Authority, it seems desirable to set departments concerned. It is not likely In particular, the Authority’s attention down, for the guidance of members that a departmental officer would was drawn to the final paragraph, of such Committees, certain matters agree in Committee to any proposal and it was recognized that it was concerning their relationships with the which was contrary to the policy of his unequivocal and that it might offend Authority. department; but, if such a problem some people. That was not the What follows will no doubt be arose, it will be apparent that the intention; the Authority was anxious to regarded by members of Committees Authority should be consulted before get on with its work and had already of Management as being in any action is taken. Otherwise, it could suffered an indignity at the hands accordance with well-established happen that a particular Committee of certain committees (see above). practices so far as procedures in had acted in a manner prejudicial to The action of those committees Committee are concerned, but the the policy of a particular department, who sought to isolate the Chairman Authority is frequently confronted with and this would embarrass the from the Authority could hardly problems arising from the difficulty of Authority. The Authority clearly must be described as an expression of maintaining a sufficiently close liaison be given an opportunity of examining loyalty to the Authority. The Authority with its Committees of Management, the problem before being committed needed to ensure that those serving and it is hoped that this memo will be by one of its Committees of on its committees of management helpful to members in resolving any Management. The terms of reference, understood their obligations, of which doubts which may possibly arise in which are elaborated in the plan for loyalty was supreme. regard to the particular matter under the division of responsibilities between In that final paragraph the Authority discussion. the Authority and Committees of provided an opportunity for anybody For ease of management of national management, are designed to who did not feel competent to serve parks, it is convenient to have preclude such misunderstandings. the Authority loyally to withdraw his appropriate departmental officers Copy of the plan is attached. services. This did not mean that he as members of Committees of At the same time, members of was expected to agree blindly with Management. Such members Committees of Management should every decision the Authority made, are able to provide valuable feel free to express their opinions and the statement provided for the assistance on technical aspects of within Committee, even though those airing of grievances through the management (e.g. botany and fire may be at variance with some of their process of consultation. The position protection, fauna management, soil colleagues, or even with those held by of the Authority may be likened to that conservation, etc.). Other members the Authority. of a new owner of an estate who was will have been appointed because endeavouring to form a productive of their special knowledge and However, in order to ensure that herd out of a number of sacred cows experience in the field of natural members of Committees will have which had been grazing contentedly history or national parks; while others the necessary freedom to express for many years without regard to one again may provide valuable links their views and develop plans

42 CHAPTER 5 as they see fit, it is essential that Authority’s policy on this matter. If The successful management of a discussions which take place at any member feels that he cannot national park requires: meetings, and the minutes of such conscientiously do this, he should feel (a) the formulation of a master plan for meetings, be treated as strictly no compulsion to remain a member of the development of the park; confidential to members of the the Committee. (b) the clear definition of the fields of Committee. Loyalty to the Committee (Signed) L. H. Smith responsibility of the Authority and and to the Authority should guide the committee of management; members in their discussions outside Director” meetings of the Committee. It could (c) the devising of machinery to very well happen that a Committee The document, The Division of ensure close liaison between the of Management, or some of its Responsibility Between the Authority two bodies; members, could discuss matters and the Committees of Management, (d) adequate finance. consisted of a preamble embodying which were beyond their immediate It will be readily appreciated by all terms of reference. In such a case the relevant sections of the National Parks Act, for the convenience that the two bodies will require to work it is clear that consultation with the together as a unified team and the Authority would be necessary before of members of committees who might not have had a copy of committee should feel free at any time any action could be taken and, if to refer to the Authority any matter on such matters were not held in strict the Act immediately available, and a statement of the division of which it feels that consultation would confidence, the Authority’s position be helpful. Such discussions would (and that of the Committee) could be responsibility between the two bodies. Because the relevant sections of the promote a two-way flow of ideas and prejudiced, quite possibly without undoubtedly redound to the good of any real cause. Act have been included in Chapter 2, they have been omitted from this the park. It is recognized that members of narrative. Thus, for present purposes, The Authority has not the staff to Committees may, because of their the document may be taken as participate actively in the detailed particular interests, have some reading as follows: management of the individual affiliations with other organizations; parks and must therefore rely on but, in order to obviate the problems Introduction the committees of management for which could arise because of their such work. On the other hand, where varied interests, the Authority has For some time the Authority has had matters of policy are involved, the resolved as a matter of policy that all under consideration the desirability Authority feels that consultations members who are not government of defining the relationships between are essential and the plan set employees be appointed as itself and the Committees of out hereunder is based on these individuals and not as representatives Management of the various national fundamental principles. The matters of organizations, and it is a condition parks. The formulation of such a listed may require modification in the of appointment to Committees that plan, it was thought, would greatly light of experience, but would appear appointees agree to serve on that facilitate the management of the parks to be a reasonable starting point. basis. Public service regulations and promote liaison between the necessitate the appointment of two bodies. The Authority after due It must be presumed that there will government officers to Committees consideration has adopted the plan be regular consultations between of Management as representatives of set out below.” the Authority and the committees of management in regard to works their respective departments. It will be programmes, in order that appropriate clear from the foregoing that there is Management of Parks allocations may be made for such no need to discuss the Committee’s From the foregoing it is clear that purposes, and to ensure that the business outside the Committee’s the Authority is responsible for all proposed works programmes meeting room and the minutes of such details of the management of national conform to the Authority’s policy meetings may not be made available parks, but the Act provides for the requirements. When agreement has to any body or person outside the Authority to delegate its authority to been reached on such matters, it will Committee. committees of management under be the Authority’s responsibility to see It is hoped that all members of certain conditions. it is this aspect of that suitable arrangements are made Committees will find it possible to the problem with which we are here for the execution and supervision of reconcile their own views with the concerned. the work. The mutual responsibilities

Committees of Management 43 of the two bodies in regard to such 10. Fees for campers, caravans, 10. Control of campers to ensure that works would, it is felt, be most occupants of lodges, and day they do not camp in unauthorized appropriately determined at that time. visitors. places. Both the nature of the works and 11. Standard uniform for park rangers 11. Control of campers and day the contracting body will vary, and it and other employees. visitors so as to minimize risk of would seem advisable to make this 12. Introduction of birds, animals or fire and to promote an provision. plants into the park. orderly evacuation in the event of a fire in any particular area. Matters which require Matters for which Committees 12. Prevention and control of fires consultation with and approval of Management should be within the park. of the Authority directly responsible 13. Prevention and control of erosion of land due to misuse by visitors 1. The master plan for the park. It is not proposed that a committee or any other cause. 2. The works programme. It is of management should handle all 14. Collection and disposal of rubbish envisaged that most committees matters listed hereunder without within the park, and general will draw up a programme of assistance from the Authority (e.g., cleanliness of park. works covering a number of years fire protection, vermin control, soil and that this will be broken down erosion), but the responsibility for 15. Control of vermin within park. into stages to be accomplished taking the initiative in such matters 16. Negotiations with persons or within each year. To ensure a clearly rests, it is felt, with the organizations interested in visiting satisfactory working arrangement, committee. or exploring the park for scientific it is essential that the committee purposes. 1. Direction of work of ranger and prepare and submit a budget other staff. 17. Control of vehicles in park from detailing all expenditure projected aspect of erosion and track for the particular financial year. 2. Control of moneys received by the maintenance. The Authority will gladly assist in Committee from various sources (See Regulation No 40). 18. Organizing search parties for lost the preparation of this budget, hikers, etc. and the procedure for execution 3. Protection of the park itself, its and supervision of works can be contents and facilities against 19. Ensuring that the Regulations determined by consultation. When damage (including fire) and theft. made pursuant to the National Parks Act 1958 are observed and the budget has been approved, 4. Maintenance it becomes the committee’s enforced. • Buildings and installations ‘operations budget’ for the (Signed.) L H Smith, Director particular financial year. • Roads and tracks 8/3/1960 3. Communications with Ministers of • Toilets the Crown. • Vehicles Director under fire 4. Negotiations with other parties • Plant and equipment involving leases of building or • First aid centre Early in June 1960, Parliament had before it a Bill to amend the National land. 5. Records of visitors to parks. 5. Development of new camping Parks Act 1958, for the purpose, 6. Collection of any fees payable by inter alia, of declaring certain new areas or extension of existing ones visitors. national parks (Mount Eccles, Mount (see item 1 above). 7. Control of visitors to park. Richmond, Hattah Lakes) and to 6. Provision of water supply and 8. Instruction of visitors to park enable leases to be granted for major reticulation of water through regarding their privileges and developments in national parks. camping area. responsibilities. Now, among those who had 7. Siting of buildings (including toilet 9. Dissemination of information received a copy of the documents blocks). concerning the park and it referred to above was the Hon. I. 8. Construction of roads and tracks contents to visitors (hand-out A. Swinburne, MLC, who was a and the siting thereof. literature, sale of booklets, lectures member of the Mount Buffalo National 9. Sign-posting of roads and tracks. on park, etc.) Park Committee of Management.

44 CHAPTER 5 There is little doubt that he had acknowledgement of the fact that the Dr L H Smith. After giving a lot of been appointed to that Committee principle which we enunciated was advice on the duties of the Authority because he was a prominent leader the correct one for a very difficult task and the Committees of Management, in the affairs of the north-eastern … I also congratulate the Minister how members of committees should district who could conceivably assist and the members of the Authority conduct themselves and so on, the the Committee in its endeavours to for the very good work carried out memorandum finished in this way: ‘develop’ the national park. However, by the Authority. I have often been “It is recognized that members of he had not been appointed a member critical of matters affecting national Committees may, because of their of the committee by Parliament, but parks, but I believe that the Authority by the National Parks Authority. It has laid solid foundations, which particular interests, have some was the Authority’s view that his first will ensure ultimate success. I hope affiliations with other organizations; responsibility in regard to matters that Mr Machin will realize that the but, in order to obviate the problems pertaining to national parks was to National Parks Authority of this State which could arise because of the Committee and the Authority is on sound and solid foundations”. their varied interests, the Authority and, if any member of a committee Now this, I think, was a very proper has resolved as a matter of had a grievance, the proper thing response to the critical remarks policy that all members who are to do was to seek clarification from made earlier by Mr Machin. I was not government employees be the Authority, not to ventilate the unaware until much later that Mr appointed as individuals and not matter in Parliament. Instead, Mr. Swinburne had been responsible for as representatives of organizations, Swinburne by-passed the Authority the composition of the National Parks and it is a condition of appointment and, according to the record of Authority and I have given him full to Committees that appointees Parliamentary debates on the Bill credit for this in Chapter 1. agree to serve on that basis. Public referred to above, on 1st June 1960, Service regulations necessitate the However, Mr Swinburne then referred made a number of observations appointment of government officers to the two documents which had been regarding the two documents to Committees of Management as distributed to members of committees which had been sent to members representatives of their respective of management. The Hansard report of committees of management and departments. It will be clear from the reads as follows: “The Director of concerning other matters. foregoing that there is no need to National Parks, Dr L H Smith, is a discuss the Committee’s business In response to a member of the most enthusiastic officer. If one outside the Committee’s meeting Opposition who had criticized the fault can be found with him possibly room and the minutes of such Government and the Authority, ending it is that he is over-enthusiastic in meetings may not be made available with a gloomy prediction regarding carrying out the functions entrusted to any body or person outside the the future of national parks in to him. I wish to read a memo, which, Committee. It is hoped that members Victoria, Mr Swinburne referred to the I consider, is not in the best interests of Committees will find it possible to Authority’s Annual Report for 1958/59 of the people who make up this great reconcile their own views with the which, inter alia, stated that “the over- organization. In the main, members Authority’s policy on this matter. If, all problem of controlling national of the National Parks Authority consist any member feels that he cannot parks under the conditions prevailing of departmental officers and other conscientiously do this, he should today is an extremely complex one, interested persons. These people give feel no compulsion to remain a and it has proved greatly to the their services in an honorary capacity, member of the Committee.” advantage of the Authority to have the as do members of the committees heads of the relevant departments of management of national parks Mr Swinburne continued: “Probably – Forestry, Lands, Public Works, and up to date they have not been this is the result of inexperience. Soil Conservation and Fisheries able to collect expenses. I should Dr Smith has been brought in and Game – working together as have thought that any officer of a from outside into a departmental members of one team, rather than as department would be loath to cut atmosphere. I ask the Minister to look consultants whose advice might have across principles applied by his into this matter, which has a great been sought on an interdepartmental senior officer, who might be a member bearing on the future relationship of basis”. Mr Swinburne congratulated of the Authority. I cannot visualize this committees of management and the the Minister (Mr Fraser) on “having happening. Members of Committees Authority. Directions of this type are the courage to include that of Management recently received a not in the best interests of the National conclusion in the Report” as “it is an circular, dated 12th May, signed by Parks Authority.

Committees of Management 45 the executive officer who acted in not its purpose, and there accordance with instructions issued are several aspects which ought The Hansard report continues: by the Authority, not on his own to be considered in order to “The Hon P V Feltham: ‘Who is this behalf. Mr Fulton’s second mistake make the record more complete. marshal who is taking over from was that he implied that discussions Firstly, the document dealing with the Kruschev?’ between the Director and the division of responsibilities between the Chairman of the Forests Commission The Hon I A Swinburne: ‘This two bodies had been prepared at the took place “probably after a decision gentleman’s name is Dr L H Smith. Authority’s request and submitted to has been made”. In fact, the Any member of a Committee of Chairman of the Forests Commission, all members prior to being examined Management who read that would like all other members of the Authority, in detail at a regular meeting of the consider that it was something contributed actively to the discussion Authority. The procedures detailed that would have been better left and was a part of the decision-making in the document were recognized unsaid. The Government should process. by the Authority as being necessary take the matter up with the Director to ensure that there was a clear and say that whether a member Mr Fulton then referred to the understanding of the manner in which of a committee is appointed as memorandum and, in particular, the duties prescribed by the Act were an individual or as a Government to “the instructions issued by the to be shared by the Authority and representative of a Department, he Chairman of the National Parks the Committees. Prior to the creation is serving in an honorary capacity Authority, Dr Smith”. The Authority of the Authority, the committees for the development of the State. Dr did not regard the document as a set had functioned autonomously, but Smith might just as well have said, ‘If of ‘instructions’, but as a statement the Act provided for a new form of you don’t agree about what we want of a modus operandi which it park administration. It is difficult to do, you can get off the committee’. considered would define the working to imagine that Mr Swinburne and Full co-operation between the relationship between the Authority his Parliamentary colleagues were Authority, the Director, the various and its committees of management. not fully aware that the Director of committees of management and the And, of course, Mr Fulton caused National Parks was the Executive people is necessary. The committees further confusion by referring to Dr Officer of the Authority and that any have done very good work over the Smith as ‘the Chairman of the National document bearing his signature had years and the new committees to be Parks Authority’, implying (perhaps been composed in the name of the appointed will continue to work in the inadvertently) that the Director was not Authority and carried the approval interests of the State.’” only ‘taking over’ from the President of that body. It is inconceivable that of the USSR, but also usurping the the Director would act independently The debate continued. The Hon position of the Minister. of the Authority and everybody V O Fulton (Gippsland Province) concerned knew that. None of congratulated Mr Swinburne and, Mr Fulton continued: “I did not think I the Committees of Management referring to the composition of the would live to see the day when such expressed any objection and, by Authority, inter alia, said, “How a memorandum would be written to 1960, they all knew the Authority and important it is that the Chairman of the any man, whether he was acting in the Director well enough to know that, Forests Commission be consulted by an honorary capacity or otherwise. I if they wanted to discuss any matter, someone like the gentleman who is did not think it would happen. I would all they had to do was to pick up the director of the Authority and whom Mr like the Minister in charge of the Bill to telephone and call the Director, or Swinburne quoted, probably after a have the memorandum withdrawn”. write a letter. decision has been made, but should (The Bill was in relation to the declaration of Hattah Lakes National express his views at first hand.” Mr There was nothing in the Act to Park and other matters, which do not Fulton, speaking under Parliamentary suggest that members of Parliament concern us here.) “I do not think a privilege, made two serious errors in were different from other members more damning document would have that remark. Firstly, he appeared not of the committees in relation to the been sent out at the height of the to understand that the designation Authority and, indeed, not every regime of Hitler or Goering”. ‘Director of National Parks’ merely committee included a member of described the office of the incumbent, Well, as the reader will readily Parliament. When Mr Swinburne and the person concerned was not perceive, that memorandum had says, “After giving a lot of advice the ‘Director of the Authority’, but stirred up a hornets’ nest. That was on the duties of the Authority and

46 CHAPTER 5 the committees, how members I had not received any benefit which and endured the dust storms that lay of committees should conduct might have flowed from a personal ahead. But it takes a considerable themselves, etc.....”one detects a discussion with him, on any subject, amount of intestinal fortitude and note of derision in his remarks, as as we had never met. Yet he was determination to ride a bicycle over if to say, ‘We know all that’. But apparently happy to contribute to the the Great Saint Bernard Pass, and it must be remembered that the debate on hearsay evidence from an I did not intend to blown out of the Authority was, for the first time, setting unknown source. saddle at such an early stage. The down the guide-lines for the future authors of Hansard were unaware of His reference to the Chairman of administration of national parks and my ride over the Pass! the Forests Commission and the it was essential that the details be clear to all and that there be a proper suggestion that he was consulted There were other occasions when record of the plan. only ‘after a decision had been the Director of National Parks came made’ was sheer innuendo. I always under fire from Parliament House, and Mr Swinburne’s comments on the presented members of the Authority, I propose to deal with these matters last two paragraphs of the second well in advance of the monthly later. memorandum, headed ‘Responsibility meeting, with a full analytical report of Committees of Management’ are on any subject under consideration, worthy of closer study. Unfortunately, or which I wished to bring to the despite what Mr Swinburne had to attention of the Authority, along with say, it was necessary to distinguish a recommendation, but I always between departmental officers serving made sure that the decision to act on committees of management and was made by the Authority and that non-government members, for the such decision was recorded in the reasons given, and the Authority minutes of the meeting. The Authority deemed it essential that other very quickly came to recognize that members be appointed as individuals I regarded them as the decision- who could contribute on the basis making body and learned to trust me. of their personal experience and Some members even went so far as to intellectual capacity, without the need say that there was no need for me to to consult outside bodies with which consult the Authority on many matters, they might happen to be affiliated. but I responded by saying that, while The Authority was endeavouring to I appreciated the vote of confidence, put its affairs on a business-like basis; I thought that the Authority should be but, if it were necessary to have every the first to learn of any proposal I had decision debated and approved by in mind, and that I was not going to Parliament before it took action, it was act on contentious matters without going to make slow progress. prior consultation. If Mr Swinburne had really wanted to Mr Fulton’s suggestion that Marshal give the Authority and the Director Kruschev’s job was under threat the benefit of his long experience, might, for all he appeared to care, or even offer constructive criticism, have precipitated an international all he had to do was arrange for a crisis. If the matter had come to the discussion, just as other members attention of the KGB, my life could of committees did, but he elected to have been in danger! But, when he communicate with the Authority by confessed that “he never thought that way of the Hansard Reports. As time he would live to see the day”, etc, passed, I think that, happily, the more surely he was pulling a long bow. I orthodox avenues of communication was of course greatly concerned at were adopted, and a feeling of mutual what certain members of Parliament respect developed. had said on that day and quickly One can only express amazement at learned to watch for flashing amber Mr Fulton’s participation in the debate. lights as I traversed the sand dunes

Committees of Management 47 Chapter 6 Water for visitors to national parks

he need for a reliable supply Wilsons Promontory alignment near Tidal River has not of drinking water for national National Park changed since the commando days. Tpark visitors is obvious; Unfortunately, from the aspect of probably the first thing most people The choice of a site for the developing a water supply, the Tidal do when they arrive at a park is to development of tourist facilities in River basin is comparatively flat. It set about preparing a cup of tea or Wilsons Promontory National Park is served by two small streams, Lilly having a drink of water. Most people was pre-empted by the events of Pilly Creek and Titania Creek, which take the water supply for granted, World War II, which necessitated meet at some point north of the road. accustomed as they are to a plentiful the establishment of a commando- During the commando occupation supply of water in their own homes. training camp. Obviously such a and for many years thereafter, the Of course, it is not the business of camp needed to be isolated from the road was lower than its present level the visitor to concern him or herself community at large and to be in close and, at high tide, the water frequently with any problems which may have proximity to rugged terrain and the burst the banks of the river. Even as been encountered in providing the sea, so that suitable environments late as 1960, I have seen the camp in water – that is properly the function were available to the trainees. There the vicinity of the Vereker and Lilly Pilly of management. In this chapter it had been a chalet at Darby (where lodges flooded, with water flowing is proposed to give an account of the granite ends and the sand begins) down the several ‘avenues’. At such the steps taken to provide for ‘the for many years, but this was hardly times, the water which was pumped enjoyment of visitors to national parks’ remote enough to serve as a base for from the upper reaches of the river with particular reference to the water the training of commandos. was contaminated with salt. This supply and some of the problems entered the reticulation system and A study of a map of Wilsons encountered in so doing. corroded the water pipes, and was Promontory will show that Tidal River quite unsuitable for drinking. After was the ideal site; perhaps Oberon National parks are invariably situated the high tide had abated it took a Bay would have been satisfactory, in areas remote from the main considerable period to flush the entire but apparently it was considered that population centres, and the climatic system (storage tanks and water the problems which would have been conditions and availability of water pipes) free of salt. vary greatly from park to park. For encountered in providing access example, Wyperfeld is situated to Oberon Bay were too great. We Naturally, the Committee of in flat mallee country and has an can be grateful for that because, Management urged the Authority to annual rainfall of 150-480 mm (6-19 in my opinion, Tidal River is much provide a better water supply, but inches), while Wilsons Promontory better suited to the provision of tourist there were so many variables in the is a mountainous area, mostly facilities than Oberon Bay would have equation that it took some time to surrounded by sea, and has an been, and the construction of a road arrive at an acceptable solution. to Oberon Bay would have had an annual rainfall of about 1500 mm (63 For some years after the creation of adverse effect on the environment. inches). It is proposed to describe the Authority, the Government made the manner in which a water supply The tidal effect in Tidal River is no special financial provision for was developed in some of Victoria’s considerable and it is safe to assume roads in national parks. Any roads national parks during the period 1958- that the water for the commando considered necessary to enable 75, commencing with Tidal River in camp was drawn from a site remote the Authority to “provide for the Wilsons Promontory National Park. from the place where the present education and enjoyment of visitors road crosses the river. The road to national parks” had to be paid for

48 CHAPTER 6 out of the Authority’s very meagre allocation. In 1958/59, the allocation from Loan Funds was £35,003 ($70,000), and an additional £950 from the Tourist Development towards road improvements in Mount Buffalo National Park. This dependence on the Tourist Development Authority was to put it mildly, irksome to the Authority. In order to effect improvements to the water supply at Tidal River, it was necessary for the Authority to borrow £6000 ($12,000) from its sister Authority; this enabled a small weir to be constructed, which had the effect of providing a little more ‘head’ and affording some protection from salt contamination at high tide. However, the full benefit of this was not obtained until the Country Roads Board declared the road to the Promontory to be a ‘tourist road’, to be known henceforth as ‘The Promontory Road’, thereby enabling the Board to undertake major construction works on that road, without cost to the Authority. A very significant part of this work was the raising of the level of the road, on both sides of the Tidal River, by about 1.3 m, and the construction of a new bridge. However, it was not until the 1965/66 year that ‘flap valves’ were installed beneath the bridge, on the down side, enabling to flow downstream but preventing tidal water from flowing upstream and Toilet in Wyperfeld NP, 1950s. Committees of management had very limited funds to build or contaminating the camp water supply. maintain facilities in parks. The higher banks and road acted as a barrier to the tidal water, but did not through the ever-extending reticulation the shower blocks and houses, silt prevent it from spreading outwards in system to the various outlets in the had accumulated in the bottom of the valley below the bridge. village and camping area. The lack the copper cylinders in the coke- Another major problem was the lack of a suitable filter resulted in the fired ‘boilers’. Later, when the boilers of an adequate filtration system. Water accumulation in the rising main of were replaced by instantaneous was pumped from the weir through a large quantities of silt, which settled water heaters, the presence of silt six-inch (15cm) fibro cement ‘rising out during periods of quiescence, in the water led to the clogging main’, over a distance of about three- and in the service pipes, especially in of the water filters in the heaters, quarters of a mile (1.2 km) to a large the bends and elbows. This resulted which impaired the performance concrete storage tank (80,000 gallons in loss of pressure and poor flows. of the water-operated valve which or 360,000 litres) situated on high Prior to the installation of LP gas and was an essential component of the ground, from which it was distributed instantaneous hot-water services in instantaneous gas water-heaters.

Water for visitors to national parks 49 Iron-clad catchment Wyperfeld NP, installed Jan-Feb 1968 to supply water for visitors to the park by collecting rainwater.

The introduction of a bronze screen affairs of the Authority. To Mr Bates not without its disadvantages. Of filter system between the weir and belongs the credit for proposing course, the tank was fitted with a the inlet to the pump ameliorated that a ‘Kinney’ filter be installed. This cover, which was provided with a conditions to some extent, but filter consists essentially of thirty manhole complete with lid; but, on the filters required considerable Gooch-type filters, arranged at the one occasion (at least) the lid was maintenance, which was not always circumference of a circle, through not closed. Several days later, Park forthcoming, and the problem which the water is pumped. The filter Ranger Brian Greer pulled a dead remained. is designed so that one of the Gooch fox out of the tank. This caused a few units is back-washed every cycle, so stomachs to ‘turn over’! The next step was to interpose a small that the filter unit is self-cleaning. The galvanized holding tank between the While the introduction of the Kinney adoption of the Kinney filter in 1968/69 filter system and the pump, so as to filter has greatly improved the quality resulted in a great improvement to regularize the feed to the pump, but of the water supply at Tidal River, it is the quality of the water supply, but this did not compensate for the lack of well to remember that the successful it took some time to flush out the a suitable filter, which was the subject operation of the Kinney filter, under detritus which had accumulated in the of frequent discussions between the the conditions which obtain at Tidal reticulation system over the years. Director and Mr Harry Bates, the River, still requires the support of a Public Works Department Engineer The provision of the holding tank on primary filter, which itself requires who devoted much of his time to the the northern side of the road was regular maintenance. I understand

50 CHAPTER 6 that, a few years ago, the stainless Wyperfeld National Park The urgent need for water for drinking, steel wire mesh primary filter was and to enable flush-operated toilets stolen from the site and had not yet My introduction to the water supply at to be constructed to replace the been replaced (as at January 1988). Wyperfeld was made during the first derelict ‘thunder boxes’ which had The effect is clearly visible when a visit of the National Parks Authority to served the park for many years, led ‘slug’ of black silt is blown out of the the park in mid-October 1958. There to the first major ‘improvement’ for standpipe in the camping area when was a small galvanized- iron tank tourist purposes in the park. The plan the tap is turned on. which collected the run-off from a included a modern toilet block, with galvanized-iron building graced by flush-operated toilets connected to The relatively limited water supply the name of ‘Wonga Hut’, which had a septic tank, and showers for the at Tidal River has very serious been built many years previously, convenience of workers (park staff, implications. After the disastrous bush when Sir James Barrett was Chairman members of the committee working fires early in 1951, the stream flows of the Committee of Management. in the park and others whose duties were good; but, as the vegetation The publicity attending the creation of required them to live in the park). On recovered, the run-off from the the National Parks Authority ,and the several occasions I found it necessary catchment areas was reduced, Authority’s first visit to the park, which to spend the night at a hotel in and the resultant flow available led to the appointment of a part-time Rainbow, sometimes accompanied by for distribution within the camping ranger, resulted in an increase in the Mr Landy, and it was our opinion that area was also reduced. This factor, number of visitors and, consequently, the accommodation was definitely not combined with the very dry conditions in an urgent need for larger supplies ‘Five Star’. which occasionally prevail, imposes of drinking water. However, progress severe limitations on the type of The key to the development was an was slow. The low rainfall and the lack assured supply of potable water. ‘development’ which may safely be of any natural source of water other Bores seemed to be the only hope, undertaken at Tidal River. than rainwater made it impossible so tenders were called for, but the During the Christmas-New Year to divert water from a stream to a response was hardly encouraging. period of 1967-68, the water flow storage system. I therefore drove to Nhill to discuss fell to a dangerously low level which Early in September 1959, I again the matter with Mr. Keith Oldfield, a threatened to close the camp. I visited Wyperfeld to confer with the well-known boring contractor, and, happened to be at Tidal River at the Committee of Management. Among on his advice approached Bill Munro. time and, as a result of a conference those present was Hugh Wilson (BSc, There was not much incentive really with the Head Ranger, notices were NME), who was employed by the for anyone to undertake boring posted requesting campers to restrict Commonwealth Department of Works operations in Wyperfeld, because the use of water in the showers, even in the capacity of an Hydrologist of the remoteness of the place and to the extent of doing without that and was very enthusiastic about because the conditions were so second or third shower during the the possibility of obtaining water by primitive. In addition, the roads were treacherous and, in any case, it was a day. The campers responded very boring, and persuaded members of very small operation. It took some time well and, fortunately also, there was the committee, along with John Landy to kindle Mr. Munro’s enthusiasm, but some useful rain early in January, and myself, to join him in a water- eventually I persuaded him to accept which helped considerably. However, divining exercise. I still have vivid the contract. He subsequently told the matter of water supply was a memories of those present performing me that, after a few days in the park, major ‘bone of contention’ with the with long 8-gauge wires in the vicinity he was so unhappy that he almost ‘developers’ who were endeavouring of a large sand dune near Wonga decided to abandon the project; to establish themselves at Tidal River. Hut. Fortunately, everybody obtained but, by the end of the first week, he This matter is discussed in Chapter positive reactions at about the same had succumbed to the charm of 18, but the matter of water supply spot, even when blindfolded. Hugh Wyperfeld and could hardly wait to needs to be kept in sharp focus argued that some of the rain which fell get back to the park, after spending always, in case the ugly dragon ever on the sand dune percolated through the week-end at home! raises his head again. the sand and, over the years, had accumulated to form an aquifer on The contract was for four bores: the a clay pan, at an unknown distance first was to be at the base of the sand below the surface. dune near Wonga Hut, the others

Water for visitors to national parks 51 being near Eastern Lookout, adjacent The new facility, of course, attracted ten inches to the hour! The noise on to Lake Brambruk, and at Black Flat. considerable interest and, in addition the roof of Wonga Hut was deafening. The latter had been under about six to providing a measure of comfort for As we stood at the door watching the feet of water during the flood of 1956, visitors from afar, soon brought some lightning, a torrent of water began to and it was hoped that good water of the local people with their children, rush past us and the natural slope might still be lying somewhere below who greatly enjoyed the experience of the ground diverted it towards the the surface. The work was done of having a shower on a hot day. western end of Lake Brimin (which during the 1960/61 year. This, of course, was not the purpose was, of course, dry). of the showers, but the persuasions Boring was conducted to a depth of Next morning, the beginning of a fine of the visitors often proved too great about 100 ft; at the Wonga Hut sand day, we saw that a deep channel had a temptation for the kindly ranger to dune, water of good quality was found been cut, extending from somewhere share the novelty with the ‘locals’. at a depth of 40 ft, the total solids east of the Hut to Lake Brimin. “If only Some even resorted to cleaning their content being 216 ppm, as compared we could harvest that water”, I said cars with the park’s hard-won water with 1040 ppm for the town supply at to Bob, “we would have an abundant supply, causing the ranger to exercise Hopetoun. At greater depths the salt supply”. On returning to Melbourne, his authority over his friends, to their content rose sharply, and the bores at I began to dream of building a large mutual embarrassment. This abuse Eastern Lookout and Lake Brambruk shed which would provide shade of a park facility was not confined to yielded water suitable only for fire- for visitors’ cars and a water supply Wyperfeld; in other parks one often fighting purposes. The bore near as well, but the cost was prohibitive. found water taps running freely or not Eastern Lookout became known as I discussed the matter with Ern completely turned off. Providing for the ‘Coca Cola’ well, because of the Edwards, who drew my attention to the ‘education’ of visitors to national colour of the water, which contained the practice adopted (especially in parks often proved to be more difficult 20,000 to 30,000 parts per million of Western Australia) of constructing a than providing for their enjoyment. solid matter. The bores at Eastern ‘roaded catchment’ or an ‘iron-clad The adoption of spring-headed taps Lookout and Lake Brambruk were not catchment’ to collect water. The wherever possible helped to reduce developed, being capped for later idea of using a roaded catchment water wastage. development should the need arise. did not appeal to me because The bore at the Wonga Hut sand dune It was recognized that the water from of the problems associated with supplied 60 gallons per hour. the roof of the toilet block and Wonga purifying the water, but the iron-clad Hut, supplemented by that from catchment was much more attractive. Under the direction of Hugh Wilson, the bore, would not suffice for the It was such an obvious answer to screen analyses of the sand anticipated increase in the number of the problem. If you think, “Well, this samples, at different depths, were visitors. An inspection of the spouting was no big deal”, remember that conducted by Bethunes (Auburn) on Wonga Hut revealed major I was still learning the trade and and, on the basis of these data, Hugh defects, which had resulted in serious that the Authority’s funds were very recommended a slot width of twenty losses of water over the years. The inadequate. In the course of my thousandths of an inch for the bore spouting was promptly repaired by a inquiries, I found myself talking to Sir casing, which was duly installed local contractor who also installed two Ronald East, Chairman of the State and capped off at 40 feet. A small 2000 gallon tanks in which to store the Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Southern Cross windmill was erected augmented supply. But this did not who was very enthusiastic about the above the bore, thereby enabling solve the major problem. concept and informed me that he the Authority to proceed with the had been responsible many years construction of the toilet block referred In mid-January 1962 I visited. Hattah earlier for the construction of an to earlier, then in the ‘conceptual’ Lakes National Park to introduce Mr iron-clad catchment at Nowingee, in stage. The water pumped by the R. G. M. (Bob) Yorston to the Park the Mallee. On my next visit to the windmill was stored in a 2000 gallon Ranger and the park, and from Hattah district, I inspected this installation, tank adjacent to the toilet block, and we proceeded to Wyperfeld. During which was still functional, though in the run-off from the roof of the toilet the night, a thunderstorm struck some disrepair. Still, it was a clear block was also delivered to this tank. the park and there was very heavy demonstration which encouraged me From here water was pumped to a rain. Bob, who seemed much better to promote the idea. However, it was head tank to service the showers and qualified to judge the extent of the not until 1967 that severe drought toilets. rain, said it was raining at the rate of conditions and a diminished rainfall

52 CHAPTER 6 Picnic shelter erected near Wonga Hut, Wyperfeld NP, 1965-66, with a 5,000 gallon tank to collect water from the roof. combined to accelerate the Authority’s but, in 1965-66, it was necessary which it flows via plastic pipes into the plans to construct a suitable for the Authority to employ a South concrete tank(s). catchment at Wyperfeld to make the Australian contractor. From one of The work was executed by Mr George best use of the rain which does fall these concrete tanks, water was Easterbrook, a local contractor, there. The plan was simple enough, pumped to the head tank at the toilet really, but the several aspects block and to other outlets. and Colin Hutchinson, during required co-ordination. January-February 1968. A t times The task of designing the catchment the shade temperature reached 113 As part of the Authority’s plan of and having it erected was placed degrees Fahrenheit, so the work was improving tourist amenities and water in the hands of Mr C. F. Hutchinson, performed mainly during the early supplies, during the 1965-66 year under the supervision of the Chief morning and late afternoon. It was a a large picnic shelter incorporating Technical Officer, Mr T. E. Arthur. pioneering effort which deserves the tables and seats was erected near The catchment is 75 ft wide and gratitude of us all, but most visitors the Wonga Hut sand dune, and the 120 ft long and stands on a frame of would be totally unaware of what was roof water was stored in a 5000 gallon treated pine about 30 inches above entailed in providing this water supply. tank. This supplied the picnic shelter, ground level at the high end and 12 and the overflow was connected inches high at the lower level, the To the great joy of all concerned, the via plastic pipe to two 30,000 gallon slope being such that water would work had hardly been completed concrete tanks (complete with lids), not be lost due to ‘overshoot’ in times when a downpour of 68 points (17 connected in series, which had been of sudden downpour. The water is mm) provided about 3000 gallons erected in Lake Brimin. Nowadays collected in a wide galvanized iron of water for the tanks. With the large concrete tanks are readily channel which empties into a strainer breaking of the drought, further rainfall available in various parts of Victoria; (to remove bark and sticks, etc.) from augmented water storages and one

Water for visitors to national parks 53 of my happiest memories was the A small windmill was erected at Black pit’ toilets surrounded by timber sight of water actually pouring out Flat to pump water from the bore to a frames with Masonite cladding. of the second concrete tank into pond, for the benefit of the kangaroos These ‘thunder boxes’ had to suffice Lake Brimin. The success of the first and birds; but, again, the competition until towards the end of the 1959/60 ironclad catchment encouraged the from the wild bees was intense. financial year, when a start was made new administration to construct a on the construction of a modern toilet second one in 1977 and to install two block on the southern side of Coller more concrete tanks. Fraser National Park Bay – but not too modern, because initially, it was not flush-operated. It There were some interesting sidelights ‘Water, water, everywhere, nor any was not until 1962/63 that they were to the provision of the new water drop to drink’. Coleridge, of course, converted, the water being pumped supply at Wyperfeld. While a fence was not among those whose destiny from Lake Eildon by means of a around the entire structure served to led them to Fraser National Park, portable pump and stored in tanks exclude animals, the bright surface but the anguished cry of the Ancient erected near the toilet block. of the catchment proved to be an Mariner might well have been in the unexpected hazard for night-flying minds of those whose responsibility it One of the major problems in regard birds, especially on moonlight nights, was to provide for the ‘education and to water supply was the fact that, when some of the birds made heavy enjoyment’ of visitors to that park. during the summer months, the water landings. Fraser National Park [now part of level in the Lake falls considerably, necessitating the extension of the The provision of modern toilets Lake Eildon NP] was not among the pumping line to the storages in also had an interesting side effect. original thirteen parks included in the the park. The pump was mounted The water in the toilet bowls, and schedule to the National Parks Act on a raft which followed the water especially in the leather washers in (1956), but even before the Authority over a distance of several hundred the taps and in the urinal in the male had been appointed, the Government metres, so that the intake was at a section, proved a great bonus to the was moving towards this end, and suitable depth to avoid pumping wild bees that established in the park Fraser National Park was declared mud, yet deep enough to avoid many years earlier. Users of the new during the 1957-58 year. The area pollution. Altogether, the problem facilities often found them selves was 6,600 acres. In the Authority’s of taking water from Lake Eildon for confronted with a swarm of bees, first Annual Report, it was stated the convenience of tourist in Fraser so that answering a simple call from that an early visit to the park was National Park was (and no doubt still Nature (however urgent) became a planned to facilitate the preparation is) a formidable one. hazardous experience. To reduce of a management plan. The first the hazard, a counter-attraction step was to provide road access, Consideration was given to the was provided in the form of a small and this aspect will be dealt with in construction of a dam in a suitable shallow pond close to the toilet, the Chapter 11, but is mentioned here to gully on the eastern slopes above the margins of the pond being plastered emphasize the interdependence of Ranger’s house. However, this plan with clay. Bees prefer to suck their the many factors involved in national was eventually abandoned because parks management. In his report water requirements from a spongy of anticipated construction difficulties on the Authority’s first visit, Crosbie surface, and there were in fact some and maintenance problems. It was Morrison referred to the only road casualties among the bees, which decided to develop water storages access then available, namely the slipped into the toilet bowls. The clay in the form of 30,000 gallon concrete Devil’s River Road, as one which pad proved to be popular with the tanks erected in close proximity ‘one may use at some peril’. Today’s bees, but they still persisted in drying to the areas designated for tourist visitors to the park can have no out the leather washers. Of course, development, and to pump water to concept of just how hazardous that the pond attracted birds also, and the them from the Lake. The concrete road was! spectacle of a family of emus walking tanks were situated on the slope quietly out of the timbered areas to Despite the lack of road access, above the road, at a sufficient the pond became a regular tourist visitors, including campers, obtained elevation to ensure good pressure attraction. Sometimes, however, an access by boat. The urgent need throughout the entire system. At unfortunate emu would trap a bee for toilet facilities in the early stages a later date, a camping area was in its wide-open beak, with very of the park’s development led to developed at Devil Cove and a unhappy results. the construction of a number of ‘dry 30,000 gallon concrete tank was

54 CHAPTER 6 installed there, being connected to iron pipe to the ball valves above the most of the year, and the lack of a the concrete tank above Coller Bay cisterns, with intermediate ‘tees’ to filter, resulted in a water supply that near the Lakeside camping area by provide drinking water for visitors. It was generally unsatisfactory. means of plastic pipe. The deeper was an ingenious system, but not very In an endeavour to provide a simple water towards the eastern end of satisfactory. The toilet was situated means of filtering the water, the Coller Bay made it easier to ‘follow’ below the level of the car park and Authority provided a ‘centrifugal filter’, the water during the summer months. within a few metres of the stream into which is designed so that the water The central concrete storage tank which, from time to time, the overflow enters tangentially to the circular also supplied water to the Lakeside from the septic tank discharged. upper part of a conical-shaped camping area and the ranger’s house. The Authority recognized that the container. The denser particles of water supply and toilets needed a silt are thrown outward by centrifugal Mount Eccles National major overhaul and relocation of action and slide down to the bottom Park the latter. Physically, it would have of the cone. The latter is extended been relatively simple to build a in the form of a pipe which is fitted One of the most striking features of new toilet block at the level of the with a full-bore cock for flushing Mount Eccles National Park, which car park and ensure that the stream purposes. The water swirls around was declared in 1960, is the beautiful was not polluted by septic tank in the bowl, shedding its silt, and little emerald-green Lake Surprise, effluents. It was planned to pump eventually overflows through a pipe cradled in the lap of an ancient water to an elevated tank on the high at the centre of the upper part of the volcano. The park had previously ground on the western side of the bowl, where the velocity is lowest. As been reserved under the Land Act car park (approximately opposite the silt accumulates at the bottom of the and was in the care of a Committee existing system), so as to service the cone it is flushed out and runs into the of Management. The improvements picnic area and toilets, but lack of stream on the downside of the intake. consisted of a galvanized iron shelter funds precluded this development. This filter could have materially shed, the spouting of which was Occasionally, the lack of a filter improved the quality of the water, in disrepair, rendering it difficult to caused the water pipes to become but I was informed, after an collect drinking water in the 500 gallon choked with silt, necessitating their intolerable delay, that the result was galvanised iron (GI) tank near the disconnection and flushing, but this unsatisfactory. A considerable time shed. The Authority had the spouting cosmetic treatment was no substitute later I learned that the filter had been renewed and installed a 2000 gallon for a well-designed system. connected to the inlet and outlet pipes GI tank. There were no toilets. in the reverse order to what the pump The water in Lake Surprise was manufacturer had prescribed. unsuitable for drinking, but served Bulga Park admirably to provide a supply of water Water for tourist purposes was for the toilet block which the Authority pumped from a small dam on Macks had built in 1963. The water was Creek, by means of a ram, to an pumped a height of about eighty feet elevated galvanized iron tank from and stored in a head tank above the which it flowed to a toilet block and toilet block. Although the number of to several taps near a large picnic tourists increased steadily each year, shelter on the western side of the this simple system proved adequate. short entrance road on the rim of the fern gully which runs through the park. The tank was prone to leaking Tarra Valley National Park and the water was often muddy. The The ‘improvements’ at Tarra Valley Authority was instrumental in having National Park consisted of a large a small car park constructed on the shelter situated at the edge of a car western side of the entrance road, park. Water for tourists and to serve a and a l0,000 gallon concrete tank was toilet block was taken direct from the erected in the car park, so that water stream which flows through the park, could be pumped into it from the ram. and conveyed through a galvanized However, the low stream flows during

Water for visitors to national parks 55 Chapter 7 L.P. gas in national parks

he numerous aspects of national parks management are so inter- Trelated that it is virtually impossi- ble to consider them in isolation. The management functions involved are concerned mainly with people and the provision of the various services which need to be provided ‘for the education and enjoyment of visitors to national parks’. The provision of a reliable supply of potable water is the prime require- ment; it has long since become a part of the Australian way of life to wash regularly, and access to showers and baths, and to flush-operated toilets, is Riverview Flats, Tidal River Campground, Wilsons Promontory NP, built 1962-63. First use of now taken for granted. There is a de- LPG in national parks in Victoria. mand for such amenities even when people are ‘on holidays’. taking a cold shower, but sometimes I puzzled by the remarkable increase was fortunate enough to enjoy a warm in the quantity of ash in the tray during When the commando unit was estab- one. The most popular units were the this period! lished at Tidal River in Wilsons Prom- ‘Shower Block’, the ‘House Block’ and After I became involved in national ontory National Park during World ‘Windsor Castle’. War II, a water supply and related parks management, towards the end amenities were provided by the Army Where hot water was provided, it was of 1958, I soon learned that there for those concerned. These were no derived from coke-fired 60-gallon were many inter-related aspects of doubt adequate, even if somewhat storage heaters and the coke was the problems of providing water for primitive by today’s standards. At the replenished, I understand, about three tourists at Tidal River and of dispos- conclusion of the War, the Committee times daily. The need to remove ash ing of the waste products (effluents of Management acquired the houses from the furnace was hardly known to from ablution blocks and toilets). The and other facilities, and gradually the staff whose job it was to regularly water supply itself was improved by developed a tourist service. The ‘stoke up’, a fact which was brought the construction of a small weir below ablution blocks had been designed home to me during our usual Christ- the confluence of Lilly Pilly Creek and for a relatively small number of men mas-New Year visit in 1953. On this Tristania Creek, to meet the needs of and soon proved inadequate for the occasion we were accompanied by the additional toilet blocks which had a friend from Adelaide (he was the large number of visitors who began been provided by the Committee. Assistant Chief Engineer of the South to find their way to the Promontory, The new units incorporated toilets, Australian Gas Company) who was especially during the Christmas-New showers and laundry facilities, the lat- kind enough to demonstrate to me Year holidays. ter being especially helpful to parents the importance of proper stoking of with young families. My personal experience of affairs at the furnace. We used to ‘stoke up’ at Tidal River began with the Christmas night-time, just before going to bed, However, certain basic problems - New Year period of 1949. I was there and visit the ‘House Block’ at about remained. Septic tanks overflowed, as a camper and in no way con- 4am, when we were assured of a effluent lines ‘broke out’ delivering cerned with management. I soon be- good warm shower. The operative in waste products in various places, came accustomed to the practice of charge of the boilers must have been thereby creating unpleasant smelling

56 CHAPTER 7 LPG tanker at Tidal River Wilsons Promontory NP 1965. A continuous supply of LPG for the Riverview Flats built in the early 1960s was assured by installing a 1 ton tank for LPG nearby. pools of liquid. The maintenance staff Fisher, a progressive young architect, of cooking and heating facilities at any were constantly involved in digging was engaged to design the unit and time visitors required the service was up ‘absorption trains’ and relocating supervise its erection. He and his wife a powerful argument in favour of LP them in soil which had not yet become had recently returned from the United gas. Furthermore, by installing instan- saturated. These activities put great States where they had made a special taneous gas hot-water heaters in each strain on the limited staff, but did not study of the design and equipping unit, it became possible to meet the solve the problem of effluent disposal. of domestic and commercial kitch- needs of individual users at any time ens. The result of this exercise was such services were required. In 1961, when the Authority became ‘Riverview Flats’, which consisted of involved in the problems arising from A continuous supply of LP gas was four two-bed units and two six-bed Mr. Unger’s application for a lease assured by installing a one-ton tank of units, incorporating individual showers in Wilsons Promontory (see Chapter LP gas near the flats; supplies could and toilets, modern kitchen facilities 18), I suggested that the time seemed be replenished at short notice. A including a refrigerator and a cooking opportune to demonstrate that, even meter was installed at the inlet to the range, and heaters. with its limited resources, the Authority block of flats to enable records to be itself could do something to counter In proposing this development in the kept of gas consumption; but, to re- the criticism that insufficient was first place, I had a clear concept of duce the work-load on the local staff, being done to provide accommoda- the benefits which would flow from the and to reduce installation and mainte- tion for visitors to Wilsons Promontory adoption of LP gas for heating, cook- nance costs, meters were not installed National Park. I proposed that a small ing and refrigeration. At this time, the on each unit. Knowing the thermal motel-type unit be built on a small electricity supply was not continuous; input rates for the different gas appli- sand dune which did not appear therefore, only by using LP gas could ances, it was not difficult to estimate to be used for any other purpose. a refrigerator be maintained in contin- the probable cost of providing this The plan was adopted and Mr Dale uous operation, while the availability service for each of the six units. After

L.P. gas in national parks 57 making a generous allowance for In tackling this problem, I first asked Heater Company. Fortunately, P-C ‘contingencies’, a figure was arrived myself how long a person needed to had a supply of slot meters and Hugh at which was simply added to the tariff spend under the shower to do all that was kind enough to test a number of for the separate units. was necessary. I am aware that many them in order to ascertain whether city people, including some mem- it would be possible to control the A private contractor was engaged to bers of my own family, like to spend a supply of such a small quantity of gas. build ‘Riverview Flats’ and he and his considerable time under the shower. The result was positive! staff lived in caravans while construc- So, without attempting to influence tion was in progress. This experience Thus, we now had available the highlighted the problems associated the result unduly, I conducted some means of providing each individual with building in remote areas, be- tests on myself at home. I had my with a warm shower, whilst at the cause he was the only contractor we wife record the time I spent under the same time reducing the time occu- were able to persuade to help us. I shower; I found that I could complete pied in the shower and the volume have forgotten his name but not the my shower in two minutes and that, of effluent which had to be disposed fact that we owe him and his staff thereafter, I was simply going over old of. The Authority and the Committee a debt of gratitude for suffering the ground. At the end of four minutes I collaborated in replacing the coke- inconveniences they had to, in order was simply wasting time and water. I fired boilers with instantaneous water to help us. concluded that, for the purpose of the heaters and slot meters which accept- exercise I had to perform at Tidal Riv- ed sixpenny (5 cent) coins. The older Since the Riverview Flats were built, er, a shower of four minutes’ duration blocks were converted first and all many visitors have enjoyed the servic- was satisfactory. new toilet blocks were provided with es provided, which is a tribute to both the new type of service, as they were architect and builder. The cost of this Now, it just happens that four min- built. For individual showers in the service was far beyond the capacity utes is one-fifteenth of an hour and, toilet blocks, the small heaters, having of the Authority’s budget, so I pro- during this period, the Pyrox heater an NTI rating of 37,500 BTU per hour, posed that a loan be sought from the would consume 2,500 BTU. This is were used; but lodges, staff houses Treasury, to be repaid out of revenue very close to 1 cubic foot of LP gas and laundries were fitted with larger from the flats. It was easy to demon- and, assuming a figure of 78 per appliances. strate that this was a viable proposi- cent for the thermal efficiency of the tion and the money was eventually heater, would be sufficient to raise the The LP gas service was not entirely borrowed from the Rural Finance Cor- temperature of four gallons of water trouble-free. Not every visitor to the poration. Once the concept of using from 55°F to about 104°F. This is a park was honest and some operat- LP gas had found acceptance, it was comfortable temperature for shower ed the meters with substitutes for not difficult to persuade the Commit- and has the great advantage of pro- the sixpenny coins, such as leaden tee of Management to substitute LP viding only four gallons of effluent. Of discs, washers and buttons and, on gas water heaters for the coke-fired course, if a slightly higher temperature several occasions, the meter boxes boilers. were required, it is possible to control containing the money were robbed. It the flow of water through the heater, always disappointed me to learn that, It so happened that, among the differ- thereby further reducing the volume of although the management literally ‘fell ent types of water heaters available, effluent. over backwards’ to provide a better there was an instantaneous heater service for park visitors, there were manufactured by Pyrox Ltd, having The question now was how could a a few people who, even in such a a ‘normal input rating’ of 37,500 BTU park visitor be provided with 1 cu ft of beautiful place as Wilsons Promontory [British Thermal Units] per hour. Now, LP gas? The answer, of course, was National Park, abused their privileges this sort of ‘jargon’ probably means in the coin-operated gas meter. I had and preyed on their fellow men and nothing to the average reader and my introduction to this novel device women. the mystery which appears to have in 1923, when my family moved from been associated with the BTU may the country to Surrey Hills. I decid- There were also two physical prob- well have something to do with the ed to call my friend Hugh Jack, the lems which caused much incon- fact that LP gas had not been used Manager of the Parkinson-Cowan venience; especially in those cases in national parks prior to 1962. It is (P-C) Meter Factory at Footscray. I where provision had not been made not proposed here to embark on a had met Hugh soon after I joined the for the heaters in the original design of discourse on this subject; but it is gas industry in 1946; he was then a the toilet blocks, the pilot lights were important, as I hope to demonstrate. draughtsman employed by the Briar sometimes blown out by draughts,

58 CHAPTER 7 and water filters in the heaters be- came choked with fine silt because of inadequacies in the filtration system in the main water supply. This latter problem was greatly ameliorated later, by the introduction of the Kinney filter, which is further discussed above. On the whole, though, I think that the LP gas system provided a valuable ser- vice for park visitors and staff. It also provided some very useful revenue; the returns from the meters at Tidal River eventually exceeded $5,000 per annum. In other national parks, such as Fraser, Mount Buffalo, Port Camp- bell, etc, as toilet blocks and shower facilities were provided, it became standard practice to incorporate an LP gas service for hot water and heat- ing. The disposal of sanitary napkins had caused much inconvenience over the years because, although special bins were provided for them, some women disposed of them in the toilet bowl, frequently causing blockages. The installation of LP operated dis- posal units did much to alleviate this problem, but some women just did not seem able to cope with this example of modern technology. At the end of 1974, the total consump- tion of LP gas in all national parks in Victoria was of the order of 50 tons per annum.

L.P. gas in national parks 59 Chapter 8 Vermin control

rior to the creation of the in its natural condition and to Committee of Management was there National Parks Authority, the conserve therein ecological in force and had long been anxious Pcontrol of ‘vermin’ in national associations and species of native to facilitate the visit, in order to bring parks, as well as in Crown Land, plants and animals and protect the a number of interesting exhibits to the was the responsibility of the Lands special features of the park and as notice of the Authority. Department, which acted through far as practicable to exterminate The Authority was informed that, its agency the Vermin and Noxious exotic plants and animals therein.” in August 1958, officers and Weeds Destruction Board. This was Now, the Authority had neither the employees of the Ouyen-based a natural consequence of the fact manpower nor the resources to Lands Department District Office that the committees of management undertake such work directly, but the had conducted a vigorous poisoning controlling the national parks were Act further provided that the Authority campaign against rabbits in appointed under the Lands Act and could request the services of other Wyperfeld National Park. At that time, were therefore responsible to the bodies, including other Government it was the practice to construct a Lands Department. agencies, in the execution of its furrow in which baits (oats), poisoned The term ‘vermin’ was generally duties and responsibilities. It is clear with 1080, were laid. There is no need understood to refer to rabbits and therefore that the initiative for taking to explain here why it was necessary foxes, but could be broadened to action in regard to the control of to destroy rabbits in the park, and include any other animals or birds noxious weeds and vermin rested there is no doubt that the latter, like declared by Parliament, for the fairly and squarely with the National most other Mallee districts, was purposes of the Act, to be vermin. Parks Authority; but, during the first carrying a large rabbit population. In the early days of the Authority, year and a half, there appears to have Nor need it be doubted that, in so wombats were protected; but, at been some confusion concerning far rabbits were concerned, the a later stage, were declared to be these and other matters. campaign was highly successful, ‘vermin’ and, as such, liable to be because no less than 238 miles of trail destroyed. Emus, while generally The first Director, Crosbie Morrison, had been laid with poison! protected, were also possible was busy ‘doing the rounds’ and Unfortunately, rabbits were not the candidates for the executioner’s gun. becoming acquainted with the committees of management and the only victims, and the Committee was The Vermin and Noxious Weeds parks themselves, and in finding at some pains to show the Authority Destruction Board acted through a ‘permanent’ accommodation and the remains of 19 kangaroos and 11 number of district offices headed by establishing procedures in regard emus which had been discovered District Inspectors who were provided to the Authority’s work. His untimely following the poisoning. There is with the necessary manpower and death caused a deferment of the no certainty that this was the total equipment to perform their duties. Authority’s direct involvement in park number of casualties and, in the light The passing of the National Parks management, including the control of of our subsequent experience, it is Act 1956 made the National Parks noxious weeds and vermin. surprising that no mention was made Authority responsible for this function. of possums which must surely have suffered. Section 9(a) of the Act reads as Problems at Wyperfeld follows: The Committee was in an angry mood An account of the Authority’s first and there were heated exchanges “It shall be the duty of the Authority visit to Wyperfeld has been given between the Chairman of the (a) unless inconsistent with any above; at present we are concerned Committee and the recently appointed special purpose for which a with vermin control, but no member Secretary for Lands, Mr George national park has been declared, of the Authority was prepared for Wood. Because of the circumstances to maintain every national park what transpired on that day. The explained earlier, there had been

60 CHAPTER 8 Wyperfeld NP, from Rye Hill, 1965. Young trees growing in 25-acre conservation plot. no consultation between the Ouyen to Wyperfeld was a memorable one, The consultative District Office and the Committee, and it was clear that farmer Schmidt’s and I was not the only member of the fence was not the only one in need of process begins Authority who felt utterly bewildered repair. The Committee was somewhat Towards the end of January 1959, the by the unhappy turn of events. The mollified by the action of the Authority Authority’s Secretary, Ron Newson, Committee took full advantage of the on that day of taking steps to appoint drew my attention to a notice in the Authority’s presence to condemn the a part-time Ranger in the person of Mr Victoria Gazette announcing that, on field staff of the Lands Department A. E. G. (Rudd) Campbell who, along 8th February, the Lands Department for their alleged carelessness and with his brother Bill, had for many proposed to enter Wyperfeld National callousness in the conduct of their years kept a ‘friendly eye’ on the park Park and undertake a rabbit- work. It was stated that it was the and its precious contents. poisoning campaign. Notification of practice, at the end of the day, to such impending events in the Gazette simply dump the unused poisoned On returning to Melbourne, the was a legal requirement, but there oats at the end of the furrow, rather members of the Authority dispersed had been no consultation with either than transport them back to the depot. and resumed their normal duties while the Committee or the Authority. I This practice virtually ensured that any the Director continued his education pondered the matter for a while before deciding on a course of action. itinerant kangaroos or emus would in relation to the management of gorge themselves and die. So the first national parks. The former Superintendent of visit of the National Parks Authority the Vermin and Noxious Weeds

Vermin control 61 Wyperfeld NP from Rye Hill, 1974. Note slow growth resulting from desert environment.

Destruction Board had recently rid of them”. I then suggested that This was to be the pattern adopted retired; he was succeeded by Mr we should meet to discuss the matter during the ensuing years, and the R. W. (Ron) Tully. I had not yet met and that I would confer with him after collaborations between the Authority him, but decided to call him on the the next meeting of the Authority, and other bodies, in various fields, telephone. After introducing myself, I which was to be held on the Tuesday laid the foundations for the building of said, “I see from the Gazette that your following our telephone conversation. a National Parks Service. officers propose to conduct another poisoning campaign in Wyperfeld, I hope that those who read this will commencing on 8th February”. recognize that we were in the process A plan of action of devising new machinery to deal “Yes”, he replied, “that is correct”. “I But ‘retournons à nos moutons’; or, to must say that I am a little surprised”, with the matters consequential to the imposing by the Parliament of put it another way, let us return to the I said. “I would have thought that, matter of the rabbits (often referred after having laid 238 miles of trail last certain duties on the National Parks to in the country where I grew up as August, you would have had difficulty Authority. For the first time, there ‘underground mutton’). At the next in finding enough rabbits in Wyperfeld was a particular body, appointed by meeting of the Authority, I put forward to justify another campaign at this Parliament, to which matters could the following plan: stage. Why is it necessary?” “Well,” and should be referred by other replied Mr Tully, “my Inspector tells me Government Departments before 1. That there be formed within the that there is a large rabbit population action was taken to carry out any Authority a Fauna Protection in Wyperfeld and that we should get necessary works in national parks. Committee, for the express purpose

62 CHAPTER 8 of devising ways and means of park did increase, and a year later plan we were developing. It was protecting native fauna. I avoided it became necessary to undertake duly reported to me that, after the the use of the words ‘Vermin control measures. During this period, first night, rabbits could be seen Destruction’ because of their with the approval of the Public Service coming to the trail from considerable negative implications. Board and the Treasury, the Authority distances (up to a quarter of mile), had acquired its first Technical while kangaroos and emus showed 2. That an early meeting of the Fauna Officer. This was Mr John Landy, no interest in the carrot, which proved Protection Committee be held to BAgr.Sc., who possessed not only also to be lacking in appeal to the which Mr Tully should be invited to the necessary qualifications but also odd Sulphur-crested Cockatoo which discuss the proposal to lay poison considerable practical experience, ‘happened upon’ a piece of carrot. It in Wyperfeld. including farming experience. Also, seemed therefore that it would be safe 3. That, before any further poisoning during the past year, I had had to introduce poison into the bait; but was carried out, the Lands further discussions with the members it was agreed that, if a few kangaroos Department should be requested of the Vermin and Noxious Weeds or emus were sacrificed in the next to send an independent officer Destruction Board, of which Mr Tully stage of the programme, the Authority (i.e. one not connected with had been appointed Chairman. The would not react harshly towards its the Vermin and Noxious Weeds other members were Mr G.W. Douglas collaborators. Destruction Board) to the park to (Deputy Chairman) and Mr Reg investigate the reported presence Borbidge. of large populations of rabbits, in Our discussions had resulted in the Controlled poisoning collaboration with the Park Ranger, adoption of an important change in begins and that the Lands Department procedure: henceforth, carrots and advise the Authority of the outcome In order to test the efficacy of the not oats would be used as bait in and, in particular to identify the plan agreed upon, it was decided poisoning campaigns and, following areas within the park where such to use strychnine instead of 1080, a practice shown to be successful in rabbit populations existed. because it acts more rapidly than New Zealand, the carrot was to be 1080 and it was anticipated that any dyed green with Malachite Green. rabbits killed would be found within In this form, the carrot lost none of Fauna Protection a short distance of the poison trail. its appeal to rabbits, but was less It was further agreed that the poison Committee attractive to native fauna. The reason trail should be left ‘open’ for two is not clear. The poison to be used The Authority adopted these nights, so that any bait not taken on was 1080. recommendations and appointed the first night would be available for Mr A. Dunbavin Butcher (Director In preparation for the inevitable any rabbits which had survived, and of Fisheries and Game) and Mr G. poisoning campaign, arrangements that the trail should be covered on T. Thompson (Chairman of the Soil were made for Mr Landy and Mr the third day by ploughing another Conservation Authority) to serve on Bruce Woodfield, M Agr.Sc., with the furrow alongside it. This was to the Committee along with the Director assistance of Lands Department field ensure that there would be no poison (Convener). The Committee met staff and the Park Ranger, to carry out left exposed, possibly to be collected soon after this and Mr Tully attended certain preliminary investigations. The later by a non-target species. the meeting. Proposal 3 was first step was to construct a furrow in adopted and the Lands Department So the poison was laid, and the the usual manner and provide ‘free co-operated by despatching an results were awaited with a mixture feed’ (i.e. carrot, dyed green, without independent officer to investigate of anxiety and optimism. They were poison), so that the behaviour of and report. In due course he reported spectacular; from the 3.5 miles of trail rabbits and native fauna could be that, in his opinion, there were laid, 429 rabbits were collected. No observed. This programme extended insufficient rabbits in Wyperfeld to emus or kangaroos were found then over about ten days, the carrot being justify the expense of a poisoning or later, but two possums had been replenished as necessary to sustain campaign, and the gazetted plan was killed. the interest of the rabbits and to afford abandoned. the native fauna full opportunity to The decision was made to As time passed, as was to be reveal any behaviour which might continue with a normal poisoning expected, the rabbit population in the militate against the success of the programme using 1080, but with all

Vermin control 63 the precautions mentioned in the (made by a single blade) and had than the poison-trail method and foregoing, the poison being laid only adopted the practice of broadcasting made heavier demands on the limited in areas which had been found by the bait from the back of a Land park staff. prior inspection to be infested with Rover. This resulted in very irregular rabbits. Hitherto, poisoning had been distribution of bait, which was often unplanned and indiscriminate. concentrated in small areas, and Wilsons Promontory predictably unsatisfactory from So successful were the procedures National Park the viewpoint of the Authority. This agreed upon that, as occasion practice was not permitted in national In the late 1950s and early 60s, the required, based on reports from the parks and other methods had to be large rabbit population at Wilsons Park Ranger as well as the District devised. Promontory was of great concern to Inspector, and subject always to the Authority. Not only did the rabbits the prior approval of the Director of In general, the Authority, in cause damage to the vegetation, National Parks, poisoning campaigns consultation with the Board (usually but they also evoked unfavourable became a matter of routine. Within Mr Ron Tully or Mr Geoff Douglas), comment from many of the visitors a very short period, the whole examined the conditions obtaining in to the camping area at Tidal River. complexion of the problem had been individual parks before authorizing It was all very well for the Authority changed; it had been demonstrated any particular course of action. The to talk about the successful rabbit that rabbits could be poisoned in essential objective of any approved poisoning campaign at Wyperfeld, Wyperfeld National Park, using programme was the destruction of but it was decidedly embarrassing not 1080, without necessarily destroying rabbits without harming the non-target to be able to obtain similar success kangaroos and emus. However, it has species. Some of the investigations at Tidal River. The Committee of to be admitted that the loss of a few made by the Authority and the Management did not appear to share possums was a matter of concern. methods used in different parks are the Authority’s concern; or, at least, Several years later, on the suggestion described hereunder. they did nothing to reduce the rabbit of Mr Geoffrey Edwards, who had population. been given the task of monitoring the There were certain conditions in 1080 poisoning programmes, steps Hattah Lakes National Wilsons Promontory, especially at were taken to exclude the Black Box Park Tidal River, which made it difficult areas, which appeared to be the In addition to the trail method of to adopt conventional methods of favoured homes of the possums. poisoning which had been so destroying rabbits. Firstly, there successful in Wyperfeld, in Hattah were no kangaroos at Tidal River, but Other parks Lakes NP large rabbit warrens were there were wallabies. At Wyperfeld destroyed by ‘ripping’ with a tractor the kangaroos virtually protected The method described was equipped with a ripping blade. The themselves, because they prefer successfully applied in other national destruction of ‘harbour’ was an to eat grass and were not attracted parks, including Fraser, Mount Buffalo, effective means of controlling rabbit to small pieces of green carrot. Wilsons Promontory, Hattah Lakes, populations, but it did not necessarily Wallabies, on the other hand, were Mount Eccles and possibly a few destroy many rabbits directly. It also much less selective in their diet and others. In some cases, the results caused ugly scars on park land and, would certainly have eaten carrot if were not always as satisfactory as in in some cases, ripped warrens were they had been given the opportunity. Wyperfeld; but, because the Authority re-opened by rabbits, which seem to In addition, there were wombats in had ensured that the Rangers were have the knack of recognizing their Wilsons Promontory and, although always directly involved in every traditional homes. these animals also show a preference programme, it was usually possible for grass, there was always the Much more positive results were to determine the reason for any danger that a wombat might fall victim obtained by inserting cyanide unsatisfactory results. to a poisoned carrot bait. pellets in the entrances of rabbit For instance, because of the burrows; but the dryness of the soil Further, Tidal River was renowned for undulating nature of the country made it necessary to apply water its numerous gaily-coloured Crimson in Fraser National Park, the Lands at the entrance, so as to release Rosellas, which had become Department personnel adopted the the hydrogen cyanide. Clearly, this accustomed to park visitors who practice of dispensing with the furrow method was more labour-intensive had introduced them to a variety of

64 CHAPTER 8 foods. The possibility that rosellas might become casualties in the Authority’s war against the rabbit was a strong deterrent to the adoption of conventional methods of poisoning. Meanwhile the rabbits appeared to be enjoying themselves, and the deterioration of the vegetative cover of the sand dunes, especially at the southern end of Norman Bay, was becoming a matter of increasing concern. There was another aspect of the matter; many years ago, Hog Deer had been introduced into Wilsons Promontory National Park and were now [1960] widespread throughout the park. I had often seen them in the area east of Oberon Bay on my regular walks to the lighthouse, during the early 1950s, and the large open ‘tip’ between Tidal River and the Rabbit killed by myxamatosis in Fraser NP. western foothills of Mount Oberon was a great attraction for the deer. In the quieter months of the year, deer were times, rabbits were worth sixpence It so happened, that, at about this often seen walking or running along (5c) each; but, under less favourable time, Imperial Chemical Industries the main road, in the vicinity of the old conditions, they brought only 4d Australia Ltd. was investigating the store. (pence). However, in the summer possibility of destroying rabbits in their of 1921, rabbit skins were worth 7 warrens by pumping foam plastic into Deer shooting in the Yanakie Run, shillings and 6 pence per pound and, the warren. In due course, the foam which had not yet been incorporated in the winter, the price was as high as plastic set into a hard honeycomb sort in the park, was a popular pastime 11 shillings and 8 pence per pound of structure in which any entrapped of deer shooters from far and near, (this is about $2.60 per kilo). rabbits would be entombed. By a and the Authority was mindful of the curious coincidence, the ICI scientist I was satisfied that rabbits could be consequences which would surely who was leading this investigation trapped without causing excessive flow from the destruction of even one was Mr Peter Temple, who had been harm to the native fauna, so I of these exotic animals in the course a member of Barnes Wallace’s team proposed that an experienced trapper of a rabbit-poisoning campaign. when the latter was developing the be authorized to set traps in Tidal It was one thing for members or bombs and techniques which duly River. The Authority (not having non-members of the Sporting destroyed the Mohne and Eder Dams had my Tarnagulla experiences) Shooters’ Association to shoot a in the Ruhr Valley during World War II. was hardly enthusiastic about the deer deliberately, but Heaven help proposal, nor was Geoff Douglas, but I recall that Mr John Landy and Mr the Authority if it should accidentally eventually the necessary agreement Dewar Goode were at Tidal River destroy one in the execution of one of was reached. An experienced trapper while these investigations were in the duties prescribed in the National was installed in Tidal River; the results progress, and we actually participated Parks Act! were very good but, within a few days, in locating the rabbit warrens in In my childhood, like many other he departed. He had harvested the preparation for the experimental country boys, I had often set traps to cream of the rabbit population and run. The foam plastic was pumped catch rabbits. I recall that, in 1921, I could no longer sustain the yield, out of a special machine into the used to earn a little pocket money by and trapping became uneconomical warrens, and in due course emerged setting traps and selling rabbits to the for him. So, other methods had to be at another opening. This was sealed townspeople in Tarnagulla. In good devised. and pumping continued until the

Vermin control 65 foam emerged from another opening that Providence might be on our side. the National Parks Service could not which was likewise sealed, and so on hide its head in the sand over the The programme was duly carried until all openings had been sealed. rabbits in the ‘high country’, but had out and, as a special precaution to The reader will no doubt share my reservations about the ability of the protect the deer, generous helpings own scepticism and will hardly be pilot to control the ‘drop’. The area of unpoisoned carrot were distributed surprised to learn that this very novel to be poisoned was clearly marked around the tip area in the hope that method was not adopted. the deer would be kept away from on the ground with 40-gallon drums painted white. The programme However, the problem remained. the poison trails. The results were began, but an alert Park Ranger I therefore designed a cage-like spectacular; numerous rabbits observed that there had been a structure consisting of a number were destroyed but two wombats drift of bait outside the target area of hoops of one-quarter-inch steel and three or four wallabies appear into certain gullies which provided rod joined by horizontal rods and to have been victims. Unhappily, a home for wallabies. Several covered with fine chicken wire. The no fewer than thirteen deer were wallabies: were destroyed and, as cages had legs which could be destroyed. It was recognized that soon as I learned of this, with the pushed into the ground, providing this method could never again be none-too-enthusiastic concurrence a clearance of about four inches used at Tidal River. There were loud of the Chairman of the Vermin and (10 cm). These special cages were and prolonged protests from the Noxious Weeds Destruction Board, I fabricated by R. and J. DeCoite of Sporting Shooters’ Association. On Fern Tree Gully and delivered to the positive side it has to be said issued instructions for the immediate Tidal River. The plan was to place that the grass on the sand dunes termination of the aerial baiting poisoned carrot on a tray within recovered magnificently. campaign. the cage, the tray being covered Some years later, with the object of In summary therefore I would say during the day but opened for the protecting the habitat of the Mutton that the work of the National Parks rabbits, after dusk. Short furrows Bird, a 1080 poisoning programme Authority/Service, in collaboration led to the cage, and it was hoped was executed on Rabbit Island, with the Vermin and Noxious Weeds that this method would result in the during the period when the Mutton Destruction Board, had demonstrated destruction of rabbits without causing Birds were absent. The results that, where the terrain is suitable, harm to native fauna. The method justified all the care and effort and provided that the prescribed worked, but the weakness was that it expended in implementing the conditions are strictly observed, trail relied on the availability of park staff programme and the regeneration poisoning using 1080 may safely be to perform these extra chores after of the vegetation has arrested the used for the destruction of rabbits their normal day’s work. It is of some erosion caused by the rabbits and, of in national parks (or elsewhere). interest to me personally that the course, improved the stability of the However, in areas where wallabies are cages are still [1985] in use at Tidal Mutton Bird rookery. present the method is not appropriate. River, almost thirty years after I had Wallabies are much less selective in them installed. Aerial baiting in Fraser regard to their diet than kangaroos. The rabbits really were a menace and National Park something had to be done to control Myxomatosis their numbers. After considerable soul I have mentioned earlier that the searching and numerous discussions, rugged nature of the terrain made While poisoning with 1080 remained it was finally agreed that a poison trail, it extremely difficult to adopt the principal method of controlling using 1080, should be laid at Tidal the conventional method of trail rabbit populations, the Authority River, with strict observance of all the poisoning in Fraser National Park. co-operated fully with the Vermin and safeguards discussed earlier. The The problem was acute; so, after Noxious Weeds Destruction Board in exercise was placed in the hands much deliberation, it was agreed that a vigorous campaign based on the of Mr Geoff Douglas and his staff, in the method of aerial baiting should mosquito-borne virus myxomatosis. close collaboration with the Park staff. be tried. The proponents of this In Wyperfeld National Park, by using It was recognized that there might be method claimed that the bait could spotlights and nets with long handles, a few casualties among the wombats be dropped within the target area rabbits were caught alive at night-time. and wallabies, and that a few deer and that the native animals would The rabbits ‘froze’ under the strong might be destroyed; but we all hoped not be harmed. I recognized that lights and catchers simply walked up

66 CHAPTER 8 Vermin were not the only cause for the loss of vegetation. Here at Darby Beach, Wilsons Promontory NP, in January 1987 it was caused by sand dune instability. from the rear and dropped the net Fraser national parks and a vigorous over them. Often, it was possible to on-going campaign using the method pick the rabbits up by hand. most appropriate to the park was The rabbits were inoculated with the conducted by the NW and VC Board ‘myxo’ virus and released in the area acting in close collaboration with the where they had been caught. Where National Parks Authority. Rangers were available, they were instructed in the use of the virus and thus helped extend the work. This Other methods method had the great advantage The Authority/Service was always that it was specific for rabbits, but prepared to use other methods of it depended on the availability of destroying rabbits which did not mosquitoes to act as carriers. Many involve 1080. Fumigants such rabbits were ear-tagged in the hope as calcium cyanide or ‘Phostoxin’ that some of them might be found (aluminium phosphide) were placed later, thus affording information about in rabbit burrows, to avoid destroying the movement of rabbits during a native animals; but experience given period. One rabbit was found showed that lizards, snakes, echidnas 48 km (30 miles) from the point of and even possums sometimes used release. rabbit burrows in certain areas, which Myxomatosis was used successfully placed these agents under some in Wyperfeld, Hattah Lakes and restriction.

Vermin control 67 Chapter 9 Fire protection in national parks

he need to protect national parks the responsibility of the Forests The increase in tourist intake attracted from damage by fire would Commission) that were proposed for attention to the need for fire protection Tappear to be so obvious as national parks suddenly became, in works to protect the park, the not to warrant special consideration; the view of the anti-national parks buildings and the tourists. but the subject of ‘fire protection’ in lobbyists, potential national disaster On 27th January 1951, a fire began relation to national parks has always areas of the highest degree of in the northern part of the Promontory, been highly controversial. inflammability. The Authority however near the aerodrome in the Yanakie Prior to the passing of the National was far from inactive in the matter area (which was outside the park), Parks Act 1956, fire protection works of fire protection, as the following and was allowed to burn for several were the responsibility of the Forests resume will show. weeks, during which period it waxed Commission. It was customary for and waned according to the weather most committees of management to conditions. It has been alleged that include an officer of the Commission Wilsons Promontory the presence of the fire was reported who advised the committee on fire National Park to the local police officer at Foster protection works and arranged for who, however, omitted to alert the any necessary work to be carried out Bushfires were no novelty in Wilsons Proper Officer. The casual attitude of in the national park by Commission Promontory National Park but, no those responsible for fire-suppression personnel. In the event of an doubt because of its isolation, the works is difficult to comprehend, outbreak of fire in a national park, general practice appears to have because the smoke from that fire must the Commission was responsible been to allow the fires to burn have been clearly visible from Foster for suppression works. As far as I themselves out. and other towns along the coast to the was able to observe, the only park During World War II the road was north of . in which any pre-suppression works extended from Yanakie to Tidal On 12th February 1951, a change in were ever carried out was Wilsons River to enable an army camp to be weather conditions caused the fire Promontory, where some ‘protective established there for the purpose of to develop into a major conflagration burning’ was done. There was no training commandos. The cessation which swept eastward and southward, provision for the Commission to be of hostilities enabled the committee racing through the Vereker Range, reimbursed for such work. of management to acquire a the Latrobe Range, Mount Ramsay, Section 9(c) of the National Parks Act number of buildings and a road. The Mount Wilson, Sealers Cove, Refuge 1956 made it the responsibility of the buildings varied in quality, but with Cove, and over the Boulder Range National Parks Authority to protect appropriate modifications served to right down to the lighthouse on the national parks from ‘injury by fire’. provide accommodation (some are South-East Cape, where all the This was a very significant change still [1980s] in use) along with toilets vegetation was destroyed, along from past practices, because it left and ablution facilities for tourists. with some Commonwealth buildings. the initiative with the Authority, as well The narrow road was unsealed and Miraculously, the houses were saved. as the responsibility for meeting the heavily corrugated in parts and sandy Further west, the fire swept through cost of fire protection works. It also in others. Cars were often bogged the various land masses comprising made the Authority very vulnerable, in sand, and more than one caravan the west coast and engulfed Mount because areas of Crown land (which was overturned or suffered a broken Bishop and the Oberon Range, and were for fire-protection purposes axle. then proceeded through the area east

68 CHAPTER 9 Wilsons Promontory NP in about 1952. The dead trees were burnt in the 1951 fires. of Oberon Bay to Mount Norgate and New Year period (1950-51). 1 saw appeared that the ‘protective’ works thence to the south coast. the Promontory before the fire and, had not been adequately ‘controlled’. during the corresponding periods It appears that only the heroic efforts The Authority had been unaware of succeeding years, I walked over of the Park Ranger, Mr Jack Sparkes, of the intention of the local forestry many of the affected areas. I learned saved the Tidal River camp from officer to undertake such work. On that the slopes of Mount Wilson and total destruction. Somehow, he returning to Melbourne, I brought the Mount Ramsay were strewn with large managed to get a ‘back burn’ going matter to the attention of the Chairman dead trees which had fallen as a successfully before the fire attacked of the Forests Commission, Mr A. O. result of fires which had preceded the from the north. Lawrence, who, at the next meeting 1951 fire. of the Authority, proposed that a Fire It is not necessary here to describe Following the 1951 fire, no doubt Protection Committee be formed to the 1951 Promontory fire in detail, at the request of the committee of examine the matter of fire protection but an extremely interesting account management, the Forests Commission in all national parks and to serve as of it was given by Crosbie Morrison prepared a plan consisting of a series a liaison unit with the Commission. who wrote, as Editor of ‘Wild-Life’ and of ‘fire access’ tracks and areas The Authority appointed the following as a member of the committee of where ‘protective burning’ was to be members to serve on the Committee: management, in the June 1951issue carried out, and this was presented Mr A. O. Lawrence (Chairman), Mr of ‘Wild-Life’. He concluded by to me when I joined the Authority in Dewar W. Goode, Mr G. T. Thompson arguing persuasively for the creation 1958. This formed the basis of the and the Director (Convener). It was of a competent authority to administer fire protection plan adopted by the agreed that the services of the Chief Victoria’s national parks, but he could Authority and work apparently began of the Division of Fire Protection of hardly have foreseen that six years towards the end of 1958. At all the Forests Commission (then Mr R. later he would be the Director of that events, during my usual Christmas- T. Seaton) be co-opted, to ensure Authority! New Year vacation, I observed that maximum liaison. The creation of I have some personal knowledge of some protective burning had been this committee put the Authority’s fire the effects of that fire, because I was carried out in the vicinity of area ‘D’ protection work on a firm basis, but at Tidal River during the Christmas- in the accompanying plan; but it it needs to be understood that the

Fire protection in national parks 69 A major fire burnt much of Wyperfeld NP in 1959.

committee reported to the Authority Bay. I had been at the summit of did the proposed track from Waterloo through the proper administrative Mount Ramsay and on Mount Wilson Bay to the vicinity of Oberon Point. channel (i.e. through the Authority’s on five occasions; I had found my I felt also that the treatment of the office), which then gave effect to the way from the lighthouse track to the northern part of the park represented Authority’s determinations, including southernmost point and beyond to the an over-reaction to the 1951 fire. the allocation of finance. west, and I had enjoyed rare views of That fire should never have been Fenwick Bight from the high land to If I may be permitted to describe my permitted to occur. It seemed to me the west. reaction to the [fire protection] plan, that the implementation of such a plan I must say that I was amazed and The idea of having that magnificent as that proposed would destroy the alarmed. Although I could hardly park criss-crossed by fire protection integrity of the park and throw it open claim to have any great knowledge of tracks did not appeal to me. to vehicular traffic ostensibly for fire fire protection procedures, I felt that I The suggestion that a track be protection purposes but ultimately could claim to know something about constructed from the southern end of for tourist purposes. I had always the Promontory. I had walked over Corner Inlet along the foothills of the felt that we should try to preserve much of the southern part; in 1954 Vereker Range to the Darby Saddle, a few places where walking was a and again in 1957I walked across the and that tracks be constructed across recognized means of locomotion, and sand blow at Oberon Bay to Waterloo to Waterloo Bay left me aghast, as Wilsons Promontory was one of them.

70 CHAPTER 9 It seemed to me that the tracks had The Authority had not approved the Commonwealth been placed to suit the convenience proposal to construct fire protection of the bulldozer operators and were tracks to Leonard Bay, along Pillar Department of not necessarily based on statistical Point or to the southern end of Shipping and Transport data on the outbreak of fires. There Oberon Bay, on the grounds that In 1967, the Authority was were no such data. such tracks were unnecessary and approached by the Commonwealth The Fire Protection Committee did that they would have resulted in the Department of Shipping and Transport not endorse the plan, but agreed that despoliation of beautiful natural areas. with a request that a four-wheel-drive steps should be taken to isolate the There were no buildings or people track be constructed to the lighthouse park at large from the Yanakie area at risk, so that the cost of such work on South East Cape. It was argued (which was the seat of most fires) by hardly seemed justified. that the rough seas which sometimes constructing a track from a point north When the tracks in the northern part prevail made it difficult to transport of Darby in the general direction of of the park had been completed, supplies to the lighthouse and that, in the event of an emergency (sudden Corner Inlet and ultimately to Five-Mile work was begun on a track extending illness or an accident) the lighthouse Beach. Later, extensions were made from Telegraph Saddle to the east personnel could be at risk and that, from this track within the Vereker of the Oberon Range along the in any case, such personnel were Peninsula. There was to be no track western footfalls of Mount Wilson, in virtually isolated from the rest of the from the main road to Waratah Bay. the general direction of Fraser’s Hut. community without such a provision. This work was performed under the It was agreed that ‘protective burning The Department offered to pay strips’ about five chains wide should supervision of Mr R. T. Seaton, who approximately 90 per cent of the cost be prepared and that burning should was also a member of the committee of construction beyond the existing occur every two or three years, to of management. Certain parts of terminus of the fire protection track. keep the vegetation relatively short. the track were very steep and of doubtful value should it have been Some members of the Authority were Construction work began in the necessary for a fire-tanker full of not impressed by the proposal, it autumn of 1959. Mr Alan Galbraith, water to be driven along it. In a short being argued that, in the event of an an Overseer from Mirboo North, was while, due to bad location, parts of emergency, a helicopter could quickly in charge of the work and Mr R. T. the track degenerated into erosion transport any personnel required to Seaton, Chief of the Division of Fire channels, with only narrow tracks be evacuated and, if necessary, a Protection (Forests Commission) on which to drive a vehicle, even a helicopter could be used to transport maintained a close watch on supplies. It seemed most likely that Land Rover. Later, when the Authority progress. The work proceeded the real reason why the track was had become more firmly seated in from year to year in an organized needed was to facilitate the mobility the administrative saddle, the track manner, until several tracks had been of the lighthouse personnel and any was re-routed, under the direction of completed in the northern part of the friends who might wish to visit them. park. Mr Bob Yorston, to eliminate these disabilities. But erosion, once begun However, the Authority was under Such work, of course, included proper in that sort of terrain, is very difficult to almost constant pressure from the drainage and batter stabilization. In arrest. committee of management and others the main, the tracks were located by to extend fire protection works in the having Mr Galbraith walk ahead of Further difficulties were encountered southern part of the Promontory. There the bulldozer to define the track and in the sandy area east of Oberon Bay; had been a fire in the southernmost obviate excessive disturbance of the here a bulldozer became bogged, part in December 1962 and the soil, although some interference and as did a second ‘dozer’ sent out on committee was quick to assert that side-cutting were necessary. Until the a rescue mission. Eventually, the the absence of a track had hindered Authority had been able appoint a bulldozers were retrieved and the the fire-suppression work. It was scientific officer, I maintained a close track continued to a point about fruitless to point out that it was quite association with the work, partly for half a mile north of Fraser’s Hut. It is impossible to predict exactly where the purpose of self-education. Later, possible that the track would have fires are likely to occur and that it was Mr R. G. M. (Bob) Yorston represented ended here or at Fraser’s Hut, but for not possible or even necessary to the Authority in fire-protection work in a set of circumstances which could build tracks to every part of the park. Wilsons Promontory. hardly have been foreseen. But fire protection is a very emotive

Fire protection in national parks 71 issue on which all sorts of people organic matter in the form of leaves, of the park. In addition, about 125 had offered their expert advice and, bark and sticks, etc., for the birds to miles of ploughed breaks were made more under duress than as a result incorporate in their mounds below round the dry lakes, to prevent the of reasoned judgment, the Authority the incubation chamber, before they spread of a possible conflagration eventually agreed to the Department’s can successfully breed again. The caused by a lightning strike. request. Authority was therefore fully appraised Grass was slashed in other areas. of the need for fire protection works in A suitable alignment for the track was This work was completed during the park. established between Fraser’s Hut and the year ending 30th June 1961. In Roaring Meg Creek; but, thereafter, However, before anything could be subsequent years, as scientific staff the terrain proved to be very done, a wildfire, which was said to became available, this work was unfriendly. I personally was greatly have begun near Yanac, some 80 extended and the track surface concerned that the track would be km south of the park, and which had was improved where necessary by visible from and I did not been burning (seemingly unchecked) capping with clay, and eventually want any scars on the magnificent for several weeks, entered the park the park was provided with a good southern coastline. In December on 23rd November 1959. By the network of fire protection tracks which 1968, I walked with Mr Whatmore time it had been extinguished by the also facilitated ranger patrols and (Engineer in the Department of Forests Commission and Country park protection. This work was carried Shipping and Transport) and Mr Fire Authority personnel, and the out by Mr Bob Yorston, Mr T. E. Arthur Yorston along the proposed alignment Park Ranger, it had destroyed and Mr D. S. Saunders, who were of the track in the vicinity of the the vegetation on 57,000 acres of thereby enabled to obtain first-hand northern end of the peninsula on parkland. The area affected consisted knowledge of the park and practical which the lighthouse stands, and was of almost the whole of the western experience with local conditions. persuaded that the track could be part of the park, with tongue-like tracts constructed without undue damage to where the fire had extended beyond One of the problems at Wyperfeld the environment. So the work was set Outlet Creek. is that, during winter and spring, the in train. grass grows to a considerable length, I had made strong representations to and dries out in the late spring and In the early stages of the work, for Mr R. T. Seaton for a bulldozer to cut summer, thereby creating a serious the first few miles, the operation a swathe along the western boundary fire hazard. To enable the Ranger was carried out by the Forests of the park, while there was still a to slash the grass where necessary, Commission, with Mr Yorston chance of saving the park, but was a rotary slasher was purchased and exercising an over-view on behalf of informed that the Commission was operated off the power take-off fitted the Authority. unable to release either a bulldozer to the Land Rover. or the necessary manpower for this purpose. Observations made by Shortly after he joined the Authority’s Wyperfeld National Park different people after the fire indicated staff (under secondment from the that, in many parts, the fire was Forests Commission), Mr Yorston During its first visit to Wyperfeld in travelling so slowly that it ‘petered out’ designed a tanker-trailer unit which October 1958, the Authority saw on the wheel ruts along the existing was capable of holding 150 gallons ample evidence of the disastrous rough tracks – for example, along the of water and of being transported effect which bushfires had had on track from Black Flat to Pine Plains. A to the scene of a fire. One of these the park in previous years. The most few weeks later I was able to confirm units was provided at Wyperfeld in recent major fire apparently occurred this by personal observation. 1962/63. The Authority was at great in 1946 and destroyed numerous pains to increase the volume of water Cypress Pines (Callitris spp), Mallee, The Authority lost no time in stored in the park, by collecting water Banksias and Red Gums, in the implementing the first stages of a fire from the roofs of buildings, to the western part of the park, extending protection plan for the park, by having fullest possible extent. Such water beyond the Wonga Hut. Numerous a private contractor (A. Hillgrove, of was useful not only for tourists but Malleefowl mounds were destroyed. Mildura) cut a track about 50 miles also for fire-fighting purposes. The Committee explained that, even in length around the perimeter of the after regeneration begins, a period western part of the park, and another, Another valuable adjunct to the fire of about fourteen years must elapse which ran approximately diagonally protection facilities was a look-out before there is an assured supply of from the north to the south-east corner tower constructed by the boys and

72 CHAPTER 9 masters from the Ararat High School, at Eastern Look-out, in 1964/65. The fire protection tracks having been constructed, it was essential of course that they be properly maintained; this was assured by having the Ranger make regular patrols along the tracks and by his close liaison with the scientific officers of the National Parks Service.

Mount Buffalo National Park The Authority recognized the need for a soundly-based plan to protect Mount Buffalo National Park. Situated on a plateau, with timbered slopes on all sides, it was vulnerable to bush fires which began at lower levels as well as any which might have their origins within the park. The park suffered badly during the 1939 national disaster, and many dead trees still standing in 1958 provided ample testimony of the ravages of earlier bush fires and of the need for protective measures. Acting on the advice of the Fire Protection Committee, the Authority, in collaboration with the Committee of Management and the Forests Commission, adopted a comprehensive plan which embodied a system of access tracks and the provision of fire-fighting equipment such as rake-hoes, knapsack sprays, tanker-trailer units and, as in all other Wyperfeld NP, 1964-65. The Lookout Tower was constructed by boys and masters from the national parks, the training of park Ararat High school at Eastern Lookout. staff in fire protection procedures. Tracks for fire-fighting purposes were Relations with the Forests of the Forests Commission who constructed beyond the Reservoir naturally provided the necessary area to the western edge of the Commission advice on fire protection matters and plateau, around and in As has been mentioned elsewhere arranged for any pre-suppression the North Buffalo area. in this narrative, prior to the creation works to be carried out. This usually of the National Parks Authority the entailed some ‘protective burning’ to national parks had been in the care reduce the amount of forest litter. The of committees of management which officers of the Commission appeared enjoyed almost complete autonomy. to enjoy the same sort of autonomy as Most committees included an officer did the committees.

Fire protection in national parks 73 The advent of the Authority and the the strength of their own positions, Authority had decided to extend. gradual involvement of the Director a senior officer of the Commission After investigation by Mr Yorston, it and other members of the Authority would throw out a challenge. If one was agreed that the best alignment for and, later, of Authority staff, was not looks at the sky-line of Mount Latrobe the extension was to follow a suitable always welcomed by some officers of and its neighbour Mount Ramsay, gradient along the northern face of the Commission. There was a feeling from Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory Martins Hill and thence, in a generally that all the necessary knowledge and National Park, one might fancy that it southward direction, towards the head expertise on fire protection matters might be feasible to construct a sky- of Roaring Meg Creek before turning resided within the Commission, line road for fire protection or other eastward towards the slope lying and there was some resentment as purposes. At all events, when the to the north of South-East Cape on the Authority appeared to intrude. Chief of the Division of Fire Protection, which the lighthouse is situated. This feeling was not shared by the Mr E. Gill, proposed that a fire After the Commission had Chairman of the Commission, Mr A. protection track be constructed along constructed the track to within 4km of O. P. Lawrence, who recognized that this alignment, he had to be taken the lighthouse, it withdrew its support. it was essential for the Authority, which seriously. I objected on the grounds The Authority endeavoured to carried the statutory responsibility that such a road or track would persuade the Commission to honour for protecting the national parks from despoil the mountains and also that its contract, because the alternative injury by fire, to play an active role in it was impracticable. But seniority would involve the establishment of the preparation of fire protection plans won the day and Trevor Arthur and the Authority’s construction crew and and in their implementation. Bob Yorston were duly provided with either buying or hiring a bulldozer tents and ruc-sacs, along with other I personally made it my business and other ancillary equipment. I necessities, and despatched on an to acquire as much knowledge made strong personal representations investigation of the relevant slopes to of the subject as I could, so that to Mr Gill, but he insisted that the obtain information on the possibility I could more easily understand Commission was unable to make the of constructing a fire protection the philosophy and practice of fire necessary resources available. The track along the southern slope of protection activities in regard to Authority had never had any desire the Vereker Range towards Mount national parks. Similarly, when the to enter this field and had always Ramsay. Authority did acquire a small scientific recognized the advantages of having staff, I endeavoured to ensure that After several days, our two heroes, one strong well-equipped department such officers were fully involved in both well-trained former officers of from which, under the provisions fire protection matters so that, among the Forests Commission, were in a of the Act (Section 8 (3)), it could other things, they could assess the position to report that a track could be obtain the required service. However, merits of plans prepared by officers constructed on the southern slopes, the Authority found itself obliged of the Commission. The Authority but at great cost; but they considered to embark on an extremely difficult (and, later, the National Parks Service) that it was not practicable to continue project which I deemed it necessary made a practice of requesting the track over the saddle between to terminate before the track had been the Commission to prepare a plan Mount Latrobe and Mount Ramsay. completed. covering the fire protection aspects of Mr Gill had never been in the area, As a consequence of the disbandment park management and of having such but had used his position to frustrate of the National Parks Authority in plans examined by the Fire Protection the Authority. So the area in question March 1971, the Fire Protection Committee before final decisions were remains inviolate, which is vitally Committee was no longer able to made. I saw to it that the scientific important, because much of the water function as it had formerly. However, officers were fully involved in these supply for Tidal River comes from that meetings were arranged between matters. Thus, Bob Yorston, Trevor catchment. the Commission and the National Arthur and Don Saunders all gained Reference was made above to the Parks Service, at which the Chief of experience in this field and actually extension of the fire protection track the Division of Fire Protection and the took part in supervising the work of between the Oberon and Wilson Fire Protection Officer represented the contractors (private or otherwise) in Ranges, running north to south, Commission, while the Service was the parks. which, under the persuasions of represented by the Chief Technical Perhaps to test the strength of the the Commonwealth Department Officer and the Fire Protection Officer Authority, or perhaps to demonstrate of Shipping and Lighthouses, the along with the Director.

74 CHAPTER 9 It seemed to me that this was a of the Fire Protection Committee. It to the fire-brands that they will receive satisfactory arrangement; but, appeared that the Commission was the same ruthless treatment as they in 1974, the Commission sought thinking in terms of the conditions would inflict on the parks themselves absolute control of fire protection which had obtained in 1958, but this and some way is devised of ‘making matters in national parks, although it was 1974. The National Parks Service the punishment fit the crime’.” expressed a willingness to continue had come a long way in that period As an indication of the attitude of the work of the Fire Protection and I was not about to see it relegated the Authority and the Service to the Committee. It was proposed that to a junior position. However, I matter of pre-suppression works, the the Commission be represented accepted the decision, but the expenditure by those bodies over the by a Commissioner and the Chief Commission still pressed for absolute previous six years was included in the of the Fire Protection Division, with control, to which I continued to object. Annual Report. The relevant figures power to co-opt the services of The matter remained unresolved when are as follows: the Commission’s Fire Protection I retired. Officer, and that the National Parks Year Expenditure In my Annual Report for the year Service be represented by the (Australian pounds) ending 30th June 1973, I wrote, “It Director, the Chief Technical Officer 1972-73 59,351 is a matter of great concern to the and the Fire Protection Officer. I 1971-72 38,945 Service that in some quarters so demurred; I declined to accede to the 1970-71 41,664 much attention is directed to the Commission’s proposal that it assume high fire risk associated with national 1969-70 36,421 complete control of pre-suppression parks. National parks, it is said, are 1968-69 19,591 works , leaving the Service to act a fire hazard. The Service believes 1967-68 11,608 in an advisory capacity. Numerous that the whole situation should be meetings were held between the Total 217,580 reviewed and that the truth of the parties, but I remained adamant that matter should be revealed in a clear I was at a loss to understand why the National Parks Service should light. It is not the parks which are a the Commission appeared so continue to be responsible for ‘the fire hazard; it is the people who abuse reluctant to recognize the role of protection of national parks from injury them. Yet when a fire breaks out (or, the National Parks Service in fire by fire’, as prescribed by the Act as in most cases, is deliberately lit) in protection matters. I personally (Section 9(c)). or near a national park, there is more recognized the valuable role played I had several discussions with Dr R than a fair chance that the country will by the Commission in this field, G Downes, Director of Conservation, be severely damaged either by the but could never agree that the who, perhaps in desperation, or fire itself or by back burning or by the Commission was the only body with perhaps because he deemed it devastating action of bulldozers, all of expertise in this area or that it was desirable that it should be. In my wise to carry an olive branch to the which are considered to be essential view, it was essential for the National Commission, made an arrangement steps in controlling the conflagration. Parks Service to have a nucleus of with Dr F. R. Moulds, Chairman of In some cases, the park takes years highly-trained personnel capable the Forests Commission, that the to recover. of presenting the national parks Chairmanship of the Committee “The blame almost always seems viewpoint at the conference table. should alternate, that is, the senior to fall on the National Parks Service member of the Commission should for not having done sufficient fire be Chairman for a year following suppression works or on the park for which the Chairmanship would fall being so inflammable. The real truth to the Director of National Parks. I is that nobody knows just what is did not consider this a wise decision, sufficient pre-suppression works, and because it seemed inevitable to me that during the past sixteen years the that this would result in lack of stability Service has spent several hundred in regard to policy. I felt that the Act thousand dollars provided by the (1956) was clear in making it the Government on fire protection works duty of the (Authority) National Parks in national parks. Service ‘to protect the national parks from injury by fire’, so that the Director “The wastage of valuable park assets of National Parks should be Chairman will continue until it is brought home

Fire protection in national parks 75 Chapter 10 Walking tracks

alking in national parks is a and National Parks Service in their and construct a walking track to the traditional activity; yet very construction. summit. This track was gradually few of the parks under the improved and made safer by the W My experience with many of these control of the National Parks Authority provision of hand-rails and wires. tracks pre-dated my appointment in 1958, and for some time thereafter, in 1958 and provided me with the appeared to attract many walkers. detailed knowledge required to Track to summit of Little The best known, of course, was generate a proper appreciation Wilsons Promontory National Park, of the need for such tracks and of Mount Oberon which had several much- used the problems to be overcome in In the early 1950s, and for many walking tracks; but Mount Buffalo constructing and maintaining them. years previously, there existed a also had a few recognised tracks, rough narrow track along the western mostly leading from the Chalet face of the Oberon Range, which to points of interest such as the Mount Oberon Track led ultimately to the summit of Little Monolith, Bent’s Lookout, the Gorge, In 1949 and 1950, when I walked Mount Oberon, and another track etc. to the summit of Mount Oberon at which led over the ‘Bad Saddle’ to Because the Authority did not Wilsons Promontory, there was a Little Oberon Bay. The Bad Saddle ‘control’ the Committees of very rough road leading from the was used by cattlemen who ran their Management it was unable to direct park’s main entrance road to a point cattle in the broad flat valley east of field staff; nor did it have funds somewhat west of Telegraph Saddle. Oberon Bay. for such work. However, after the Many people who attempted to drive After the 1951 fire, it was possible Committees became responsible along this track became bogged in to walk through the scrub from the to the Authority, the latter body was the sand between Tidal River camp southern end of Norman Bay up the in a stronger position to encourage and the end of the PMG [Postmaster- western slope of Mount Oberon, and the Committees to undertake the General’s Department] road before ‘pick up’ the old track to the summit task of improving existing tracks and it turned right along a narrow track of Little Mount Oberon and to Little constructing new ones considered which followed the ridge, up to the Oberon Bay, and I frequently did desirable. Eventually, walking tracks summit. It was very steep in many this. However, the gradual growth were constructed, often by the parts and badly eroded; but it was of the vegetation eventually made it Rangers of those days, in most of the only way of getting to the summit. too difficult to climb up from Norman the national parks, and ‘nature trails’ The return journey from the summit to Bay to the walking tracks, which have were constructed by the Rangers the road was even worse, because now fallen into disuse. in association with the Technical one was inclined to slip on the steep It was also once possible to Officers in such parks as the Little track. It was really only a goat track! approach the summit of Little Desert, Fraser, Wyperfeld and The gradual improvement of the road Mount Oberon, from which superb Wilsons Promontory. to Telegraph Saddle and, finally, the views may be obtained, by walking It would require much more space extension of the road to the PMG eastward through the scrub along the than is available to describe Department’s land to the north-east spur leading from the Oberon Range development of walking tracks in of the summit led ultimately to the to Norman Point. I endeavoured every national park; but, because abandonment of the old walking to persuade the Committee of the numerous walking tracks in track, of which nowadays there Management and ‘track men’ to Wilsons Promontory still attract is little trace. The new PMG road construct a track along this route, but hundreds of bush-walkers every made it possible for national parks to no avail. I last used this approach year, some account will be given employees to transport equipment to the summit of Little Mount Oberon of the involvement of the Authority by park vehicles to the PMG base in December 1985.

76 CHAPTER 10 The track network in Wilsons Promontory NP was extended during Dr Smith’s time as Director. This is the track to Tongue Point in 1973.

Track to Oberon Bay via needed attention. The Committee well-built figure. He was a fitter and of Management seemed fully turner by trade but had decided Norman Point occupied with problems associated that he wanted an outdoor job in the One of the most popular walking with the Tidal River complex and conservation field. were disinclined to release any of tracks in the park is that along the I had no ranger’s job to offer him, their small labour force to repair western slope [of Mount Oberon] but immediately recognised that the tracks. I recognised the need overlooking Norman Bay, which here perhaps was an opportunity to continues on to Oberon Bay. I to employ a man (several men, appoint a man to work on tracks at had walked along this track on if possible) exclusively on the Wilsons Promontory. I proposed to innumerable occasions between construction and maintenance of the the Authority that it should provide 1949 and 1958, having spent every walking tracks. the funds for the work and that an Christmas – New Year vacation One day early in 1960, there walked approach be made to the Committee of 2-3 weeks, except in 1955, into my office on the 9th floor of 276 of Management to ascertain whether camping at Tidal River. The track Collins Street, Melbourne, a young it would be prepared to co-operate was in very poor condition – narrow, man who said he wanted a job as on that basis, i.e. that the Committee heavily eroded, badly drained and a national park ranger. He had employ the track man and find overgrown in parts with scrub – but it recently returned from New Zealand accommodation for him at Tidal River, was the only track leading to Oberon where, for several years, he had and that he be employed exclusively Bay. been employed as a deer culler. I on the Norman Bay - Oberon Bay As a tourist, I was obliged to accept was very favourably impressed by track, the expenses to be met by the the track as it was, but as Director of his appearance; he was a handsome Authority. The Committee agreed, and National Parks, I soon realized that young man with a strong jaw and so Ronald Stanley Turner became the this track, like the others in the Park, a good chin, and he had a good first ‘track man’.

Walking tracks 77 Ron Turner set about his work with and his other attributes that, on the all too apparent, but even then there enthusiasm and dedication; his completion of his work on the track, were signs of revival. The track was experience in New Zealand, together he was appointed to the position strewn with litter and cluttered with with his adequate fund of common of Ranger in the Park. In his place, fallen trees. sense, stood him in good stead. Brian Greer was appointed Track As the years passed, the debris Those who walk along that track Man and served in that capacity today could hardly be expected to for several years before also being was removed and the track became know that it was necessary for Ron to appointed to a position as Ranger, more accessible; but, for lack of carry all the materials of construction but he later returned to the position maintenance, it had fallen into such as timber, drainage pipes, nuts of ‘Track Man’. This enabled work on disrepair. In parts it was difficult to and bolts, etc, along with working tracks to be maintained at a steady, if follow, and once, in 1953, I actually tools, by hand, because there was somewhat inadequate, pace. misread the trail and found myself in at that time no mechanical vehicle a jungle of scrub and bracken. As everybody who has walked available to him. along the track to Little Oberon After my appointment, I endeavoured He realigned the track at the south Bay knows, the track loses itself in without success to persuade the end of the Norman Bay Beach, the steeply-sloping white sand of Committee to improve the tracks; cleared the scrub and widened the Bay, but one soon learns that it but in February 1961, accompanied the track, paying due attention to continues parallel to the Beach, a by Mr John Landy, I walked from the gradient and drainage, and short distance east of the latter. This Tidal River to Sealers Cove, with gradually (rather quickly, I thought) track used to be linked to the track a view to preparing an up-to-date laid the foundations of the track over the Bad Saddle, and I used it report on the condition of the track as we know it today. Where the both to descend from the Saddle for consideration by the Authority. track crosses the brow of the slope and to ascend to it, but this part of By now, the track was badly which runs down from Little Mount the track seems to have faded into overgrown and it was necessary to Oberon to Norman Point, he made disuse. In 1958 the track from Little protect one’s face with the hands to a substantial realignment in order to Oberon Bay to Growlers Creek was force a passage through the spear improve the gradient; and, even on very overgrown and eroded, but was grass, which had grown to a height the steeper section which runs down improved in later years, though not exceeding five feet. to Little Oberon Bay, he improved to the standard of the Norman Bay The track to Sealers Cove, like that the gradient as well as widening the Track. to the Lighthouse, was one of the track to make walking less arduous. The track from the present ‘Ring classic walks on the Promontory. While he was thus engaged he was Road’ to the southern end of Norman In those days, the track to Sealers also improving his knowledge of Bay was cleared during the 1960s, Cove left the PMG road at a point the park’s flora, and I recall that, on to obviate the need to walk along the considerably west of the present one of my visits to inspect his work, beach in order to reach the Norman car park at Telegraph Saddle, and he introduced me to a magnificent Bay Track and to add to the interest by a series of zig-zags reached a spider orchid. He continued to of the walk. There had been a rough certain level down the northern slope extend his knowledge of the flora and track in that area for many years, but of the Oberon Range from which it fauna of the park, thereby enhancing it had fallen into disrepair. continued around the slope to Windy his value as an interpreter of nature. Saddle. From here it continued, with In those days Rangers (he was not Tidal River to Sealers many a twist and turn, to Sealers yet a Ranger, but was ‘in training’) Cove. The Sealers Creek crossing were expected to perform a wide Cove consisted of a large tree which had range of functions, including helping It was not my good fortune to fallen across the creek at some time park visitors to better enjoy the walk from Tidal River to Sealers in the past, and there was a wire beauties of the park, and although Cove before the 1951 fire, so my stretching from one side to the other there was considerable variation in knowledge of the area prior to this which, if properly used, assisted their abilities, they performed their is hearsay and does not really form in keeping a balance on the log. various duties cheerfully. part of this story. I first walked to More than one hiker, complete with The Committee of Management was Sealers Cove in December 1951; heavy rucksack, found that wire so impressed with Ron Turner’s work the damage caused by the fire was treacherous, and fell into the creek.

78 CHAPTER 10 Mr Landy and I planned to spend the night there; but were dismayed to find that the water supply, from a small stream towards the northern end of the Sealers Cove beach, was a mere trickle. We found a narrow piece of steel which we shaped into a little trough before inserting one end into the soil where the ‘stream’ ended. From the free end, drop by drop we coaxed a cup of water, over a period of ten minutes. Obviously there was not a satisfactory supply for camping purposes, but it was possible, by walking a few hundred yards back to the creek, to obtain adequate supplies of fresh water. We duly submitted our report to the Tracks and Conservation Committee, which endorsed our recommendation that steps be taken as quickly as possible to improve the track. Because of the Committee’s inability Tea-tree cover on the track from Norman Bay to Little Oberon Bay, Wilsons Promontory NP. The to undertake such work, it was track was constructed by Ron Turner in his role as first track man appointed at the Prom in the early 1960s. His wage was raised by the NP Authority but he was engaged by the Wilsons Prom- decided to endeavour to secure the ontory Committee of Management in early 1960s for this specific track. services of a contractor, and the job was advertised; from memory, only around it, so the movie-man-turned- served for several years before one person responded. This was a trackman excavated beneath the log being washed away in a very heavy matter which continually frustrated and graded the track immediately flood. Thereafter there was no the Authority in its efforts to improve before and after it. It was a long and crossing where there had previously conditions in the national parks: they arduous task, but Doug Paine’s work been one, however risky, and it were too remote from ‘civilization’ made is easier for those who followed was necessary to follow the creek and there was always a shortage of to maintain this important track. towards the mouth where, at low tide, accommodation for temporary and Whereas it had previously taken crossing was possible. permanent employees. about five hours for the walk, it now In February 1970, the Victorian However, Mr Douglas Paine, an took 3½ hours. One international Government generously permitted enterprising resident of Foster athlete completed the round trip from me to accept an invitation from the who had obtained a permit from Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove in New Zealand National Parks Service the Committee of Management less than four hours! to show moving pictures at Tidal to visit New Zealand to study national River prior to the formation of the There still remained the problem of park management in that country. Authority, undertook to clear the the crossing of Sealers Creek, but I was fortunate enough to be at track and render it usable, during a group of Scouts, by arrangement Tongariro National Park at the precise the off-peak season, i.e. when he with the Committee, volunteered to time when the Service was building was not operating the ‘movies’. construct a new bridge across the a bridge over a very steep gorge His contract price was £800. So Creek. Unfortunately, at a critical rather wider than Sealers Creek. Doug Paine cleared the track and moment, one of the long poles near To construct the bearers for the widened it to four feet [1.2m]. Where the centre of the stream slipped bridge, the New Zealanders made possible the track was cleared of sideways, and the bridge ‘went laminates from treated pine (6 inches fallen trees, but one particular tree askew’. One had to exercise great [”] x 1”, or 8” x 1”) bolted together was too large. There was no way care in using this crossing, but it and over-lapping, which were then

Walking tracks 79 hauled across the gorge by winches. end of Sealers Cove and, having Our first objective was the large The number of planks and their reached the top, to gradually work granite tor referred to above; but depth (6”- 8”) depended, of course, one’s way around to the left (veering by the time we reached this, the on the length of the span and the south-east) and eventually reach rain was pelting down and we estimated load. The bearers having Cove Creek from the south. I hoped were wet to the skin. My camera been secured to suitable concrete that I could follow these rather gear was wrapped in plastic and abutments, the decking (6” x 1” x 4 general instructions, but had some the large rucksack was almost feet) was bolted to the bearers, and misgivings. waterproof. Having reached the rock, safety rails attached. we followed our previous route in After my son John and I arrived reverse and duly came to Sealers I was greatly impressed by the at Sealers Cove, one day later in Creek. The tide was in and we were simplicity of the design and relative December 1951, we established a already soaked, so we simply held ease of construction, and by the camp near the remains of the old hut, our rucksacks above our heads and enterprising manner in which the which had suffered severe damage waded through the creek. New Zealanders set about their work. in the fire of the previous February. But I was disappointed at being The fireplace was usable and we After a very meagre ‘tea’ (because unable to persuade the Authority’s shared this facility with a group of we were almost out of food) I set engineer to adopt this method, and Rover Scouts from Geelong. The about the task of drying our clothes Sealers Creek remained without a day following our arrival was fine in front of the fire which one of the crossing for several more years. and warm, so John and I decided to Scouts (who preferred not to risk his Finally, Major-General K. Green, who make a reconnaissance of the route leg on an uncharted course) had lit was at that time Secretary to the recommended by John Bechervaise. earlier. At 11.30 pm I slid John into Premier’s Department, volunteered We found it not too difficult to reach his sleeping bag in our little tent, and the services of the Army Construction the crest of the ‘middle spur’, then two hours later I crawled into my own Corps to construct a bridge. He we cut across to the east along a sleeping bag while the wind howled himself was a civil engineer and I ridge from which we could look down and the rain continued to pelt down gladly accepted my friend’s offer, into Refuge Cove. The comparative outside. It had been a long day; I but a great deal of water flowed sparseness of the vegetation afforded was tired and the sound of the rain down Sealers Creek before he was us reasonably clear views, and we and wind and the eternal dumping of able to disentangle the numerous were attracted to a large granite tor, the waves on the beach combined to strands of red tape and complete which we reached by travelling first create a lullaby which soon had me the assignment. However, the bridge north-east and then eastward. From fast asleep. remains a monument to his spirit of here we had a commanding view of When I woke at 5.30 am, the wind co-operation. Refuge Cove and of the devastation and rain had ceased and I could see wrought by the fire. a few white clouds hung out to dry Sealers Cove to The following day was rather cool against a blue sky. The urge to return with a grey sky; we spent the time to the rock, to take the photographs Refuge Cove fishing off the rocks and caught denied to us by yesterday’s rain, When I first walked from Sealers ten fish, which we shared with the was irresistible; so I set off up the Cove to Refuge in December 1951, Scouts. Several of the group were hill again, leaving John to tidy up the there was no track. However, a few anxious to walk over to Refuge Cove, camp. From the rock I gazed down days before I was due to depart from so we led them along the route on Refuge Cove, where five ships Melbourne for the Prom, I had the of our previous walk. We crossed were at anchor - having run into the Cove overnight, to shelter from the good fortune to meet my old friend a very beautiful gully which had storm. John Bechervaise. To my delight I somehow survived the fire; we also learned that he was a devotee of encountered a large patch of stinging Apparently the story of our the Prom, having made no fewer nettles over a metre in height, but in experiences was ‘spread around’; than seventeen visits! He informed due course we reached Cove Creek certainly we gave directions to a me that the best way was to go from and followed it directly to the beach. number of groups of walkers who Sealers to Refuge was to proceed Shortly after this it began to rain; were interested in visiting Refuge straight up the middle of the three so, after a quick lunch, John and I Cove. One day, several years later, spurs which run towards the southern headed for Sealers Cove. John and I fell into conversation

80 CHAPTER 10 with a group returning from the The Lighthouse Track The extension of the fire-protection Lighthouse, and were amused to track beyond Frasers Hut, around learn that “a few years ago there The most celebrated walking track the western slope the Boulder Range was a fellow called Smith who on the Promontory, I think, was and and finally to the vicinity of Roaring was running a ‘shuttle service’ probably still is the track to the Meg Creek (as described in Chapter from Sealers to Refuge Cove”. lighthouse, built in 1859 by contract 8) eliminated the arduous struggle Fortunately, we had not revealed our labour from granite blocks cut on over Martins Hill, but at the price of identity, but were pleased to learn site. The lighthouse stands on South- missing some of the other features of that others had apparently enjoyed East Cape, gleaming white [later, the the walk so much enjoyed by those the trackless walk. white paint was removed and the who knew the track in the ‘olden Lighthouse is now (2012) the grey days’. However, not everybody was aware colour of its granite] in the sunlight – of this approach to Refuge and, over Alternatively, one could reach the the Mecca of all Promontory hikers. the Christmas – New Year period of lighthouse by walking along Norman 1956, a group of some thirty-odd Until the Authority began to construct Bay beach to the south-east corner, Scouts from the Brighton District a fire-protection track from Telegraph ascending to the walking track Troop decided to clear a walking Saddle along the western slope overlooking Norman Bay from the track from Sealers to Refuge Cove. of the Wilson Range, the walking southern shore and proceed over They opted for a direct ascent along track from the Saddle was a very the southern slope of Norman Point the most easterly of the three ridges narrow, badly-eroded track which led to the south-east corner of Little referred to above. No attempt southward, initially through the timber Oberon Bay. This is a very rewarding appears to have been made to find but then through the heath country, walk because the view changes a gentle gradient by constructing a to the ‘Half-way Hut’ on Frasers constantly, the branches of the series of zigzag tracks around the Creek. The hut, erected by the PMG banksias and sheokes providing slope; but eventually the track does Department many years previously, numerous vignettes of the blue-green follow an easier gradient, which provided shelter for many a tired sea and mountains. eventually leads over a north-south walker. The track loses itself in the sand ridge downwards in the direction of of Little Oberon Bay, but may be the mouth of Cove Creek. From Frasers Hut the track proceeded southward and then located back from the edge of the This activity pre-dates the formation straight over Martin’s Hill. It was cliff and followed around to Growlers of the National Parks Authority; but, steep, rough, very heavily eroded Creek and along the Oberon Bay so far as I am aware, there had – even dangerous. It seems that it Beach to the point where one been no consultation between the had never been repaired, but, as it turns left and begins the long and fascinating trudge over the great Scout leaders and the Committee became unusable, walkers moved a sand blow. At the eastern end of of Management. This may not have few feet to the west, while erosion of the sand one finds a track which made any difference, because I the main track proceeded apace. doubt whether any of the members leads eastward for about a kilometre, had had any personal experience Once over Martin’s Hill, the track where it joins the main track to the in this area. However, in later continued over the heathland past lighthouse. It was always difficult years when I had responsibility for certain famous rocks known as to maintain this track along Little national parks, I asked Bob Yorston ‘Mother Siegel and Daughter’ and on Oberon Bay to Oberon Bay, but the to endeavour to locate a track with to Roaring Meg Creek. From here it overhanging scrub was occasionally an easier gradient, to facilitate the turned sharply to the left, and after trimmed and the marginal heath climb out of Sealers Cove. In the several descents and ascents one plants slashed, so as to present a end, lack of resources (manpower passed South Peak on the left – a clear track. Walking tracks do need and money) caused us to abandon mass of enormous granite tors – regular maintenance. the plan, and, when I walked to and on and on until, after flanking Refuge in December 1969, with a the southern shoulder of South full pack on my back, I followed the Peak, one began the long descent, The new era original ‘scout track’, and endured followed by the long cruel pull up-hill This heading may appear a little all the agonies which attend such an to the lighthouse and its associated provocative; but it will serve to draw exercise. buildings. attention to a number of factors which

Walking tracks 81 were combining to have an effect. Later, when improvements to the as to complete the ‘round trip’ The advent of the National Parks PMG road to Telegraph Saddle 3. A track from No. 2 to Sparkes Authority and its gradual involvement encouraged the CRB to yield to Lookout in the management and development the Authority’s persuasions to of the national parks resulted in a construct an enlarged car park, the 4. A new track from Tidal River to number of innovations which, over opportunity to re-align the Sealers Tidal Overlook a period, began to interact with one Cove track presented itself. One of 5. A new track from Tidal River which another. Thus the recognition of the the discouraging features of the track meets the track to Pillar Point and from Tidal River to Sealers Cove had need for improved walking tracks Tidal Overlook and to Squeaky always been the long haul up from and the appointment of a Tracks Man Beach at Wilson Promontory resulted in such the walking track to the PMG road, at remarkable improvements to the the end of the walk. One learned to 6. A track from the Promontory Road Norman Bay – Oberon Bay track that, understand what the wise men meant to Tidal Overlook linking with the even when that man was appointed when they referred to the breaking of tracks to Pillar Point, Tidal River and to a position as Park Ranger, the the camel’s back by the addition of Squeaky Beach (Leonard Bay) that fateful ‘last straw’. need for the man to devote himself 7. A track from Tidal River to the exclusively to track construction and The availability of a road, plus a car southern end of Norman Bay maintenance had been established. park, enabled visitors to reduce the 8. A track from Refuge Cove to Of course, one man was inadequate length of the walk by about three Kersop Peak and on to North to cope with all the tracks in Wilsons miles [5km], so the Authority saw the Waterloo Bay Promontory NP, but it was a start. opportunity to re-align the track to So when a decision was made to provide a more direct link between 9. A track from Waterloo Bay to the construct a bridge across Tidal River the car park and the track to Sealers lighthouse track Cove. This of course entailed a good to enable walkers to gain easier 10. A re-alignment of the greater part deal of investigational work on the access to Pillar Point and Leonard of the track from Tidal River to the part of Bob Yorston and the park staff. Bay, there was an immediate need lighthouse, via Telegraph Saddle. to construct a new track from the The need for a narrow-tracked vehicle western end of the bridge to the brow was apparent, and Bob’s inquiries In addition to the foregoing, as the of the ridge which culminates in Pillar resulted in the purchase of a ‘Holder’ number of walkers increased the Point. Consequentially, the need to tractor. This enabled tools, earth and need was recognized for closer facilitate the transportation of men and gravel to be transported along the supervision of human activities in their tools became more apparent. track. the remote areas such as Sealers Cove, Refuge and Waterloo Bay. Sometimes it was necessary to blast The Authority had been unable to Accordingly, small huts, equipped rocks along the selected alignment; persuade the Public Service Board/ with facilities for overnight stopovers, consequently those concerned were Treasury combination that it needed were built at the southern end of given the necessary instruction in the additional scientific staff; but, in Sealers Cove and at Waterloo Bay. 1962, the Forests Commission use and care of explosives. These huts were built not by the generously offered to second one The passing of the years saw the customary authorities but by the of its trained Forest Officers to the walking tracks, which had suffered staff of the National Parks Authority/ Authority for a period of two years. in earlier days, systematically up- Service, in association with the park The officer appointed was Mr R. G. graded and extended. Tracks in this staff, but the drive came from Head M. (Bob) Yorston, who had a practical category included the following: Office. Mr Stephen Martin was very approach to the Authority’s problems. 1. The track from Darby Saddle to active in the design and creation of When he suggested that the Authority Tongue Point, with a new track the huts, under the direction of the purchase a rugged ‘track vehicle’ and around the slope overlooking Chief Technical Officer. produced details of the ‘Cushman Darby, to enable walkers to reach Trailster’, I had no hesitation in It was not easy work – materials had the Tongue Point track supporting the proposal. The to be transported to the construction Cushman Trailster cost £226 ($450), 2. Rehabilitation of the track from sites and those directly concerned and proved to be a worthy work-horse Darby Saddle to Tongue Point deserve a vote of approbation. The which served in many areas. meeting the track from Darby, so construction of the hut at Waterloo

82 CHAPTER 10 Bay narrowly escaped causing a The Round Trip scars from the holocaust were slowly disaster. The materials were being healing, but the slopes were littered rafted in from a boat and a freak wave In the fullness of time, a walking with grim reminders of the majestic almost capsized the raft, but the quick track was constructed to link the forests which had once covered this thinking of Graeme Williams saved the Lighthouse Track to Waterloo Bay mountain. day. If funds had been available, the and thence via Little Waterloo Bay Someday perhaps a walking track materials of construction could have (at the northern end of Waterloo Bay) will be constructed to enable walkers been dropped on site by helicopter, to Kersop Peak and Refuge Cove. to reach the summit of Mount but in those days we were always in This made it possible for walkers to Wilson from both Windy Saddle and financial straits. undertake the ‘round trip’; that is to walk from Tidal River (or Telegraph Waterloo Bay. The summit of Bishop Rock (or Mount Saddle) via Sealers Cove to Refuge Bishop) had long given promise of Cove, and then via Waterloo Bay to Other national parks fine views but, for many years the the Lighthouse Track. From here it lack of a track was discouraging. I was possible to return to Tidal River There is not the space to give a full made my first ascent early in January either by way of Telegraph Saddle or account of the work of the Authority 1963 using a ‘goat track’ which ran by walking across the Oberon Sand and the Committees of Management from the Promontory Road straight up Blow to Oberon Bay, and thence, via in providing walking tracks in all the southern face of Mount Bishop. the Norman Bay – Oberon Bay track, of Victoria’s national parks, but the The severe drought conditions of back to Tidal River. foregoing will serve to demonstrate that the need was recognized. 1967-68 resulted in the proclamation The walk from Oberon Bay to of the South Gippsland District as a Waterloo Bay was of special interest Whether you are walking along Ron drought area. The Commonwealth to me, as I had first walked across Turner’s Candlebark Gully Nature Government allocated funds to the the Oberon Sand Blow to the Trail in Fraser NP [now Lake Eildon States for use in ‘Rural Relief Work’, lighthouse track in December 1951. NP] or quietly ambling along Keith and the Victorian Government made In 1954, my son John and I walked Hateley’s trail in the Little Desert, a special grant to the National Parks over the sand blow to the lighthouse or Ken Morrison’s tracks in Wingan Authority to enable some of the South track and then, by keeping to the or Mallacoota Inlet National Parks Gippsland farmers who had suffered high ground where possible, we [now parts of Croajingolong NP], from the rural depression to be traversed several rugged spurs of or Alan Gould’s track around the employed on approved projects in the Boulder Range to reach a point margin of Lake Surprise in Mount Wilsons Promontory National Park. near the southern end of Waterloo Eccles National Park, or admiring This made it possible for a walking Bay. On the following day, we walked the wildflowers and watching the track to be constructed from the from the northern end of Waterloo birds at Mount Richmond as you car park on the northern side of the Bay across several ridges before walk quietly along Fred Davies’ track, Promontory Road to the summit of ascending to the summit of Mount perhaps you will pause and spare a Mount Bishop, with a link to the track Wilson from the east. thought for the men who constructed to Lilly Pilly Gully, which was also those tracks to help ‘provide for In those days, it was possible to improved. This work was planned by the enjoyment of visitors to national pick one’s way along the ridges, the Chief Technical Officer and other parks’. because the vegetation had not Authority staff, in association with fully recovered [from the 1951 fire]. They deserve a cheer! the Rangers and ‘Track Man’ (Brian However, when we repeated this Greer) at Tidal River. Unfortunately, in walk in 1957, we found that the the course of this work one man was forest of hakea on the slopes of the killed by a falling tree. gullies between Waterloo Bay and It seems odd that it required a the foot of Mount Wilson had grown drought and a rural depression to much denser and was very difficult make it possible for a walking track to penetrate. Still, we accomplished to be constructed leading to the the task and once more stood on summit of Mount Bishop, but that’s the summit of Mount Wilson before the way it was! descending to Windy Saddle. The

Walking tracks 83 Chapter 11 Roads within & leading to national parks

oday’s visitors to national parks was a narrow gravel road, with (all too Road Fund of £50,000 ($100,000) per such as Wilsons Promontory, often) stretches of loose sand in which annum to be administered by the CRB TWyperfeld, Fraser and Port vehicles frequently became bogged. I in consultation with the NPA, for the Campbell, to mention but a few, would once had this experience myself! construction of roads leading to and no doubt find it difficult to visualize the within national parks. This grant was The road was heavily corrugated and state of the roads and walking tracks supplementary to funds provided by driving was difficult and hazardous. at the time when the National Parks the Government to the CRB for use on Not infrequently a caravan would Authority was created [1957]. declared tourist roads, the Promontory capsize and, on more than one Road having been placed in this Nor could they be expected to occasion, Keith Blunden’s truck went category in 1960. It was no longer imagine the difficulties which over the side of the road, loaded with necessary for the NPA to borrow confronted the Authority in it supplies for his store at Tidal River. money for roads from the Tourist endeavours to improve conditions. (Keith Blunden held a lease on the Development Authority. It is hoped that what follows will general store at Tidal River for many The upgrading of the Promontory convey some idea of the problems years.) Road by the CRB continued which daily confronted the Authority Roads within the Tidal River camp according to the Board’s plans, a and of the manner in which that body were also unsealed and pot-holed, section of the road being improved by sought to improve conditions. and full of water after rain. Broken widening, realignment and re-grading axles were not uncommon. each year. Wilsons Promontory During its early years the Authority The Darby Saddle had presented a National Park was greatly restricted, in its efforts to challenge to many small cars pulling improve the roads within the park, by trailers, and the improvement to the Those well-sealed wide freeways lack of funds. The Authority’s sister gradient was welcome. The gradual and four-lane highways along which organization, the Tourist Development widening and realignment of the road one drives nowadays to reach the Authority, in association with the through the Yanakie Run (which was entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP CRB [Country Roads Board – later not incorporated in the national park are just a part of the total road system VicRoads], had a Tourist Road Fund until 1969) and its associated batter which various governments and road- of £100,000 and generously assisted stabilization extended ultimately constructing authorities have been the Authority by making grants on a towards the aerodrome area. The developing over a long period in all one-for-one basis; but this imposed Board’s Divisional Engineer, Mr parts of the State. And we should all severe strains on the Authority’s Graham Marshallsea, proposed that feel grateful for these improvements meagre financial resources and the road should be realigned so as to and share them sensibly and safely impeded progress in the its other proceed across the aerodrome area with other road-users. works programmes. Nevertheless, and gradually run up to and join the But these were not the direct concern improvements were made to the present road south of ‘Red Hill’; but of the National Parks Authority, whose roads within the camping area and to the Director raised objections. responsibilities began at the boundary the beaches at Leonard Bay (Squeaky This was an interesting point; it of the park. Beach). was recognized that the proposed In 1958, the road from the cattle grid Financial relief came in 1962-63 when alignment, from a road-construction at Yanakie right through to Tidal River the Government established a special point of view, had much to commend

84 CHAPTER 11 Wilsons Promontory NP, 1964. The Whisky Creek gravel pit was an environmental problem before the Authority persuaded the CRB to grass the area and convert part of it to a much-needed car park and picnic area. it; but it was argued that this was late Mr R. P. Cooper, had a serious wombats, which became an evening a road within a national park and accident on this road. attraction for park visitors. therefore had to be subservient to the The improvement to the Promontory The CRB was at first reluctant to needs of the park. It was considered Road required a supply of gravel recognize the internal roads within essential to preserve the integrity for surfacing, and this resulted the camping area as being eligible of the aerodrome area, because it in the stripping of gravel from an for funding, but I argued persistently could serve as an emergency landing area just east of Whisky Bay. At the that the fund had been provided for area and because it was predictable conclusion of this work the Whisky precisely that purpose and, moreover, that the adoption of the proposed Creek gravel pit was a hideous the car parks were a necessary alignment would result in the loss of blot on the landscape. Every time it adjunct to the roads. Eventually the habitat for kangaroos and emus and rained, large quantities of light gravel Board recognized the merits of these in the death of many of these animals. were washed into the creek and the arguments and the fund was used Mr Marshallsea proved amenable to whole area was a series of eroded to improve and seal the Tidal River these persuasions and adopted a less channels. However, the Authority ‘Ring Road’ and the ancillary roads. ambitious alignment. Notwithstanding persuaded the CRB to co-operate Later, the ‘special road fund’ was this, there have been several collisions with the Soil Conservation Authority used to finance the construction of between cars and cattle on this road and, after the area had been carefully an enlarged car park at Telegraph and, on one occasion, there was a graded and sown down to grass, the Saddle, so that park visitors wishing to collision between a car and a truck erosion was arrested and converted walk to the summit of Mount Oberon emerging from the lime quarry. The into a much-needed car park and and Sealers Cove or the Lighthouse Chairman of the Wilsons Promontory picnic area. The grass proved to be could park their car at the Saddle, NP Committee of Management, the a great boon to the wallabies and thus making the walk less arduous.

Roads within & leading to national parks 85 Initially the Board seemed reluctant to stabilize the road batters, arguing that the estimates of road construction did not allow for such work. I countered this by persuading the Board to include 10% of the estimated cost of the construction work in the total cost. I think that my personal representations to the Chairman, Mr I. J. (Ian) O’Donnell, during early morning discussions in his office, were very helpful in achieving this objective. This co-operation continued with his successor Mr E. (Ted) Donaldson. Gradually, through the collaboration Wyperfeld NP, 1973. Along the Ring Road with barrier restricting access to protect the park and of the Country Roads Board and the the safety of visitors, although not always respected. Authority, the access roads to the covered by deep accumulations early years of my association with the beaches and associated car parks, of sand caused by over-grazing of park, I always heaved a great sigh of and the roads leading to Leonard Bay farmland to the west of the road. It relief when I emerged from the park (Squeaky Beach) and Picnic Bay, as was always hazardous trying to drive travelling south. well as to Whisky Bay, were improved through this sandy stretch and cars and sealed, and the necessary One morning in 1960, when John sometimes became bogged. conservation measures implemented. Landy was returning home after Bob Yorston played an important The Soil Conservation Authority, with having spent the night at Wonga Hut, part in the Authority’s liaison with the the co-operation of the owner of the it began to rain and, when he came to Board, especially in the selection farm (Mr E. Schmidt), undertook a certain long flat clay pan, renowned of ‘borrow pits’ and the subsequent remedial measures by sowing the for its treachery, he suddenly found restoration of them. land with cereal rye; but the sight of all himself hopelessly bogged. The that beautiful green feed proved too rain continued all day and there was At one time, it was the practice to much of a temptation to the farmer, nothing the unfortunate Technical drive one’s car along a rough track who promptly turned his sheep on Officer could do but sit and wait until leading westward from the Darby to it! While such frugality is always Rudd Campbell, the Ranger, came Saddle to a very makeshift car park, to be commended, on this occasion to his rescue, on his way home (to before embarking on the long walk to the practice had to be discontinued Yaapeet) in his Land Rover. Tongue Point. However, this track was and the conservation work repeated. eventually closed and the associated The provision of a good road was Eventually the hazard was brought unofficial car park graded and an urgent necessity and, as soon as under control. restored, while a more suitable car possible after the Special Road Fund park was constructed just north of the But the condition of the road in the had been established, the Authority Darby Saddle. park itself, leading to the Wonga requested the Country Roads Board Hut, was appalling. Originally, it had to survey a suitable route from the served as the track along which wool entrance to Wonga Hut. The surveyors Wyperfeld National Park from Pine Plains Station to the north duly produced a plan which was The Entrance Road had been transported to Portland. submitted to the Authority for scrutiny. It had followed the creek beds, I thought it prudent to have a closer When the Authority assumed ‘control’ emerging here and there to shorten look at the proposed alignment and of Victoria’s national parks, the roads the route and, while the sand had visited the park, accompanied by to Wyperfeld were in very poor consolidated in most places, in others Trevor Arthur, who had joined the staff condition. They were little better it was loose and the track across in July 1962, following the resignation than bush tracks, and the one from the clay pans was full of treachery. of John Landy in the previous May. I Rainbow to the park was usually When I began to use this road, in the think that Don Saunders (who had

86 CHAPTER 11 joined the staff in January 1963) and silly little road, but we’ll save those 10 inclined were also enabled to park several members of the Committee of or 12 cypress-pines”. So the bloody their cars by the side of the road and Management were also present. silly little road was constructed during explore the world of the Malleefowl. 1963-64, as agreed, and the cypress- There was general satisfaction There were objections from certain pines were saved. with the proposed alignment, but I conservation groups that foresaw personally was greatly concerned At the conclusion of our discussion, the ultimate destruction of the park at the threatened destruction of a I turned to the Chief Engineer and (a calamity which thus far has number of cypress-pine trees and said “Now come with me, and we’ll been averted), but the response to the side-cutting which would be have a look at the park”. We visited the new facility was encouraging. necessary if the road were to be the Wonga Hut area, inspected the However, there were some motorists constructed as proposed. It was a conservation plot, drove along the who mistook the purpose of the difficult situation; none of the group road to Black Flat and had a brief look new road and saw it merely as a other than the CRB surveyors could at the Eastern Look-out area, and yet means of testing their driving skills claim to have any professional he lingered. The evening light had to the utmost. Some of these over- expertise in road construction, faded into the dusk and the stars were enthusiastic speedsters found although some of those present had shining before I could persuade Harry themselves in court, explaining had more experience than I had. But George that all good things must end, matters to the magistrate! I was uneasy and finally turned to and we set out on our separate ways Trevor Arthur and said, “Come on, to our homes, 287 miles [460 km] Trevor, let’s go and have a closer away. Other roads look at the proposed route”. I Improvements were gradually had considerable faith in Trevor’s The Ring Road made to the roads in various parts judgment and we both recognized of the park, for the dual purpose of that cypress-pines take a long time to The construction of a good entrance improving access for fire-fighters grow. They are easily destroyed but road at Wyperfeld and the provision of in case of an outbreak and also to not easily replaced. other facilities such as water supply, enable as many visitors as possible to We spent several hours examining toilets, picnic shelters, fireplaces, etc., share the Wyperfeld experience. naturally resulted in an increase in the the surveyors’ plans and seeking Wyperfeld proved to be a good visitor intake. However, not everybody practical alternatives along training ground for the Authority’s was prepared or able to walk beyond those parts where the trees were scientific staff. At different times Bob the available roads and there were threatened. Finally we agreed on Yorston and Don Saunders were murmurings that the park was being certain variations of the proposed involved in selecting alignments for ‘locked up’. The Chief Resources and plans and duly presented our views fire-protection tracks and supervising Planning Officer (Mr D. S. Saunders), to the surveyors. They were decidedly the work of contractors. I recall that in association with the Country Roads not impressed, but I was not prepared Don brought work to a halt on one Board, examined the possibility of to recommend acceptance to the occasion, because the contractor’s Authority without further discussion extending the road system. In due tractor did not have a spark arrester. with the Country Roads Board. course, a ‘ring road’ was constructed The Technical Officers were not the in the southern part of the park, The Board decided to send the only ones involved in the learning leading from the Wonga Hut area to Chief Engineer, Mr Harry George, process, and the fault was soon the east, then gradually north and to examine the two alternative rectified. finally in a westerly direction back to proposed routes and possibly find a the starting point. In the interests of public safety compromise. I recall that Mr George and to protect the park, barriers or was much inclined to favour the more The provision of this road enabled signs were erected at certain points direct approach of the surveyors, the observant visitor to see stands of beyond which access to tourists was but I pleaded on behalf of the trees. red gum, mallee and cypress-pine not permitted. However, this did not Finally, Harry, possibly in a moment of (Callitris verrucosa), and afforded a prevent certain people from ‘testing exasperation, said, “Well, Len, if that’s means of improving his acquaintance their arms’, as it were. what you want you are going to have with a variety of native flowers a bloody silly little road”. I replied, (including a fine display of Golden On one occasion Trevor Arthur and I “Okay, Harry, we will have a bloody Pennants (Loudonia behrii). Those so were visiting the park as part of our

Roads within & leading to national parks 87 regular inspection programme and, Roads leading to the park precariously balanced on the knife on returning to Wonga Hut, at about 4 edges of gravel which represented o’clock on a Saturday afternoon, we The National Parks Authority, through the highest points of the erosion found a ten-year-old boy waiting for the Special Road Fund, played an channel that had become established us. He explained that his father and important part in a collaborative over the years. This was my first drive mother and one or two other children effort involving also the Karkarook with Lin and I had not yet learned to Shire Council and the Country Roads were somewhere to the north-east trust his driving implicitly; I confirmed Board. The main purpose of the road of Eastern Lookout where their car Crosbie’s assessment of the state of system in the Rainbow-Hopetoun- was bogged in the sand. This is far the road, but also took the first steps Wyperfeld triangle was undoubtedly beyond the ‘No Vehicles Beyond This in a new career. Not only was my to serve the farmers in the district, but Point’ sign; but we decided to see heart constantly in my mouth, but on the roads were also used by visitors what assistance we could render. several occasions it jumped out on to the national park. The Authority to my lap and had to be massaged We duly found the offender, who contributed substantial funds to before it was returned to its proper turned out to be a painter from meet the cost of improving the roads place. I think I could honestly claim to Rainbow. He had been working on beyond the points where they were be a pioneer in the heart-transplant Saturday morning and decided to of direct value to farmers and others business. But I survived! take his family for a ‘spin’ through the in the district, and the Authority’s park. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm for willingness to co-operate with the The potential of the park as a tourist driving through the bush, combined other bodies was much appreciated. resort was recognized, even if it failed with his unwillingness to observe the to meet most of the tests for a national rules, clouded his judgment, and park, and the Authority decided to press ahead with plans for an access he had found himself well and truly Fraser National Park road from Haines Saddle. Clearly bogged in the sand. The fact that the When this park was declared in there could be no development boot of his station wagon was loaded December 1957, the Authority around the lake without a good road. with 1 gallon (4 litre) tins of paint had was presented with a remarkable not helped, either. However, he was opportunity for displaying its collective Out of the Authority’s meagre a resourceful individual and had not ingenuity, for the park consisted allocation of £45,000, it voted £5,000 hesitated to tear branches off the of 6,600 acres of almost barren to augment funds available to the mallee trees in order to form a mat grazing land surrounding a portion CRB (no doubt from the Tourist along which he slowly worked his way of the enlarged Lake Eildon (Eildon Development Authority Special Road forward; but eventually his luck ran Reservoir). Fund), which enabled the Board to out and he was unable to get the car improve the Devil’s River Road to the over a large sand dune. The greater part of this land was head of Coller Bay and to construct steeply sloping, but there was a about 0.5 km of new road from Haines The trail of devastation which greeted broad flattish valley between the Saddle to connect with an old road our eyes when we reached the scene steep hills which marked itself for the shown as the ‘Rural Relief Road’, of disaster was almost unbelievable. future camping area. There was no which had been commenced in the It was as if a hurricane had struck. We natural water supply apart from that 1930s but which ended in a steep cliff! unloaded the paint, dug the car out from the lake, which was subject to of the sand trap and let some of the pollution from boat users. There was In the following year, the Authority air out of the tyres and, while Trevor no development, no ranger and no spent a further £6,000 (matched by and I lifted and pushed from the rear, Committee of Management – and an equal amount from the Tourist the hapless painter slowly drove the there was no access road! This is not Development Authority), to enable the road works to be continued, and car up the slope to firmer ground. We quite correct; in a report on his first a temporary bridge across Devil’s helped him gather up his paint and visit to the proposed park, the first Creek enabled the circuit to be watched him drive off into the sunset! Director, Crosbie Morrison, explained completed. In 1962-63, the Authority It seemed fair to assume that he that one descended from Haines spent further £2,750 to match a grant would think twice before be ventured Saddle to the Lake via the Devil’s from the Tourist Development/CRB beyond the warning notices again. River Road, but ‘at some peril’. Special Road Fund, enabling the I made my first descent in L. B. Board to extend the road westward (Lin) Cuming’s ‘bee truck’ which he towards ‘Stone’s Hut’.

88 CHAPTER 11 The provision by the government in 1963 of a special road fund of £50,000 per annum enabled the Authority to continue the road- construction programme, which included a road to and beyond the boat harbour and a ring-road around the camping area at the ‘entrance’ to Coller Bay. Naturally, as roads were improved and extended, other developments proceeded. These included reliable water supplies, improved toilet and picnic facilities, camp development, a house for the ranger and so on.

Port Campbell National Erosion of unsealed roads was always a problem. This scene shows the erosion in Fraser NP, Park with the unrepaired road blocked with logs and a detour created. The spectacular coastal scenery of with those remarkable people the Authority; but later, the Board agreed Victoria’s south-west coast, especially road construction authorities. As to construct feeder roads and parking in the vicinity of Port Campbell, experts in the art of manipulating areas to enable visitors to enjoy the has long been a great attraction for the environment and building better spectacular scenery in the vicinity tourists. I was first awakened to the roads they had long since achieved of the Loch Ard Gorge, the Apostles beauty of that coast in 1934, when I wide recognition, but their spelling and other points of interest. The cost made the acquaintance of some other lists did not appear to contain the of this work was charged against the guests at the guest-house ‘Clovelly’ word ‘conservation’. Under the Special Road Fund. at Cowes [Phillip Island] who had just circumstances, I thought it might visited Port Campbell. However, I was help if I photographed the results of to wait for over 25 years before I had the engineers’ bulldozing activities General my first visit to the district. and, shortly after this, I sought a It would become a tedious exercise conference with Mr Darwin, Chairman This occurred in 1959 when, guided to catalogue the development of of the Country Roads Board. by Councillors Frank Ford and Cecil all roads leading to and within the Bergin, I inspected the coast between At this time the Board was housed numerous national parks. Each park Peterborough and Gibsons Steps, in the Exhibition Building. I found posed its own special problems and a short distance east of the Twelve Mr Darwin to be a kindly man, required appropriate and careful Apostles, to assess the potential of an sympathetic to my pleas in the name attention. area which had been proposed as a of conservation, and he was even national park. good enough to provide me with a Today’s visitors to our national parks, Shortly after this, the Country Roads projector and a screen so that we as they speed along those well- Board began to re-align the coast could better study the vandalism graded and well-constructed roads, road and I was informed (by Dewar under notice! He undertook to bring may not always be conscious of Goode, I think) that the construction the matter under control promptly; that the pioneering work which made it engineers had bulldozed a was the beginning of a very fruitful possible for them to do so. We are all considerable amount of earth over the liaison with the Country Roads Board very much inclined to ‘take things for edge of the Loch Ard Gorge, and had which extended over my entire period granted’. excavated a substantial area almost of service. directly above the Blow Hole which The Board was engaged in this extends northward under the road! project on its own behalf, not at This was possibly my first encounter the request of the National Parks

Roads within & leading to national parks 89 Chapter 12 National park rangers

t the risk of being totally day for not doing more in whatever problems of the national parks. It misunderstood, I want to sphere of public administration we is true that some of the committees Atry to present a picture of happen to be concerned with at of management and members of the development of the national the moment, but governments are Parliament gave the impression park ranger service in Victoria somewhat circumscribed by the that they expected instant action, during the period 1958 to 1975. I economic and political demands of but the services required in the have to accept the risk of being the day and it is generally recognized national parks could not and cannot ‘misunderstood’, because it is so that it does not pay for governments be generated overnight. Even the very difficult to describe all the to move too far ahead of public provision of a Director of National circumstances associated with the perceptions. Our early governments Parks and, later, of a Secretary and a ranger service and the interplay of were very much preoccupied with typist, was not enough. It is perhaps forces which influenced the whole such matters as education, health, difficult for some, when they look development. public transport, roads, water supply, around the national parks today etc., and the amount of money and see such magnificent visitor It is regrettable that I have to begin available from taxes from a very centres and rangers and other park with an apology, but it must be made small population was not adequate to personnel in attractive park uniforms, clear that nothing that follows is to be meet the needs of peripheral matters and the numerous vehicles with construed as a criticism of either the like national parks and recreation. which they are provided to carry out park rangers or the committees of their duties, and the sophisticated The depression of the 1930s was management who employed them. audio-visual aids which enable them hardly an ideal time to launch major to present the story of the park to It is important to remember that developments in national parks, their visitors, to comprehend that prior to the creation of the National and the depression was not far thirty years ago, there was just the Parks Authority, there had been no behind us before the country was one person, who at that time did not attempt at co-ordinating the needs at war. But, as the country began to even have ‘control’ of the Committees of national parks; in some cases, recover after the outbreak of peace of Management or the people they after the reservation had been and the wheels of industry began employed. made, Committees of Management to turn once more in meeting the were appointed, but with little or no needs of a nation no longer under There was no member of the guidance from the government. In threat from without, there came a NPA who had had any training or most cases, many of the members wider recognition of the need for experience in the management of of the Committees had had no improved recreational facilities. The national parks. Neither of the first special training in the management development of Australia’s first car – two Directors could or would have of national parks or ‘equivalent the Holden – gave a great impetus to made that claim. I cannot really areas’, and had other interests travelling further afield for holidays, speak for Crosbie Morrison, but feel which of necessity occupied most creating a need for better facilities. sure that he would have felt the same of their time. Further, the parks were Various bodies began to urge the as I did. remote from the homes of most cause of national parks, and 1956 Here for the first time, through committee members, so that visits saw the passing of the National Parks the members of the Authority to the parks were at best infrequent. Act which provided for the creation generally, there was an unparalleled Before the Authority had the Act of the National Parks Authority (NPA) opportunity to draw on the collective amended in 1960, it was not possible and completed the other legal experience and skills of a number of for Committee members to be requirements to enable the Authority men who had risen to the top of their reimbursed for travelling expenses. to function. respective departments, and of the We frequently indulge ourselves by But the mere act of creating the other members, and to couple that criticizing the government of the NPA did not in itself solve all the knowledge with one’s own training

90 CHAPTER 12 In this photo, participants in the 1973 course, held at Little Desert NP, are on a field excursion to Wyperfeld NP. and experience in developing an only four national parks had rangers, recognized that there was a need understanding of the needs of the namely Wilsons Promontory, Mount for the Rangers to be trained when parks. Buffalo, Kinglake and Fern Tree Gully, we had some to train and somebody while two of the smaller parks (Tarra competent to do it. There was no standard text book Valley and Bulga Park) had part- on the subject and I knew that I had time rangers (weekends). Wilsons to undergo a course of on-the-job Restrictions training, largely on the strength of my Promontory NP had one or two park own initiative. That meant learning assistants and a ‘maintenance man’, The Committees of Management all I could about national parks in while Mount Buffalo employed a ‘park were very restricted in their selection general and visiting the parks in assistant’. The remaining parks had of rangers. Usually, it was a case Victoria, as quickly as possible, as no rangers. Fraser National Park was of finding someone who lived not well as discussing park matters declared in 1958, but a ranger was too far away from the park and had with members of the Authority not appointed until 1962-63. an interest in the preservation of and Committees of Management. The subject of ranger training was our natural heritage. If he had a I knew that this would take time; mentioned at my first meeting with vehicle, he was halfway there. Few but meanwhile many other matters the Authority in September 1958; but committees were able to finance the building of a house, and this required attention. as the Authority had no jurisdiction proved to be a major obstacle for the over the rangers at the time and as I Authority, also. was not anxious to act the principal Park rangers role in the ‘Blind Leading the Blind’, The Wilsons Promontory Committee of During the first year of the life of the I deemed it prudent to defer such Management had inherited a house National Parks Authority (1957-58) plans. However, it was generally and other buildings from the Army

National park rangers 91 at the end of World War II, and by which directed his work through a at the end of two years, the officer 1957-58 the former ranger, Mr Jack designated member. It was essential concerned could decide whether he Sparkes, had retired, making way for the ranger to know to whom he wished to remain with the Authority for Mr R. C. (Bob) Turner, who had was responsible and from whom or return to the Commission, without practical experience as a carpenter. he should receive day-to-day loss of seniority. On this basis, Mr R. As far as I can remember, the instructions. G. M.Yorston, B.Sc. Forestry, joined ranger at Mount Buffalo had had no the Authority’s staff in mid-January In those cases where there was experience as a tradesman and had 1962. At the time of the writing this no committee of management, very indifferent health, causing him document (1988), Mr Saunders especially after the Authority had to retire shortly after the Authority has been Director of National Parks acquired a Chief Technical Officer, began to function. He was replaced since 1979. Mr Yorston remained that officer and the Authority’s by a younger man who had enjoyed with the Authority and the National Secretary were included in the a good education at a well-known Parks Service and still serves in the selection committee. This established college and had spent much of his Department of Conservation, Forests a link between the rangers and adult life on a cattle farm. He had not and Lands. demonstrated much interest in botany the officers of the Authority and or ornithology even in their most facilitated communications and These officers, along with Trevor elementary forms; but the fact that understanding. Arthur, of course, have played an important part in ranger training and he lived near the foot of the mountain The fact that Park Rangers were may be regarded as pioneers in that was a factor in his selection. not appointed as Public Servants field. The recruitment of park rangers was, of course, a disincentive to was impeded by lack of funds, the recruitment of rangers having and progress was slow. After the even reasonably high educational The first ranger training Committees of Management had backgrounds and, while the Authority course become responsible to the Authority, always recognized the importance of it was the practice of the senior body practical experience and aptitude, By 1963, the Authority felt that to appoint a ‘selection committee’ the fact that so many of the rangers the time was opportune for the consisting of several of its own had been out of the classroom for a inauguration of the Ranger Training members (along with the Director) long time (in some cases, a very long Programme, and the scientific staff and a representative (usually the time), made it difficult for them to of the Authority and the Secretary Chairman) of the Committee, to resume the learning process, which collaborated in preparing a syllabus interview applicants for a position as was an essential prerequisite to their which was approved by the Authority. effective participation in any Ranger Park Ranger. In preparing the course the Authority Training Programme. The advantage of this method of sought the assistance of a variety selection was that the successful In June 1963, the Authority’s scientific of ‘outside’ bodies, which all co- applicant was aware from the staff was augmented by the creation operated enthusiastically. Because beginning of the existence of the of the position of a Chief Technical this inaugural programme is seen as National Parks Authority and of the Officer, and Mr T. E. Arthur, B.Sc. a ‘Big Leap Forward’ in this field, it is relationship between the Authority Forestry, who had joined the staff in reproduced here, as it was presented and the Committee, and this assisted July 1962, was duly appointed to that in the Annual Report for 1962/63. position. This created a vacancy for in having the ranger relate to the The course was very appropriately a Technical Officer, which was filled Authority and the Director, instead held at the headquarters of the of creating a situation in which the by Mr D. S. Saunders, B.Agr.Sc., in Victorian Conservation Resources Authority might have seemed like a January 1963. League at Springvale, which had very distant ‘Big Brother’. Essentially In order to assist the Authority in been established some years it was a process akin to ‘imprinting’ in developing the national parks, previously by the Hon. C. E. Issac the animal kingdom. towards the end of 1961 the Forests OBE, who had played such an For practical reasons, after the Commission very generously important role in the drafting of the Authority had made the appointment, volunteered to second a qualified National Parks Bill and who had the ranger was seconded to the officer to serve on the staff of the served on the Authority as its first relevant Committee of Management, Authority on the understanding that, Deputy-Chairman. It was opened by

92 CHAPTER 12 Participants in the first Victorian Ranger Training Course, held in 1963. From left to right, back row: Alan Gould (Mt Eccles NP), Ron Turner (Fraser NP), Kevin Attridge (Mt Buffalo NP), Claude Oliver (Bulga NP), Alex McGregor (Ferntree Gully NP), Rudd Campbell (Wyperfeld NP), Eric Macdonald (Hattah Lakes NP), Bill Garner (Churchill NP); front row: Reg Tyson (Ferntree Gully NP), Bob Turner (Wilsons Promontory NP), George Thompson (National Parks Authority), Trevor Arthur (CTO/NPA), ‘Johnno’ Johnston (Kinglake NP), Fred Barton (The Lakes NP) the Minister, the Hon A. J. Fraser MP, The morning of the first day of the Regulations and Mr G. T. Thompson, Chairman course was, in a manner of speaking, of the Soil Conservation Authority inductory, the aim being to give the There is no doubt that when a set of and member of the National Parks rangers a broad overview of the National Parks Regulations is first Authority since its inception, was concept of a national parks service placed in the hands of a ranger, Chairman of the course. The rangers, and of the origin and significance of the latter feels somewhat at a twelve in all, lived in residence at the National Parks Act, in order to disadvantage. The legal language the VCRL, along with the Course prepare them for the more practical used in the Regulations is hardly Manager, Mr T. E. Arthur. Many of the aspects of the course. calculated to evoke spontaneous rangers were infrequent visitors to enthusiasm; yet, without such the City and Mr Arthur’s presence as Regulations, the Authority and its their ‘guide, philosopher and friend’ agents (Authorized Officers) would did much to facilitate their enjoyment be powerless to protect the parks. of and participation in the course. Hence the need to explain the ‘whys

National park rangers 93 and wherefores’ of the Regulations of the Fisheries and Wildlife, was between our own rangers (and and, through direct discussion, invaluable in guiding the Rangers scientific staff) and those of our sister dispel the doubts of the rangers and and the Authority’s officers. States was not only very helpful but pave the way for further discussion emphasised the growing recognition It is not considered necessary to on the interpretation and application of the need for a trained ranger discuss in detail the various aspects of the Regulations. service. covered by the course, but careful One important aspect of course study of it indicated the range of the The second course was again was that, although the Regulations course and the calibre of the people held at the National Resources provided stiff penalties for any who assisted in its presentation. Conservation League at Springvale, infringements, it did not necessarily It must be emphasised that the but ‘fire-protection’ exercises were follow that every minor offence active participation of the rangers conducted in Churchill National Park. should lead to a court case. In most themselves in all discussions was Succeeding courses were held in cases, a polite word of explanation encouraged and promoted, and the major national parks, to broaden from an Authorized officer to any it has to be said that, especially the rangers’ experience of Victoria’s offender would suffice and the considering that this was the first National Parks. ultimate penalty would be applied time that most of the rangers had met only when other means had failed. one another and that it was certainly The venues for the later courses were Whilst on this point, those people the first time that any of them had as follows: who were empowered by the participated in such a course, the 1967 - Wilsons Promontory National Authority to function as ‘Authorized results were very encouraging. It Park Officers’ under the Regulations, were will be seen that, towards the end of 1969 - Wilsons Promontory National required to submit full details in the the course, a session was devoted Park form of a brief to the National Parks to topics proposed by the Rangers 1971 - Mount Buffalo National Park Authority/Director who, after careful themselves, which assisted the consideration decided whether a administration in preparing of the 1973 - Little Desert National Park prosecution should be launched syllabus for the next course. These courses were also attended or not. The files contain numerous by rangers from other states and letters to offenders explaining the Later Ranger Training included “lectures” by specialists in nature of the offence they had the fields of ecology, entomology, committed and placing the onus Courses botany, safety, track location, on them for close observance of The ‘Ranger Training Course’ was equipment and vehicle maintenance, the regulations in the future. The repeated on a biennial basis and, fire protection, regulations and so responses from those concerned with the growing experience of all on. The word “lectures” appears encouraged this line of approach; concerned, including that of the in inverted commas because the but certain offences could not be rangers, grew in importance. It is lectures were designed to promote condoned. not proposed to examine further the maximum discussion involving Hence the session on “The National syllabuses for the later courses - they the rangers. To ensure maximum Parks Regulations”, led by Mr T E are on file and may be consulted, involvement of the rangers they were Arthur was an essential prelude if necessary - but the Authority was divided into groups and required to what followed, and we were all gratified by the attendance at the to examine selected subjects, after very grateful to Mr W H Pascoe second course, held in September which they returned to the “class (the City Coroner) for making his 1965, of two rangers from Kosciusko room” to present their findings. court available for the purpose National Park (New South Wales) A valuable “spin-off” from these of conducting a number of mock a Field Officer from the Wildlife courses was that they brought in trials, so that rangers could actually Reserves of South Australia, the academics like Dr Malcolm Calder participate, under the learned but Secretary of the Cradle Mountain of the Botany Department of the benign guidance of the City Coroner - Lake St Clair National Park Trust University of Melbourne and Dr E. H. himself, along with Mr Tom Chettle of (Tasmania) and a Technical Officer M. Ealey of Monash University, which the Forests Commission and Mr Bill from Queensland, in addition to had the effect of extending the range Lynch. The experience of Mr Lynch thirteen of Victoria’s national parks of influence of Victoria’s national in in particular, as the Chief Inspector rangers. The exchange of views parks service.

94 CHAPTER 12 Ranger participation Park Rangers Houses Assistants While the courses were organized by the Authority’s own staff, especially 1958 1975 1958 1975 1958 1975 Mr T. E. Arthur, Mr D. S. Saunders, Mr R. G. M. Yorston, the Secretary (Mr Churchill 0 1 0 1 J. T. McDonald) and the Director, the Fern Tree Gully 1 1 value of the course was enhanced by having representatives of the Wilsons Promontory 1 rangers themselves in the persons Mount Buffalo 1 2 0 2 of Mr R. S. Turner (Fraser National Wyperfeld 0 1 0 1 Park) and Mr Ron Cooke MBE (Lakes National Park) and Steve Watkins Mallacoota Inlet 0 2 0 2 (Wilsons Promontory) involved in Wingan Inlet 0 1 P.T. 0 0 the preparation of the syllabus. Lind 0 1 P.T. 0 0 0 0 This ensured that there was a good feedback of the ranger experience Alfr e d 0 1 P.T. 0 0 0 0 into the courses. Tarra Valley 1 1 P.T. 0 0 0 The 1973 course was held near the Bulga Park 1 P.T. 1 P.T. 0 1 recently-created Little Desert NP. Kinglake 1 2 0 2 Discussions were held and visits paid 0 1 P.T. 0 0 0 0 to Little Desert NP and Wyperfeld NP, The Lakes thus promoting and extending the Mount Richmond 0 1 0 0 0 0 sense of ‘belonging’ to the National Mount Eccles 0 1 0 0 0 0 Parks Service. Hattah Lakes 0 1 0 2 0 1 No longer were national parks Port Campbell 0 1 0 2 0 1 rangers living in isolation from one another; it is certain that they felt that Little Desert 0 1 0 1 0 0 they belonged to an organization with Fraser 0 2 0 2 which they could identify, just as the officers of the Authority themselves Number of Rangers, Houses, and Assistants. Provided by National Parks Authority. Blank entries did. Many years previously, in indicate that some data had yet to be found to complete the table. P.T. denotes Part Time. another context, I had heard the Minister, Mr Fraser, refer to the ‘free- masonry’ of the Public Service. We the number of rangers and park were now seeing the ‘free-masonry’ assistants increased over the years. of the National Parks Service at work.

Houses for rangers It has been mentioned that a serious limiting factor in the recruitment of park personnel was lack of suitable housing. The Authority used every opportunity to either build houses in the national parks or purchase houses on land close to the parks. The following table shows that during the period 1958-1975, the Authority provided some 20 houses for park rangers, and also indicates how

National park rangers 95 Chapter 13 Garbage collection & disposal

think it would be fair to say that the garbage collection and disposal (boys, really) who were interested in collection and disposal of garbage was dealt with in the major national earning a little money to assist them Iin national parks prior to the creation parks. By major I mean those with during their school or university year. of the National Parks Authority did the largest tourist intakes, i.e. Wilsons These ‘garbo boys’ collected the not receive the attention it should Promontory and Mount Buffalo. bins and emptied them into an open have done. The obvious excuse was truck which was driven by one of that lack of funds made it difficult their number with some of the boys for committees of management to Wilsons Promontory NP hanging on to the truck as it moved provide sufficient litter bins in which The accumulation of garbage was from one campsite to the next, and to collect the various forms of rubbish naturally greatest during the busy others running behind. If papers resulting from an influx of visitors camping season, and no matter how blew off the truck, they were usually to the parks and of providing the many garbage bins were provided chased and retrieved, but the whole necessary labour. in the camping area, there never spectacle was hardly inspiring. seemed to be enough. In those early However, the ‘garbos’ enjoyed the In so far as disposal was concerned, days when the [Tidal River] camp ‘fun’, and there was no shortage of in some cases, e.g. Fern Tree Gully was much more crowded than it is applicants for vacation jobs on the National Park, the garbage was nowadays, it was quite impossible to garbage run. collected by the Shire garbage provide one bin for each campsite. collectors; but in most cases it In the early years of the Many campers found the short was necessary to do this locally. A Authority’s life, the ‘garbos’ were walk to the rubbish bin too far and prime requirement, of course, is a appropriated a bin for their own accommodated in a galvanised iron Park Ranger or other employee to use, causing great inconvenience shed equipped with beds and bunks perform the necessary work. In some to other campers and frequent and elementary cooking facilities. of the more remote parks such as complaints to the Rangers. Some The boys shared the public toilets Wingan Inlet and Mallacoota Inlet, thoughtless campers, intent on their and cold showers, comprising the there was no Ranger until the NPA own pleasure, misappropriated ‘shower block’, with the public. Later, appointed one in February 1965! garbage bins for use as ‘wickets’ in after the lodge ‘Wombat’ had been One of his first assignments was a friendly game of cricket, and often erected, they lived in comparative to erect rubbish bins for the use of forgot to return them to their rightful luxury with a reasonably well park visitors and dig deep-pits into places. This caused management to equipped kitchen, showers (hot and which to empty the bins preparatory secure garbage bins to posts in fixed cold), interior toilets and even fly- to burning. The provision of these locations, but campers were often too proof doors! facilities helped greatly in keeping lazy to replace the lids. The problems In earlier days, garbage was the parks tidy but, regrettably, it is associated with the collection of transported to a ‘remote’ area, about part of the Australian way of life that garbage in public places are endless 400 metres east of the main camp, there are some people who are either and national parks are no exception, and dumped into a large bowl- too lazy or too anti-social to co- but there are other aspects I want to shaped area, where it was allowed operate, and the ‘litter problem’ still examine. to accumulate until favourable persists, especially in remote areas. At Wilsons Promontory, during the weather conditions permitted its However, my purpose in this chapter holiday season, it was the practice being burnt. When it was found that is to relate how the problem of to employ a number of young men papers, often ablaze, blew up the hill

96 CHAPTER 13 towards the scrub, a cyclone wire fence was erected to trap the ‘fliers’. Occasionally, the fire escaped and caused damage to nearby scrub; but on one occasion (October 1965), some ashes from a fire in one of the houses were dumped in the tip and, after smouldering for many hours, under the influence of a gentle breeze, at about 10.30 p.m. ‘took off’, causing a major conflagration which might well have destroyed the entire camp (at least the southern part of it), had not the wind suddenly turned round, blowing the fire back on itself! Wilsons Promontory NP, Tidal River Campground, 1972. Vacation students and others were employed to collect campers’ rubbish at holiday times. Today the policy in most parks is ‘please It so happened that the National take your rubbish home’, or else it is recycled. Parks Authority and the Committee were holding one of their ‘annual had provided small incinerators, In the course of our investigations meetings’ in ‘Northey’ lodge at manufactured by Macdonald we inspected several industrial the time, so they had first-hand Industries, and they had performed incinerators, one of which handled experience of the event. There were well, but the cost of a large large loads of hospital waste of high valiant efforts by many of those incinerator was of the order of moisture content. It was decided to present, along with the park staff, $40,000, which seemed beyond erect the incinerator at a low point who did their best to beat the fire the Authority’s financial grasp. But, in the bowl which had previously out, but they were ill-equipped at over the years, the Authority had been used as an open tip, thereby that hour of the night to engage in demonstrated that national parks minimising the projection of the such work. I recall that the park staff were not merely a luxury to be stack above the skyline. The design and the Authority’s officers (T. E. enjoyed by a few but an important incorporated an LP gas-fired burner Arthur and D. S. Saunders) battled ‘functional unit’ within the range of to start the fire and, if necessary, heroically against the blaze which, services provided by the State. The to evaporate some of the moisture fortunately, eventually burnt itself out. Treasury was eventually persuaded to facilitate burning; but it seldom Saved by the wind! to make a special grant and, by proved necessary to use the LP gas spreading the construction over a The Committee of Management for the latter purpose. period of two years, it was found decided thereafter to abandon possible to install an incinerator. One of the features of this incinerator the ‘open tip and fire’ method, which impressed me (and others) and adopted the familiar ‘sanitary Naturally, the proposal was examined was the manner in which the ‘fly ash’ land-fill’ method. After clearing an by the PWD Engineer; but the was prevented from escaping from area of scrub, a large deep trench Authority’s Chief Technical Officer, the stack. I had had some previous was constructed with the aid of a Mr Trevor Arthur, played a major experience with the destructive bulldozer, and garbage was dumped part in the negotiations with Warren effects which ash can produce, therein until the pit was full, when it Industries Pty Ltd and in supervising before I joined the Authority. There was covered with earth and another the installation. used to be an electricity-generating pit was constructed. The destruction There was considerable discussion station at the western end of the of vegetation with consequential within the Authority concerning City of Melbourne, and the ash scarring of the landscape became a the height of the stack; obviously it from that stack, (several times the matter of great concern. was important that it should be of height of the stack of the Tidal River For many years I had been minimum height in order to reduce incinerator) used to descend in a advocating the installation of an its visual impact, but it was essential shower over the western end of industrial incinerator. In other that the ‘draw’ be adequate to ensure the City. I was therefore especially parks, such as Fern Tree Gully, that garbage of fairly high moisture interested in the provision made in Fraser, Churchill, etc, the Authority content would burn satisfactorily. the Warren incinerator to trap the

Garbage collection & disposal 97 The need for the incinerator is made very clear by this photo of the ‘open tip and fire’ method used at the Tidal River camp.

ash and prevent it from escaping Buffalo NP the garbage from the into the surroundings. In the Warren Chalet was dumped in a large incinerator the flue gases were open tip at the rear of the Chalet, directed horizontally over a large and burnt from time to time. The tray full of water which served as a Authority endeavoured to persuade scrubber. The high velocity of the the Railways Department to install an gases set up a wave action in the incinerator of adequate capacity, and water which trapped the ash, thereby the Department eventually provided reducing the particulate matter to a a small unit such as the Authority was very low level. Of course, the ash tray using in picnic areas in parks such required to be emptied frequently as the Fern Tree Gully, Kinglake, and the water level had to be Wyperfeld, etc. maintained by means of a ball valve. The Committee of Management The residue from the burning, which adopted the sanitary land-fill method was scraped out every morning, of garbage disposal in a part of the consisted of a little clinker and park not frequented by human park numerous burnt-out tins. These were visitors, and a similar method was stored in a pit and subsequently Wilsons Promontory NP 1970. Incinerator for Tidal River Camp Ground. adopted in Fraser National Park, used as filler in the fire-protection where the rubbish collections were tracks. still are in 1989) collected regularly culled for bottles, the sale of which The incinerator began to operate by a bottle merchant and, in earlier produced revenue for the Boy Scouts in 1969 and is still performing very years anyway, the park staff very of the Alexandra district. satisfactorily (1989). generously donated the substantial collections from their enterprise to Another major service was the the local (Foster) hospital. Educating the public collection of numerous empty bottles, the contents of which had helped to It is one of the sad facts of our quench the thirst of the thousands Other national parks democratic way of life in Australia of visitors to Tidal River. Statistics for that too many people are habitual bottles are not available, but if each Similar problems in regard to the litterbugs. Drive along any road visitor had consumed the contents collection and disposal of garbage leading to the beach and before long of only one bottle, the total would be and bottles were encountered in you’ll see some happy family, at the staggering. The bottles were (and other national parks. At Mount conclusion of their ‘take-away meal’,

98 CHAPTER 13 The reason why so many bottles had to be collected for recycling was that it greatly reduced the amount of waste buried under the ‘sanitary landfill’ method adopted at Fraser NP. The profits from the recycling were donated to the Boy Scouts in the Alexandra district. throw the paper bags, etc, out of the (Wilsons Promontory National Park) bin?” Or, “Would the gentleman in window of the car. Tram tickets are all was situated on the northern side the blue shorts who dropped that too frequently dropped in the street of the main road, it was a matter of empty can please place it in the – even by pretty young girls and well- great concern that too many park garbage bin?” Sometimes, it would dressed women and, sadly, by men. visitors dropped their ice-cream be a lady in a red dress who had to Our streams and beaches and even containers or drinking straws or be called to order. The method was the forests are defaced by empty paper bags – or whatever they were certainly effective, but it immobilised beer and soft drink cans, cigarette carrying at the time – on the ground, an employee who might have been packets and plastic bags, deposited even though garbage bins were better employed elsewhere. by people of all ages who seem to provided near the exits from the store have no respect for the environment and cafe. Littering of our beauty spots, or perhaps even themselves. The wherever they may be – on beaches, With the object of controlling this work of the Keep Australia Beautiful sand dunes, ski fields, forests, nature nuisance, the practice was often Council has of course done much to strips, wherever men and women adopted of having an employee with ameliorate the problem, but the cost are – still persists. Perhaps there a loud-hailer stand near the exit. of the trying to educate people to be is a case for ‘on the spot fines’ for When some person dropped rubbish tidy is tremendous and never-ending. littering. In Hitler’s pre-war Germany, on the ground, he or she was brought the streets were litter-free; otherwise The national parks are no less back to the world of reality by hearing there was a tap on the shoulder from vulnerable to defacement by a message from a loud-hailer – one of Hitler’s men, who simply said, litterbugs than the cities and “Would the person who just dropped “One mark, please”. countryside generally. In those far-off that ice-cream wrapper please days when the store at Tidal River pick it up and put it in the rubbish

Garbage collection & disposal 99 Chapter 14 The Yanakie Run

he circumstances which out of the natural slabs by contract followed. On 7th December, 1904, a culminated in the reservation labour. The lighthouse proved to be strong deputation waited on the Hon. Tof Wilsons Promontory National a great attraction for walkers and, in John Murray, and a few days later Park make a fascinating story, 1884, J. B. Gregory, along with Arthur it was announced that the Cabinet reflecting the conflicts between the Lucas and George Robinson, walked would permanently reserve the various groups of people who sought from Yanakie, about 50 km to the Promontory. to establish themselves there, but north, to the lighthouse. They were As the years passed, the popularity the following brief summary of the probably the pioneers who began the of the Promontory grew, but discovery of Wilsons Promontory and tradition which persists even today. there was much concern among of some of the events which followed I can still remember the thrill of the naturalists (there were no must suffice for present purposes. standing high above South-East ‘conservationists’ in those days) that In 1798, when George Bass Cape, alongside my 11-year-old the national park did not include an discovered the Promontory and the son, in December 1951, towards area of about 20,000 acres known as strait which was subsequently named the end of the 22 km hike from Tidal the ‘Yanakie Run’ lying to the north after him, the islands of Bass Strait River, as we gazed beyond the of . One feels tempted abounded in seals. In the years brilliant white lighthouse across the to examine the reasons why it was that followed, sealers plundered the deep blue waters of Bass Strait. I considered so important to extend islands relentlessly, so that, by 1826, could well understand why Gregory the park in this manner; but the some authorities estimated that ‘the recommended that the Promontory geological aspects of the Yanakie industry was done’. However, it is should be declared a national park. Isthmus and the Promontory were determined thousands of years clear that some seals remained on Only three years after Gregory’s before the Authority was formed the islands comprising the Anser celebrated walk, a Mrs Gordon Baillie and space considerations preclude Group, which lies just off South began to press the Government adequate treatment. West Cape; for it was here that Mr for a grant of 40,000 acres of the Ulric Doome, along with a number Promontory on which to settle 1000 When the last Great Ice Age came of other sightseers, made a voyage crofters from the Isle of Skye and to an end, about 12,000 years ago, in The Victoria in 1874. Mr Doome establish a fishing industry. Even the resulting waters engulfed the gives an exciting if bloody account as late as 1904, it appears that land bridge which had existed on of the destruction wrought by the there were plans to subdivide the and off between the major land mass ‘sportsmen’ who landed on Anser Promontory into 1000 acre blocks, to the south and the mainland of Island with their guns and clubs, and but the Field Naturalists Club Australia, thus creating the island attacked the bewildered seals. mounted strong opposition. Led by State of Tasmania and leaving only While the sealers took their toll of Sir Baldwin Spencer and supported the highest parts projecting beyond the seals, Cape Barren Geese and by the Hon. Frank Madden, Speaker the surface of the water. Thus were mutton birds, the timber-getters of the House, the members of the formed the numerous islands of Bass were busy on the east coast of the Club pressed their claims upon the Strait, and the Promontory itself was Promontory, in the vicinity of Sealers Government. A public meeting was a large mountainous island. The organized in the Athenaeum which Cove (which had been so named by gradual accretion of sand eventually spilled out into Collins Street, and produced the Yanakie Isthmus some Bass). a strong committee was formed 6000 years ago and, as time passed, The loss of ships along the south to wait upon the Government. The a cover of vegetation eventually coast led, in 1859, to the erection of a Lt. Governor, Sir John Madden, developed which differs greatly lighthouse on South-East Cape. The presided, and Professor Baldwin from that of the main part of the tower and cottages for the lighthouse Spencer led the ‘attack’. Other Promontory. From the conservation keepers were built from granite hewn speakers, prominent in their day, aspect the union of these two widely-

100 CHAPTER 14 Cattle at Cotters Lake Wilsons Promontory NP, 1989. Cattle grazing continued in the Prom’s Yanakie area until the early 1990s. different ecological systems made conservation (by then a popular recover. The hill farmers had formed the reservation of the Yanakie Area term) proposed that the Authority the Yanakie Agisters Association most desirable; but the very nature seek to have the Yanakie Run so that members could treat with of the isthmus made it all the more incorporated in the park. It so the Lands Department on matters difficult to achieve this objective. happened that the incumbent of pertaining to the use of the land for the office of Secretary for Lands the agistment of their cattle. Stock Nor is this the place to describe the had recently changed and I was numerous excursions by celebrated numbers (upwards of 2000) were delighted to hear the new Secretary, botanists and nature lovers who, controlled, stock were admitted and Mr G. L. Wood, say that he would be despite the difficulties posed by lack taken off on agreed dates, and a pleased to ‘look into the matter’ and herdsman was appointed to manage of proper access, somehow found report back to the next meeting. I am their way to then Promontory and relevant matters in consultation with sure that the other members of the the Lands Department. Under the even walked from Darby or Yanakie Authority shared my enthusiasm and to the lighthouse, but it must be said circumstances, Mr Wood felt that it optimism at the prospect of having would not be politically feasible to that the naturalists never missed the Yanakie area added to park. an opportunity to bring their wishes terminate the agisters’ occupation of to the attention of the Government. the Run, and the matter was allowed Even as late as 1954, just two years The Yanakie Agisters to rest. before the National Parks Act was passed, the Victorian National Our hopes were short-lived. In a letter dated 17th December 1958, Parks Association made strong The South Gippsland Mr Wood informed the Authority representations for the incorporation Shire Council that in 1906 agistment rights had of the Yanakie Run in the park, but to been granted to the ‘hill farmers’ Prior to the creation of the National no avail. of South Gippsland near Fish Parks Authority, the South Gippsland Towards the end of 1958, at the Creek and Foster to graze their Council had two representatives October meeting of the National stock on the Yanakie Run during on the Committee of Management Parks Authority, one of the members the winter months, thereby giving for Wilsons Promontory National with strong leanings towards their farmlands an opportunity to Park. One of these, Mr J. G. Jones,

The Yanakie Run 101 1988 view of Wilsons Promontory from Yanakie Lookout.

had originally been appointed as a meant that the press had access to field, I cannot recall any case where member of the Shire Council; but, business which had not yet been I could not walk into the offices of a when he ceased to be a member finalized. The Authority had no Shire Council without being made of that body, for some unknown intention of permitting this practice to to feel welcome. The Authority (and, reason, he continued to serve on the continue and required that members later, the Service) received a great Committee The other ‘representative’ of committees of management deal of co-operation from Shire of the Council had either recently who were not representatives Councils throughout the State. resigned or otherwise ceased to be of Government departments be a member of the committee. When appointed by the Authority as I therefore welcomed the opportunity the committee of management ‘nominees’ of the particular non- of attending a meeting with the finally came under the control of the government body, and that all such South Gippsland Shire Council, on Authority, Mr Jones was appointed nominees should serve in a private 12th August 1960. Various aspects to the committee under the National capacity and not as representatives of national management were Parks Act, but as a private member, of the relevant body. discussed and cordial relations not affiliated with any other body. The established. The concept of When the Authority’s decision was Shire Council requested the Minister nominees instead of representatives conveyed to the Shire Council, to appoint a second ‘representative’ was understood and accepted. In there was, understandably, some to the Committee of Management. due course, Cr. J. H. Macdonald was reaction, but the Minister requested appointed as the Council’s nominee This raised an interesting question: the Shire Council to submit a panel on the Committee of Management. as ‘representatives’ of the Council, of three names so that the Authority Of course, before this was done, such members of the Committee could make a choice. I was asked of Management were responsible to arrange a meeting with the Shire the nomination had to receive to the Shire Council and therefore Council to explain the relationship the blessing of the Committee of ‘obliged’ to present to the Council as between the Authority and its Management. All this may seem a a whole a report on the transactions committees of management. little tedious, but it was recognized of the committee. It was therefore as being essential. Here let me explain that the members standard practice for the minutes of of the Authority, including the At the meeting with the Council, I the meetings of the committee to be Director, always had a clear concept met Crs. W. (Bill) Gale and E. (Ern) tabled at meetings of the Council and of the role of the Shire Councils Thorsen and learned that they were thus made available to all members in relation to the management of both influential members of the of the Council and to the press. national parks, and always sought to Yanakie Agisters Association. Cr. As negotiations between the establish cordial relations between Thorsen was the Secretary and, Committee of Management and the the two parties. In some cases this like his colleague, regularly agisted Authority on various matters were took a little longer than in others; but, several hundred head of cattle on the frequently in a state of flux, this after 16 years of experience in this Run.

102 CHAPTER 14 Plans of the Soldier However, there is a man for every near the Five Mile Beach. The camp occasion; in this instance it was Mr was equipped with cane furniture Settlement (later Sir) Henry Bolte, Premier of and comfortable beds, and littered Commission Victoria, whose Cabinet rejected the with empty ammunition cases as proposal, on ‘a matter of principle’. well as fishing gear. There was no In the light of the advice from the In its editorial on the matter, The indication of ownership, nor did a Lands Department, the Authority Age (26/10/60) sounded a warning: polite request for the removal of felt unable to take further action, “Principles, however, are all too the goods and chattels evoke any but other forces were at work. It frequently left out of the picture response. Finally, it was necessary came to public notice that the when public opinion fails to reinforce to instruct the park staff to dismantle Soldier Settlement Commission was them”. the camp, but I do not recall having developing plans to use some 20,000 received any requests for the return acres of Wilsons Promontory National There followed a period of seeming of the materials. Park for farming. At a meeting of the calm, but the matter could not be Council in 1960, Cr Gale strongly allowed to rest there. Had it been possible to gain denounced this proposal, which control of the Yanakie area, it would was concerned with an area lying to have been feasible to develop a the east of Oberon Bay, another on Lack of control residential area near the cattle grid Chinaman’s Beach (in the Vereker There were other aspects of the and establish a control point there. I Peninsular) and 3000 acres out of the management of Wilsons Promontory raised this aspect with the Authority, Yanakie Run. The Minister for Lands, National Park, not previously which supported the idea, but there the Hon. Keith Turnbull, in a letter to mentioned, which were matters of appeared to be no way of achieving Sir Herbert Hyland dated 3rd August grave concern. The Authority had this most desirable objective. 1960, expressed surprise “that the no means of knowing who entered Now, I had long ago reached Council considers that giving an the Yanakie area at the ‘cattle grid’ the conclusion that most of the opportunity to young farmers to settle situated at the north-western corner misunderstandings between people on land in the Shire as of secondary of the Run, and it was common arise from the lack of effective importance to the attraction of knowledge that shooters entered communication. I had had a good tourists to the Promontory.” Mr. the Yanakie area in pursuit of deer. deal of experience in this area in Turnbull went on, “the Soldier Once they were past the grid, there the gas industry, in particular, and Settlement Commission has indicate was no way of preventing them from had come to recognize that there to me that two or three isolated areas travelling into the Vereker Peninsula, is not much chance of having (the italics are mine, L.H.S.) on the or even into the Oberon-Ramsay one’s viewpoint recognized and Promontory would be suitable for saddle area and beyond. I was understood if one is unable to see subdivision into 50 to 60 farms and informed at my meeting with the the other party’s point of view even if that the plan would certainly not Shire Council in August 1960 that, on one disagrees with it. interfere with the beauty spots one occasion, a ‘prime beast’ had or the availability for tourists or been shot in the Yanakie area and campers.” actually traced to a butcher’s shop A plan for incorporation in Foster! On another occasion a I recall that grim day when I watched It had become clear to me that, under member of the park staff had found from a distance as Mr Simpson, the conditions prevailing at this time, a wallaby which had been shot, on Chairman of the Soldier Settlement cattle agistment and the Yanakie the Sealers Cove track - well inside Commission, conducted interested Run were inseparable. I therefore the park. Further, there were too parties on a visit of inspection. I formulated a plan on that basis. But, many bushfires in the Yanakie Run can still see the group standing on without support from other parties, I for the good of the park. Reference ‘Red Hill’, at the southern end of could make no progress. I decided has been made earlier to a fire the aerodrome area, pointing out that the time was opportune to which began in the Yanakie Run and the farming potential of the area. I improve my acquaintance with Crs. devastated most of the park in 1951. felt utterly miserable and engulfed Thorsen and Gale, and had several in despair. It seemed that there Lack of control led to the discussions with them. The climate for was nothing I could do to avert the establishment of a very cosy progress improved with each meeting impending disaster. ‘fishermen’s camp’ on the east coast, until we were in agreement.

The Yanakie Run 103 It was essential of course that the realized that the Authority would not “Yes, the Authority would be Committee of Management and the terminate the agisters’ grazing ‘rights’ responsible for providing mustering Lands Department should be kept if granted control, the meeting came yards, stock ramps, water, fences, informed of developments, and I alive. It really was positively electric. etc., as required, to enable agistment had frequent discussions with senior I had prepared for this and, with the activities to be conducted efficiently. officers of the Department and with object of forestalling any possible The cost of such facilities would the Chairman of the Committee of misunderstanding on the part of the be met by the agisters, taking into Management. It would have been press, I distributed printed details consideration the recommendations disastrous if they had learned of of the plan. Briefly, these were as of the Advisory Committee.” my plans from reports published follows (always with the proviso that in the press. In due course I the Yanakie Run be first incorporated “Yes, the Authority would appoint received a letter (13-11-61) from the in the park and come under the a Herdsman having appropriate Committee of Management giving control of the Authority): experience and aptitude, who would the Committee’s reasons for wishing be required to manage the agistment 1. That agistment rights would activities. In particular, during to have the Yanakie Run added continue for at least twenty years; to the park. Clearly, everybody agistment periods, he would be on after that the situation would be duty to protect the cattle.” concerned was being kept informed examined in the light of experience and there were good prospects for a gained during that period. “Yes, as soon as possible, the successful outcome. Authority would erect a house near 2. That the Authority would form the entrance to the park, close to I therefore proposed to the Authority a Yanakie Agisters’ Advisory that further efforts be made to have the main road, to control entry to the Committee consisting of a suitable park.” the Yanakie Run incorporated in the number of properly-elected park. The value of having a Yanakie representatives of the cattlemen “Yes, the Authority would immediately Agisters’ Advisory Committee was using the area, one member of request the Forests Commission recognized and was supported by the Committee of Management to prepare a fire protection plan Mr A. O. Lawrence, Chairman of the and one Technical Officer of for the area and the plan would be Forests Commission, who referred the Authority, who would be the discussed with the Agisters’ Advisory to the benefits derived from the Executive Officer of the committee. Committee before being finalised.” operations of the Barmah Forest The Director of National Parks It was pointed out that the Authority Advisory Committee in regard to was an ex-officio member of could not spend money on fire cattle in the Barmah State Forest. all committees formed by the protection works on land not under The Authority endorsed my proposals Authority. The Authority undertook its control - a telling point. and I proceeded to arrange, through to provide the necessary the Executive of the Yanakie Agisters’ secretarial services. The meeting unanimously adopted Association, to meet all members at a the proposal and I was enabled to public meeting to be held in Foster. The meeting had been carefully report good progress to the Authority. planned and many of the questions A meeting of that body was held in asked had been anticipated. The the Director’s office on 4th July 1962, Meeting with Yanakie following summary indicates the to finalise details of proposals to be Agisters lines along which the discussion discussed with representatives of the proceeded. Yanakie Agisters’ Association on the The meeting took place on 9th “Yes, the agistment of cattle would following day. This was a successful February 1962 and, after some continue along the lines at present meeting, which enabled negotiations introductory remarks on the role of followed by the Lands Department. If with the Lands Department to be national parks and the significant any variations were found necessary, continued. aspects of the National Parks Act, I these would arise from the work of presented the meeting with details There were various minor details the Agisters Advisory Committee.” of my plan. Up to this point only the to be considered which need Executive of the Y.A.A. knew of the “Yes, agisters would be permitted not concern us here, and it was Authority’s plans and the mood of to use their dogs and horses in not until 12th May P1964 that the the meeting had been somewhat connexion with their authorised following letter was received from the sombre, if not sullen; but, when it was work.” Secretary for Lands.

104 CHAPTER 14 “12th May, 1964, to the National Park and just south The Sporting Shooters’ Ref: Misc. 247 of the Yanakie Settlement boundary adjoining the Run. Association Melbourne. Further south along the road, and on Of course, before the Yanakie Run Dear Sir the left side, nearer to Darby River, could be incorporated in Wilsons re Wilson’ s Promontory National Park an Emergency Aircraft Landing Promontory National Park, it was Ground was established during the necessary to have draft legislation With reference to your letter of war years, and in 1962 advice was prepared and to have the Bill passed 26th February last, and previous received from the Director-General by Parliament. However, that was correspondence, (No.6547- 23/5/4) of Civil Aviation, that his Department not the last hurdle to be crossed , in regard to Yanakie Run, which in the Yanakie Stakes, because comprises about 16,000 acres considered that this Aerodrome should be preserved. The view was suddenly the Authority found itself of Crown land located between assailed by a stream of letters from the south boundary of Yanakie also expressed that it appeared that the site could function equally well the Field and Game Association Settlement Area and the present which wanted to have the Yanakie north-west boundary of Wilson’s as an Aerodrome, whether included within the Park boundaries or not. Run converted into a Game Reserve Promontory National Park, I desire so that their members could shoot to inform you that, subject to the In regard to items (d) and (e) above the deer which roamed there. It was following provisions, the Honorable it would be appreciated if you would a full-scale attack, directed at the the Minister has approved of the furnish my Department with the views Government, the Premier, the Minister reservation of the Run area as an of the National Parks Authority as to and, of course, at the National Parks extension of the above National Park: location of the proposed Rubbish Authority. (a) That the agistment rights of Depots and also as to whether the Tourist Road, which will be 3 chains Dealing with the correspondence the adjacent hill country Dairy and meeting every challenge thrown Farmers be preserved. wide, should be included in the reservation. at us consumed considerable time (b) That it be the responsibility of and energy, and imposed great Authority to make the existing Yours faithfully, strain on the filing system. Finally, the fence on the south boundary of (sgd.) L. W. Birch Director was requested to appear the Settlement Area, Kangaroo SECRETARY FOR LANDS before the Chairman of the Wildlife and Vermin Proof to the Reserves Committee, Mr A. H. Tisdall satisfaction of the Settlement “The Director, (Chairman of the State Rivers and Commission. National Parks Authority, Water Supply Commission), along with Mr A. Dunbavin Butcher, Director (c) That the National Parks Authority 276 Collins Street, of Fisheries and Wildlife, to plead the be responsible for the costs of MELBOURNE C. 1. cause of national parks. It was an any necessary survey works. 201 experience I did not relish and one (d) That a small area be excluded I would gladly have forgone, but the On 12th May 1964, the Minister for from the reservation to meet meeting duly occurred. I could not Lands, the Hon. K. H. Turnbull, wrote the requirements of the South help recalling the last time that Mr to the Minister for State Development, Gippsland Shire Council, for a Butcher and I had found ourselves the Hon. A. J. Fraser, M.P., informing Rubbish Depot. in competition for a potential national him inter alia that “subject to park (in relation to Tower Hill). I had (e) That the matter of whether the certain conditions which have been lost the last round of that encounter; Tourist Road is to be included conveyed to the National Parks however, on this occasion, the in the reservation, be further Authority, I have now given approval decision was in our favour and discussed. to the area of about 16,000 acres of prepared the way for the drafting of Crown Land known as the Yanakie In passing I would like to bring to the enabling legislation. your attention that a departmental Run being reserved as an extension report has disclosed the existence of Wilsons Promontory National of two graves in an old cemetery Park”. located on the right side of the road

The Yanakie Run 105 Lime quarry, Yanakie Run, established to provide lime for South Gippsland farmers following requests in 1964 (photo taken 1989). A condition of the approval given by the National Parks Authority was that when the land was ‘worked out’ it was to be returned to its natural state.

Management of the costs and recovered the money from 16th September 1957 to Mr Frances the agisters by levying an additional Ratcliffe, Officer in-Charge of the Yanakie Run one cent per head of cattle per week. Wildlife Section of the C.S.I.R.O., the Authority’s first Director, Mr P. In due course, Mr Percy Gilbert was The matter of the fence along the Crosbie Morrison, seemed to be appointed as Ranger-Herdsman, and northern boundary merits special expressing his personal doubts when a fire-protection plan was prepared comment. Soon after the National he wrote “Given such a fence, they by the Forests Commission and Parks Authority began to function, (the Committee of Management) then implemented by the Authority and the Committee of Management for face the herculean task of eliminating its successor the National Parks Wilsons Promontory National Park rabbits, foxes and deer from the Service. The agistment arrangements proposed that a fauna-proof fence 102,000 acres of the national park”. proceeded satisfactorily, even to the be built across the narrow neck extent of reaching agreement on an of the isthmus, over a distance of Mr Ratcliffe’s reply (1st October increase in agistment fees. When about four miles, to keep kangaroos, 1957) did little to dispel Mr Morrison’s additional money was required to climbers such as possums and own doubts, and pointed especially provide new mustering yards some koalas, and burrowers such as to the destructive behaviour of two miles south-west of the old wombats, in the park, but to exclude foxes in relation to smaller native mustering yards, the Service met the foxes and rabbits. In a letter dated animals and ground-dwelling birds.

106 CHAPTER 14 He offered a practical suggestion to The Council Rubbish but agree; so, after the area (to the the effect that poisoned fowl heads south of the main road, opposite the or offal, buried a few inches below Depot aerodrome) had been inspected the surface along the beaches The proviso (item (d) page 105) that by the Director and a senior officer above high-water mark, might help a “small area be excluded from the of the Mines Department, provision to reduce the fox population. It was reservation to meet the requirements was made for this. It was a condition recognized that some seagulls of the South Gippsland Shire of the Authority’s approval that, as might fall victim to this method, Council, for a rubbish depot” caused areas were ‘worked out’, appropriate but Mr Ratcliffe thought that “in the great concern to the Authority. I conservation work would be carried circumstances these birds should had not been aware of any such out. be considered expendable”. In plans during the early stages of the passing, let me add that in 1957 negotiations and I doubt whether any I instituted a very successful fox- other member of the Authority had Enabling legislation destruction campaign in Sherbrooke anticipated this ‘last minute’ request. The Bill was passed by Parliament Forest, using 4-6 week old chickens on 16th December 1969, thereby impregnated with 1080 or strychnine The development of the rubbish adding some 17,900 acres of Crown and suspended from low branches, depot, of course, would have in areas known to be infested with entailed the construction and Land, formerly known as the Yanakie foxes. Later, rabbits’ heads were maintenance of a road connecting Run, to the park. At the same time, used, similarly treated with poison the Promontory Road to the depot, Parliament passed legislation adding and buried beneath the surface with and the clearing of several acres a number of off-shore islands (Great only the ears showing. Several years of land to ensure that the depot Glennie, Ramsbotham, Dannevig, later, in , fish would not become a fire hazard. McHugh Islands, and Rabbit Rocks) heads impregnated with poison were Further, the installation of a second having a total area of 588 acres, lightly buried along the beaches, to land-managing body within the to the park, along with an area destroy scavenging foxes. national park was not a matter for the of 8 acres at Refuge Cove which Authority to enthuse over. One would had been omitted from the original Even if it had been possible to train have thought that the despoliation reservation. wombats and rabbits not to burrow of a part of the national park for that under the fence (from either side), purpose was the last thing that a and if it had been possible to prevent caring Shire Council would wish to foxes from moving round the ends of do; but I well remember that day the fence at sea-level, and if it had when representatives of the Authority been possible to construct the fence and Committee of Management of material which would not corrode accompanied representatives of in sea-water, the phenomenal cost of the Council on an inspection of the erecting the fence and maintaining it proposed area. But, somehow, Fate would render the concept untenable. intervened and ultimately the plan Frankly, I had sufficient confidence was abandoned, though not, I fear, in the Government’s capacity to on grounds of principle. recognize that the scheme was both unpractical and impracticable, and I felt that the Government would never Lime quarry provide money for such a scheme. The Authority was soon to receive It was however necessary for the yet another set-back. Although not Authority to accept the conditions mentioned in the Lands Department’s laid down by the Minister for Lands letter of 12th May 1964, suddenly, and therefore the Authority agreed ‘out of the blue’ came a request from to do so. To date, the fence has not farming interests for an area of about been constructed. 10 acres, to provide lime for the farmers of South Gippsland. There was little that the Authority could do

The Yanakie Run 107 Chapter 15 The battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power

he outstanding feature of the I still remember my first visit, in the Post Master General’s (PMG’s) Tidal River camping area in December 1949. There was no road Department began to improve the TWilsons Promontory National to Telegraph Saddle; one walked sandy track which joined the road to Park is, I think, Mount Oberon. from Tidal River. The walking track Tidal River to the ‘Telegraph Saddle’, led from a place near the car park and to construct a road to the leased Oberon is not the highest mountain on at Telegraph Saddle straight up the areas just below the summit. On 30th the Promontory, being some 630 feet slope to the summit. This was one of June 1961, the PMG’s Department lower than Mount Latrobe and even the traditional walks, the others being sought the permission of the Lands Mount Wilson. But Latrobe and Wilson to Sealers Cove and the lighthouse Department to occupy an area of are remote, lost in the hinterland; on South-East Cape. Refuge Cove land (18.3m x 12.2m), in order to Oberon towers majestically above was beyond the reach of most. erect an ‘aerial’ 7.9m in diameter, the village in an all-pervasive manner, to investigate the possibilities of rewarding the eye from wherever one The summit of Oberon afforded a expanding the existing Mount may be – in the camp, on the Norman magnificent panoramic view; one Oberon–Tasmania telephone link. Bay beach or even when quietly could observe the entire camping The Lands Department, of course, no fishing in Tidal River. Oberon is always area slumbering quietly below, longer had jurisdiction, so referred there, holding the village in a warm or allow the eye to linger on the the matter to the National Parks intimate embrace, watching over all, succession of wide blue bays and Authority. The Authority, dismayed listening to the song of the sea as the long dark peninsulas, from Oberon at this development, referred the great waves roll in and wash the silver Point in the south-west to Tongue matter to the Crown Solicitor’s Office, sands. Point in the north-west. Turn about, and then learned that the leases and one could gaze over the deep Gazing upwards from the northern had been granted by the Governor valley to the Wilson Range and slope of the mountain to the rounded in Council to the Commonwealth of perhaps wonder how the view would summit, those with an eye for such Australia pursuant to the provisions be from there, and over Wilson’s fancies may imagine that they see of Section 6 of the Commonwealth southern shoulder one could see the head of an Aborigine, sculptured Lands Acquisition Act 1906-1936, Waterloo Bay, with the Boulder Range by Nature in granite. Once, the which provide as follows: running back to Mount Norgate, rugged outline of the mountain stood standing guard over beautiful Oberon “6. Where the Governor of a State unbroken, though rising and falling Bay. Surely this incomparable work agrees with the Governor in a hapless manner as if the hand of of nature would never be sullied. So General for the sale or lease the Great Artist had trembled while I thought. of any Crown land to the he worked. Commonwealth, any instrument But I was blissfully unaware that, Oberon has many visitors; every year or assurance executed by the many years ago, before the National countless people of all ages (and Governor for granting conveying Park Act of 1956 had been passed, there is no sexual discrimination or leasing to the Commonwealth the Commonwealth had obtained here) laboriously plod their way to accordingly shall (by force of leasehold over two small areas the top, to rest in the sunshine (and this Act, and notwithstanding of land near the summit of Mount sometimes to shiver in the freezing anything in the law of the State) Oberon. cold) to gaze westward to the be valid and effectual to vest eternal sea and watch the waves The first signs of the approaching the land in the Commonwealth roll in to die upon the shore. storm came into view in 1960, when according to the tenor thereof.”

108 CHAPTER 15 Wilsons Promontory NP, 1983. Tidal River with Mt Oberon in background. View from Tidal Overlook.

The Crown Solicitor advised that, at (rather surprisingly, I thought) Tower on Mount Oberon the time the leases were granted, had raised no objection to the there was no power to do so under Commonwealth request, and the On 27 November 1962, the Chief State law, as the land had been Crown Solicitor expressed the Property Officer of the Department reserved under the Land Act 1928. opinion that “notwithstanding the of the Interior informed the Authority The land was now under the control Authority’s present lack of power, that “last year a large-diameter of the National Parks Authority, it might be wise to consent to the aerial (7.9m) had been erected on which was not empowered under the Commonwealth’s use of the site, Mount Oberon for propagation tests National Parks Act to grant the leases until such time as power to grant between that station and Flinders required by the Commonwealth. an appropriate lease is obtained”, Island”. The same letter conveyed The relevant provisions of the Land (i.e. until the National Parks Act a request for permission to provide Acquisition Act 1955 are as follows:- had been suitably amended by a temporary mast for a period of “6. (2) The Commonwealth shall not Parliament). The Crown Solicitor approximately twelve months, for acquire either by agreement continued, “If this course is not making additional tests to obtain or compulsory process land followed, the inconvenience to the information for the development of which, under the laws of PMG’s Department might cause a high-capacity radio relay system the State or Territory of the the Commonwealth to review the between Victoria and Tasmania. The Commonwealth, is dedicated restriction imposed on its acquisition proposed mast was to be 18.3m high or reserved, or is vested in powers by the Land Act 1955”. and of lattice construction, using trustees, as a public steel members. If the experiments park or otherwise for the were successful, the next step would purposes of public recreation.” be the erection of a tower 106.7m The Authority had consulted the high, to carry an aerial 7.9m in Committee of Management, which diameter.

The battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power 109 Mt Oberon is always there, rewarding the eye even when fishing in Tidal River. January 1993.

It was always my practice to provide On the morning of 25th January 1963 SEC power the Authority with full information I had a visit from the Chief Engineer on agenda items in advance of the and the Supervising Engineer of the If your head is still reeling from that regular meetings and, despite the PMG’s Department, who explained blow, you’d better take an aspro and shortage of time, this was done that the preliminary research prepare for the next shock-wave. I in the present case. The Authority conducted at the lower level, in the was informed that the Department “had under consideration” a plan considered the matter at its meeting existing permissive occupancy, had to provide SEC power to operate on 5th December 1962, recognizing indicated that a tower 106.7m (350 the relay station, and that this might that any decision then reached had feet) high would be required to give “provide an opportunity for SEC to be based on the final objective, ‘line of sight’ communication between power to be made available at Tidal namely a tower 106.7 m high. I Mount Oberon and Mount Tanner River. The power could be brought in was instructed to inform the PMG’s on Flinders Island (in Bass Strait). I on steel towers and possibly wooden Department that the Authority was informed that the tower would poles, but it would entail cutting a “reluctantly found itself unable to not be built on the summit itself but swathe through the vegetation from, accede to the request because it at a lower level, so that only about say, Darby to the Oberon site.” was felt that the erection of such 57.9m (190 ft) would project above a structure on Mount Oberon the skyline. The tower was to have a It seemed ironic that these would destroy the character of the base of 7.6m (25ft). disquieting potential developments mountain, while it was the clear should occupy my mind on the duty of the Authority to preserve fifty-third anniversary of my birthday. such natural features”. The PMG’s What a gift! Department was duly informed to this I deemed it prudent to inform effect. my visitors that, before they built

110 CHAPTER 15 their hopes too high, I thought Windy Pass, and half it would be persuasiveness at all times, showed that the Authority would be less visible from the Telegraph Saddle a willingness to co-operate, and than enthusiastic about these car park. A further significant fact it was this spirit of co-operation proposals and that I regarded it as was that the new proposal would not which led ultimately to a successful a fundamental duty of the Authority necessitate the leasing of additional outcome. to protect scenic views and skylines. land to the PMG’s Department, but This is perhaps not the place to This caused consternation, and merely minor adjustments to the inquire why they had not done one of my visitors exclaimed that he boundaries of the two areas already their sums properly in the first could understand that the Authority occupied. might well be concerned at any place, because the later proposal The PMG’s Department officers threat to the birds or animals, or represented a tremendous saving arranged for the proposal to even the native plants; but skylines!!! in taxpayers’ money. The Authority, be examined at the site by Beauty indeed may well be in the eye of course, would have preferred not representatives of the Authority and of the beholder, but that one must to have any engineering structures the Committee of Management. A have had cataracts! in the vicinity of Mount Oberon, joint inspection was held on 8th but recognized that sometimes November 1963, and, on 1st May compromise is the answer to the PMG application refused 1964, the Authority informed the seductive persuasions of modern Department that it had approved the technology. On 6th March 1963, representatives plan to erect a tower 45.7 m (150 of the PMG’s Department attended feet) high on the eastern side of the Authority’s monthly meeting, Mount Oberon and to the retention of SEC power again when the matter of the application the 7.6 m (28 feet) ‘dish’ reflector on was fully discussed. the road below the repeater station, No sooner had the Authority “subject to consultation on soil tranquilised one dragon than it found On 22nd March 1963, I submitted itself confronted by another. a memorandum to the Minister, the conservation aspects”. Hon. A. J. Fraser MP, conveying The significance of the foregoing An essential item in the the relevant details of the PMG’s should not be underestimated. Had implementation of the proposal to application and the Authority’s the National Parks Authority not been develop a radio-telephone service decision. The Minister wrote to the created in 1956; or, if the Authority between Tasmania and the mainland Department saying that “this note is had taken a soft line in dealing with was the provision of electric power. to say that the application cannot be the PMG’s original request, there The PMG’s Department had two approved”. could now be an excrescence choices: it could use SEC [mains] power (subject to the approval of the The matter however was not allowed projecting 57.9m (190 feet) above the summit of Mount Oberon. Whether National Parks Authority) or it could to rest there. On 24th September the Minister would have accepted use diesel power generated on the 1963, the PMG’s Department wrote such a recommendation from the site at Mount Oberon. to the Authority saying that “since Authority is by no means clear; but the meeting on 6th March, a great The provision of SEC power would in the light of the Crown Solicitor’s deal of thought has been given to have meant constructing a 22,000 opinion, it seems very probable. our proposed development for Mount volt overhead supply line, supported Oberon’, and that “the new proposal As it was, the Authority had on posts (or steel towers) at intervals involves the use of a parabolic demonstrated that it had a very of about 184m (200 yards). In the reflector, 8.6 m (28 ft) in diameter, proper understanding of its interests of safety, it would have mounted at the ground level together obligations and responsibilities in the been necessary to clear a swathe with a tower 45.7m (150 ft) high preservation of the ‘environment of along the entire length of the line carrying three 3.6m (12 ft) diameter national parks’. It also demonstrated and to provide access from the aerials …”. The tower would be that the Authority was not to be main road to the base of every pole, erected at the rear of Mount Oberon intimidated by the heavyweights of for maintenance purposes. The and would not be visible from Tidal a large Commonwealth Department, supply line would have crossed River, but one-sixth of it would be but it has to be said that the the Promontory Road seven times visible from the road at the Squeaky Officers of the PMG’s Department, between Darby River and Bishop Beach (Leonard Bay) saddle and whilst arguing their case with great Rock and four times north of Darby

The battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power 111 River, based on the SEC plan. After One could be forgiven for wondering earnestly hoped that in the interests Bishop Rock, the line would have which was the controlling body – of the Committee’s work, your followed the road to the summit of the National Parks Authority or the decision will be reviewed.” Mount Oberon. Committee of Management. But there All this raises the question of just is more. The letter went on to say: Alternatively, power could be how far one may go in the process “We cannot agree that the alternative supplied by installing ‘twin’ of interfering with the environment source of power (namely diesel diesel engines (suitably housed) and who decides when ‘enough is engines) available to the Post Master connected so that, in the event of enough’. In retrospect, taking into General’s Department compares the failure of one, the other would consideration the events of Ash favourably with the SEC services”. automatically take over. In any Wednesday (14th February 1983) So the Committee, in addition to case, as a contingency measure when the rubbing of overhead SEC condemning the Authority for making against failure of the SEC supply, wires against trees is alleged to have a decision in the light of its collective it would be necessary to install an caused an horrendous conflagration, wisdom, went so far as to question equivalent diesel engine, set to cut in it seems that the Authority’s decision the ability of the PMG’s Department’s automatically. might well have been wise beyond all officers to make their decision. The possible predictions. The Authority of course recognized Authority, on the other hand, had the advantage of having SEC power sufficient confidence in the PMG’s available at Tidal River; although I engineers to accept their word that The Council laughed must confess that I personally have diesels would be satisfactory. The always had grave reservations about Department proceeded with the Apparently, however, there was the advisability of introducing SEC installation of the diesels, which have a lighter side to the Authority’s power there. However, after mature now been in service for over twenty decision, even though the Committee consideration, the Authority resolved years. of Management disagreed with not to acquiesce in the PMG’s it. It was reported in [the local But the Committee of Management request, and the Department and the newspaper] the Foster Mirror that, was not yet finished with the SEC were informed accordingly. In when Cr Jack Macdonald told the Authority. It then proceeded to coming to its decision the Authority members of the South Gippsland demonstrate its strength still further had concluded that the construction Shire Council that the Authority had by saying: “There is already in of the 22,000 volt electricity supply not agreed to the PMG’s request, the existence a far greater detraction line would have had an adverse members laughed. It is always very from the natural environment of the effect on the park environment. pleasing to know that one can raise Park, in the presence of the main a laugh; many people are paid large access road, and it is presumed that sums of money for doing just that. Committee of normal practice would be followed in routing the pole line to a large extent It would perhaps lead us into the Management along the roadway. A line so located realm of conjecture but one would disapproves is almost a natural accompaniment be very naive not to wonder why the and in the opinion of the Committee South Gippsland Shire Council (of The Authority’s decision was duly would not detract from the scenery. which Cr Macdonald was a nominee conveyed to the Committee of on the Committee of Management) Management, which lost no time in “In a letter to you dated 30th should have deemed it necessary expressing its disapproval of the September 1963 concerning the to become involved in the SEC Authority’s action. electricity requirements at Tidal River proposal. The Council wrote to the it was made clear that the Committee The Committee “did not consider the Minister of State Development, the favoured SEC supply owing to reason for refusing the application, Honourable Vance Dickie MLC, on the difficulties associated with the viz: that the pole line would seriously 14th March 1965, in effect, pleading running of a diesel generating plant. detract from the natural beauty of the cause of the Committee of the area, is a sufficient one, and “The Committee was extremely Management. The Minister requested strongly objects to the fact that disappointed at your decision, as it me to report on the matter and on the requirements of the Tidal River had looked forward with confidence 29th March I replied as follows: village were not given sufficient to the availability of SEC power to consideration.” relieve it of some of its fears, and it is

112 CHAPTER 15 “8542-35/5/3 in SEC power was not lightly made. In making this decision the Authority 29th March, 1965 In the early stages officers of the was guided also by the following Authority discussed details of the considerations: Dear Mr Dickie proposal with officers of the SEC 1. The PMG Department officers WILSON’S PROMONOTORY and PMG, following which I gave an NATIONAL PARK made it clear that the provision of account of the negotiations to the SEC power at Mt Oberon was not Proposal for SEC Power Authority on 2nd September 1964, essential to their operation and I refer to the letter dated 14th March when the Authority resolved not to that diesel engines could be used 1965, from the South Gippsland Shire approve the proposal. without impairment of the technical Council, regarding the matter of SEC Following representations by service. power supply for Tidal River and the Committee of Management, 2. Even with SEC power, it would the PMG installation at Mt Oberon. negotiations with the PMG were re- have been necessary to install In response to your request for opened towards the end of last year a diesel engine as a standby comments, I would offer the following: and a joint inspection was made of coupled to the other engine so as The Authority has been in close the area between Yanakie and Mount to come on automatically in the event of an SEC power failure. collaboration with the PMG Oberon. The party consisted of Mr G. Department for approximately 12 T. Thompson and me (representing 3. For the first five years, the cost of months in regard to the possibility of the Authority), along with senior the diesel installation would be extending the SEC supply to Mount officers of the PMG Department and somewhat lower than that of the Oberon. Briefly the proposal was for a SEC. The purpose of the inspection SEC installation. Thereafter the use 22,000 volt pole line to be erected, to was to find a route which would of the SEC power would be more extend the supply from Yanakie to the make it possible to erect the pole economical. line without detriment to the scenic PMG installations at Mount Oberon. 4. It is entirely possible that within features of the Park. It was found The PMG was prepared to meet a few years, new sources of that between Yanakie and the Darby the full cost, including a spur line electric power will be in operation River, there was no real problem; and, to Tidal River, but reticulation within which would render the SEC pole despite certain difficulties, it appeared the camp would be at the expense line obsolete. While the power of the Committee of Management or that an acceptable solution could plant could be replaced, the Authority. be found between Darby and Darby scenic features of the Park, once Saddle. From this point on, it was destroyed, would be lost forever. The Authority has a very clear clearly not possible to erect the pole appreciation of the advantages of line without serious impairment of the 5. So far as Tidal River is concerned, having SEC power at Tidal River. scenic features of the Park. the Authority recognises that there The advantages are so obvious is need for an efficient power that it is not considered necessary Consideration was given to the plant and has directed me to seek to detail them here. At the same possibility of having the line a report on the matter from the time the PMG Department, from the constructed underground over the Public Works Department. ‘difficult’ sections, a distance of 1½ to outset, was aware of the problem 6. Should a motel/hotel be 2 miles in all. However, on the figures confronting the Authority, namely, that constructed in the Park, the supplied, this was considered to be the construction of a pole line would position would be no different in despoil certain parts of the Park. too costly, being some £16,000 to principle from what it is at the Mt The attitude of the PMG Department £20,000 per mile. Buffalo Chalet, where power is officers has been consistently The Authority was aware when it generated locally. courteous and understanding. They made its decision that there would have endeavoured to facilitate a 7. The Authority’s resolution to protect be criticism from some quarters, but favourable decision, but have not the assets with which it has been felt that the construction of a pole line applied any pressure to the Authority entrusted finds a counterpart in (which it was agreed by all concerned or expressed any resentment at its other countries e.g. England and would mar the scenic features of the America, where the importance inability to accede to their request. park) south of the Darby Saddle, was of preserving the natural beauty The Authority’s decision not to incompatible with its duties under the of the landscape is becoming acquiesce in the proposal to take National Parks Act. increasingly recognised.

The battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power 113 It seems likely that it is not generally On Tuesday 1st June 1965, the Yanakie to Tidal River. As discussed recognised that it would be Minister received a deputation from in Chapter 18, the Authority was necessary to provide access to every the Shire of South Gippsland, which engaged in negotiations with Mr R. pole along the route; thus, in addition pressed for an extension of the SEC E. Unger concerning the building to the effect on the skyline, there electricity supply to Tidal River. of a hotel/motel near Tidal River, for would be many tracks leading off the The deputation consisted of Cr F.L. which power would be necessary. main road to the individual poles. Hobson, Cr J.H. Macdonald, Cr J.D. In a sense, the Authority was like Lester and Mr J. Rennick (Shire a beleaguered army conducting a I need hardly point out that the Secretary), and was introduced by war on two fronts. Mr Unger and his Authority is the body charged with Sir Herbert Hyland MP (Member for colleagues were ‘sure’ that it would be the responsibility of administering Gippsland South). Also present were possible to find a route by which the the national parks and that it was Mr T. E. Arthur (Acting Director) and power-line could be extended without appointed for the specific purpose Mr J. T. McDonald (Secretary, NPA). detriment to the environment. of protecting them in every way as well as providing for the use of the Cr Lester outlined his thirty years’ It is perhaps very difficult for those not parks by the people. The evidence of experience with Wilsons Promontory, directly involved to comprehend the the past few years demonstrates that pointing out that there already sort of pressures to which government increasing numbers of the people existed a camping area at Tidal River, organizations can be subjected. are using and enjoying the national along with a road and a telephone. It was not sufficient to say that the parks and there is nothing to suggest All of these had had an effect on Authority had examined the matter the lack of SEC power at Tidal River the environment, he said, and the and reached a certain conclusion; or Mount Oberon will adversely extension of the SEC power-line it was necessary to demonstrate affect either the people who use the should be regarded in the same light. physically that the investigation had Park or the operations of the PMG In 4-5 years, he argued, no damage been made. It seemed that, somehow, Department. It is therefore difficult would be evident. Presumably he the members of a Shire Council or a to understand the concern of the was referring to the damage which group of developers were uniquely would be caused to the vegetation South Gippsland Shire Council over a endowed with powers of apperception and not to the permanent installations matter which it is so clearly the duty which, by the very nature of things, of poles, overhead wires and access of the Authority to determine. were denied to senior public servants tracks to the individual poles. possessed of high qualifications and Yours faithfully, The Minister responded by saying experience. (signed) L. H. Smith that the road was a basic necessity to Director provide access to the camping area. He could, of course, have added Searching for a The Honble V. O. Dickie, MLC that the road had been constructed powerline route Minister of State Development during World War II, to meet a national In the hope of finding more State Public Offices emergency and that it had been convincing answers to the questions greatly improved during the past few Treasury Place being asked by the Committee of years. The camp at Tidal River had Management and the developers, I MELBOURNE C2 likewise been a development of the requested the Chief Technical Officer cc The Secretary, Wilson’s Commando Training Camp served by (Mr T. E. Arthur) to accompany me on the road. There had been a telephone Promontory National Park C/M220 a more detailed search for a possible link with the lighthouse on South-East route for a power-line from Yanakie Cape for many years, even before the On 6th April 1965, Mr Dickie sent to Tidal River. To ensure that the national park was reserved in 1910. a letter to the South Gippsland practical aspects of the plan were However, the Minister promised that Shire Council embodying these adequately covered to the satisfaction he would ask the Authority to have sentiments and I thought that the of the SEC, we were accompanied another look at the matter in the light giant might have been permitted to by a senior officer of the SEC from of the Council’s submission. slumber while I was in North America Sale. The basic idea was to select a participating in a course on the The Authority was under pressure route south of the Promontory Road, administration of national parks. No from another source to have the using the sand dunes and natural such luck. SEC powerline extended from vegetation to screen the installation

114 CHAPTER 15 from the view of visitors as they not yet been built that could blast their building situated near the present proceeded to Tidal River; but, at same way through that country! bank of telephone boxes. In 1973, time, providing access to each pole as part of a major re-development I therefore arranged for a party for maintenance purposes. programme, a much larger generator consisting of the SEC Divisional was installed on the site of the Commencing at Yanakie, we walked Engineer from Sale and others through the dunes and vegetation for to accompany Mr R. G. M. present generator, the building being a certain distance, to obtain a view of (‘Bob’) Yorston on an exploratory partly surrounded by a sand dune to the next possible pole site, and then investigation along the south-west reduce noise. The enlarged supply returned to the road and drove to a slope of Mount Leonard, to the was needed among other things to point which gave suitable access summit, so that the SEC Engineer cope with the extra load of pumping (on foot) to the selected pole site. could see the sort of terrain he would effluents from the main collecting tank The process was repeated until we be dealing with. I was in no way to the sewage lagoon, a distance of reached Darby. I need hardly add that surprised when it was reported to some 500-600 m. it was an arduous task. me that the SEC Divisional Engineer reached the conclusion that the plan Frankly, I think that we compromised was not feasible – a decision taken ourselves to a considerable degree, even before the summit had been but we persuaded ourselves that it reached. Those granite rocks might might be practicable to run a power- appear fairly benign from a distance, line from Yanakie to Darby without but they are in fact massive tors causing unacceptable damage unwilling to yield to even the most to the environment. There would, powerful bulldozer. So the possibility of course be permanent damage, of providing Tidal River with SEC especially in the construction and power by that route was rejected on maintenance of the access tracks to physical and economic grounds. the individual poles and in keeping The Mount Oberon skyline had been the power-lines clear of vegetation saved and the environmental damage along the route. This was the price we which would have been caused by had to pay to for the benefits which extending the SEC power line had were generally recognized. But we been averted. could find no way of extending the line from Darby to Tidal River without This left it with Mr Unger and his causing unacceptable damage to the architect to provide power on the environment. site of their proposed development and to cope with all the concomitant When this decision was conveyed problems such as the impact on the to Mr Unger and his colleagues, the environment, abatement of noise, architect, Mr Tribe, asserted that etc. Of course, it meant also that it should be possible to by-pass SEC power was unavailable for the main road by going across the Tidal River. But, then, Tidal River Darby flats to the north-eastern face had long since demonstrated that of Mount Leonard and proceeding it could survive without SEC power, via Lilly Pilly Gully to Tidal River. and the steady increase in the This proposal revealed, though not number of all categories of visitors for the first time, how desperate indicated that the lack of SEC power the developers were for a solution was no deterrent. It also saved the to their problem and how little they Government a considerable sum understood or cared for the basic of money, the estimated cost of the elements of conservation. But I had installation being about $180,000. clear recollections of the nature of the terrain in question as revealed in all Tidal River continues to be supplied its starkness after the 1951 fire, and I with electricity generated by diesel was confident that the bulldozers had engines which were housed in a

The battle for Mount Oberon: SEC power 115 Chapter 16 Mallacoota Inlet National Park

n 1909, an area of 11,225 acres (4,544 ha) of land, being all that Ipublic land within 60 chains of the high-water mark of Mallacoota Inlet, was reserved as a national park. Even at that time there were several private holdings encompassed by public land, but the declaration of the national park was a praiseworthy attempt to preserve the timbered slopes and shoreline of one of Victoria’s most beautiful inlets. Not far away, some 30 km south- westward, was Wingan Inlet National Park, notable as the first landing place of George Bass, in December 1797, in the course of his epic Mallacoota Inlet, NP1959. Proposed extension to park. Looking across sand dunes at Lake journey of discovery [from Sydney to Barracoota. ]. early in September 1959. Along including Mr Jack Fitzgerald, took Mallacoota Inlet National Park, 528 with Mr G. T. Thompson I visited the opportunity of walking from the km (330 miles) east of Melbourne, the park for the occasion. We were eastern shore of the Inlet to Lake remained splendid in its isolation accompanied by Mr John Landy, who Barracoota, a fresh-water lake in the until its inclusion in the Schedule to had recently been appointed to the sand dunes. the National Parks Act 1956 made Authority’s staff. The Authority’s interest in Lake it the responsibility of the National Parks Authority. This raised the Barracoota, a very important feature expectations of the local people and Proposed extension of in the proposed extension, brought those interested in conservation, but park the Authority into conflict with the it was not until May 1959 that the Fisheries and Game Department, In its report to the Government Authority was able to visit the park because the latter body wished to in 1952, the State Development for the first time. Hitherto there had control the lake as a Game Reserve. Committee had recommended that been no Committee of Management The local people, of course, were the land between the eastern border and the Authority spent some time anxious to preserve their ancient of the park and the New South Wales consulting local people during the rights to shoot ducks around the border, which includes the Howe visit, regarding possible membership margin of the park (including the Ranges, be included in the park, of such a committee. mouths of the many small streams to preserve, inter alia, a number which run into the Inlet). Eventually the formalities were of epiphytic orchids and the rare concluded and arrangements were Ground Parrot (Pezophorus wallicus). What had begun as an apparently made for the inaugural meeting of the During our visit, Mr Thompson and simple exercise in conservation was Committee to be held at Gipsy Point, I, along with a number of others on the verge of developing into a

116 CHAPTER 16 Mallacoota Inlet NP, 1973. Looking across Mallacoota Inlet to the Howe Range. major political controversy at the that he was of the opinion that the hoped that the Committee, taken by local and departmental level, and the boundaries of the national park surprise, might have yielded to his Authority’s battle-front was soon to be should be changed. He proposed persuasions and that it might have extended. that the western part of the park framed a recommendation to be should be exchanged for the Crown conveyed to the Authority that the On the walk to Lake Barracoota, land lying between the eastern plan proposed by Mr Fitzgerald be it was interesting to observe how boundary and the Victoria-New South adopted. the movement of sand under the Wales border. He stated that there strong winds and gales which sweep was ‘nothing’ of botanical interest in The announcement created a that area had almost covered the the western part of the park which delicate, possibly dangerous, telegraph poles along the sand dune, would not be found in the proposed situation. Apart from Mr Wakefield, so that it was often possible to touch addition, citing Mr Norman Wakefield no member of the Committee was the wires. as the authority for this claim. competent to express an opinion on the relative botanical merits of the The meeting was stunned by this two areas involved in the proposed announcement. A few minutes Inaugural meeting exchange; but, if the proposal were earlier I had been explaining the of the Committee of not challenged, it might have been significance of the National Parks assumed that ‘silence means assent’. Management Act and the role of the Committee As Deputy-Chairman of the National of Management – its relationship The inaugural meeting was attended Parks Authority and as Director, I feel by the Chairman-Elect (Mr Lionel with the Authority and its duties and responsibilities under the Act. I had obliged to dispel any doubts on the Wallace, a resident of Gipsy issue and stated that Mr Fitzgerald’s Point) and other members of the been at some pains to explain that only Parliament had the power to announcement was the first time that Committee, along with Mr G. T. the Authority or any of its members Thompson (a member of the National declare national parks or to alter the status of any area of land declared had heard of the proposal and that Parks Authority), Mr J. M. Landy I felt quite sure that the Authority and myself. Among the members to be a national park. Until Jack dropped his bombshell, I had no would not endorse any plan to excise of the Committee present were Mr the western part from the park. I Jack Fitzgerald (Lands Department inkling of what he now proposed. I never did understand why he added that the Authority did not have Eastern District Surveyor) and Mr chose to announce his plan at the comprehensive data on the floral and Norman Wakefield, a noted naturalist. inaugural meeting of the Committee faunal content of the park and that At the conclusion of the formal instead of using the customary the Director and Mr Landy planned to business of the meeting, Mr inter-departmental channels of examine the western part of the park Fitzgerald rose and announced communication. Perhaps he had during the remainder of their visit.

Mallacoota Inlet National Park 117 This work was to be part of a more trees had been cut half-way through (The Hon. V. O. Dickie MLC), who comprehensive plan, because I but allowed to stand, because was also Chairman of the National had determined to ask Mr Landy the heartwood had decayed. It Parks Authority, and the Minister for to prepare a report embodying the was a scene of utter desolation, Lands The Hon. Keith Turnbull MP, relevant details of the entire national reflecting the ruthless and illegal along with other government officers. parks system. Only when such behaviour of those responsible. On Following this, the whole matter was information had been assembled returning to Melbourne I reported carefully reviewed by the Lands and studied by the Authority would our findings to the Chairman of Department, which decided not to it be possible for that body to make the Forests Commission, but was make any changes in land status in proper decisions on the development informed that the desecration we had this area for the time being. Thus, and management of any of the parks. observed was probably the work of another dragon was tranquilized a contractor from New South Wales. and the status quo was maintained, Mr Landy and I proceeded with our The Forests Commission was quite pending a comprehensive study planned examination of the western unable to supervise adequately every of the land comprising the coastal part of the park and concluded part of the forests of Victoria and region of far-. that, if it were not outstanding for still less those within national parks. its floral and faunal content, it was The Land Conservation Council, in I have little doubt that the evidence nevertheless an area of great beauty. the 1970s, recommended that the of the depredations of those forest Every inlet varied in form from the Mallacoota Inlet National Park be plunderers is still there for those next and had its own magnificent extended to the New South Wales interested to examine. reflections of the densely-wooded border and that this park, along with slopes, producing a series of scenes a large coastal strip extending from of peace and tranquillity – surely an Controversy Wingan Inlet, be incorporated in a ideal place for man to contemplate new park to be named Croajingolong and re-create himself. In our minds The controversy concerning National Park. However, these there was every justification for the desirability or otherwise of developments do not form a part of protecting this land and retaining it exchanging the western part of the present narrative. in the national park. The Authority the park for the eastern extension adopted this recommendation. (subject always, of course, to the approval of Parliament) continued, Boundary problems So this particular crisis passed, but and in February 1962 several the exchange plan was raised on The original reservation of Mallacoota members of the Authority visited numerous occasions over the next Inlet National Park did not include the area for the special purpose of few years and required the Authority the foreshore reserve. This meant endeavouring to ‘finalize’ the matter. to be alert at all times. that the National Parks Authority I had made preparations to be had no jurisdiction over such land, During our visit, Mr Lionel Wallace present at the inspection; but, two and was therefore not empowered had kindly transported Mr Landy days before the departure date, I to take action against visitors who and me to the northern shore of the learned that my wife had to have an inflicted damage by destroying trees park so that we could examine this urgent operation and I was obliged and dropping litter in the foreshore section. We walked a considerable to withdraw from the inspection reserve. The Crown Solicitor ruled distance above Smellie Inlet, but of party. There were rumours that a that the Authority could not spend course the boundary of the park was well-known entrepreneur had been money to provide landing jetties at not marked on the ground. quietly exploring the possibilities selected points or to provide picnic Far above the shoreline, on the of establishing a major resort facilities and rubbish bins, which ridges, we found that the forest in the western part of the park. could have assisted in improving had suffered badly from human I understood that there was no public relations and in reducing intrusions. Many fine trees unanimity one way or the other vandalism. (Eucalyptus sieberiana) had been among the members of the Authority felled; some had obviously provided and the ‘exchange plan’ became a merchantable timber, but others had matter of public controversy. This The first ranger been left where they fell because the resulted in a visit to the park by The appointment of Mr K.V. (Ken) heartwood had decayed. Numerous the Minister for State Development Morrison as full-time Park Ranger

118 CHAPTER 16 Members of the National Parks Authority explore Mallacoota Inlet, May 1959. in February 1965 was seen as a private owners. These privately Adjoining the Lakeview property of big leap forward; but as he was owned blocks were surrounded by 38 acres purchased in 1969 was required to patrol and control Lind, the national park, so that there was an area of 63 acres owned by Mr P. Alfred and Wingan Inlet National a potential boundary problem in all O. Coke, who saw the opportunity Parks in addition to Mallacoota Inlet such cases; moreover, the private to provide good quality tourist National Park, it can be seen that land abutted the foreshore reserve. accommodation on the eastern side his time was heavily taxed. One of The Authority used its opportunities, of the Inlet. This created a very the major problems, common to all as finance permitted, to acquire serious problem for the Authority, parks, was to find and purchase any of these blocks which became which had been hoping to be able to a suitable house for the Ranger, available. find the means of gradually acquiring most (if not all) of the privately-owned who was usually not a local man. In 1969, the Authority (with land with frontages on the Inlet, so In 1965 a house was purchased to government approval) was able to that, ultimately, the greater part of the accommodate the Ranger and his purchase from Mr J. South an area of Inlet would be in public ownership. family, at Fisheries Point. 38 acres, situated on the eastern side The advantages of this arrangement of the Inlet. The house, after having are obvious – boundary problems been suitably improved, enabled the would be reduced and the beauty of Acquisition of private Authority in October 1973 to provide the shoreline and its backdrop would accommodation at ‘Lakeview’ for a property remain inviolate. Park Assistant (Paul McDiarmid) and Another problem confronting the his wife, thereby facilitating control I became aware of Mr Coke’s Authority in its control of this park of the eastern part of the park. The plans through the Park Ranger, was the fact that, prior to the original house was not perfect, but it was Ken Morrison, and immediately reservation in 1909, a number of better than the caravan they had initiated discussions with Mr Coke blocks of land had been sold to previously been occupying. in the hope of persuading him to

Mallacoota Inlet National Park 119 sell the land to the government for incorporation in the park. Of course, if he had agreed, I would then have had the (possibly) more difficult task of persuading the government to buy the land. As it turned out, Mr Coke was not interested in selling the land; but proved to be very co- operative. I discovered that, although he had a very responsible position in the City, and was a qualified professional engineer (by sheer coincidence, he was in one of my son John’s classes when the latter was a Senior Teaching Fellow at Monash University), Mr Coke wanted to undertake development on his property as a means of providing a new vocation for himself when he retired from professional work, and he wanted the satisfaction of Mallacoota Inlet NP, 1974. House on property previously owned by Archer family provided being personally involved in the accommodation for rangers. construction programme. One can only admire a man of that calibre. suitable shrubs and trees on the apart from a small area on which exposed slopes and, as time a house was built for Mrs Barbara We continued our discussions passed, the impact was softened. Triggs and her husband. and began to make real progress Water was collected from the Through the good offices of the Park when Mr Coke suggested that the roofs of the buildings and stored Ranger, Mr Ken Morrison, I duly Authority should purchase the land in a large galvanized tank. The made the acquaintance of Mr Duke and pay off the capital and interest development consisted of a number and visited his house on several (at the prevailing bond rate) on a of self-contained units and was well occasions. To visit Mr Duke was reducing principal over a period patronized. of thirty years, and that he should quite an experience; he was well be authorized to proceed with his Another block owned by Mr and Mrs read and had a very full library. He development (subject to the general Archer, in the Refuge Cove area, was also had a number of large free- approval of the Authority in regard initially not for sale, as the owners ranging pet goannas which had to such aspects as environmental wished to develop a passion-fruit learned how to open the rear door of and conservation works) and farm there; but apparently this was his house. Sometimes one or more occupy the land, until the expiration not successful and the property was would enter the house and wander of the thirty years. At this time, his acquired in 1973. The house on this around for a time until curiosity was occupancy would cease and all the property provided accommodation satisfied or until their host tired of improvements would pass to the for a Park Ranger, thus improving their company. control of the park. Crown. Mr Duke had made it known that I had no difficulty in persuading Situated on the northern shore of the he wished the land to remain the Authority to adopt this proposal Inlet, towards the western extremity permanently in its natural condition and the Crown Solicitor prepared of the park, was an area of about 184 as he was very sympathetic to the the necessary agreement. ha owned by Mr George Duke who cause of conservation. He lived Peter Coke proceeded with his had cleared a relatively small area on alone, his wife having died several development; there was naturally which he built a home, where he lived years previously, but shared his some disfigurement of the landscape after his retirement from business isolation with a housekeeper and the as the slope was ‘benched’ for the in Melbourne. The remainder of the occasional visitor. He had a son and buildings, but Mr Coke planted land was clothed in natural forest, a daughter, but they appeared to be

120 CHAPTER 16 very infrequent visitors. Contact was where we discussed the pros and and the matter was investigated maintained by Mr Duke’s occasional cons of the proposal. I had to inform by Mr Jack Fitzgerald, the Lands visits to Melbourne. him that I did not favour the granting Department Eastern District Surveyor. of special privileges in any national Mr Fitzgerald in his report gave all In due course I initiated discussions park to any group, because of the the relevant details, and recognized on the possibility of Mr Duke’s danger of establishing a precedent. the transgression, but stated that selling the land to the government no public inconvenience would be for incorporation in the national In the event, the Dixon plan did not caused by granting the favour sought park; but there was the obvious come to fruition; but, during the by the Hansen family. The Minister objection that Mr Duke wished to week-end, Mr Duke visited us at the requested me to visit the area and live out the remainder of his life on Archer house, where we confirmed examine the problem in consultation his property, free from any form of our arrangements and agreed to with the Hansens. It was apparent government control. I understood meet in the office of his solicitor in to me that Mr Hansen Snr had this and discussed the matter with Melbourne, a few days later. effectively occupied the foreshore the Crown Solicitor’s Office and the We both proceeded separately to associated with his dwelling and Valuer-General’s Office in Melbourne. Melbourne; but shortly after this, that no member of the public could Mr Duke himself seemed eager to I received a message from Mr traverse the foreshore abutting the co-operate, even to the extent of Duke’s solicitor to the effect that all two house blocks without trespassing accepting payment over a period of negotiations had been terminated on private property. In the light (I think) twenty years. He stated that and that the agreement which of Mr Fitzgerald’s observation, I he was not in need of the money and we had reached after so many recommended, somewhat reluctantly, he assured me that his family did not exhaustive discussions would not be that Mr Michael Hansen be permitted need his financial support. confirmed. I persuaded the solicitor to continue with the construction of Our negotiations were protracted, but to permit me to call on him at his his house. eventually we reached agreement office, but his instructions were I soon learned that my inexperience that he would sell the land to iron-clad and negotiations ceased. in this area had caused me to make the Government for an agreed I was offered no explanation of Mr a serious mistake. The Minister and price (set by the Valuer-General), Duke’s change of heart; but this was the Secretary for Lands, Mr Frank payment to be made over a period probably my greatest disappointment Klenner, had a heated altercation of twenty years, and that he would during the 16½ years I spent with the over the matter, and my own personal be authorized to occupy the house National Parks Service. relations with Mr Klenner suffered in and land as he had in the past, ‘free consequence. The lesson I learned from molestation’ of any sort, during from this was that no matter how his life-time. It was agreed that the The ‘Fairhaven’ problem plausible the arguments might seem National Parks Service would accept Among the areas of land in private in favour of alienating a small parcel responsibility for fire-protection work ownership at the time the national of public land, it is most unwise to of the entire area, but in consultation park was created was a property accede to such a request! Once a with Mr Duke. Arrangements were known as ‘Fairhaven’ owned by precedent has been established, the made for our agreements to be Mr and Mrs Hansen, who had whole system is open to the process incorporated in a formal legal developed a dairy farm there. In due of ‘white-anting’. document. course, their son Michael decided to It so happened that I was in build a house near his parents’ home, Mallacoota during the Australia but for some reason encroached on Day weekend in January 1974 for the foreshore reserve, which had the special purpose of meeting Mr remained in public ownership. The Brian Dixon, who was at that time Authority became aware of this and an Minister for Youth Sport and requested him to cease building and Recreation and who had expressed to remove the house stumps from the an interest in establishing a Youth reserve. The Hansens demurred and Camp of some sort in the Refuge pleaded their cause with the Minister, Cove area using the Archer house as Mr Fraser. The Authority requested a base. We met at the Archer house a report from the Lands Department

Mallacoota Inlet National Park 121 Chapter 17 Mt Buffalo National Park

t the time when the National Parks Authority began to Afunction (i.e. held its first meeting), in May 1957, Mount Buffalo National Park was under the control of a Committee of Management which had been appointed under the Lands Act. The Committee did not become responsible to the Authority (under the National Parks Act 1956) until towards the end of 1959; therefore the Authority had not been involved in the provision of facilities, including a water supply, prior to that time. In effect, the park consisted of two parts: the Victorian Railways Chalet, and the national park. The Chalet had developed out of earlier pioneering-type guest houses and was established as an adjunct to the promotional activities of the Railways Department, under the inspiration of the dynamic Mr Harold Clapp, who was Chief Commissioner of Railways for many years. The Railways Department had a very strong influence on the developments which had occurred in the park both before and after the creation of the Authority.

The presence of the Chalet in the Mt Buffalo NP, 1961-62. As part of the development plan for Dingo Dell, the Authority financed park, of course, relieved the Authority the construction of an A-frame steel shelter at the carpark for day visitors. of the need to provide overnight accommodation. To provide water the Gorge into Crystal Brook, which In my student days, as I travelled for the Chalet, a reservoir had been eventually joined the . by train to school and later to constructed on Crystal Brook, about In addition, Lake Catani had been Melbourne University, I often cast 5 km upstream from the Chalet, to constructed on another stream which envious glances at the lucky skaters which water was piped. The effluents rises at the foot of Mount Dunn, to whose exploits were depicted in the from the flush-operated toilets were provide a venue for aquatic sports excellent photographs which adorned delivered to a large septic tank at in the summer and ice-skating in the the spaces above the seats in the the rear of the Chalet; sullage was winter, when the surface of the lake separate compartments of the railway discharged directly over the edge of became frozen. carriages of those times.

122 CHAPTER 17 Mt Buffalo Chalet in 1964. The chalet was opened in 1910 and was run for many years by the Victorian Railways.

The gravel road enabled Chalet I propose now to give a brief resumé Conservation guests and others to drive to the of some of the Authority’s activities in foot of the highest peak, ‘’, various parts of the park. The Authority’s inspections of the park passing en route such interesting revealed the need for conservation features as the Dingo Dell skiing field, works in many areas, especially near the Leviathan Rock, the Cathedral and Lake Catani roads and along the riding tracks. the Cresta. The Authority was soon One of the Authority’s first The initial remedial works were to become involved in developments collaborative efforts with the begun by having an officer of the associated with these features. Committee of Management was to Soil Conservation Authority direct Another activity initiated by the have a safe bathing area enclosed the work of a number of University Railways Department was the hiring within the Lake, with a special and Dookie College students, who of horses to Chalet guests to enable section for children. As an adjunct to began systematically to repair them to ride along the numerous this, an amenities block containing eroded areas, especially along the riding tracks within the park. changing rooms, toilets and showers tracks, and sowing appropriate grass was provided. Water was pumped seeds. After their appointment to the I was never able to ascertain whether out of the Lake to a head tank which Authority’s staff, Trevor Arthur and the Railways Department had any supplied the amenities block. Don Saunders continued this work, in legal entitlements to its occupancy collaboration with Mr Ken Terry of the of the Chalet site and its surrounds, Improvements were also made to the Soil Conservation Authority. or to any of the other activities road from the Chalet and from the mentioned; but these practices had lake to the main road; this work was Those concerned were done mostly by the park ranger and been established long before the accommodated at the A. W. Keown his assistant. National Parks Act had been passed. Lodge at Dingo Dell. This was very At a very much later stage, I sought A camping area was developed near useful experience for the Technical to put the Railways Department’s the lake and provided with showers Officers, because they were required occupancy on a formal basis, through and toilets. Warm water was provided to organize the provisioning of the the provision of the National Parks Act for the showers and washing by LP group, cooking and ‘house cleaning’ (Amendment) No. 6642 (Section 8 gas instantaneous water heaters, as and the work in the field, as well as (5)), but without success. at Tidal River (Chapter 7). keeping the ‘rookies’ happy. The

Mt Buffalo National Park 123 success of this work is evident today and is a tribute to the industry of those Rope Tow Poma Lift concerned, especially the Technical Officers. Revenue Year Revenue Year Dingo Dell $ $ The Committee of Management lost no time in encouraging the 1958 2,030 1966 8,308 Authority to provide funds for some much-needed improvements on the 1959 1,566 1967 9,771 Dingo Dell ski run. Initially the work of clearing the scrub and blasting 1960 3,110 1968 12,549 certain large rocks was carried out by the park staff; but later, the Authority’s Technical Officers, especially Don 1961 3,562 1969 4,392 Saunders, became heavily involved. There were frequent consultations 1962 1,430 1970 10,848 with members of the committee, especially Mr R. A. (Dick) Rollason, 1963 3,696 1971 13,701 who was an active skier. Mr Eric Burt and Mr Dewar Goode (members of 1964 4,687 1972 the Authority) were also involved in 20,846* the discussions. The main run was widened and the ‘wood run’ was 1965 3,030 1973 3,874 enlarged; also a run was created on the western side of the main run. 1974 28,928 Particular attention was paid to the conservation aspects of the work, with es: Notes: The table shows how the revenue from the ski tow increased when the Poma lift replaced due regard to drainage of the slopes. the rope tow, but the figures are not strictly comparable, because the charges for the rope tow were lower than those for the Poma lift. The Committee had resolved * The rates were increased by 50 % at the beginning of the 1972 Snow Season; the charges for that there should be no further adults were then $3.00 for an adult daily ticket and $1.50 for children under the age of 15 years. development of the skiing facilities The 1973 season was exceptionally poor for snow; the following year’s was outstanding. at Dingo Dell, and that any further development should be at Cresta. of an attractive A-frame steel shelter Poma Lift However, the Authority considered at the carpark, especially to suit that Dingo Dell had considerable the convenience of day visitors. For many years before and after the potential for learners and The building, which incorporates advent of the Authority the Dingo Dell intermediate skiers and eventually barbecue facilities and a water skiing slopes had been served by a persuaded the Committee to accept supply, was available for the 1961-62 rope tow. Primitive as this may seem this point of view. snow season. During 1966-67 the to the modern skier, the rope tow toilet block at the Dingo Dell carpark did nevertheless serve its purpose. The Public Works Department was It was, of course, much slower than requested to prepare an estimate was modernised and changing other tows and maintenance was of the cost of developing a ski run rooms were incorporated to suit more troublesome; but all hail to the and a chair lift at Cresta; but the the convenience of visitors wishing pioneers - it worked! Authority considered that the price to avail themselves of the skiing of £25,000 ($50,000) was beyond facilities. However, the improvements which its budget and continued with the the Authority/Committee had made development of Dingo Dell. As to the ski run and services continued part of the development plan the to attract even more skiers, and the Authority financed the construction Authority decided to finance the

124 CHAPTER 17 Mt Buffalo NP, 1966. A.W. Keown Lodge at Dingo Dell prior to redevelopment by the Authority. The enlarged lodge was the venue for the 5th Ranger Training course, held in 1971. installation of a Poma ski lift. There of $12,000 and operating costs of guests; indeed, at the time when were appropriate consultations $5,000, the return on the investment the Authority became responsible between the relevant experts, Mr Eric is seen to be (conservatively) of the for national parks, day visitors did Burt and Mr Dewar Goode (foundation order of 25 per cent. not have access to the A. W. Keown members of the Authority), along Lodge. with officers of the Authority, and As the Authority continued to provide members of the Committee combined The A. W. Keown Lodge more and more public money for their knowledge and expertise The developments at Dingo Dell had developments at Dingo Dell, the in working out the details of the their origins in a desire to provide need for some more equitable scheme in collaboration with Mr Ron winter recreational facilities for the arrangements became increasingly McCallum. The Poma lift was officially guests of the Chalet. Provision was apparent. The Authority was not in a declared “open” by the Honourable made for Chalet guests to be supplied strong position: the Committee was J. W. Manson MP, Minister for State much disposed to support the Chalet Development, in August 1966. with a hot meal in lieu of the one which they would have enjoyed at the management, possibly because one In consequence of this, the Dingo Chalet. This imposed some strain on of the members of the committee Dell skiing fields became even more the Chalet management and the staff, was the Superintendent of Railways popular, as the following figures for because there were some guests Refreshments Services. The Authority, the revenue from the tow will show: who remained at the Chalet for lunch. of course, recognized the difficulties of the management. ‘Nothing succeeds like success’ - an The management had to arrange for old saying, but the installation of the staff and hot meals to be transported Consideration was given to the Poma lift and the improvements in to Dingo Dell at the appropriate possibility of building a separate small the Dingo Dell skiing fields resulted time, and the arrangements were kiosk at Dingo Dell and endeavouring in increased demand for the product, reminiscent of the standard railways to persuade some entrepreneur at and the Annual Report for 1972-73 refreshment services - a quick meal the foot of the mountain to provide stated that the National Parks Service at a long counter, then a hurried hot midday meals and other items for proposed to install a second lift packing up by the staff and a return day visitors, but the impracticability at an estimated cost of $28,000. to the chalet. No provision was made of such a scheme soon became Assuming an average annual revenue for day visitors who were not Chalet apparent. The extreme variability of

Mt Buffalo National Park 125 Mt Buffalo NP, 1966. Skiers on Dingo Dell slopes using the poma lift provided by the Authority in 1966.

the weather made it impossible to for hot meals to be available to day The official opening of the enlarged predict the daily volume of business visitors as well as Chalet guests, and A. W. Keown Lodge afforded an and, in any case, it would have been patrons were afforded the additional opportunity for the many people who very costly to transport hot meals comforts of chairs and meal tables, had been involved in the project. (or even cold meals which could be in place of the long counter of earlier Among the guests were members of heated on site) to Dingo Dell. The days. Hot water was provided by the Committee of Management, the highly variable length of the season an LP gas water heater, which Chairman of the Victorian Railways was another inhibiting factor. entailed the installation of a 1-ton LP Commission, Mr George Brown and gas tank outside the building, and Mrs Brown; Mr and Mrs Dale Fisher, The toilets which served the A. W. electricity for lighting and power was Mr and Mrs T. E. Arthur, Mr Frank Keown Lodge were of a primitive provided by a generator housed Kennedy, Superintendent of Railways thunder-box design, consisting of a near the building. The new building Refreshments Services and Mrs small fortress-like structure erected incorporated an enlarged water Kennedy. The ceremony was made over a deep pit; but only those in dire supply and internal toilets, with the all the more memorable by the happy straits could find the motivation to usual safeguards. The opportunity circumstance that made it possible for endure the discomfort of the odours was taken to replace the old rusty Mrs Keown to be present. emanating from the facility. The need galvanized water pipes with PVC The Director acted as master of for flush-operated toilets was urgent. pipes. ceremonies and, on behalf of the After much deliberation, the Authority A very important innovation was Minister and Government and the decided to replace the existing A. W. the interpretative displays of the National Parks Service extended Keown Lodge with a greatly enlarged geological features and the flora a warm welcome to guests, and structure, but incorporating as much and fauna of the park. The enlarged expressed appreciation of the co- as possible of the original building. lodge served as the venue for the operative efforts of all those who The plans and specifications for the fifth Ranger Training Course held had contributed to the success of new building were prepared by Mr in November 1971 and there was a the project. He then called on the Dale Fisher, ARIAA, and the resultant certain glow of pride in the minds of Honourable I. A. Swinburne MLC, works programme was carefully those who had made it possible for Chairman of the Committee of supervised by the Chief Technical the course to be run in the Service’s Management, to declare the A. W. Officer, Mr T. E. Arthur. Provision own building. The cost of the new Keown Lodge officially open. After was made in the new development facility was approximately $61,000. taking morning tea in the new Lodge,

126 CHAPTER 17 guests repaired to the Chalet for lunch, to conclude a most enjoyable function.

Log fires for the Chalet Winter visitors to the Chalet in Mount Buffalo National Park during the 1950s, and no doubt much earlier, will have very happy memories of the cheery warm fires in the various public rooms. There is something very special about a log fire. The wood used in these fires came from the national park and it is presumed that some arrangement existed between the Committee of Management and the Victorian Railways or Chalet management regarding the provision of the wood. No royalties appear to New facilities at A.W. Keown Lodge (1969) included a dining room with provision for hot meals to be available for day visitors as well as Chalet guests. have been paid. Wood from the park was also used to fire the boilers used There were two obvious alternatives, firewood from the forests under the in the generation of electricity for the namely, to use oil or briquettes in control of the Commission in the Chalet. A total of about 3,000 tons of place of wood. The use of oil would relevant district. It was agreed that the wood per annum is thought to have have necessitated major modifications practice of using timber taken from been consumed. to the fuel system, although there was the park would be phased out over This practice was in place when the nothing novel in the idea of using oil to a period of three years, after which National Parks Authority became generate electricity. I discussed the the Forests Commission would be the active, and inquiries revealed that the matter of using brown coal briquettes sole supplier. contractors who were authorised to with officers of the State Electricity procure the timber were instructed Commission, the idea being that the This practice continued for a few to take only dead trees (resulting Railways Department could transport years, but it was then found that the from bushfires, especially that in the briquettes from Morwell to technical difficulties associated with 1939), or damaged or dying trees. by rail; and thence to the the use of oil, which had precluded In the course of visits to the park, the Chalet by road. the adoption of oil when first Authority’s observations indicated proposed, were not too difficult to The calorific value of brown coal that there appeared to have been handle after all, and oil-fired burners briquettes is about 9,500 BTU per lb., notable breaches of the ‘contract were installed to heat the boilers which is not very different from that of arrangement’ and, not long after my used in generating electricity for the wood, so the total quantity of brown appointment, the Authority requested Chalet. However, wood (from outside coal briquettes would be about the me to examine the possibilities of the park) continued to be used same as that of wood from the park. finding alternative sources of fuel and for the log fires so much enjoyed to discuss the matter with the Railways My discussions with Mr H. L. (Bert) by Chalet visitors. So the National Department with a view to terminating Kennedy, Superintendent of Railways Parks Authority was able to achieve the practice of taking timber from the Refreshment Services (who controlled its objective without too much pain park. The Committee of Management the Chalet) proceeded amicably, for the other parties. This example resented this because it implied that but there was a natural reluctance serves to illustrate the value of having that body had been negligent in not to introduce the changes desired such a body as the Authority to having prevented the contractor from by the Authority. The problem was ‘control national parks’ and ‘maintain taking good quality trees. However, solved when the Forests Commission the existing environment of national investigations proceeded. offered to supply the Chalet with parks’, etc.

Mt Buffalo National Park 127 Chapter 18 Private enterprise in national parks

he original National Parks Act The store-keeper collected orders plan was extended to enable cooked of 1956 made no provision for from the campers and visited Foster, meals to be supplied also, and a Tthe granting of leases or permits 30-odd miles distant, twice a week, café and milk bar were incorporated to occupy areas of land in national where the necessary goods were in the building. The enterprise was parks. Why this was so is not clear; bought. The campers queued up growing! but perhaps the Parliament of the to collect their orders, paying at the day deemed it advisable for the new rate of 6d (5 cents) per parcel, in This led to complications; because, controlling body - the National Parks addition to the cost of the goods. The hitherto, the storekeeper (Keith Authority - to gain some experience queue was often 100 yards long or Blunden) had had sole rights to in dealing with the mundane longer, and the system was far from supply milk; but as both businesses aspects of park management before ideal, but it was a great boon to the began to prosper, the two lessees embarking on such hazardous campers who would otherwise have found themselves in competition adventures. found it necessary to make the long with one another, not only in regard journey themselves over a very rough to milk but also in regard to bread Only two parks, Wilsons Promontory track. and other perishable goods. The and Fern Tree Gully, had any form original plan, formulated without of private enterprise at the time, Later, the Committee of Management much regard to what was likely to be with a kiosk at Fern Tree Gully and a and Mr Keith Blunden established a involved, envisaged each service general store at Tidal River. somewhat more sophisticated store as being complementary to the Some time prior to 1958, the Wilsons where campers could purchase other. The two businessmen took Promontory National Park Committee supplies at any time during the a somewhat different view! In their of Management had authorised day. Over the years the store was desire to provide a better service a private citizen to establish and extended and a large, well-insulated for the campers, the Committee of operate a store, to provide campers’ shed was constructed nearby where Management had acted in good faith; supplies to visitors at the Tidal River large supplies of ice could be stored, but in neither case did the ‘lessee’ and made available to campers at camp. To most campers this was a have a legal occupancy permit. very welcome development; there regular times each morning. The ice are probably not many present-day was transported in large blocks from visitors to Tidal River who can recall the freezing works at Foster. Overnight the conditions which existed during accommodation the late forties and early fifties. At Café the time of my first visit in December In addition to the provision of 1949, the ‘store’ consisted of a As the new store began to prosper, campsites, and along with a building which had once been a an enterprising butcher, Cec Hobson, reticulated water supply, showers private house, and was operated by who had a butcher’s business and toilets, the Committee of a former park employee and his wife, at Foster, saw the possibilities Management had acquired several who had presumably had a vision of of supplying meat direct to the ‘houses’ and other buildings which the fortune to be made by providing campers and so, by arrangement had accommodated the officers and stores to the campers, like the with the Committee of Management, men engaged in Commando training store-keepers who had provided for plans were set in train to establish activities during World War II. These the needs of the gold-miners in the a butcher’s shop at Tidal River. buildings had been furnished and pioneering days of yesteryear. However, before this was done, the converted into ‘lodges’ which were

128 CHAPTER 18 Pillar Point at the Prom was the site for a proposed hotel and golf course development in the 1960s which Dr Smith steadfastly opposed. let to holiday makers who preferred to national parks. It seems very after sub-section (3) there shall be not to camp in tents or caravans. likely, I think, that some individual inserted the following sub-sections: with an entrepreneurial flair saw The lodge accommodation was (4) The Authority may with the the possibilities of establishing a always in great demand; the letting consent of the Minister grant to commercial enterprise in the national arrangements were controlled by the any person or body of persons parks to reap a harvest from the Victorian Tourist Bureau, which found a permit to occupy any portion burgeoning tourist industry, and it necessary to run ballots for lodge of a national park for a period accommodation, especially during encouraged the Government to take not exceeding thirty-three years the Christmas – New Year period. appropriate action. subject to such covenants Over the years the standard of lodge The Bill, of course, was the result terms and conditions and to accommodation has been improved, of close collaboration between the payment of such rent fees and many of the original commando the Authority, the Parliamentary or charges as the Authority houses such as Lilly Pilly, Kershaw, Draughtsman and the Crown determines. Norgate, Mattingley and Vereker Solicitor’s Office. I was actively (5) The Authority may with the still provide for visitors to Wilsons engaged in all these consultations consent of the Minister grant to Promontory. This subject will be and negotiations, although my any person or body of persons discussed in more detail below. knowledge of legal matters was a lease of an area of land within limited. I think I may claim to have a national park for a period not Amendment of the Act been an apt pupil in the hands of exceeding seventy-five years for some good teachers, with an eye to the purpose of erecting a building It was never made clear why; but the interests of the people and the thereon the cost of which must in the autumn session of 1960, parks. be not less than One hundred Parliament amended the National thousand pounds subject to such In due course, the Act was amended Parks Act to enable the National covenants terms and conditions by Parliament, the relevant clauses Parks Authority to grant leases to and to the payment of such rent reading as follows: private individuals or companies to fees or charges as the Authority provide accommodation for visitors “8. In section 9 of the Principal Act determines.”

Private enterprise in national parks 129 The Authority soon found itself be given to such matters as water the first being estimated to cost negotiating with two separate supply, soil mechanics, extension of approximately £200,000. parties for leases governing major services and road-making. The architect’s report had referred developments in Wilsons Promontory The site selected was Pillar Point to the incorporation in the proposed and Mount Buffalo national parks [just north of Tidal River], and it was development of a recreation centre respectively. The former is described recognised that this would entail providing for squash and table here, and an account of the leasing the construction of a road from the tennis, tennis courts, a gymnasium, of the Cresta area in Mount Buffalo main Promontory Road, following a billiard room, a bowling alley, an National Park is given in the next the contours of the land along the indoor tennis court, heated swimming chapter. southern face of the Pillar Point. pools, and a lending library. In The application stated that the discussion, it was learned that hair- Hotels International land required for fixed installations dressing facilities and tourist shops including swimming pools and ‘other were also to be provided. The report Shortly after this (about mid- amenities’ (but excluding roads) was envisaged the extension of the November 1960), I was summoned not expected to exceed 50 acres in SEC power line from Yanakie to the to the office of the Minister, the area; but it was recognised that the development site and the provision Honourable A. J. Fraser NC MP, to lease would need to be of sufficient of PMG facilities (telephones) for meet Mr R. E. Unger and Mr Stanley duration for the syndicate which executives, guests and others. It was Ridley, who had recently retired from Mr Unger represented to recoup encouraging to be informed that the the position of Director of the Institute its outlay, and that provision would applicant recognised the importance of Management. Mr Unger submitted need to be made for the inevitable of protecting the park and the a detailed application for a lease in expansion which would occur during proposed buildings from damage by Wilsons Promontory National Park. the period of the lease. fire and was prepared to train at least He had had considerable experience six members of the permanent staff in managing hotels in Central Europe In answer to my inquiries, Mr Unger in fire-fighting duties. said he had in mind a total area of and in the Republic of Dominica. I sat in silent wonder as Mr Unger Since arriving in Australia he had about 350 acres, and that this would enable him to construct a golf course unfolded his plans. Mr Ridley made established the ‘Children’s Paradise’ appropriate comments from time to in Canterbury, Victoria. of international standard in the Yanakie area, naturally with suitable time and expressed the hope that “it The application was for permission accommodation for the green-keeper might be possible for Dr Smith to join to provide a chalet of international and staff, as well as a club-house the Board and give it the full benefit standard to accommodate 200 and parking facilities. As a further of his vast experience in commerce guests, along with a motel-type amenity, Mr Unger had it in mind and industry”. This brought a discreet establishment adjoining the chalet, to to construct a mini-railway service cough from Mr Fraser, who explained accommodate 400 guests. The main around the magnificent cliffs of the that Public Service Regulations chalet would incorporate convention western coast of the Promontory. precluded any such arrangement, facilities for professional and while I assured both gentlemen that Mr Unger presented a copy of a business men, conference rooms they would have all the co-operation I report from his architect, Mr Horace and a cinema, and there would be could give them. J. Tribe, FRAIA, who recognized ‘wide terraces to facilitate circulation that the designers would be “faced I did however feel obliged to point and leisurely conversation’. As an with an unusual and exciting out that 350 acres of land was a adjunct to these facilities there would very large area – in excess of 35 challenge to create buildings of an be a Chapel for all denominations, times that of the Melbourne Cricket indigenous character with a minimum to hold 200 worshippers. In Ground – and that I did not think of disturbance to natural rock addition, there would need to be they could feel confident about formations, and with a humility proper accommodation for executives and getting a satisfactory return on to nature’s superior design”. permanent staff of approximately 200 an outlay of £200,000, let alone people. Provision was to be made Mr Unger stated that, while it was £1,000,000. I explained that the sort for the parking of cars (for guests assumed that the total capital costs of development which the Authority and staff), ‘preferably under cover. involved would exceed £1,000,000, had in mind would be restricted to ‘Naturally’, due consideration was to it was intended to proceed in stages, ten acres and that there would be

130 CHAPTER 18 Site of the proposed hotel development (1960-70) on the northern end (left of photo) of Pillar Point. difficult problems to be overcome of Management. At the end of the needed, it was felt, was comfortable in regard to such matters as water long discussion, the Minister left accommodation and good food, supply, disposal of waste products it in my hands to bring the matter leaving them free to enjoy the (sewage and sullage), avoidance of to the attention of the National beauties of the park at leisure. Above contamination of Tidal River, erosion Parks Authority and to continue all, genuine lovers of the park did problems, etc. I could foresee negotiations with Mr Unger and Mr not want expensive accommodation. problems in regard to the provision of Ridley. The Committee of Management educational facilities for the children expressed its opposition to the plan of the permanent staff, and the in unequivocal language, and the prospect of building a school and the The struggle for a site applicant was duly informed. provision of housing for teachers and The Authority did not approve of Mr Unger was naturally disappointed, recreational facilities for the children the Pillar Point site and, after a long raised great doubts in my mind. The as was the architect; but they then discussion, instructed the Director proposed that the site be moved to application – very wisely, I think – did to pursue the matter with Mr Unger, not refer to these matters. the western slope of the northern with a view to producing a more end of Pillar Point. It was argued that modest development in keeping with I thought it wise to point out at this this would give users of the facility the Authority’s perceptions of the stage that it was unlikely that the commanding and spectacular views Authority would approve of such a needs of the park and its visitors. The of Leonard Bay and the entire west development on Pillar Point. Without Authority did not deem it necessary coast. wishing to appear too presumptuous, or desirable to provide the numerous I anticipated strong opposition to ancillary tourist services envisaged The change in site did not allay my the proposal from the Committee by Mr Unger: what overnight visitors fears that the proposed development

Private enterprise in national parks 131 would result in hideous scars to at a disadvantage in coping with the representatives of the Committee the landscape and create a whole matter. of Management at Tidal River and range of insoluble problems arising led the way to the proposed site. I The Authority, as a body, was from the development of tourist remember that Charles Brazenor and responsible to the Government, and facilities on the scale envisaged, I were ahead of the others and had the National Parks Act made the especially in an area which was an interesting encounter with a large Authority answerable to the Minister ecologically very sensitive. During Tiger Snake which slithered along responsible for administering the the years preceding my appointment the track ahead of us, pausing at one Act, and the Minister so appointed as Director, I had become familiar stage to raise its head menacingly. by Parliament was the Premier of We made no attempt to interfere with with many parts of the park and the State. The Act also provided it, and it eventually disappeared into had observed that the vegetation that the responsible Minister could the tussocks. on the western slope of Pillar Point delegate his powers under the was very stunted, because of the Act to another Minister. The Crown Presently, we left the track and action of the prevailing winds. The Solicitor had ruled that in so doing proceeded towards the proposed proposed development would have he still carried the responsibilities site; we were delighted to see necessitated an extensive ‘cut and imposed by the Act. The Premier had five wallabies bound away as we fill’ operation, in order to create a appointed the Hon. A. J. Fraser as pushed through the low scrub. I suitable building site, or a series of Chairman of the Authority and had was concerned that Dr Balcombe terraces based on the ‘cut and fill’ delegated to him his powers, so the Quick, who was older than most of principle, and I was concerned that Authority was always mindful of the the other members of the group, any such works would necessitate fact that, in the ultimate analysis, might have a heart attack; but we a great deal of soil stabilisation on a they were responsible to the Premier. duly reached our destination without never-ending scale. Clearly, the Government wished incident. There was unanimous Now, while I had very serious to see private enterprise providing agreement that the proposed site reservations about the granting of the services required by tourists, should not be sacrificed to tourism; any sort of concession to private because of the financial relief such it was demonstrably the home of bodies, I was well aware that on my an arrangement would bring; on some precious wildlife and formed own I would be quite unable to resist the other hand, if the Authority a perfect backdrop to Leonard Bay, the impending invasion. As one authorised a development which when viewed from the northern arm enters Parliament House at the head turned out to be a disaster or which of the Bay. It was thought also that of Bourke Street, Melbourne, one is attracted adverse public reaction, the the prevailing westerly winds would greeted by an impressive message, Authority (and the Director) would be wreak havoc on the developed area, tastefully presented in attractive tiles answerable to the Premier. once the natural vegetation had been destroyed. in the floor. The message reads as It is this fear of being held responsible follows: ‘Where no counsel is, the for programmes that ‘go wrong’ which The Authority endorsed the decision people fall; but in the multitude of tends to destroy the initiative of so of the Committee, and Mr Unger counsellors there is safety’. many public servants, and the usual was duly informed. Mr Unger and I was aware that, while the National practice is to have an appropriate his architect ‘returned to the drawing Parks Authority was not favourably committee examine matters of board’, and some time later proposed disposed to the plans presented by contention, so that the individual does that a site at the foot of Bishop Mr Unger, there were some members not become a target for criticism. This Rock would be ideal. This area was who felt that there ought to be scope process naturally is time-consuming conveniently situated with respect for private enterprise in national and does not always produce the to the Promontory Road and, being desired result; but sometimes it is very less steep than the Leonard Bay site, parks, even though they recognized convenient to resort to the device of would, it was argued, entail much that there were pitfalls along the having a committee make a decision less damage to the environment. It path of ‘progress’. The problem was, which under other circumstances an included a fine view of Leonard Bay of course, that the members of the individual might well be qualified to and was in relatively close proximity of Authority, including the Director, had make. the renowned Squeaky Beach. had no real experience with the sort of development proposed by Mr Therefore, on the morning of a There still remained the matter of a Unger and were therefore seemingly very memorable Saturday, I met water supply, but Mr Tribe had the

132 CHAPTER 18 answer to that! He had observed damage which this would cause was Department, which had prepared a small creek running between the unacceptable. a draft lease, in anticipation of the north-western slope of Mount Bishop agreement between the Authority and When details of the latest plan and the south-eastern slope of Mount Mr R. E. Unger, which it was thought became known, there were continued Leonard. No measurements of the might occur in due course. The draft outcries from various conservation stream flow had been made, but lease, in so far as this was possible, bodies, especially the Victorian he was “confident” that it would be National Parks Association, and embodied the provisions necessary adequate. It was recognised that private citizens. The Committee to protect the rights of the two parties it would be necessary to construct of Management was unanimously and financial considerations. In this a dam across the gully, but “the opposed to the granting of a lease work, the Director and Chief Technical details including the cost could be on any site, and the Authority was Office (Mr T. E. Arthur) worked in examined later”. not convinced of the wisdom of close association with Mr John Secomb, a senior officer of the Law This was the basic philosophy of the proceeding, with so many basic Department. Of course, the Authority lessee’s approach to the securing of aspects under a cloud of uncertainty. and Committee of Management were a lease – first obtain the lease, and But, apparently, the Minister (Mr then attend to all the fundamental Fraser) was under some pressure kept fully informed, and it must be aspects later. I argued strongly from his Cabinet colleagues, and emphasised that the Authority was against this approach, pointing out requested me to accompany him the body which had to make the final that it was essential for all concerned on a visit of inspection to the Mount decision, subject to the approval of to have a clear picture before them Bishop site. His colleagues, he said, the Minister. of every aspect of the development. had chided him that he supported It should be mentioned also that, The idea was never expressed in so the Authority in the rejection of the while the negotiations with Mr Unger many words (for what I considered proposal, though he himself had not and the Crown Law Department, and then (and still do now) to be obvious seen the area and “knew nothing with the Authority and the Committee reasons) but I had the impression about it”. of Management, were in progress, that, if the Authority could be So the Minister and I visited the area, the matter of a power supply and, in persuaded to place itself in a position and I must say that I admired him for particular the possibility of extending where it could be claimed by the his determination as he pushed his the SEC supply from Yanakie to Tidal lessee that, in so doing, the Authority way through the dense scrub, often River and other possible consumers, had committed itself to the enterprise leaning on me, as he struggled uphill was also under investigation. This and should therefore share in the over the rough terrain. I could not subject is dealt with in Chapter 14. responsibility of solving the problems help thinking at the time, “This is Alex which had been left unsolved, the Fraser, the man who was awarded applicant’s own responsibility would the Military Cross for outstanding A new site be so much the less. I wanted to be courage in France, during the First sure that such problems as water World War”. That was nearly fifty During the next phase of the quest and power supplies, sewage and years earlier. I explained to him, for a site for the proposed hotel/ garbage disposal, environmental on site, the problems that had to motel, there were several important impact factors and financial aspects, be overcome in meeting the basic changes. There was a new Minister etc, were properly covered before I requirements – a reliable water for State Development, in the person was prepared to recommend that a supply, electric power, the disposal of the Hon. V. O. Dickie MLC, who lease be granted. of waste products, road construction, thus became the Chairman of the Authority under powers delegated I argued strongly that the existing car parking, soil conservation, etc. I do not know what recommendations by the Premier. Also, Mr H. J. Tribe water supply in the Tidal River he made to the Cabinet, but the withdrew from the project, and basin was not adequate to meet lease remained unsigned. Mr Ernest Fookes and Associates the demands of any commercial became the new architects. enterprise in the area. Mr Unger It is probably hardly necessary to was so desperate for a lease that explain that while these ‘activities This meant, of course, that the he proposed to pump the water in the field’ were in progress, the several parties had to become from the Darby River. He could not Authority was engaged in very close acquainted with one another again. understand that the environmental collaboration with the Crown Law In addition, the ‘chosen site’ moved

Private enterprise in national parks 133 Wilsons Promontory 1971. Café and store at Tidal River Campground.

from the base of Bishop Rock to numerous children and adults Hotels International, a company with the northern end of Pillar Point. In disport themselves, was a matter for a paid-up capital of £2.00. this position, the buildings would concern. Mr Carroll had at one time been have faced essentially southward Minister for Housing in the Cain towards Norman Bay and would have Liquor licence Government and was for many years overlooked the entire Tidal River manager or owner of Hosie’s Hotel. village. Neither the Committee of At the outset of the negotiations He therefore had a background Management nor the Authority was Mr Unger had stated that he in hotel management and, as Mr happy about this, and no solution represented a group of business Unger had made it abundantly clear to the other basic problems was in men who were eager to invest their that the success of the enterprise sight. There were no firm proposals money in his proposed enterprise, depended on the granting of a before the Authority regarding but I was never aware of the identity ‘full licence’ by the Liquor Control the treatment of effluents, and it of those concerned. However, in Authority, was able to lend his weight seemed very probable that any 1965 (possibly in the latter part of in support of this argument. I had ‘escape’ would find its way into Tidal 1964) I frequently found myself in consistently opposed the granting River. Although the camp water conference with Mr J. Carroll and of a full licence, because I was supply would not be affected, the Colonel A. Kemsley who, I was concerned at the effect this would possible effect on the river, where informed, had joined the Board of have on the Tidal River camp and

134 CHAPTER 18 because of the predictable littering of On 1st May 1965, I left Melbourne received such information from some the park, especially in the vicinity of for the USA to attend a course on other source, in order to avoid the the beaches near the proposed site, the administration of national parks, possibility of any misunderstandings, with bottles. Those who supported organized by the US National Parks and this kept us all very busy. the granting of a licence argued that Service, the US Forests Service At the conclusion of the two year campers already took considerable and the Department of National period, Mr Unger found it impossible quantities of liquor into the camp Resources. Mr T. E. Arthur was to raise the money to proceed with and pointed to the ‘vast’ number of appointed Acting Director. During the development and the lease was bottles regularly collected by park my absence, the Authority decided terminated by mutual agreement staff. I discussed the matter with the to sign the lease, which contained in November 1967, under the seal Chairman of the Licensing Authority, provisions for dealing with financial of the National Parks Service, with Mr F. J. Field, who said that the arrangements and the termination neither party having any claim on the Authority would make a decision as of the lease if construction had not other. to the type of licence, if any, when the begun within a period of two years application was made. I personally from the signing of the lease. I think it appropriate for me to add that in the light of the experiences had grave fears that a full licence I returned from abroad in August described, and even after a lapse of was inevitable. 1965, and soon became involved in over twenty years, I am still strongly further discussions with Mr Unger, It was an interesting experience to of the opinion that private enterprise and his colleagues. It was apparent be conferring with these gentlemen, has no place in national parks. that he was having difficulty in but sometimes discussions and Entrepreneurs have one objective, raising the necessary finance and, annoyance became animated. namely, to operate at a profit, and the on one occasion, I was invited to Colonel Kemsley expressed surprise environment is the inevitable victim of have lunch with Mr Unger and a few that “one man” could “hold up such the pursuit of money. an important development”. I was others, including a gentleman careful to point out that I merely with interests in Gippsland and represented the National Parks whose addition to the Board would, it Leases for Tidal River Authority and it would not be proper was thought, strengthen Mr Unger’s Store and Café for me to grant concessions which position. It was a nice lunch and, at were not in accordance with the its conclusion, the prospective Board When the Authority began to draw Authority’s wishes. Mr Carroll let member drove me along St Kilda up a lease to cover the occupation of a little wind out of his colleagues’ Road and Swanston Street to Collins the Tidal River store and café, under sails on one occasion by saying Street, where I alighted. On the way, the provisions of the National Parks that he was ‘far from satisfied’ that I answered his questions regarding Act 1958, it soon found that it had no the proposed development was the problems associated with the legal entitlement to do so. Section 9 financially viable. Nevertheless, proposed development … and that (2) (b) of the Act (No. 6326) reads: was the last I saw of him. discussions continued; I argued “(2) In the exercise and performance that any buildings and other It would weary the reader if we were of its functions under this Act developments (car park, water to attempt to review in detail all the the Authority in respect of any storage tanks etc.) should be discussions which took place and the national park may, subject to this confined to an area not exceeding 10 voluminous correspondence which Act: acres, and that only the land covered was exchanged regarding the lease. (b) permit any person or body by structures directly associated with Not only did I have to confer with Mr of persons approved by the the development should be under the Unger, alone or with his colleagues, Authority to manage or occupy control of the lessee. I considered it but it was also essential to keep the any such accommodation or essential that the Authority retain full other members of the Authority and camping place at such rent control of the ‘open spaces’, thereby the Committee of Management fully charge or fee for such periods precluding inter alia the opportunity informed, and apprise the Minister. I and subject to such conditions for the lessee to engage in ‘real was always at some pains to ensure as the Authority specifies.” estate activities’. The Minister did that any information concerning not appear to be sympathetic to this this or any other matter came This provision permitted the Authority concept. direct from me, before the Minister to authorise a person or persons to

Private enterprise in national parks 135 occupy the lodges or campsites at, Number of EPV Takings EPV Takings EPV Takings EPV Takings say, Tidal River, but did not apply to Visitors $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ the store or café (which had been functioning for several years). 60,000 1 12,000 2 24,000 5 60,000 10 120,000 It was therefore necessary to amend 70,000 1 14,000 2 28,000 5 70,000 10 140,000 the Act; but when the provisions of 80,000 1 16,000 2 32,000 5 80,000 10 160,000 Act No. 6642 (7th January 1960) 90,000 1 18,000 2 36,000 5 90,000 10 180,000 were examined, it was found that they did not apply to such enterprises as the store or café Note: EPV = Expenditure per Visitor at Tidal River. It was necessary therefore further to amend the Act. either generally or in any This amendment clarified the matters This was done in Act No. 7190 (9th particular case for a term not under notice and the Authority December 1964), Section 2 of which exceeding three years subject had leases prepared for the cafe reads as follows:- to such covenants terms and and store, by the Parliamentary “2. For paragraph (b) of sub-section conditions and the payment Draughtsman. The upper limit of 33 (2) of section nine of the Principal of such rent fees and charges years for the tenure of such leases Act there shall be substituted the as the Authority thinks fit; was considered much too high and following paragraph: (b) with the consent of the the term of the lease was fixed at (b) grant to any person or body Governor in Council grant three years. The granting of a lease of persons a tenancy of or a to any person or body of for a period of seven years (Act No. permit to manage or occupy persons a permit to occupy 7190; Section 2) was somewhat any building camping place or a lease of not more than restricted; the intention to issue the convenience amenity or three acres of land in any lease was required to be advertised attraction so erected set national park to be used only at least once in a newspaper apart or provided or any for the purpose of a kiosk circulating in the relevant district and other building convenience cafe or store or of scientific in a daily newspaper in Melbourne as or facility in the park at such research or a purpose well as in four consecutive issues of rent charge or fee for such authorized by the Governor the Government Gazette. periods not exceeding seven in Council for a term not The store had developed from a very years and subject to such exceeding thirty-three years small base, largely on the initiative reasonable conditions as the subject to such covenants of Mr Keith Blunden (the lessee) Authority determines.” terms and conditions and to the payment of such rent fees and the Committee of Management. So third time lucky! Well, not quite. and charges as the Authority However, as the Authority did not You see, this still did not cover such thinks fit; have access to the lessee’s books, thing as a store or café. A further it had no idea of how profitable the (c) with the consent of the amendment was made in 1965 to Act store was or what constituted a fair Governor in Council grant No 7275. The relevant section reads rent. This had been determined by as follows:- to any person or body of persons a lease of any area of the Committee, but (in about 1968, I “Section 7 land within a national park for think) the Authority resolved that, on a term not exceeding seventy- the expiration of the current lease, (4) Subject to this Act the Authority five years for the purpose of public tenders should be called. may from time to time the erection thereon by the This resulted in a challenge to Mr (a) grant to any person or body lessee of a building costing Blunden’s long occupancy; but, of persons a permit to occupy not less than One hundred after careful investigation had been or a lease of not more than thousand pounds subject to made, he remained in occupation. three acres of land in any such covenants terms and However, the annual rental rose to national park to be used only conditions and to the payment about $5,000, as compared with a for a purpose authorized of such rent fees and charges figure less than one tenth of that, a by the Governor in Council as the Authority thinks fit.” few years earlier.

136 CHAPTER 18 The mouth of Tidal River is the proposed site in 2016 for a commercial venture for sight-seeing boats to the islands and coast. But this has been and remains the most popular swimming location for campers.

Assuming an ‘expenditure per visitor’ Café – milk bar hotel/motel proposal eventuated, (EPV) of 1, 2, 5 or 10 dollars, and had caused some members of an average profit of 20 per cent (P), The cafe/milk bar business had the Authority, including myself, the table shows the relationship of its vicissitudes. When Mr Hobson considerable disquiet; because, if ‘takings’ to the number of visitors. found it necessary to relinquish the they controlled both enterprises, they business for family reasons, it was would virtually have a monopoly on After making allowance for wages, taken over by Mr and Mrs Colin this segment of the tourist business operating costs, maintenance and Crawford. Mr Crawford had been at Tidal River. It seemed likely, I incidental costs, it would appear employed in the park as a Park thought, that the store might be next that the store was profitable to Assistant and later as a Ranger for in line for a takeover. This prospect the lessee. In fact, the store was several years. Unfortunately, after filled me with grave apprehensions. generally regarded as a ‘gold mine’ a period Mrs Crawford’s health for the lessee, and from time to time deteriorated and the Crawfords sold One of the major problems some people grumbled at the ‘high their business to Mrs Amelia Unger. of this business was finding prices’; but there were few, if any, Mr Unger was at the time engaged accommodation for the temporary complaints about the service which in negotiations with the Authority staff required during peak periods. Keith Blunden provided. Frankly, I regarding the lease to construct The Ungers had housed their admired him for his willingness to a hotel/motel, etc, as described temporary staff at Yanakie and work hard for what he earned and earlier in this chapter. Mrs Unger used a minibus to transport them for his readiness to co-operate. I operated the cafe business over to and fro, but this was too costly. I argued that so long as Keith Blunden the Christmas-New Year season for therefore devised a scheme, the was happy to continue to operate 1965-66, but was unable to continue essential elements of which were as the general store, I had one fewer beyond the Easter season of 1966. follows: problem to worry about. The acquisition of the café/milk bar 1. That the Authority purchase the by the Ungers, assuming that the business from Mrs Unger, and

Private enterprise in national parks 137 lease it to some person as in Kiosk at Fern Tree Gully Early in 1959, the Fern Tree Gully the case of the store, thereby Rotary Club sought permission eliminating the ‘goodwill’ factor. There had been a kiosk at Fern Tree to install a miniature railway on The asking price was $28,000. Gully National Park for many years the site of the old tennis courts prior to the advent of the Authority. I near the kiosk and, in the ensuing 2. That, having purchased the have somewhat hazy recollections negotiations between the Authority business, the Authority have the of one in the 1930s, but was never a and the Committee, the Authority lost building enlarged and renovated patron. a few ‘brownie points’. The train was and the food-preparation section improved by installing, among After the Authority became legally installed and operated under the other things, an adequate responsible for the park, it took name of ‘Little Toots’. ventilation system. some time to develop cordial The kiosk was incorporated in a relations with the Committee of 3. That a new block of flats consisting house which did not appear to have Management, and this naturally of five 4-bed units be constructed had the benefit of any architectural did not encourage the Director at the rear of the cafe/milk bar, one design. The lessee was a gentleman to visit the park as often as might unit to be reserved for temporary named Cox who, after several years, otherwise have been the case. The staff and the other four units to be decided to relinquish ‘the lease’. Committee always regarded the let to the public. Inquiries revealed that his tenancy Fern Tree Gully National Park as rested on some sort of understanding 4. That permission be sought from being in a different category from with the Committee of Management; the government to borrow $70,000 other national parks and tended to but, as the Committee, in doing to finance the acquisitions referred hold itself aloof from the Authority. whatever it did, always acted in good to above, the loan to be serviced The Committee adopted a rather faith, this had to be accepted. The by the revenue from the flats and aggressive attitude, suggesting Authority decided that it would be repaid over a period of ten years. that it was apprehensive regarding advisable to acquire the business, but The Authority endorsed the proposal, the Authority’s intentions towards found itself engaged in negotiations subject to the approval of the it. And the fact that only a few over the ‘goodwill’. The Public Works Chairman of the Rural Finance months after my appointment I was Department Chief Property Officer Corporation. So I made my pleas incautious enough to ‘let it slip’ that was requested to assess the value of to Mr Ian Morton, who agreed that my ideas on the role of committees the goodwill and, in due course, the the scheme was viable, and the of management did not precisely Authority found itself the owners of the necessary legal arrangements were coincide with those of the Hon. G. L. enterprise. For a variety of reasons, set in train. To ensure that the café/ Chandler MLC, who was a member the Authority decided to re-organise milk bar could operate during the of the Committee, did not help the service by eliminating the ‘pony peak periods, a temporary lease was the cause. Mr Chandler, who was ride’ and dispense with the bird granted to Mr Keith Blunden to cover Minister for Agriculture and sat in the cages, the cockatoos being released the period 2nd December 1966 to no. 3 spot in the Cabinet, informed to the adjoining forest. The kiosk was 2nd April 1967. me “if that’s the way you feel, you’ll then leased to a new lessee. have to go”. A threat like that had to The plan proceeded and the Annual be taken seriously, and thereafter I Report for 1967-68 stated that the did my best to evade the flak. New kiosk work on the café/milk bar had been completed at a cost of $19,300, and The kiosk was a very “mixed bag”. The year 1970 brought a realization that a start was soon to be made on To increase the financial success of that the existing kiosk was unduly the five flats at a contract price of the business, the range of services remote from the main picnic area $20,500. The building programme included pony rides for children, and, with the object of obtaining was duly completed and a lease and there was several large cages information regarding a more was issued, under the seal of the near the kiosk containing birds. The desirable site, a mobile kiosk was Authority, to Mr and Mrs A. R. Miller Sulphur-crested Cockatoos of course installed in the ‘lower picnic ground’ for the operation of the cafe/milk bar, gave great delight to the patrons to test visitor patronage. However, for the period 28 August 1968 to 30 by issuing a general invitation to lack of finance delayed plans to September 1971. Mr Miller had been ‘scratch cockie’ and by calling construct a new kiosk in a more Park Manager for several years. ‘cockie wants a drink’. favourable position.

138 CHAPTER 18 During the first few years of its life, the Authority had before it an application from a Mr Fred Smith, of Chadstone, for the leasing of an area of 200 acres above the southern shore-line of Coller Bay to enable him to establish a camping area and sites for caravans, most of which would remain in position permanently (on payment of an annual rental). The sites were to be 20 x 30 feet. As I recall, the Authority was not enthusiastic about the plan. I personally had strong objections The view from Cook’s Point in Fraser NP, February 1964. to it, for the following reasons: the area was excessive; I had serious There had been a great deal of S. Saunders, Chief Resources and doubts as to whether it would have discussion between the Committee Planning Officer; and the Director) been possible to find 200 acres in of Management regarding the and members of the Committee of the locality proposed; the irregular nature of any new development. The Management was formed for the nature of the land would have advantages of having a resident purpose of formulating a master necessitated extensive benching lessee were recognized; but, in the plan for the development of the to obtain level sites for camps and absence of information regarding lower picnic area and the Janesleigh caravans; further, if such a lease any potential lessee’s family, it was Dell area. After consulting the were granted, it would stifle any difficult to determine the sort of Public Works Department, a private plans which the Authority might later accommodation required. Further, architect-planner was engaged to wish to develop in the way of tourist the provision of a house imposed collaborate with the joint committee. services; and, I argued, the creation constraints on the specifications of the The plan provided for a new kiosk, of a village permanently occupied kiosk and thus on the sort of service to be built on the western side of the by caravans would “make the which could be provided. It was lower picnic area. place look like ‘Shanty Town’”. The finally decided to plan for a ‘lock-up’ concept of such a development was inimical to national parks philosophy. kiosk. This was a disappointment to Fraser National Park Sir Gilbert Chandler, who was very Fortunately, the plan was eventually keen to build a restaurant to which he At an early stage in the planning abandoned; but, for a time, it could proudly bring his friends from of developments in Fraser National seemed likely that a lease would be Melbourne to enjoy a sophisticated Park, there were discussions granted. lunch in a forest environment, while within the Authority and Committee the bell miners sang merrily nearby. of Management regarding the I think I might have dropped a few possibility of ‘inviting’ private more brownie points over the debate, enterprise to provide accommodation but he was eventually persuaded that for tourists, on Cook’s Point. This it was not necessarily the best policy would have necessitated the to enter into competition with the local construction of a road and the shopkeepers, whose livelihoods might provision of a water supply and other be threatened. essential services. When the lake is full, the mental image of a well- Plans for a new kiosk took a big leap planned structure on Cook’s Point forward when, in 1972, a special joint seemed very pleasant; but, when the committee consisting of officers of water-level fell during dry seasons, the National Parks Service (Mr T. E. the prospect lacked appeal. In the Arthur, Chief Technical Officer; Mr D. end, the dream faded.

Private enterprise in national parks 139 Chapter 19 Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta

explain in Chapter 15 that the seems reasonable to assume that In addition, the Authority agreed to National Parks Authority lacked the he had sought the collaboration consider an area of about 1 acre I resources to develop the skiing of a partner who had the financial to enable stables to be built, to potential of the Cresta slopes in resources to translate his concept provide for horse-riding, following the Mount Buffalo National Park. into a reality. However, over the precedent long since established at years, I recognised that Sir Rupert the Chalet operated by the Victorian The amendment of the National Clarke also had great enthusiasm Parks Act to provide for the granting Railways Department. for the project and a very good of leases to private entrepreneurs understanding of what was required The applicant initially requested was soon followed by an application in regard to the development of an area of 15 acres (an area one from Tatra Development Pty. Ltd. Cresta. and a half times the size of the for permission to undertake a Melbourne Cricket Ground), on which major development at Cresta. it was proposed to establish a riding The principals of this company Negotiations begin school. It was agreed that water were Sir Rupert Clarke, a well- could be drawn by means Negotiations between the applicants known Melbourne businessman of a ram from a stream which ran and the National Parks Authority were with interests in a number of along the western slope of the protracted. Initially, they requested a major Australian companies, and Egg Knoll, the ram being installed larger area of land than the Authority Mr Oldrich (Ollie) Polasek. The upstream of all other proposed was willing to approve, but eventually latter, who had a business base in developments to avoid pollution. it was agreed that the lease should Melbourne, had emigrated from In addition, with very great Czechoslovakia after the Second be based on an area of 10 acres. The main development occupying reluctance, the Authority agreed to World War and had been regularly the construction of a lake (which employed as a skiing instructor by about 9 acres was to be on an area known as the ‘Egg Knoll’ so named would inundate the Bogong Plain) to the Victorian Railways Chalet at provide scope for aquatic sports (but Dingo Dell for several years. because of the existence thereon of a feature known as Egg Rock, a large NOT water-skiing and power boats). He therefore had an intimate rock balanced on a very small base, The area of the proposed lake was knowledge of the skiing potential of similar to the much larger Logan about 35 acres. the park, although only the Dingo Stone in Cornwall [England]. In so far as public accommodation Dell slopes had been developed The power plant and ancillary was concerned, agreement between for skiing. Ollie Polasek had (and services were to be constructed in an the Authority and the applicant was no doubt still has) tremendous area of about 1 acre on the eastern reached that the buildings would enthusiasm for life and its challenges, side of the road to the Horn. The take the form of cabins distributed and was endowed ancillary services were to incorporate among the snow gums on Egg Knoll with great mental and physical a service station where visitors could so as to minimize the impact of the resources. He is a graduate in purchase petrol (there were no such development on the environment. economics from Prague University – public facilities at the Chalet), public It was felt that sewage could be the name ‘Tatra’ is that of the highest toilets, shelters and picnicking tables disposed of through septic tanks, mountain in Czechoslovakia. for public use. Provision was to be but I was never convinced that this Mr Polasek had recognised the made for the accommodation of the would be satisfactory, even with potential of the Cresta slopes and it staff required to operate the facilities. a chlorination plant, because of

140 CHAPTER 19 Mt Buffalo NP, August 1966. Cresta Valley ski runs, numbers 5, 4 and 3 from left to right. the low temperatures, especially A change of plans to the rear of the proposed buildings. during the winter. There were The CRB had realigned the road, numerous inspections of the area No sooner had agreement been which now crossed the lower by members of the Authority and reached than the Authority was (southern) end of the Cresta Valley the officers (mainly the Director and requested to consider a new plan. and served as a northern bank for Mr T. E. Arthur, but later Mr Don This was that a building complex the proposed lake. The now disused Saunders was involved), frequently incorporating accommodation for ‘old road’ ran along the bottom of the in the company of one or both of 36 people, a dining room, café- ski run(s) towards the west before the applicants, and gradually the restaurant (for guests and the turning south to join the new road, via point was reached at which it was general public), along with toilets the borrow pit. and a double chair lift to serve No. 1 agreed that the formal lease should Unfortunately, it was found that the ski run, should be provided as a first be prepared by the Crown Solicitors area designated for the first-stage stage, in order to test the potential of Office. However, as this was likely building development did not provide the whole development. The building to take some time, the Authority proper foundations, so Mr Polasek was to be on the 1 acre site, not on agreed that the Company should be on his own initiative moved the Egg Knoll. authorised to proceed with the first eastern boundary to the west by an stage of the development on the The Authority agreed to this and the unrecorded distance. Subsequent northern side of the road, during the work began. An area selected by searches by the Director and other summer of 1963-64. the Company had been surveyed officers of the Authority failed to and pegged on the ground. The locate the survey peg which had The Company urged that building long axis of the development was originally marked the south-eastern should commence as soon as roughly along a north-south line; at corner of the area designated the possible, because of the relatively the southern end the Country Roads ‘first-stage development’. short building season in alpine areas. Board had some time ago bulldozed It was agreed that the ‘loose ends’ an area to obtain road-making such as the precise location of the material used in the improvement of Building commences stables and any other ‘minor’ matters the road to the Horn, and the ‘borrow The building programme and the could be finalised later. pit’ provided limited car parking for erection of the chair lift proceeded visitors, along with vehicular access while the Authority undertook the

Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta 141 clearing of the No.1 ski slope. The building incorporated toilets, which of course were an essential service for resident guests and staff, and the Company argued that the provision of this facility fulfilled its obligations to the travelling public. It was only after persistent efforts by the Authority that the Company was persuaded to erect a notice intimating to astute travellers that toilets were available for their use.

Franchise Meanwhile the Crown Solicitor’s Office had prepared a lease document incorporating the agreements reached between the Company and the Authority, but a further delay was caused when the Company raised the matter of a franchise over a large area of the park. The Company requested that a franchise be granted over the area between the Leviathan Rock and the Horn (with suitable extensions ‘north and south’ of the Rock) so that, if the Authority at any time in the future determined to grant a further lease, the Company would legally be entitled to the first option. As the Authority had by this time decided that no further leases would be granted, it agreed to this proposal in principle, but resolved that the franchise area should be based on the Cathedral – Hump area; and the boundary running along the ridge of the Cathedral – Hump Range, which extended across the road roughly in a south-easterly direction, was duly agreed upon. The agreement was signed on 14 July 1964, but the location of the stables had Cresta ski slope, August 1968. not been determined, nor had the Authority authorised the construction water resources of the State) and 1964-65 summer season, with the of a lake. Approval of the latter was the Soil Conservation Authority, Authority’s approval, the Company finally dependent upon the approval which controlled developments in built an additional 12 self-contained of the State Rivers Water Supply Alpine areas having an elevation motel-type units, each capable of Commission (which controlled the of 4,000 ft and over. During the accommodating four people.

142 CHAPTER 19 change in the face of Cresta was inadequate to meet the insatiable demands of the entrepreneur, who made it clear that he required ski slopes of a standard which would attract experienced skiers and lend themselves to competition skiing to be sponsored by other business interests. The volume of correspondence exchanged by the Authority and the lessee grew rapidly and imposed very heavy burdens on the Authority staff, and especially on the Director. The cost of clearing the Cresta slopes was imposing increasing strains on the Authority’s finances. Eventually the Authority found itself unwilling to spend any more of its ‘normal’ works allocation on Cresta Lodge, mid 1960. the development. This resulted in a special meeting attended by the Premier (and Treasurer) Sir of circumstances beyond its control. Henry Bolte, the Minister and other The location of the stables remained Stables for horses members of the Authority, along unresolved while developments with Sir Rupert Clarke. The meeting The Company requested the proceeded in other areas. Authority find another site for the was held in the old Cabinet Room stables on the grounds that, if they The unsatisfactory quality of of which the special feature was the were located on the western end of the effluents from stage 1 of the Round Table. I could not refrain from Egg Knoll, they would attract flies development necessitated the making a mental comparison with and be offensive to guests in the installation of a chlorination plant the meetings of a certain legendary Egg Knoll development. The site to treat them before they were King of medieval England and his proposed by the Company was discharged into the creek. This celebrated Knights. required close monitoring. inspected by Mr Arthur and the After our two knights had exchanged Director, but was found to be based reminiscences about the relative on a moss bog which would soon Ski runs performances of their particular have become a quagmire and would fancies at the race course on the have resulted in the contamination As the financial investments of the previous Saturday, the meeting of water further down the gully. Company increased, the Authority was under way. Sir Rupert outlined Consideration was then given to a found itself under increasing his plans for no fewer than six ski site to the east of the north-eastern pressure to clear even more of runs, which entailed the clearing slope of the Bogong Plain; this would the Cresta slopes, and there of trees and rocks across the have necessitated the construction were almost endless discussions entire Cresta slope, together with of a road to provide access from between the parties in regard to appropriate conservation works to the main road, which would have the extent to which clearing should protect the slope against erosion not only scarred the landscape but proceed, which trees and rocks and ensure the safety of the skiers. would also have entailed expensive should remain and which should It was recognised that the work construction and maintenance costs. be removed, and how the desired would require several years for its The Authority of course had never objectives were to be achieved. The completion, because of the relatively been eager to promote horse-riding Authority soon became aware that its short ‘work season’ in the particular in the park, but had been the victim earlier concept of a relatively small environment. It was agreed that trees

Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta 143 and rocks to be removed would be Service proceeded. It was hard To this end, as already mentioned, marked so as to avoid confusion, work for those concerned, especially rocks and trees destined for removal and, to obviate unnecessary or because, after large rocks had been were clearly marked with paint, so undesirable clearing, that under blasted, the fragments had to be that if the lessee wished to assist by these circumstances it would be collected and transported by hand removing rocks and trees while the possible for the Authority to accept to the gullies and depressions which Authority’s officers were absent from the lessee’s offer to participate in needed to be filled. The nature of the the park, he could do so. the clearing and conservation work. work and the steep slopes precluded Unfortunately, there were some The Authority indicated that it lacked the use of mechanical equipment. departures from the agreed the financial resources to undertake Those who subsequently used procedure, which in due course further work. The Premier turned to the slopes or merely admired the resulted in an exchange of me and inquired how much money spectacle could have little idea of correspondence between the was required and I said that if an the debt they owed to those pioneers Director and the lessee, with the additional $5,000.00 were provided who virtually built the skiing slopes. object of ensuring that there be for the coming season, I thought the no repetition of the transgression. Authority could make a substantial By the end of 1974 the lessee was However, in one instance, during the contribution to the clearing work. The operating a chair lift, a T-bar and construction of Run 4 or 5, the lessee Premier agreed to this and we set a Poma lift at Cresta, servicing six committed such blatant offences about organizing the work. slopes. against the agreement that I decided Arrangements were made for Mr Don to take action to prosecute. Saunders to supervise and direct the Public rights I had received so many assurances work of several temporary workers. There is one important aspect of the that there would be ‘no further’ The lessee provided accommodation lease in regard to the skiing fields transgressions that I felt obliged at Tatra Inn, which saved which is perhaps not well known. to handle the matter personally. I considerable time in travelling and in The Authority had been at some therefore travelled to the park and the performance of camp chores. pains to ensure that the lessee’s met Mr Polasek at Tatra Inn whence In the general conservation works ‘entitlements’ did not extend beyond we proceeded to the scene of the programme, which had been the land required for the several lifts, alleged offence. I had been fully undertaken on a regular basis, thus making it possible for skiers to briefed by the Crown Solicitor’s Office especially during the University/ use the slopes without charge, if they on the procedure to be followed school long vacation in the summer, so desired. They were obliged to during the interrogation of the alleged Don Saunders had gained valuable pay the lessee only for the use of the offender, but felt a little sheepish experience in directing and facilities (lifts, etc) which he provided. as I announced myself to Ollie supervising the work groups of Not many visitors availed themselves Polasek and duly requested him to senior students, but had also been of this right, except sometimes those identify himself. He was completely responsible for the provisioning and who had disported themselves on the co-operative and answered all the related chores. These latter groups lower part of Run No 1, generally to questions I was required to ask, and had used the rather limited facilities the annoyance of those skiing down fully admitted that he had removed of the A. W. Keown Lodge at Dingo from the top of the run. certain trees from the national park Dell, and had performed a great without having first received a written deal of useful work in grooming and permit. It was an ‘open and shut draining the ski slopes and in the Transgressions case’ and I informed Ollie that I restoration of numerous tracks. intended to take steps to have him Two incidents occurred during prosecuted. He was quite happy The work at Cresta was continued the period when the skiing slopes and friendly, but unrepentant. I duly on a regular basis every summer, were being constructed. Whilst prepared a brief and recommended sometimes extending into the recognizing that this work inevitably to the Minister, Mr Dickie, that a autumn, using the special funds entailed considerable alteration (I prosecution be launched. provided by Treasury for the purpose. hesitate to use the word ‘destruction’) In this way, the developments of the environment, the Authority Ollie had naturally informed his planned in consultation by the nevertheless always endeavoured to partner Sir Rupert Clarke of the lessees and the National Parks keep such changes to a minimum. matter and Sir Rupert called me

144 CHAPTER 19 expressing regret for his partner’s decisions, the Director deemed it One afternoon, about six months transgressions and offering me advisable to adopt a slightly more later, Dewar was at my door (we were an assurance, to be confirmed liberal interpretation of the Authority’s in Treasury Place in those days) and in writing, that there would be intentions than Dewar had in mind. I I beckoned him in. He expressed no repetition of such incidents. I took the view that, as all concerned regret at what he had said to me at remained firm in my resolve, but (the Authority and the Committee Cresta, explaining that he had been frankly I was not looking forward to of Management, and the lessee) very upset at the time. He hoped that appearing in Court to give evidence had agreed that the Cresta slopes we could put the matter behind us against the lessee(s). Shortly after were to be ‘developed’ for skiing, and get back to our former happy this, I received a message from the clearly a considerable number of relationship. I responded by saying office of the Minister to the effect rocks and trees would need to be that we could accomplish much more that he would prefer not to proceed removed and that any consequential by working together than otherwise with the matter and, after some conservation works would follow. and that I had missed his advice consideration, I brought myself to the Dewar was inclined to adopt a more and company for too long. We conclusion that the more peaceful conservative line in regard to the shook hands, smiled at one another way of achieving the desired result clearing of the slopes and, on one and ‘got on with the business’. We was preferable. I think that Ollie was particular inspection, concluded worked together for several more more conforming henceforth. that more clearing had been done years before the demise of the than he would have preferred. That Authority, and later when Dewar was is putting it mildly! He was utterly a member of the National Parks. An unfortunate incident frustrated, largely I suspect because Advisory Committee we generally, somebody had done something but not always, found ourselves While the various senior government for which he, Dewar, had not given in agreement on matters under officers serving on the National Parks specific approval. consideration, and we remain good Authority were fully occupied with friends to this day (1989). the affairs of their own departments, In the presence of several other they nevertheless made substantial officers of the Authority and park I mention this incident because I feel contributions to the affairs of the staff, he exclaimed (I was going to sure that I am not the only person Authority, but were content to leave say ‘bellowed’, but discretion took who has found himself in a similar it to the Director, as the Executive control of my pen) in a very loud situation. Over fifty years ago I Officer of the Authority, to implement voice, “This is a disgrace - you acquired a picture of two donkeys the decisions reached by the full ought to be ashamed of yourself”. and, at about the same time, my body of the Authority at its regular Then becoming more formal, he mother gave me a framed copy of monthly meetings. However, some of continued, “Mr Director, you ought Kipling’s immortal poem ‘If’, which the non-government members of the to resign”. As I made no response, since then has usually been within Authority, and in particular Mr Dewar he exclaimed, “You have a hide sight of my desk. The relevant lines W. Goode, often sought to play a like a bloody rhinoceros”. I walked here are:- more active role in translating the across to him and said, “Yes, Dewar, I have; I need it to be able to stand ‘If you can keep your head when Authority’s decisions into action. To all about you this end, it was Dewar’s practice (with up to people like you”. Dewar remained decidedly formal towards Are losing theirs and blaming it on the concurrence of the Authority) to you ...’ visit the national parks and inspect me throughout the remainder of our works in progress or assess the need visit to Mount Buffalo and, during the The messages conveyed by these for any particular activities. next six months, at meetings of the items were long ago ‘received and Authority, was very cool and formal. understood’ and have stood me in Dewar took a very active interest in For my part, I put the incident behind good stead over the years. the preparation of the skiing slopes me and treated him just as I had at Cresta (and Dingo Dell). On such during the past few years. I have ‘visits of inspection’ he would usually never been able to bear a grudge Sporting activities be accompanied by one or more against anyone and had no intention officers of the Authority, including the of destroying the friendly relationship While the preparation of the skiing Director. Now it sometimes happened which I had established with Dewar, slopes was in progress, there were that, in giving effect to the Authority’s from my first meeting. also other matters to consider. The

Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta 145 The Horn from Cresta before clearing and the beginning of the Tatra Inn. March 1964.

lessees requested permission to the rocks to a flattish area on the end of Egg Knoll, overlooking the construct a tennis court on the flattish south-western face of the Hump. lake, but until the Authority had area in front of (i.e. east) of the main From here [there was a] magnificent given its unequivocal approval to building; but almost before the panoramic view embracing the construct the lake, building remained Authority had had time to refuse this Bogong Plain (site of the proposed in abeyance. on the grounds that the proposed site lake), the Egg Knoll (site of the major The proposal to inundate the Bogong was unacceptable on environmental building development), the Horn and Plain was strongly opposed by grounds, the lessee stated that what the whole Cresta Valley and beyond. conservation bodies, notably the was really required was a general “This,” said Ollie, “is where we want Victorian National Parks Association. sports ground where other sports to build the restaurant.” This was The Committee of Management was such as volley ball, badminton, the first time there had been any etc. could be played, especially mention of a restaurant. Presumably, opposed to the plan, but appeared during the periods when skiing was guests would be transported to the to overlook the fact that it was the not possible. The Authority did not restaurant by means of a new chair Committee’s insistence that the agree to this request. A fish pond lift or gondola-type lift, or by a track Cresta area be developed for ski-ing was constructed in front of the main from the head of the existing chair that had contributed substantially building; it was never clear whether lift. I assured Ollie that there was no to the granting of the lease in the it was the lessee’s plan to grow possibility that the Authority would first place, and that permission to fish ‘for the table’ or whether it was approve of such a proposal. Nobody construct the lake was part of the merely a kind of diversion for the who knew Ollie Polasek would ever price the Authority had had to pay entertainment of guests. accuse him of being short of ideas. to secure the lessee’s signature to the lease. The lessee had engaged engineering consultants (Haskins, High-level restaurant Principal development Gutteridge and Davies) to survey the lake area and test the ground for its One Saturday morning when Don As the construction of the six ski suitability for the purpose and were Saunders and I were at Cresta (Don runs proceeded, discussions on the asked whether it was feasible to was supervising work on the ski runs) principal development assumed construct a dam based on the feature Ollie told us that he wanted to show greater prominence. The original plan known as the ‘Chinamen’s Wall’. us something special. So the three to build ‘cabanas’ on the Egg Knoll of us walked up between slopes No. site had been abandoned in favour In 1899, a dam had been 4 and 5 and then clambered over of a multi-storey hotel at the northern constructed across the south-eastern

146 CHAPTER 19 ‘corner’ of the Bogong Plain in order the lake had been constructed. I was of the Soil Conservation Authority) to store water during the spring, to be always apprehensive that, following remained resolute in his request for used during the summer for mining this, there would be proposals a full statement of the lessees’ plans purposes at lower levels, but the for strata developments on the for the ultimate development of the dam had soon been breached and remainder of Egg Knoll, but this was Cresta area and declined to give his it was argued by some that it would not a major “talking point” at that approval. The stalemate continued not be possible to construct a dam time. throughout 1971 and 1972, and when on that site. However, the engineers the change in government saw the The construction of a hotel on appeared satisfied and the onus was transference of the National Parks Egg Knoll, of course, would have on the Authority to approve; but the Service to the newly-created Ministry necessitated the construction of Authority could not advisedly accede for Conservation, the problem a large parking area for cars. Sir to the request until it had received remained unsolved. Rupert pressed for the bulldozing of the approval of the Soil Conservation an area on the northern side of the Authority. road about 100m long and 30-odd A matter of legalities Numerous meetings were held on the metres deep (extending into the subject, attended by representatives slope). Naturally a bridge across the The new Minister for Conservation, of the Authority, Soil Conservation creek would have been necessary the Honourable W. A. Borthwick Authority and the lessee, but the also. I opposed this and sought an MP, soon found himself involved latter was never able or willing assurance from the Country Roads in the controversy over the lake at to produce a plan embodying all Board that no such development Cresta. Two courses were open to relevant details required by the Soil would occur, and was fully supported him. He could instruct the Director Conservation Authority to enable by the Board. It had been expected, of Conservation to set aside his principles and accede to the lessees’ that body to evaluate the proposal. of course, that the Government would request for permission to construct This was always the stumbling block bear the cost of building the car the lake, forgoing the required - the lessee had indicated during park. statement embodying plans for future the development of the motel area Negotiations over the lake proposal development; or he could investigate and the ski runs that it was unwilling dragged on. The volume of the legality of the lease agreement or unable to present a co-ordinated correspondence grew, meetings which (purportedly) conferred the plan embodying all the relevant were held, but no progress was right to construct the lake. details, and the Soil Conservation made. After the disbandment of Authority was not prepared to give the National Parks Authority, I The Minister, not surprisingly, chose what would have amounted to continued the negotiations alone, the latter course and requested blanket approval of the proposal. keeping the Minister (Mr Dickie) the Crown Solicitor’s Department and the Permanent Head (Mr P. to examine the matter. Accordingly, a senior officer of the Crown Law The lake at Cresta W. Merrett) informed. The Minister despaired of reaching finality (which Department was assigned to the The lessee had made the lake the meant receiving a favourable task and, in order to give him a proper perspective of the matter, I focal point of future developments recommendation from the Director) accompanied him to Mount Buffalo - no lake, no development. I recall and dropped into my office one National Park where the relevant a very pleasant Saturday afternoon afternoon to say that he was areas were inspected and their when I accompanied Sir Rupert anxious ‘to get on with things’ and mutual relationships assessed. Clarke on an excursion which that, to this end, he had decided culminated in a discussion on his to place Mr Merrett in charge of This officer’s report led to the plans for the construction of a five- negotiations concerning the lake appointment of a learned Queen’s storey hotel at the eastern end of Egg and that henceforth I would not be Counsel who was required to Knoll. I pointed out that this would directly involved. So Bill Merrett examine the lease agreement and destroy the panoramic view from the picked up the torch and waved it determine whether there were any ‘turntable’, as the hotel would stand valiantly in the hope of creating a legal grounds for denying permission almost in line with the Horn; but, more enlightened approach to the to construct the lake. I accompanied whilst recognizing that, he clearly problem. Further meetings were the learned Counsel (along with his had his mind set on the hotel - after held, but Dr R G Downes (Chairman charming wife and daughter) on yet

Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta 147 another visit to the park, a visit not their shoes unsuitable for walking on with the equipment necessary for without incident. the icy surface, but they bore their their use, and a building complex ordeal with great fortitude. I found providing overnight accommodation The entire party was accommodated it necessary to walk in a crouched and meals, but now had the at the Chalet; but in order to gain position to lower my centre of gravity. responsibility of devising an efficient some personal experience with the We endeavoured to comfort one means of using and maintaining it. nature and quality of the service another by singing, but there was no But the Egg Knoll, the Bogong Plain provided at Tatra Inn, the legal great joy in our hearts! The learned and the Egg Rock were intact and gentleman and his party decided to Counsel was all for waking the ranger remained in public ownership. have dinner at the Inn. As I thought and persuading him to pull the car it would hardly be politic for me to There is a lesson to be learned from back on to the road with his Land forgo the comforts of the Chalet to this sad experience. In my opinion, Rover, but I declined to disturb him sample the Tatra fare, I dined at the private enterprise has no place in a and his wife from their slumbers. So Chalet and then accompanied my national park. The controlling body we trudged back to the Chalet and friends in their Rolls Royce to Tatra. must at all times be in complete were soon enjoying the warmth of our The Inn was full; the air thick with control of every aspect of any respective beds. the buzz of conversation competing developments which are designed vainly with the overpowering din Next morning the RACV came to the to provide for the education and of the piped music, and clouds of rescue. The sump of the car was enjoyment of visitors to national parks smoke filled the air; but it was warm resting on the ground and, had the and must be sensitive to the needs in there and the patrons seemed ranger attempted to pull the car back of the environment. The following happy. The food was pronounced on to the road, the Rolls would have excerpts from the Annual Report of excellent and the wine flowed freely. suffered severe damage. The RACV the National Parks Authority, which I The service was good and time mechanic winched the front of the wrote in 1964, seem apt. seemed to fly. Ollie established car clear of all obstructions before “The Authority has come to recognize himself as a fine maitre d’hôtel. pulling it back on to the road, and, that ‘private enterprise’ means what apart from a few minor scratches, It was approaching midnight when my it says – ‘private’ and ‘enterprise’. To the car was undamaged and driven host began to move towards the door. be successful, from the viewpoint away safely. While we were enjoying the hospitality of those providing the capital, of the Inn, Nature had been creating In due course the learned Counsel restrictions must be minimal, and the mischief outside. A heavy frost had submitted his report, and indeed task of controlling the development descended upon the light covering the opinion was that the lessee had so as not to despoil the park is a of snow on the road, turning it to failed to fulfil certain legal obligations continuing one for the Authority, glass-like ice. It needed great skill to under the terms of the lease and nor will it end soon. It is the very coax the heavy car up the hill to the therefore had no claim on the essence of a commercial enterprise turntable and providential guidance to government in respect of the lake. that success must ultimately be keep it on the road as we negotiated The lessee of course protested and expressed in financial reward and the several bends in the road to Dingo no doubt sought legal advice, but the all activities must be hastened and Dell. Here Disaster struck with a heavy development of Cresta now entered promoted to that end. It is difficult, hand: the car began to slide across a new phase when negotiations if not impossible, under these the face of the large smooth car park were begun with a view to having circumstances for the welfare of the and could not be brought under the lease terminated, with all assets park to be kept in sharp focus at all control. As it neared the edge of the reverting to the Crown, in exchange time and, indeed, it is too much to deep drop into the gully below, I could for appropriate compensation to expect that a commercial enterprise will even understand the factors only hope for a miracle. The car came the lessee. Negotiations were at an which need to be controlled in order to a halt against a snow pole, with advanced stage when I retired in that the park may not suffer unduly. its front left wheel hanging in space, January 1975, but were continued but the other three wheels were on by my successor Mr J. D. Brookes, “Australia is a young country in which firm ice. We clambered out of the car and satisfactorily concluded shortly our way of life has proceeded not and began the long walk back to the thereafter for the sum of $993,000.00. by the slow process of evolution Chalet, about 2¼ miles distant. The The government had acquired underlying the development of the ladies of course were worst affected; six very good skiing slopes along English and European cultures, but

148 CHAPTER 19 The Cresta and the Cathedral at Mt Buffalo NP, April 1962. by a series of explosions along the “The Authority feels that there is something which I didn’t want to give high roads of commerce and industry a limit to which an area within a them because I thought that it was and education. We tend to follow the national park should be modified (if not in the best interests of the park. lead of the younger countries of the at all) to improve the financial climate I felt especially sorry for Ollie’s wife world, notably the U.S.A. whilst still of a commercial enterprise over Betsy who strove so hard to help having access to the best of British which the Authority has no control. her husband. But the preservation and European practices. This ability Commercial considerations within a of the integrity of the park remained to select what seems best for our national park should be subservient paramount. conditions is surely the essence of to the needs of the park itself.” our progress as a nation. Yet, in the Footnote: The lease at Cresta Although I have expressed strong field of national parks we appear was terminated and the lessee opposition to the participation to have been reluctant to follow compensated, soon after Dr Smith’s of private enterprise in resort the lead so clearly given by British retirement in 1975, and reverted to development and its ancillary and American authorities. In these the Crown. A bushfire in December activities in national parks, and did countries there has been and still is 2006 resulted in the loss of Cresta my utmost to protect the environment a continuous effort to preserve the Valley Lodge, along with the Day in Mount Buffalo National Park, I national parks as such. A natural Visitor Centre, the restaurant and the must say that my relationships with heritage cannot be manufactured motel. the lessees were not unpleasant. Sir and, once destroyed, can never Rupert Clarke argued persuasively be remade. The preservation of but always courteously, and Ollie the small fragments of our natural Polasek, although he caused me heritage is a task which calls for considerable anguish, was always patient understanding and an polite and usually cheerful. I admired abiding love of the country itself.” both of these gentlemen for what The message was repeated in 1965 they had accomplished in their own when the following statement was lives and for their persistent efforts published in the Annual Report for to achieve their objectives. It was that year:- just unfortunate that they wanted

Mt Buffalo National Park: developments at Cresta 149 Chapter 20 The status of national parks in the government service

he various organs of government function under the Tprovisions of the relevant Acts of Parliament and are responsible to the Government through a Minister of the Crown who is appointed by the Government to administer the particular organ of government. Before the National Parks Authority was created under the National Parks Act 1956, national parks were administered by the Lands Department under the Lands Act. The National Parks Act 1956 transferred control of national parks to the National Parks Authority of which the Chairman was the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. (later Sir) Henry National Parks Authority farewell party for Joy Barker, typist, 1965. Left to right: Jim McDonald, Bolte MP, who was also Treasurer Diane LeBrun, Bob Yorston, Joy Barker, Neville Telfer, Sue Grey and Graeme McKenzie. and Minister for Conservation. Forests while still remaining Minister State Development and Chairman The Act provided that the Chairman of State Development and Chairman of the National Parks Authority. Mr of the Authority be the Premier or of the National Parks Authority. Dickie was appointed Minister for “such other Minister as is for the time Housing on 22nd August, 1972, and Mr Fraser retired from the Cabinet being nominated by the Premier”. In the Hon. Murray Byrne, MLG became in July 1964 and the Hon. Vance 1957, when the Authority began to Minister for State Development on function, the Chairman nominated by Dickie MLC was appointed Minister 23rd August, 1972. The National the Premier was the Hon. A. J. Fraser of State Development and Chairman Parks Service remained as a Division MP, who was then the Assistant of the Authority. On 30th June of that Department until 23rd January Minister of State Development and 1965, Mr Dickie became Minister of 1973. Decentralization. In 1959, the Division Health, and the Hon. J. W. Manson of State Development was created MP became Minister for State Pursuant to the proclamation of and Mr Fraser was appointed Development and Chairman of the the State Development Act 1970 Minister of State Development, National Parks Authority as from (No. 8081), the National Parks whilst still remaining Chairman of the 1st October 1965, serving in that Authority was abolished on 15th National Parks Authority. In 1959-60, capacity until 11th June 1970, when March 1971. Thereafter the Mr Fraser was appointed Minister of Mr Dickie again became Minister for National Parks Service functioned

150 CHAPTER 20 and employees as are required for the administration of this Act. (2) For the purposes of this Act the Authority may, and with the consent of the Minister administering the Department concerned make use of the services of any officer or employee in any Government Department”. It might well seem that the use of the imperative mood in Section 4 (1) automatically cleared the way for the appointment of a Director Bill Borthwick (Minister for Conservation) of National Parks (subject to the and Sir (Liberal Premier) were usual procedures of advertising strong supporters of the environment and the position, etc) and this indeed national parks in the early 1970s. may have been the case, as the appointment of the first Director does as a Division of the Department of R. G. Downes, who enjoyed an not appear to have been unduly State Development. The passing international reputation in the field of delayed. of the State Development Act had conservation. He had been Chairman The use of the conditional mood the effect of replacing the National of the Soil Conservation Authority ‘may’ in Section 6 (2) has been Parks Authority by the Minister for and a member of the National Parks designed to give the Public State Development and making Authority for several years. The new Service Board a stronger role in the Director “subject to the general environment for the National Parks the appointment of the Secretary, direction and control of the Minister Service seemed very appropriate; but perhaps there was a kind (of State Development) responsible but neither the State Development of gentlemen’s agreement that for the control and management of Act 1970 nor the Ministry for the necessary finance would be national parks”, in accordance with Conservation Act 1972 had affected forthcoming to enable a Secretary the State Development Act 1970. the role of the committees of to be appointment as soon as management in regard to the control For administrative purposes, the of national parks in Victoria. practicable, and this was done. National Parks Authority had been a And, as typing is recognized as a branch of the Premier’s Department natural consequence of the holding from 1957 to 1971, but the passing Staff of the meetings of the Authority, of the State Development Act 1971 along with the need to maintain created the Department of State The National Parks Act 1956 created records, the provision of a junior Development with its own Permanent the National Parks Authority, and typist/stenographer was probably Head (Mr P. W. Merrett). The National Section 4 (1) of the Act read as not expected to provide any major Parks Service functioned as a follows: ‘for the purposes of this Act recruitment problems for the Division of the Department of State there shall, subject to the Public Authority. Development from March 1971 to Service Acts, be appointed a Director If any attempt had been made in 23rd January 1973, when it passed of National Parks’, and Section 4 (2) stated that ‘the Director shall be the Act for the appointment of other into the Ministry of Conservation the executive officer of the National properly qualified officers to perform which had been created under the Parks Authority’. the duties imposed on the Authority Ministry for Conservation Act 1972. by the Act, it is highly improbable, Section 6 of the Act read as follows: The Hon. W. A. Borthwick MP was I think, that the Bill would ever appointed Minister for Conservation. “(1) Subject to the Public Service have been passed. As it was, the The new Permanent Head was Acts there may be appointed a Parliamentary debates on the Bill, the Director of Conservation, Dr Secretary and such other officers as recorded in Hansard, make it

The status of national parks in the government service 151 very clear that some members of in its negotiations with the Board and were held with the Public Service the Country Party were highly critical Treasury. So, about the middle of Board Inspectors in an attempt to of the Bill; although, ironically, it January 1962, Mr R. G. M. Yorston, justify the requests for staff; yet was a member of the Country Party B.Sc. (Forestry), was seconded almost every application achieved who eventually moulded it into a to the Authority, bringing with him nothing. All the work of the Director, functional form. several years of experience in the Secretary and other senior officers field. of the Authority or Service, and of It seems very likely to me that the typists, went for nothing and next the Government was playing a In May 1962, Mr Landy resigned year we had to endure the same very cautious hand and felt that it to accept a position with ICIANZ frustrations. would be prudent to see how the Ltd, and the resulting vacancy was new Authority performed before it filled by Mr T. E. Arthur, B.Sc. (For.) When we did manage to obtain an committed itself to a programme in July 1962. Mr Arthur had had approval, it seemed like a miracle; of expansion in national parks. several years’ experience with the but one of the major stumbling blocks However, after the Authority had Forests Commission and, later, with was the Board’s practice of recruiting demonstrated that it was adopting a the Commonwealth Department of new scientific officers at the junior highly responsible attitude in regard Works as Horticulturist. He had been level of S0-1. This may have been to the control and management of a member of the Wyperfeld National reasonable in the early days of the national parks, it might have seemed Park Committee of Management for Authority; but, after ten years, it was reasonable to hope that additional several years. no longer appropriate. Obviously, staff would have been provided to Later, Treasury clearance was the attitude of the Treasurer of the enable the Authority to deal with the obtained for the creation of a new day towards a particular arm of manifold duties prescribed by the position that of Chief Technical government was critical. The fact Act. Officer, to which in due course that, for some time, the Government The first Technical Officer, Mr J. M. Mr Arthur was appointed. The depended on the Country Party for Landy [later Governor of Victoria consequential vacancy was filled a majority in the Upper House made 2001-06], was appointed in August by Mr D. S. Saunders, B.Agr.Sc., it difficult for the Government to 1959, and this naturally proved in January 1963. By June 1963, appear too generous to the National very helpful. But appointments the Authority’s staff consisted of Parks Authority/Service, because, under the Public Service Act three Technical Officers (Scientists), as Hansard relates, the Country require Treasury approval, and one being on secondment, an Party was generally opposed to the this was not forthcoming. To assist Administrative Officer and a development of a National Parks the Authority to cope with its ever- Clerk, along with three typists/ Service. increasing workload, the Chairman stenographers, the Secretary and the of the Forests Commission, Mr A. Director. I will not weary the reader Status O. Lawrence, a foundation member with further details of the Authority’s of the National Parks Authority, in struggle to obtain staff, but the In a paper entitled ‘The Role of 1961 very generously offered to Annual Reports show how the staff Committees of Management in second an officer of the Commission grew over the years. National Parks Administration’, for a period of two years, with the which I presented at the third proviso that if, at the end of that time, Frustrations Ministerial Conference on National the officer wished to return to the These Reports show how reluctant Parks, held in Brisbane in June Commission, he could do so without the Government was, during the first 1969, I examined the reasons loss of seniority. However, if the thirteen years or so, to provide the why the Government of Victoria Authority were able to persuade the National Parks Authority/Service with had been so slow in providing the Public Service Board and Treasury the necessary staff; but they fail to resources (finance and staff) to to create a new position, the officer convey any idea of the frustrations of enable the controlling Authority concerned, if he so wished, could the administration during that period. to accomplish the objectives so be appointed to the new position. Every year submissions were made clearly expounded in the National Of course, the Authority gratefully to the Public Service Board, setting Parks Act 1956. It seemed to me accepted the Commission’s offer out the need for staff and finance, that, as an arm of the government and, in due course, was successful and the necessary consultations service, national parks had not yet

152 CHAPTER 20 achieved a status comparable with of national parks was not greatly of communication between that of the State’s other agencies enhanced by their efforts. committees of management and the such as forestry, water supply, Authority and establish workable The lack of definition of the national agriculture, etc. Whatever difficulties relationships. It was customary for park concept and of the principles these services may have had in the Hon. Gilbert Chandler MLC, of management in those early days establishing themselves in the past, Minister of Agriculture, to make direct led to some strange practices. For the governments of the period approaches to the Chairman of the example, the first committee of 1956-69 recognized their economic National Parks Authority, the Hon. management of Wilsons Promontory value. These arms of the government A. J. Fraser. I protested that, as National Park saw the park not as an service had demonstrated their Chairman of the Churchill National ecological entity but as a repository value and had thereby achieved Park Committee of Management for all the native plants, birds and status, whereas the national parks, and as a member of the Fern Tree animals which at that time existed in which necessarily had to compete Gully National Park Committee of Victoria. Introductions were made of with other government departments Management, it was not proper for various plants and numerous birds for financial support, had yet to him to approach the Chairman as without any regard to or knowledge be recognized for their place in his ministerial colleague, but that he of the particular requirements of the economy of the State. National should discuss matters pertaining the species or of the effects which parks (or those responsible for their to those parks with the Authority – in such introductions might have on control) were subjects for derision the first place with the Director. I other species. Malleefowl, lyrebirds, in Parliament; they were assigned am afraid that I lost a few brownie bower-birds and many other species to relatively junior Ministers; and points on that issue, but the example were introduced into the Promontory. the day-to-day management of the illustrates the ‘freemasonry’ of the How many of them survived is not parks was placed in the hands of Cabinet. the point at issue - what is important committees of management. is that such practices did little to These negative influences reduced The role of committees of enhance the status of national parks the bargaining power of the National management in national parks in the minds of the public or the Parks Authority and delayed the administration is discussed Government. recognition by the Government of elsewhere, but here we are the importance of national parks and Shortage of funds and perhaps concerned with the reasons why of the National Parks Service as a other factors sometimes caused the Government was so reluctant functional unit within the economy of committees of management to to provide the necessary finance the State. For many years, National issue grazing licences (e.g. Wilsons for national parks. Because of the Parks remained the Cinderella of Promontory and Mount Buffalo), to relatively low population, the slowly- government services. strip the bark off wattle trees and developing economy, the isolation sell it (Spermwhale Head - later The But there were other factors working of our island continent and the Lakes National Park) or to open in favour of the National Parks general lack of men (and women) a quarry and sell forest products Service. The passing of the State having the necessary training and (Churchill). Such practices did not Development Act (1970) resulted in experience, it was not customary to enhance the status of national parks. the abolition of the National Parks appoint the members of committees Authority on 31st March 1971 and the of management on the basis of Thus the National Parks Authority assumption of the powers and duties any particular qualification. If they inherited a system of national parks of the Authority by the Minister. This showed interest and a willingness to which had yet to achieve status should not be seen as a reflection on undertake some of the responsibility comparable with that of other the National Parks Authority, because of protecting the park, they were government agencies concerned it was only through its persistent strong candidates for appointment. with resource management. Worse endeavours over the years that the There were of course some still, some of the committees of embryonic concept of a national outstanding men who served on the management included Members parks service had developed to this committees, and it is a tribute to them of Parliament (and, in one case, a point. all that the areas were preserved Member of the Cabinet), who did and in some cases ‘developed’ for not hesitate to use their positions of The new Act made the Director of the benefit of visitors. Certainly they privilege to frustrate the Authority in National Parks directly responsible to were pioneering days, but the status its endeavours to create avenues the Minister, which surely indicated

The status of national parks in the government service 153 that the Government felt that the Party. In fact, from reports, he has Director of National Parks, and three stage had been reached when the done nothing but cast aspersions non-government members. Director (with his supporting staff) on members of Parliament. This is The Act provided inter alia that “in could function without the direct disappointing, because he has a making any recommendation, the involvement of the members of great deal of ability.” And there was Council shall have regard to the former Authority. The long association more; but surely, that was enough present and future needs of the of the several Departmental Heads to dampen the enthusiasm of most people of Victoria in relation to: who comprised the major part of the people. (a) the preservation of areas which Authority and of the officers of those However, despite Mr Mitchell’s are ecologically significant; departments with the Director had gloomy forebodings, the National laid the foundations of what was to Parks Service continued to perform (b) the conservation of areas follow. One immediate consequence well and to grow in stature, in of natural interest beauty or of the new arrangement was that preparation for its incorporation in historical interest; there was much closer liaison the Ministry for Conservation in 1973. (c) the creation and preservation of between the Minister of State This did not destroy the identity areas of reserved forest; Development (the Hon. Vance Dickie of the National Parks Service, but MLC), the Permanent Head (Mr P. W. (d) the creation and preservation of enhanced its status and afforded areas for national parks; Merrett) and the Director than had greater scope for those concerned to hitherto been possible. improve the service which had been (e) the creation and preservation of developed over the years in fulfilment areas for leisure and recreation The debate on the Bill provided and in particular of areas close an opportunity for the Member for of the objects of the National Parks Act 1956. to cities and towns for bushland Benambra, the Hon. T. W. Mitchell, recreation reserves; MP to launch another attack on the Director of National Parks. (f) the creation and preservation of In addressing Parliament on the The Land Conservation reserves for the conservation of Bill to establish a Department of Act 1970 fish and wildlife; (g) the preservation of species of State Development and abolish Over the years there had been native plants; and the National Parks Authority, he is a growing recognition by the reported in Hansard (9 December Government of the need for a (h) land required by government 1970, p. 3193) as saying that “the specialist body to examine the Crown departments and public only two persons who will now lands of Victoria with the particular authorities in order to carry out administer the Act will be the Minister object of making recommendations their functions.” and the Director, Dr Smith. They to the Government on the balanced The new Act required that all will be dictators.” He continued, use of land in Victoria. The Land Crown land in Victoria be examined “With all due respect to Dr Smith, Conservation Act (1970) established systematically with a view to although I have always admired his the Land Conservation Council (LCC) ensuring that it was ultimately used scientific ability, I have taken strong for this purpose. most appropriately. The work of objection to his complete inefficiency the Land Conservation Council and inability to grasp even the first The LCC’s first Chairman, Mr S. proceeded apace and still goes principle of administration. He has L. Dimmick, was a man of great on. A comprehensive record of its not shown that he can administer. A experience and an outstanding work would be of inestimable value Director of National Parks should first administrator, and a man of strong for future reference, but the matter and foremost be an administrator.” character. He was duly afforded the necessary resources to undertake which is relevant here is that the There was more: “Dr Smith has the work. Above all, he was provided Government – and the Parliament treated the Country Party and other with a very competent staff of highly – recognized that the growing parties in this House cavalierly. qualified scientists who set about status of the National Parks Service He has never once approached the Council’s task in a systematic entitled it to a place on the Council a member of the Country Party manner. The membership of the LCC which was empowered to make or invited a member to his office included the Heads of the various recommendations on land-use, to explain why the situation may government departments concerned and that the selection of areas for have been misunderstood by the with land management, including the reservation as national parks was a

154 CHAPTER 20 Victoria’s Parliament House. Photo: Widhi Rachmanto (Flickr | Creative Commons Licence Attribution 2.0 Generic) matter for investigation by specialists, up duty until after 30th June 1973. the National Parks Service and to instead of being determined on national parks. A Bill was being It is important to appreciate that emotive issues or an ad hoc basis. drafted to amend the National the passing of the three Acts of Parks Act by incorporating certain Parliament referred to above had provisions which experience had Ministry for Conservation a profound effect in raising the status of national parks in Victoria, indicated to be necessary. There was The creation of the Ministry for but it should also be recognized really nothing controversial about Conservation, which came into that the National Parks Service had the Bill, but one day I received a operation on 23rd January 1973, been growing in stature over the telephone call from the then Minister had further beneficial results for previous twelve years or so and this of Lands, the Hon. J. C. M. (Jim) the National Parks Service. New had contributed to the enactments Balfour MP. “Tom Mitchell would like to have a word with you regarding positions for a Planning Officer and referred to above. the amendments,” said Jim. “Would a Research Liaison Officer were you be willing to meet him and have created, but the appointees, Mrs a chat?” Jane Lennon MA, and Mr M. D. A word of praise Watson, BSc (Hons) (Monash), MA Other events occurred during Now, over the years, the Hon. T. (Princeton) respectively, did not take 1971 which gave a great boost to W. Mitchell MP had used every

The status of national parks in the government service 155 A sand blow inland from Oberon Bay is already extensive in December 1952. John Hart-Smith stands in the foreground.

available opportunity to discredit me came toward me, smiling, with hand House as follows: “This Bill is of great before Parliament, but I had always outstretched. “Hello, Len”, said Tom, significance in the administration of thought that it would be in our mutual “very nice of you to come; I’ve been national parks because it carries on interests for me to seek an interview wanting to have a chat with you an old policy and implements a new with him to ascertain just why he about the new Bill.” “My pleasure, one on national parks which are now appeared to take such delight in Tom”, I replied, “I’ve been wanting to under the control of the Minister of attacking me in Parliament, knowing talk to you, too.” So we sat down and State Development and the Director that I had no redress. However, my talked about the new amendments, of National Parks, Dr Smith. I am ‘advisors’ had consistently said that which I was able to explain to Tom’s grateful to the Minister for making ‘it would be a waste of time’. So, satisfaction. Not a word was said Dr Smith available to go through the when Jim Balfour (with whom I had about the past and, when we parted, Bill with me. In the past I have been cordial relations) ‘opened the door’ Tom said, “You know, they want me critical of Dr Smith but now find I was for me, I decided immediately that to say something about the Bill in the mistaken. I had a satisfactory and it was time to enter and meet Tom House”. friendly chat with him on this Bill and Mitchell. I am sure that we can co-operate It so happened that I was in the successfully in the future. My recollections of our meeting are Visitors’ Gallery when the Assembly still crystal clear. I went around to was debating the Bill. In due course, “At the same time, however Parliament House to meet him; he Tom Mitchell rose and addressed the knowledgeable Dr Smith may be,

156 CHAPTER 20 or however efficient any man may be in that position, members of my party consider that the control of national parks is an unfair burden to place on one man. The Minister has other irons in the fire and the control of 23 national parks must fall to one man. There should be a small controlling body consisting of perhaps three people. Dr Smith should not be asked to carry the full burden that was formerly carried by a comparatively large body.” Mr Mitchell concluded on the following note: “It is too much to ask one man to carry so much responsibility and the Minister should consider giving additional assistance to Dr Smith.” On a later occasion (11th September 1974), when speaking in the Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech at the opening of the Spring Session Marram grass was used at the northern end of Oberon Bay to stabilise sand dunes. January 1986. of Parliament, Mr Mitchell had this to say: “His Excellency referred to Tom was looking straight at me as he a proposed new National Parks made his speech, and I happened Bill. The former Premier, Sir Henry also to catch the eye of my former Bolte, broke his word and instead Minister, Mr Manson, in the House. of reforming the National Parks He raised his hand in salute! A Authority, he put the whole work load thousand thoughts flashed through on to Dr Smith’s shoulders. It is too my mind; at that moment I thought much for one man. I have changed I understood just how relieved my mind considerably about Dr Odysseus felt when he finally Smith. He has done a good job and succeeded in steering his frail craft he has stuck to his guns.” past Scylla and Charybdis. Changing So there was Tom Mitchell, the the metaphor, I knew that, somehow, same person, in the same place, I had run that second mile and that who many years earlier had inter my torch was still burning brightly. alia informed the House that “It (the So a new era began; there were no [1956 National Parks] Bill) shows more attacks from Tom Mitchell. I that the Government will give ducats am sure that the status of national to the ‘butterfly boys’ and let them parks and the National Parks Service buy butterfly nets and go after rose a goodly number of points on yabbies with fish traps” and who had the Parliamentary Stock Exchange referred in disparaging terms to my in consequence of Tom Mitchell’s predecessor, Mr Crosbie Morrison, address to Parliament on that day. and virtually crucified me during the period 1958-1971, telling the Parliament that I was ‘doing a good job’ and castigating the Government for not giving me more money to pursue the objects of the Act.

The status of national parks in the government service 157 Chapter 21 Ranger issues

Wyperfeld NP, 1959. Neil Hart-Smith and Rudd Campbell at the old whim, Lake Brambuck.

was not alone in sometimes being transporting the members along the he was well endowed with wit and a candidate for the executioner’s very low-grade tracks throughout the good humour, and with the kind of I block. At least two of the National park. sagacity which is acquired by long Parks rangers had similar problems. association with the land and the After his appointment as Ranger, bush. When the Minister, Mr Fraser, I have mentioned elsewhere that Rudd played a valuable part in and Mrs Fraser and her sister visited the appointment of a ranger, even the area of public relations and the park with me in 1960, Rudd won on a part-time basis, at Wyperfeld escorted visitors or directed them all their hearts. National Park in October 1958 to special points of interest. He marked the beginning of the was a mine of information on park When a mob of kangaroos bounded development of that park for tourist matters and I have seen numerous across the track ahead of us, Mrs purposes. The appointment of Albert letters written by visitors, including Fraser could not conceal her delight Edward George Campbell – known many from America, expressing their and exclaimed, “How wonderful, universally as ‘Rudd’ – received wide appreciation of the favours and good aren’t they graceful!” Rudd acclaim in the district. Rudd was an fellowship which Rudd bestowed responded laconically, “Woman, you active and enthusiastic supporter upon them. Rudd was a popular ain’t seen nothin’ yet”. I am sure that of the Yaapeet Football Club and escort when the Governor of Victoria, I saw a smile steal timidly across the popular with the farming community. Sir Rowan Delacombe and Lady Minister’s face, and the two ladies, He and his brother Bill had for years surprised perhaps but obviously Delacombe visited the park, as they associated themselves with the park. enjoying the moment, inclined their did on several occasions. When the Committee of Management heads in my direction. Rudd led paid a visit, Rudd’s Land Rover No one could pretend that Rudd had the party to his favourite features – was always available to assist in been over-educated at school but the giant red gum, the Malleefowl

158 CHAPTER 21 Rudd Campbell and his Land Rover in Wyperfeld NP, ca 1962. mound, the stand of cypress pines In the early days, especially 1959-60, the park and the community well (Callitris spp), the red gums at Black Rudd used to entertain the members and it was recognized that he would Flat, the old whim at Lake Brambuck of Committee of Management and be sadly missed. Rudd’s death left – and drew attention to the Smoker me by demonstrating his prowess Wyperfeld without a ranger. Parrots (Polytelis anthopeplus), with his pea-rifle in reducing the In due course, the position was Major Mitchell cockatoos, Galahs rabbit population. He must have advertised, in order to afford all those (Eolophus roseicapillus), Mallee had eyes like a hawk, because he interested an opportunity to apply Ringnecks (Barnadius barnardi), could see a rabbit at fifty metres and and to ensure that the successful etc. as we proceeded from one high shot many of them from his seat in applicant could be seen not to point to another. It was a wonderful the Land Rover. Jokingly, he would have received favoured treatment. experience, and all due to Rudd. ask “which eye do you want?” This After careful consideration by the practice might seem a little strange When the park was threatened by officers and Director, it was agreed to the ardent conservationist; but bushfire, Rudd (a member of the that the situation could best be met it was much more selective than Rural Fire Brigade) was always at the by appointing Mr Gary Anderson any other method I know of and it forefront of those who strove to arrest as Acting Ranger. Gary had been did destroy rabbits, which the Act the fire and save the park. At one serving as a Park Assistant under required us to do! time he had a serious difference of Eric McDonald at Hattah Lakes opinion with the local Forest Officer And then, on 8 November 1970, National Park since December 1965 who, in Rudd’s opinion, adopted the quite suddenly, Rudd died. He had and had acquired considerable wrong strategy in attacking a fire spent the day working in the park, experience in national parks which threatened the Wonga Hut but died of a heart attack shortly after management. He had attended area. Rudd loved that park. reaching his home. He had served two Ranger Training Courses (1967

Ranger issues 159 Victorian Governor Sir Rohan Delacombe (centre) and party visited Wyperfeld NP in April 1964.

and 1969) during that period and The house was prefabricated by I was aware that there were many had, on his own initiative, developed Phelan’s of Maryborough and was visitors to the park who were loud in an authoritative knowledge of ready for occupation by September their praise of Gary Anderson and entomology. His advice was often 1972. that he had established the practice sought by officers of the CSIRO. of giving illustrated lectures on Gary’s appointment as Ranger natural history subjects in the Wonga The appointment of Gary Anderson at Wyperfeld National Park was Hut. I am not sure, but I think that Mr as a Park Ranger at Wyperfeld soon followed by expressions of Ian Maroske (a very active member immediately posed problems for dissatisfaction from some of the of the Committee) had somewhat the National Parks Service. Rudd park visitors. The general complaint miraculously produced a projector had lived at his own house near was that the ranger did not bestow which could be worked off a 12-volt Yaapeet; there was no house in the sufficient attention on the visitors battery. At all events, the Hut was park, so Gary had to find lodgings and was not available to drive them always crowded when Gary gave a in the district. This was a difficult to the special points of interest talk, and it has to be mentioned that period for him and the Service and such as the Big Red Gum, etc. this activity was entirely voluntary arrangements were set in train for a Then there appeared to be some and undertaken at the end of a house to be built in the park, as soon misunderstanding between the normal day’s work. as possible. ranger and a reverend gentleman After examining the various who complained that he was not Because the local people had alternatives, the Public Works permitted to conduct a religious always taken a special interest in Department and officers of the service in the park. When this matter Wyperfeld, I decided to invoke National Parks Service collaborated was publicized through the local the aid of Mr Jack Fisher, who had in the preparation of plans and paper, I decided that the cause played a prominent part in any specifications of a house to suit the of the dissatisfaction should be public functions in the park and rather harsh conditions of Wyperfeld. investigated. ‘automatically’ (often in association

160 CHAPTER 21 with Rudd’s brother Bill) in acting as chef at the barbecues which were organised to mark special occasions such as a visit by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, and Lady Delacombe, and the Mallee Regional Committee, etc. I asked Jack if he would be kind enough to arrange a meeting between half a dozen of the ‘elder statesman’ of the district and myself, to discuss the management of Wyperfeld National Park and Gary Anderson’s role as Park Ranger. Jack and Mrs Fisher very generously offered me the hospitality of their home for the occasion. I left it to Jack to select the members of the ‘discussion group’. While these arrangements were proceeding, I discussed matters with Gary Anderson so that I could provide the meeting with appropriate responses to the questions I presumed they would ask. The meeting duly took place. The reasons for the meeting have already been given, but I took the opportunity to explain certain aspects of the matter which had not previously been discussed. I explained that, when Rudd Campbell had been appointed Park Ranger (part-time) in October 1958, it had seemed a very satisfactory solution to the problem of protecting the park. The National Parks Authority had little knowledge of the park, having only Wyperfeld NP ranger, Gary Anderson, focused on controlling pest plants and animals in the park just recently begun to address its and researching native species. duties as defined in the Act. Rudd had unparalleled knowledge of the Authority’s purposes better than aware also that, as the Authority’s park; he lived in close proximity, Rudd Campbell did in those early scientific staff grew (as it did, thereby rendering it unnecessary to years. I personally found him of the very slowly), the several Technical provide a house for the Ranger, and utmost help in becoming acquainted Officers like John Landy, Trevor he was strongly recommended by with the various features of the park Arthur, Bob Yorston, Don Saunders the Committee of Management. The and with its problems. As I gained and Colin Hutchinson, who became appointment of a local man of good an understanding of park matters involved in various aspects of park standing in the Community provided I was able to extend the range of management, also found Rudd the Authority with a very useful link our discussions and many of the helpful and a veritable mine of with the people of the district. decisions reached were based information. It is doubtful whether any other on our mutual assessment of the As mentioned earlier, as a public person could have served the problem under consideration. I was relations officer Rudd was in his

Ranger issues 161 The new house for the ranger built in 1972 near the entrance to Wyperfeld NP.

element. He conducted many visitors and signposting. The Authority had he had been actively concerned from overseas and different parks found it necessary to develop safe in conservation matters and in the of Australia on guided tours, and and reliable methods of controlling destruction of noxious weeds and Rudd’s commentaries, if sometimes the rabbit population, and a fire- vermin (rabbits). At Wyperfeld he lacking in scientific basis, were protection strategy. found that park visitors were already fairly well provided for in regard always entertaining. Over the Over the years, these problems to the basic necessities – water, years, the park had been visited had been tackled and the relevant toilets, shelters, roads, signs and by groups of schoolboys and their procedures had become woven fire-protection tracks – but that teachers from such schools as Carey into the fabric of park management. rabbit and noxious weed problems Grammar, Geelong Grammar, and Rudd had played his part and, had abounded. Only Gary Anderson several Technical and High Schools, he lived, he would have continued could sustain the fight against these and Rudd had been most helpful in to do so. But he died. I pointed out invaders. It was inevitable under the implementation of the different to the meeting that when Rudd died, the circumstances, I argued, that conservation projects in which the mould in which he had been cast park visitors should receive less the boys and their teachers were had been destroyed with him. It was favoured treatment than they had involved. not likely that his replacement would hitherto. But, I pointed out, as if to be similar in interests or background Initially, I informed the meeting, compensate for his seeming neglect or in personal characteristics. These the Authority had been confronted of park visitors, Gary Anderson were the facts of life. with the need to tackle certain had, in his own time and under basic problems: to develop a water Gary Anderson had not been cast very difficult conditions, instituted supply, and to provide amenities in Rudd’s mould. He was much an educational programme in the such as toilets, picnic shelters and younger; he had spent five years in form of his illustrated lectures. It was safe fireplaces, improved roads Hattah Lakes National Park, where really not possible to compare the

162 CHAPTER 21 value of the two services provided by supply or toilets or safe roads had the Act of reservation was designed Rudd Campbell and Gary Anderson: not deterred them; but a problem to protect. This was achieved they were both appropriate to the arose when it became known that by restricting human activities to condition of the park at the times of it was planned to hold a football various forms of passive recreation their appointment. I did not believe match in the park as part of the day’s such as walking, swimming that either the park or the visitors had entertainment. (where appropriate), picnicking, really suffered by the change. Gary declined to give permission and photography, etc. I drew the attention of the Council to a fact which was I am not sure that the local residents there was local resentment which had hitherto perceived the matter culminated in my agreeing to meet well known to them all that, in areas of park management in the broad the Shire of Karkarooc to explain why like Wyperfeld, there was a very perspective in which I presented it was not considered appropriate delicate balance between the soil it to them, but it was obvious from to hold football matches in national and its sparse vegetative cover. The their comments that they felt that parks. I decided that Gary should impact of thirty-six pairs of heavy they had a better understanding be present so that he could meet boots, complete with football stops, of the problems of national parks the individual members of Council on such soil was fraught with danger management than they had before and meet the Council as a body, but to the surface, and repairs took a the meeting began. that he should not be involved in long time to effect. For the more the formal discussion between the active forms of human recreation, There remained the matter of the Council and me. He would be free to other areas of land had been complaint from the minister that Gary talk to individual Councillors after the reserved from private ownership so had not permitted him to conduct his formal business. that they could be used for various religious service. When I explained forms of sport, including football. When it came to meeting the Council, that Gary had not objected to the I pointed out that the Yaapeet of course, I could only inform holding of the meeting, but only to football ground was available to them of the obvious. Yet, if it were the use of loudspeakers to broadcast the local people, who were free to obvious, there would have been no the service over the entire camping use it without any of the constraints need for any discussion. I thought I area at Wonga Hut, there were looks imposed in a national park, and that recognized the crux of the problem of incredulity and annoyance on the nobody was being deprived of the and endeavoured to explain matters faces of those present. There was enjoyment of the game of football. It complete support for Gary Anderson. as I understood them. In the more distant past Wyperfeld, although was simply a matter of venue. We were all reluctant to leave declared a national park under the While I personally had enjoyed the comfort of the warm glowing Land Act in 1921, had ‘always’ been playing football in my younger days, fire in the Fisher lounge; but, as I regarded as belonging to the people it was clearly very important not to stepped out into the frosty night air, of the district, who felt free to do establish a precedent which could preparatory to driving back to the virtually whatever they wished. The have repercussions in the future in motel at Hopetoun, I reflected on the annual picnic had become part of other national parks. importance of maintaining a close the folk-lore of the district and was relationship with the people in the an occasion for conducting foot I concluded by saying that the district in which our national parks races in which the local champions, National Parks Service had been are situated. young and old, demonstrated their given the task of establishing management practices for Victoria’s Gary Anderson spent several more relative skills, and even a ‘greasy national parks, that it was still in years at Wyperfeld and was the first pig’ race. The latter seemed to have the process of ‘phasing out’ certain ranger to occupy the fine house built temporarily fallen out of favour. practices which had become near the park entrance in 1972, but I explained to the meeting that established in the past and that I his problems with the local residents national parks were areas in which always welcomed the opportunity were not yet over. For many years the emphasis in management was of discussing matters with those prior to the creation of the Authority it the protection of the land and its interested. had been the custom of the residents associated flora and fauna in such in the district to hold an annual picnic a way that the parks could be used I think that the Council understood, in the park. The fact that, in days and enjoyed by the people without and the football match was not held gone by, there had been no water impairment to the features which in Wyperfeld.

Ranger issues 163 Chapter 22 Port Campbell National Park

he spectacular coastal this caused some delay. Of much Loch Ard Cemetery scenery of the Port Campbell greater concern was the stripping Tdistrict was first brought to my of limestone for road-making On 1st June 1878 the sailing ship attention in February 1934 by some purposes, creating an unpleasant Loch Ard struck a reef and sank fellow visitors to Phillip Island. Their scar. Reference has been made in with the loss of 52 lives, near the enthusiasm prepared me gladly to Chapter 10 to the damage caused gorge which now bears the ship’s accept an invitation in November by Country Roads Board bulldozers name. There were only two survivors, 1958 from the Heytesbury Shire in the vicinity of Loch Ard Gorge Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce. Council to accompany Councillors and the vandalising of the cave Only four bodies were recovered Frank Ford and Cecil Bergin on a visit below; but eventually these activities and these were buried in a small of inspection with a view to having a ceased, though the scars remain. cemetery near Loch Ard Gorge. national park declared in the district. Declaration and development At the end of a very full day I had Proposal for golf course of the park been captivated by the coastal scenery, ranging from Peterborough Just when the boundary problems The Port Campbell National Park was in the west to Gibsons Steps in the appeared to have been settled, I declared under Act No. 7148, which east. A few months later, the National was approached by representatives received the Governor’s assent on Parks Authority visited the area, of the golf lobby in the district with 5th May 1964. Provision was made commencing at Moonlight Head. a request to construct a golf course in the Act for the National Parks Investigations made in collaboration within the proposed park, to the Authority to be appointed sole trustee with the Lands Department Western east of Port Campbell. I demurred, of the Loch Ard Cemetery, thus District Surveyor, Mr Dan Madden, and persuaded the proponents of enabling the Authority to undertake revealed that there were a number the scheme, led by Cec Bergin, the protection and maintenance of of problems in the eastern part of to examine the possibilities of the the historic cemetery. the proposed national park, and area near Peterborough and, with the eastern boundary was set the co-operation of the Lands As an interim measure, the near Gibsons Steps. The Authority Department (through Mr Madden), Heytesbury Shire Council agreed to investigated the possibility of this suggestion was adopted. continue to manage the park through including the Waarre Pine Plantation, the agency of their local employee, because of its excellent potential for Mr Cyril Couch, who was appointed camping purposes, but there were Surf Lifesaving Club Park Ranger when the Authority problems with the local pony club, Further delay was caused by a assumed control on 1st July 1965. which used the plantation for riding last-minute application from the One of the features of the park exercises. Port Campbell Life-Saving Club for was a camping area situated The Country Roads Board undertook permission to build a club house in between the township and the Port a fairly major road realignment of which to house the lifeboat, and to Campbell Creek. This had been the Great Ocean Road between construct a launching ramp. This was established some years previously Port Campbell and Princetown a highly emotive issue and eventually by the Heytesbury Shire Council and, since it had been decided it was agreed to accede to the with the assistance of the relevant that the new road would mark the request. government tourist organisation of northern boundary of the park, the day. The amenities consisted of a

164 CHAPTER 22 The coastal formation London Bridge, Port Campbell NP, in the late 1950s. In 1992 the left hand arch collapsed, leaving two visitors stranded on the right hand section until rescued by helicopter. toilet block and a large picnic shelter. installed a flap valve on the drain acquiesced to their requests, so that There was also a large amenities leading from the park to the margin delays were minimal. block on the foreshore, incorporating of the creek to enable surface water Several years previously, there had toilets, showers and changing rooms. to be discharged from the park, but been a recognition of the need for a to exclude tidal waters. The Authority was soon brought to a levee bank at Tidal River in Wilsons realisation of the problems attending In the construction of the levee bank Promontory National Park to prevent the management of the park. When the ranger showed a considerable flooding of the northern part of the higher-than-usual tides caused a amount of ingenuity. His local camp during periods of ‘king’ tides; flooding of Port Campbell Creek, the knowledge gave him access to but the administrative machinery was camping area became inundated information not so readily available too cumbersome to set in motion. and, after the flood had subsided, to Head Office, and he seemed to There is still no levee bank at Tidal remained a quagmire for some time. have an uncanny knack of knowing River! where to obtain ‘fill’ at the right price The Authority’s first action was to for the levee bank. He and the Chief A new toilet block was constructed prepare a plan of management for Technical officer worked very closely at the western end of the camping the park, including the camping on this project and their calculations area, incorporating hot and cold area. The plan was completed by of the amount of fill required were not showers, toilets and changing rooms. early 1966 and no time was lost far out. When additional allocations The camping ground was levelled in commencing essential works. were needed to meet some and campsites demarcated in an A levee bank was constructed to contingency to take advantage of an orderly manner, and a tree-planting prevent tidal waters from inundating unexpected windfall in the availability programme was begun, to provide the camping area, and the Ranger of an additional supply of fill, I gladly shade for campers during the

Port Campbell National Park 165 summer and to beautify the area. These works were well under way during 1966. At the request of the Authority, the Country Roads Board commenced reconstruction and sealing of the access roads to Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, The [Twelve] Apostles, The Arch and The Grotto. This involved a total estimated cost of $34,500 which was covered by the special road fund (see chapter 11). It is interesting to note the relative speed with which developments Rock stacks, Port Campbell NP, in 1959. The stack on the left is Mutton Bird Island, where the proceeded in this park; in addition ship Loch Ard was wrecked in June, 1878. to the Director, the Authority now had three very energetic Technical grapevine’ that there were just a Naturally, I informed the Council Officers (Trevor Arthur, Don Saunders few who would be pleased to see of the Authority’s achievements in and Bob Yorston) whose experience him dismissed. The disquiet of the the way of vermin control and fire in other national parks was directed local people apparently reached protection, provision of facilities for to the development of the new park. the Council, with the result that I visitors, etc. Naturally, suitable signs and notices was invited to meet that body with Then I paused, hoping that someone were prepared and erected in various a view to discussing the matter of would ask a few questions, and I did parts of the park to assist and advise the appointment of a Committee of not have long to wait. Councillor John visitors. Management. It was thought that if a Younis asked when the Authority committee of management controlled proposed to appoint a Committee of the park, the ‘ranger problem’ could Management for the park. I informed Committee of be quickly resolved. Of course such Councillor Younis that the matter Management clandestine thoughts were not openly of a committee of management canvassed, but I was aware of them. The Authority had shown no great had been very carefully examined eagerness to appoint a Committee The meeting with the Heytesbury by the Authority. I pointed out that of Management for the park, and Shire Council, in March 1966, before the advent of the Authority, this led to some uneasiness in the was very cordial. I expressed the appointment of a Committee of minds of a few of the local people. my personal appreciation of the Management under the Land Act The problems associated with the enthusiastic assistance I had was the only course open to the management of a camping area on received towards the end of 1958 Department and such committees as the fringe of a small township were from Councillors Bergin and Ford, were in existence when the Authority coming to the surface. In particular, who had nearly run me off my legs on was created had come under the the ranger was experiencing a that memorable day. It transpired in control of the Authority. That was backlash from some of the local fact that I had been under a delusion several years previously and, at people who were finding it difficult in that regard, because they said a time when the Authority had no to come to terms with the fact that that it was I who had nearly run them scientific staff, such an arrangement one of their fellow residents, whom off their legs! I thanked the Council had proved very helpful. However, they had known for many years, had for having assisted the Authority the position was now very now been appointed a National Park by acting as manager during the different; the Authority had several Ranger and provided with a uniform. first year after the declaration of the experienced officers with appropriate It was not the elegant ranger’s park, while the Authority was ‘taking scientific qualifications and, in any uniform of today, but it was a uniform, stock’, and I gave a resume of the case, the Act did not state that the which set him apart from his fellows. Authority’s plans for the development appointment of a committee was It had come to my ears ‘via the of the park, as outlined above. mandatory.

166 CHAPTER 22 Moreover, servicing committees of degrees of disrepair, from the main I think that the representatives of the management occupied a great deal track to favourite fishing spots along Anglers Club were a little surprised of the Authority staff’s time and, after the cliffs. There is nothing to compare to learn that they could meet the consideration, the Authority had with the enthusiasm and dogged representatives of the Authority decided not to appoint a Committee. perseverance of the fisherman, and and talk to them in language which Councillor Younis was not entirely the numerous trenches and large pot everybody could understand and I happy with this explanation, so I holes provided ample testimony of am certain that our meeting had very explained that the services provided the wide range of driving skills (and beneficial results for all concerned. in national parks these days were of their lack ) among the fisher folk. I have always found that when somewhat more sophisticated than there was a misunderstanding with Hitherto it appears to have been they had been previously. As an people or the possibility of such, it nobody’s responsibility to maintain example, I described the LP gas is essential for the parties to meet such tracks and vehicles often installations in the parks and the and discuss the matter vis-a-vis. became bogged in the quagmire. use of instantaneous LP gas water Subsequently the Western District The owners had to dig them out but heaters to provide hot water in the Anglers’ Club invited me and the did not feel called upon to repair showers and laundry. The regular local officers of the Fisheries and the damage caused in the process. servicing and maintenance of these Wildlife Division to address the Naturally, when the National Parks appliances called for particular skills Authority was placed in control of the Annual Meeting on our respective and, if the committee were appointed area, it was expected to shoulder roles, and this further enhanced our to manage the park, it would naturally the burden of repairing and pleasant relationship. be expected to manage the various maintaining the tracks. Clearly, it services. would not suffice for the Authority Local problems “Did Councillor Younis have any merely to place a ban on fishing from particular person in mind who the cliffs. Some problems arose in connection with human activities on the beach, could relieve the Authority of that The ranger had difficulty in function?” I asked. “Well, no”, replied in the camping area and in the ‘controlling the traffic’ and it became township of Port Campbell. The the Councillor. I wound up the apparent that a solution had to be regulations relating to the presence discussion by saying that I thought found for the growing problem. of dogs and cats in national parks I understood the problem and the Arrangements were therefore made were not always understood by Authority welcomed the interest for me to meet representatives of the people who regarded such pets as a of the Council in the affairs of the Western District Anglers’ Association natural complement to family life and park. “However, instead of having a to examine the matter ‘in the field’. occasionally, potential campers were committee of management of which In preparation for the meeting, I requested to ‘move on’. The ranger only, say, two members would be made a detailed inspection of the had clear instructions on that matter. councillors, I think it would meet the tracks, in the company of the Park Council’s need better if the Director Ranger, Cyril Couch. Cyril knew the It was recognised throughout himself met all members from time area well and I relied very heavily the National Parks Service that to time, for open discussions on on his judgment, which was based once an exception was made, the park matters,” I said. I offered to on years of practical experience, consequences would flow through call on the Council ‘at any time’ and and a plan was agreed to before we to other parks. On more than one there was unanimous agreement on met the fishing fraternity. The joint occasion the Service was informed that proposal. So the Committee of inspection proceeded smoothly and by disappointed (would-be) visitors Management crisis passed and the it was agreed that certain tracks that they had had no problems with Authority proceeded as hitherto. should be closed permanently, some their pets in other parks (not under reserved for dry weather use and the Authority’s control); but the rule The Fishermen’s Tracks others should be repaired and used was strictly applied. At the same responsibly. In some cases, it was time it was recognized that people in Fishing from the high cliffs around agreed that anglers should not drive transit who were travelling along the Port Campbell was a popular to the cliff top, but should walk if coast road, accompanied by their pastime for many anglers and there necessary to their favourite fishing pets, required special consideration. were unofficial tracks, in varying spots. Permission was granted for them to

Port Campbell National Park 167 exercise their pets and allow them I decided to spend two nights at regulations was explained they their freedom in the more remote Port Campbell; on the first night I seemed satisfied. parts of the park for toilet purposes. proposed to give a general illustrated One particular item concerned the In the main, there was a good talk to explain more fully the purpose mothers of Port Campbell who had understanding between travellers of national parks and the principles been in the habit of taking their and the park management. and philosophies underlying their small children and babies in their management, and to demonstrate However, a very small number of the prams across the campground to how Port Campbell National Park residents of Port Campbell township the river beach, which was much fitted into a system of national parks, found it more difficult to co-operate safer than the ocean beach. I was instead of standing in isolation. The with the Park Ranger. One person in informed that since the levee bank meeting was duly held in the local particular seemed reluctant to prevent had been constructed it was no hall and was fairly well attended, his dog from running at large in the longer convenient for them to take though the discussion was limited. camping area and along the beach, their children to the beach. I was The people seemed reluctant to talk. resulting in exchanges between the asked whether it would be possible dog’s owner and the ranger. There The second meeting was held on to construct a track for mothers with is a matter of principle involved the following evening, the owner of prams to facilitate access to the river here which may not immediately the Port Campbell Motel having very beach. This was a real bonanza for be obvious to the reader. The fact generously made his large dining me, because I had no hesitation in is that there are Regulations which room available for the occasion. The saying that, if those interested would preclude the presence of dogs in the purpose of this meeting was to afford meet me and the Ranger at 10 am campground and on the beach and the local residents the opportunity on the following morning, we would it is the ranger’s duty to see that the of expressing their views on national mark out the track to suit their needs regulations are observed. If he turns parks generally and on the conduct and construction would commence a blind eye to one resident, it can of the Park Ranger in particular. I immediately. safely be assumed that other dogs will had decided against having Cyril As the meeting proceeded it became soon appear in the park, and visitors Couch present, because I wanted apparent to me that the real cause of from other districts may find it difficult those present to feel free to let me the antipathy which the residents felt to understand why there is one law know what their problems were, if towards the park management was for local residents and another for indeed they had problems. They that they felt excluded from a reserve visitors. This can only lead very were invited ‘to lay their problems which they had previously looked quickly to a total breakdown of the on the table, without fear or favour’; upon as their own, and that there whole system of control. but, although initially it seemed to had been insufficient discussion me that they were unhappy about When it was brought to my attention with them. It is true that the National ‘something’ it proved difficult to that one of the local residents had a Parks Authority had visited the area determine precisely the real cause of problem with the ranger, I wrote to and had met several members of the their concern. him seeking his co-operation, but Heytesbury Shire Council before the to no avail. I therefore decided to Most of the questions asked related area was declared a national park, approach the Secretary of the local to matters of no great moment, but but the people themselves had felt Progress Association with a view to it became apparent that the fullness isolated and deprived. The meeting arranging a visit to meet the local of the answers which I gave had an had bridged the gap between the people. The Progress Association, encouraging effect and the tension people and the administration and which presumably represented which was evident at the beginning had provided a basis for a healthy the majority of the residents, had eased, and the atmosphere became relationship in the future. voted in favour of having the area more relaxed. Of course questions There remained one other declared a national park; but were asked about dogs in the very important aspect of park although the Authority had visited campground and on the beach, but management which I thought the park and met the representatives the answers dispelled any lingering it advisable to discuss with the of the committee etc, and although doubts. It seemed that the long list residents. It concerned the ranger I had visited the park on several of regulations and the legal jargon who had served as the representative occasions, I had not yet met the made the residents apprehensive; of the National Parks Authority and, residents as a body. but, when the purpose of the in recent years, of the National Parks

168 CHAPTER 22 The Twelve Apostles, looking west, with Margaret Smith in the foreground, December 1959.

Service. Prior to the declaration establishment of a really good meeting them and suggested of the national park in 1964, Mr camping area was bound to help the that, if they wished, I would be Cyril Couch had been employed Port Campbell business community. happy to return next year. The by the Heytesbury Shire Council, His knowledge of the numerous residents endorsed this proposal, his principal duties relating to the tracks favoured by fishermen had and the meeting duly took place. maintenance and control of the contributed greatly to the creation However, they no longer had any campground and of the township of of cordial relations between the major problems, but several of the Port Campbell. During this period Authority and the fishermen. His local residents expressed their he had acquired considerable considerable practical experience appreciation for the service being knowledge of local conditions and, in matters pertaining to park provided for park visitors with since his appointment as Park management were very valuable to consequential benefit to the town, Ranger, this had enabled him to the Authority and its officers and, I especially those providing stores, play a very important part in the informed the meeting, life would be food services, etc. improvement of conditions in the much easier for us all if we could The Authority and all officers of the park. persuade one or two people to Service recognised the importance of keep their dogs out of the park. I I had personally observed that, establishing and maintaining cordial mentioned that Cyril himself, when during times of heavy tides and relations with the ‘local residents’ I first met him in 1964, had been westerly winds, the campground concerned with particular national accompanied by his little dog, but became inundated, but it was Cyril parks, but sheer lack of staff made it recognised that the dog should not Couch who had proposed that the difficult and often impossible to do to be permitted in the park and had co- levee bank be constructed, and it keep them fully informed. However, operated fully by ensuring that it did was he who, in collaboration with the meetings at Port Campbell not enter. the Chief Technical Officer, had served to demonstrate the need for seen the job through to a successful I concluded by thanking the close liaison between the controlling conclusion. I pointed out that the residents for the opportunity of body and the local people.

Port Campbell National Park 169 Chapter 23 The head hunters

n various parts of this narrative South, requesting the Minister’s the home of the larger animals of reference will be found to comments on a letter he had the Park; the latter contains most Iexpressions of concern from received from three gentlemen from points of interest to tourists. individuals who have felt moved South Gippsland. The letter read as (b) The Park has a very bad fire to criticise the Director of National follows: record, with three major and Parks, either because they thought many smaller fires since 1938. he had failed to do something or “Sir Herbert Hyland because he had actually done This latest fire (March 1962) Dear Sir, something which displeased which we consider was the most someone. The Wilson’s [sic] Promontory disastrous of them all burnt out National Park serves the dual approximately 25,000 acres. The Director was really in a ‘no purpose of a sanctuary for nature Burning under very dry conditions win’ situation. Some people had flora and fauna, and one of the from South to North on a full face access to reports on matters under State’s leading holiday places, across the peninsula it must consideration by the Authority and, capable of being developed into a eventually have destroyed the if they felt that they could make tourist resort of world standard. great bulk of animal life on the political capital out of it, they didn’t northern end, as well as burning hesitate to address Parliament on the Its future requirements and the vegetation far too hard. subject, in the hope of discrediting development in the above roles lie the Director. At other times, local broadly along similar lines. More In the above mentioned period people might have felt that they had roads and tracks are necessary and, no fire has proved to have been a grievance and, whether they had above all, the controlling authority wilfully started by human agency, their facts right or not, they exercised must provide efficient and adequate carelessness and natural causes are their “democratic rights” after the fire protection for visitors and animal blamed, and in the last two years manner of Don Quixote. Such a case life, as well as preserving the timber there have been two fires directly is the one I am about to describe. and beauty spots which clothe its attributed to lightning. rugged backbone. It will be readily realised that with the The story of the ‘Three Fire Protection is the biggest and rapid increase in visitors, both to the most important problem confronting Tidal River Camp and the beaches Jacks’ those in authority and, from our on the Northern and Eastern On 9 March 1962, there were violent knowledge and experience, we local sides, the fire risk will become electrical storms throughout the State men feel that this can be adequately proportionally greater. and a fire broke out in the northern provided; but, before discussing As everyone is aware, a fire travels part of Wilsons Promontory National how, we wish to make the following fastest when fanned by a northerly Park. Before it had been brought comments: wind, consequently the scrubby under control, by a combination of (a) The National Park consists Northern areas of the Park are natural processes and the valiant broadly of two types of country, vitally strategic in fire control. Also efforts of Forest Commission low lying country covered with as the only access road to the Tidal employees and national park staff, light scrub growth, which is very River Camping area runs roughly an area of 20,000 - 25,000 acres of inflammable and has a long north and south through some of forested land had been burnt. burning season, and high, mostly the above-mentioned country, the Shortly after the fire had been timbered, mountain ranges in the danger to human life and property, subdued, the Minister, Mr Fraser, centre, which will only burn under and the camp itself, in the event of received a letter from Sir Herbert dry conditions for a very limited fire, should be more fully realised by Hyland MP, Member for Gippsland time each year. The former area is those in authority.

170 CHAPTER 23 Fire management in national parks has always been a contentious issue. This 1973 photo shows fire protection tracks in the northern part of Wilsons Promontory NP.

(c) From practical experience we satisfactory in the case of the March Park is 10 miles, everyone will realise know that either in the Spring 1962 fire. that it is a dangerous and foolhardy or Autumn it is possible to carry policy to await the outbreak of fire The fire road already built, was well out light burning on the lower before burning the requisite break done and satisfactorily aligned but its scrubby land, such protective along the road. burning serving the dual purpose value as a fire break was negligible Attached we enclose a rough plan of providing adequate fire breaks as the officer in charge of it had been of a fire protection scheme which and the very necessary fresh feed refused permission by the Director we know would give maximum to support healthy animal life. At of National Parks, to carry out the protection. We have chosen an easy these times the mountain areas protective burning along the road, and cheap terrain for fire roads which would not burn and so protective which he considered necessary generally traverse sound country burning apart from a small area for adequate fire control. With the and from which it would be possible near the Tidal River area would nearest Forestry Commission office to readily carry out the necessary not inconvenience visitors. approximately 60 miles away at Mirboo North we have no hesitation protective burning. Such a scheme in stating that had the recent fire would have the effect of containing FIRE PLAN started with a northerly wind, it would any outbreak of fire, in its own area, and allow a safe getaway for human We are aware that a fire protection have crossed this road and gravely beings or animals. plan for the National Park has endangered the whole Park before been drawn up, but it is far from the Forestry Commission could get May we add that the recent fire, complete, and in fact the part there. As the length of this fire road burning about the time when fire completed already, was definitely not across the northern portion of the restrictions were lifted in our Shire,

The head hunters 171 was at no time controlled by the around Tidal camping area is such were competent to comment on the Forests Commission. They could that a fire there could result in the matters raised in the letter. As to only contain it in the area north of the greatest loss of human life through their lack of bias, the history of fires fire road, such area ultimately being burning and suffocation of any in the Yanakie area, long before my completely devastated. tragedy in the history of Victoria. appointment as Director, must raise some questions about this aspect. It must be fully understood In conclusion may we state we are Also, the three signatories describe concerning the enclosed plan, that reliable and practical men, who know themselves as ‘reliable and practical the fire road system itself does not the area concerned very well and men’; as we shall see, if they had provide fire protection, protective some of us have been at every major been a little more practical, they burning from these roads is vitally fire during the period discussed in could have saved many people a necessary for adequate protection of this letter. Our opinions are unbiased, great deal of trouble and could have the whole Park. and our qualifications for presenting appeared to be more reliable. Now we would like to ask if the them are as follows: In their opening paragraph, they Minister concerned and through him J. H. McDONALD Shire President, state (categorically) that “Wilson’s the Government is aware: Shire of South Gippsland, and Promontory national park serves the (a) That the Forestry Officer in Council Nominee on Wilson’s dual purpose of ‘sanctuary for native charge of developing the fire Promontory National Park Committee. flora and fauna’ and as an area plan and roads on the ground J. G. JONES Ex Councillor and ‘capable of being developed into a at the National Park, has been Ex Shire President, Shire of South tourist resort of world standard’”. constantly criticised by the Gippsland and member of Wilson’s Now, in looking at the whole range Director of National Parks. Promontory National Park Committee. of questions raised in the letter, it (b) That this Forestry Officer was J. LESTER Councillor, Shire of South must be remembered that, just a few ordered by the Director of Gippsland, Captain of Rural Fire years previously, the Government National Parks to confine fire Brigade nearest to National Park. had established the National Parks break burning, on the fire road Holder of the agistment rights on the Authority under an Act designed mentioned in the recent fire, to Wilson’s Promontory National Park to enable the Authority to carry out 6 feet on either side (a ludicrous from 1939-60, War years exclusive. the duties described in Chapter 2. and impossible feat) when this But the Three Jacks appear to have Officer knew from long practical (sgd) J. H. McDONALD, J. G. ignored this and, in paragraph two experience, that such action JONES, J. LESTER” of their letter, proceed to give their was useless and hopelessly own prescription for achieving the inadequate. Some observations aims set out in paragraph 1. In fact, the whole tenor of the letter amounts (c) That this action of the Director on the letter to the usurpation of the Authority’s of National Parks has cost the The letter concludes on this note: mandate. Government and through them “In conclusion may we state we are the taxpayer thousands of reliable and practical men, who know They state categorically that ‘those pounds, to contain a fire along a the area concerned very well and roads and tracks are necessary’. road where an adequate break some of us have been at every major A moment’s reflection will reveal should have been provided last fire during the period discussed in that the flora and fauna had been spring for a trifling cost. this letter. Our opinions are unbiased surviving very well long before the advent of even the first track, and (d) That the Tidal River camping and our qualifications for presenting that the problem of protecting the area, at the moment of writing, them are as follows …” flora and fauna was exacerbated by is wide open to fire approaching There are certain aspects of the the development of roads and tracks. from the North, this being due foregoing which invite comment. The major problem confronting the to the Director of National Parks Firstly, I do not question the sincerity National Parks Authority was always refusal to [countenance] burning of the gentlemen concerned, but I to strike some sort of a balance in this area. doubt whether the qualifications [or between the provision of access e) That in the opinion of sound local positions] listed comprise a sound (roads and tracks) for tourists and knowledge the state of the country reason for assuming that the authors the protection of the flora and fauna.

172 CHAPTER 23 And, with some bias, I feel bound only access there was for fire-fighting experience, that such action to suggest that the qualifications, purposes, and that it was the nature was useless and hopelessly training and experience of the of the terrain in which the fire had inadequate. members of the National Parks begun, due to lightning, which (c) That this action of the Director Authority put them in a category impeded the fire fighters. of National Parks has cost the of ‘reliable and practical men’ In paragraph ten, the three authors Government and through them somewhat ahead of that of ‘The commend the road builders on the taxpayer thousands of Three Jacks’. the quality and alignment of the pounds, to contain a fire along a In their third paragraph, they identify road, but state (being ‘reliable and road where an adequate break the ‘biggest and most important practical men’) that “its value as should have been provided last problem confronting those in a fire break was negligible as the Spring for a trifling cost. authority’ and state that as local men officer in charge of it had been (d) That the Tidal River camping they feel that ‘this can be adequately refused permission by the Director area, at the moment of writing is provided’. Here let me explain that of National Parks to carry out the wide open to fire approaching the members of the National Parks protective burning along the road from the North, this being due Authority, including those with which he considered necessary for to the Director of National Parks extensive experience in the field of adequate fire-control”. refusal to allow protective burning fire protection, were never of the The fact is that when the Fire in this area. opinion that any fire protection plan, Protection Plan was approved by however carefully implemented, (e) That in the opinion of sound the Authority, provision was made could ever be considered ‘adequate’. local knowledge the state of the for a 5-chain strip to be burnt every Access tracks could be provided, country around Tidal camping two or three years (depending on protective burning could be area is such that a fire there the condition of the vegetation at the carried out, water points could could result in the greatest loss of time) and this was the basis of my be developed; but nobody could human life through burning and discussion in the field with Mr R. T. predict exactly where a fire was likely suffocation of any tragedy in the Seaton. The track was constructed to break out or what the weather history of Victoria. under the supervision of Mr Alan conditions would be at the time. Galbraith, an Overseer of the Forests Let us examine these matters in turn, We need not comment on their Commission, based at Mirboo North. viz: next three paragraphs; but it is not At a later stage, the letter gives (a) The Forestry Officer was not immediately apparent how increasing details of the fire-protection plans identified by name; but as I had numbers of visitors to the Tidal prepared by the three ‘reliable and not met any other than Mr R. T. River Camp and the beaches on the practical men’, and then goes on: Seaton and Mr Alan Galbraith, northern and eastern sides would “Now we would like to ask if the it must be assumed that one of make the fire risk ‘proportionally Minister concerned and through him these was the officer referred to. greater’. Such considerations were, the Government is aware:- In any case, my recollections are in any case, irrelevant to the main and were that our discussions purpose of the letter to Sir Herbert (a) That the Forestry Office in in the field had been very Hyland. charge of developing the fire cordial. There had not been any plan and roads on the ground In paragraph ten, the real purpose argument about the five-chain at the National Park, has been of their letter becomes clear. The strip for protective burning; the constantly criticised by the letter acknowledges the existence need for it had been recognised Director of National Parks. of a fire-protection plan prepared by by all concerned, and dated the Forests Commission and, after (b) That this Forestry Officer back to 1959 when the track appropriate amendment, adopted was ordered by the Director was first being constructed. It is by the National Parks Authority; but of National Parks to confine possible that the ‘Three Jacks’ considered to be ‘not satisfactory in firebreak burning, on the fire road were referring to my criticism of the case of the March fire’. The ‘Three mentioned in the recent fire, to the burning done in November/ Jacks’ conveniently overlooked the 6 feet on either side (a ludicrous December 1958, without any prior fact that it was the track constructed and impossible feat) when this consultation with the Authority; prior to that fire which afforded the officer knew from long practical but it was not the burning which

The head hunters 173 was in question: it was the lack he certainly didn’t want any Forest However, these two incidents had of consultation. To make matters Commission officers involved in libel merely served to ensure a closer worse, the fire, like the colt from proceedings. liaison between the Authority and the Old Regret, had ‘got away’. There Commission, and hardly formed a I informed Mr Fraser that one of was also an incident south of the basis for paragraph (a). the first decisions made by the main road in which the bulldozer Authority’s Fire Protection Committee As to item (b), this has been covered operator appeared to have earlier, and I can only repeat that allowed his enthusiasm to carry was to adopt the basic fire protection the reference to the ‘6 feet on either him beyond the approved plans, plan prepared by the Commission’s side’ was somewhat of a mystery, but to the great annoyance of Mr officers in 1954 (no doubt in mysteries are sometimes solved, as Seaton. consequence of the 1951 fire), which made provision for various tracks we shall see later. The statement by the ‘Three Jacks’ and ‘firebreaks’ consisting of strips of I drew the Minister’s attention to that the Director of National Parks land along the tracks about 5 chains item (c), and intimated that I did not ordered the Forestry Officer “to wide, which were to be subjected consider it likely that the Forests confine break burning on the fire to ‘fuel reduction burns’ in alternate Commission would have allowed road mentioned in the recent fire, years more or less, according to the three signatories to the letter to to 6 feet on either side”, was, as the prevailing conditions. That work the authors said, ‘a ludicrous and have access to the Commission’s had begun in 1959 and was making financial records, so that here the impossible feat’, and should have good progress; moreover, the track been sufficient to cause even the complainants had been guessing; which was being constructed across alternatively, an officer of the most enthusiastic graduates of the the Vereker Peninsula had provided Don Quixote Academy to make Commission had supplied them the only access for the fire-fighters with the details of costs. I doubted further inquiries before embarking on during the 1962 fire. their witch hunt. whether this had happened. I personally was perplexed by the As the final accusation, regarding With regard to (d) and (c), I informed contents of the letter from the ‘Three the Minister that the Authority and the situation at Tidal River, has Jacks’. I was at a loss to understand been covered by the response of the Committee of Management had their reference to my ‘criticism’ of examined the risks of an outbreak of the Committee of Management, no the Forestry Officer, referred in (a) further comment is called for. fire within the Tidal River Camp and above, and could only imagine that taken such action as they could to they might have been referring to reduce the risk. Minister’s reaction the objections I had raised with Mr Seaton when, in the early stages The Minister persuaded me not The Minister (Mr Fraser) was of the work, considerable damage to proceed with legal action and naturally concerned and invited my was done in an area south of the promised to ‘bring me before comments. I read the letter carefully Promontory Road in the Cotters Lake my accusers’ in the presence and then said to him: “I have never area. Mr Seaton had agreed that he of all members of the National discussed fire-protection matters himself was concerned because the Parks Authority, the Committee with any of these three men; in fact, bulldozer driver had ‘run amok’ (his of Management and the three I have never met Jack Lester. I words) and he agreed to exercise signatories to the letter. However, don’t know where they obtained tighter control. It is possible also that he was making preparations for an their ‘information’, but I deny their Mr Seaton might have harboured overseas trip and would be unable allegations categorically. I regard some resentment because I had to convene such a meeting until his return in early spring; but he their statements as libellous and think complained (privately) to the assured me that he would arrange that I should take legal advice”. Chairman of the Forests Commission the meeting as soon as he returned. The Minister then became even more because, towards the end of 1958, After he returned he became fully concerned, because he knew as ‘protective burning’ had been carried occupied with Parliamentary duties well as I did that if they had obtained out in the Vereker foothills without any and the meeting did not take place. any ‘information’, it could only have consultation with the National Parks come from an officer of the Forests Authority. Unfortunately the fire ‘got The letter was referred to the Commission and, as Minister for away’, causing more damage than Committee of Management for Forests (and State Development) had been anticipated. comment and to the Authority’s Fire

174 CHAPTER 23 Protection Committee at its meeting 5. The Committee does not consider Management held their annual joint on 31 July 1962. The relevant minute that a fire in the vicinity of the meeting at Tidal River. This practice of the Fire Protection Committee’s Tidal River Camp would result in had become established since the meeting reads as follows:- the loss of life, as the precautions Authority’s inception, as a means of taken, together with the immediate promoting good relations between “Wilsons’s Promontory National Park proximity of the ocean beach the two bodies and of reviewing A. Fire Protection should provide adequate progress already made and laying protection against this danger.’ plans for future developments. At Further to discussion at the meeting the conclusion of the agenda items, of the Fire Protection Committee The Fire Protection Committee I sought leave to raise the matter of on 5th June, a report on the resolved communication from Councillors J. the letter from the ‘Three Jacks’. Two (i) that the Committee take due H. McDonald and J. Lester, and Mr of them were present, namely Mr note of the commendation of the J. G. Jones, had been received from Jack Jones and Mr Jack Macdonald. Director and Mr R.T. Seaton; the Wilson’s Promontory Committee Mr R. T. (Bob) Seaton, was also of Management. The Committee’s (ii) that it be recommended that the present. report was as follows:- Authority acknowledge this letter Briefly, I ran through the allegations with appreciation. ‘1. The letter to Sir Herbert although contained in the letter, and asked signed by two members of the B. Letter from Foster Development the two Jacks to explain why they Committee was written without Association had written the letter and where the knowledge or consent of the they obtained the ‘information’ on The Director reported to the Fire Committee. which their allegations were based. Protection Committee that a letter I informed the meeting that the only 2. The Committee expresses from the Foster Development officers of the Commission with whom confidence in the Director of Association to the Hon. A. J. Fraser I had had discussions at the time National Parks and has no MC, MP, regarding fire protection in question were Mr Alan Galbraith, knowledge that, as stated in the at Wilson’s Promontory, had been the Commission’s Overseer based letter, he has hindered the work of forwarded to him for consideration at Mirboo North, and Mr Seaton. I fire protection by any instructions and reply direct in the absence of had visited the park several times he has issued. the Minister overseas. He had sent during the period 1959-1962 to meet a preliminary reply regarding work 3. The danger from fire to the Park Mr Galbraith ‘on the job’; sometimes done in the park.” can hardly be overstated and Mr Seaton had also been present. being fully aware of this, the It was clear therefore that the The discussions had always been Committee has made every effort Committee of Management amicable. But, I said, I was curious for its protection, such effort being dissociated itself from the charges to know how the ‘Three Jacks’ had limited by lack of funds to carry out laid by the ‘Three Jacks’, but their obtained their ‘information’. the work. letter remained as an indictment of The discomfiture of the two Jacks the Director. I resented it and felt that 4. The Committee is very fortunate was very apparent, especially as they should be required to recant, to have as one of its members some members of the Authority but this did not occur. As Mr Seaton Mr R. T. Seaton, for many years pressed their inquiries concerning was a member of the Committee Chief Fire Protection Officer of the involvement of Alan Galbraith in of Management, he would have the Forests Commission, whose the matter. It was difficult to imagine had an unequalled opportunity of experience and advice are that Alan Galbraith, living at Mirboo securing the Committee’s support constantly used in the work on North, had accidentally or otherwise in substantiating the claims of the fire protection. The approved ‘run into’ the ‘Three Jacks’ and letter writers, but this did not occur. plan which has been prepared is provided them with the motives for It must have made Jack McDonald being carried out as far as funds writing the letter. Finally, the strain wonder what was going on when Bob will permit, and Mr Seaton and was too great for Jack McDonald, Seaton did not avail himself of this the Committee are pleased at any who exclaimed “Who is this Alan opportunity. time to receive and consider any Galbraith? I’ve never heard of him”. constructive suggestions for the In October 1965, the National Parks The look on Bob Seaton’s face was work of fire protection. Authority and the Committee of something to behold! The two Jacks

The head hunters 175 finally agreed that they had been in October 1965 that the letter had Churchill National misled (they did not say by whom) its origin in a discussion between and that they regretted having written Bob Seaton and one or more of Park Committee of the letter. the Three Jacks. “It sounds to me,” Management said Ted, “as if they were having a I asked them if they would be In the early days of the Authority, drink in the bar and Bob was a bit prepared to write another letter there was a tendency to question the peeved at being answerable to the withdrawing their allegations. To this wisdom of having Churchill National National Parks Authority in regard to they agreed, but said that they would Park included in the schedule. The fire protection matters”. Previously, first have to consult the third party, park had an area of 477 acres, there had been no restrictions on Jack Lester. (Unfortunately Mr Jack mainly grassland with comparatively ‘protective burning’ and the limitation Jones died before the agreement small areas of forest, and it was of the five-chain strip of roadside could be fulfilled.) I turned to Bob traversed by an SEC powerline with firebreak caused Bob to indulge Seaton and was about to ask him several large steel towers occupying in a little exaggeration - hence the what further light he could throw on prominent positions and detracting reference to the ‘6 foot wide’ strip. the matter; but, at that very moment, from the appeal of the skyline. A It probably did not occur to Bob the back door of the lodge flew open quarry had been operating on the that his drinking companions would and one of the park staff burst in, north-west corner, and by no stretch take him seriously; at least that was saying “There’s a fire in the park - of the imagination could it be seen as what Ted Gill suggested. Obviously escaped from the tip!” The meeting prime national park country. It is true I am unable to comment on the broke up in disorder as everybody that Bulga Park, of only 9l acres, and correctness of his explanation; but it raced out to see what could be done Tarra Valley (318 acres) were smaller, sounds plausible. to extinguish the fire. The script- but they stood out like jewels in the writers of ‘Dallas’ could not have Perhaps the surprising thing is that surrounding forest. timed things better. So Bob didn’t Bob Seaton and I found a way of I discussed the future of Churchill have to answer the question; but working together without too much with the Deputy Chairman of the there really wasn’t any need for him stress. Bob confided in me that he National Parks Authority, the Hon. to do so. “liked to have a little bit of a niggle to C. E. Isaac. He had been a member stir things up” (his words, not mine). Several years later I had occasion of the Committee of Management of It is one thing to start a hare running; to call on Mr E. D. (Ted) Gill to Churchill National Park before the Bill but it is sometimes very difficult to seek assistance in regard to the was passed, but had resigned from run it down. continuation of the construction of the committee to avert a conflict of the ‘Lighthouse track’ which was Before leaving this subject, I feel that interests. After a very full and frank the subject of a joint exercise by the I ought to make some comment on discussion, we arrived at a common Authority and the Commonwealth the attitude of Sir Herbert Hyland. viewpoint; firstly Parliament had Department of Lighthouses and If he had been so inclined, he given the Authority a job to do and Shipping. The discussion moved could (and, I believe, should) have we should get on with it; secondly, from my formal request to a general recognised the serious nature of Churchill was strategically placed chat about relations between the the allegations being made and and, if it could be developed, could Authority and the Commission. At requested the authors of the letter to serve as ‘lungs’ for the surrounding that time Mr Gill was the Chief of the justify their statements. But, clearly, districts which were not well served Division of Forest Protection. he did not. He was apparently quite with comparable parkland. We willing to support the three members recognised that it might be possible It so happened that Ted Gill and of his constituency in their attack to demonstrate to the Government Bob Seaton were related by on the Director of National Parks, that the Authority could meet marriage, each having married but not particularly concerned with the challenge and thereby boost the other’s sister, so Ted had some protecting a public servant, who confidence in the new body. We understanding of the workings of had been appointed pursuant to an therefore proposed to the Authority Bob’s mind. I took the opportunity Act which he had supported in the that efforts should be made to to let Ted know of my concern over House, against unfounded criticism. promote the well-being of the park. the letter from the ‘Three Jacks’ and pointed out that it was very clear from Sir George Knox MP had been the ‘conference’ in Northey lodge Chairman of the committee of

176 CHAPTER 23 Churchill NP, noted for the power lines running through it, caused Dr Smith some grief. Photo: Geoff Durham management since 1946; he was a against society! So George Sharpe camping, and had built an open-air kindly, modest man, yet persuasive went and ‘Bill’ Garner (who had Chapel! The Authority determined in his efforts to improve conditions been found redundant to the Forest that it was not appropriate to grant in the park. Vandalism was rife and, Commission’s requirements in the a lease for 30 acres of land, but during one weekend, no fewer than Healesville District) was appointed agreed to allow the scouts to retain 40 trucks and utilities were observed Ranger, in his place. ‘exclusive occupancy’ of one acre loading timber in the park. The In order to protect the park against of land, including the Chapel. This appointment of a Ranger was a first vandalism in its various forms, the displeased the Secretary of the priority and, in 1959-60, George Authority had found money to erect a Committee, Mr R. W. McKellar, who Sharpe was appointed. cyclone wire fence about 6feet high was Chief Commissioner of Scouts in Victoria, but eventually a subdued As no house was available, George around the park. This took several reconciliation was effected. was accommodated in a small years to complete, but eventually caravan and, because he was a made it possible to close the park However, relations between the young man without a family (having after dark, which gave much-needed Authority and the Committee were recently arrived from Africa, where control over the dumping of old cars impaired when, between visits of the he had been employed as an and rubbish. The Authority continued Director, a large building for scouting assistant in a national park in ), to support the Committee in its work purposes was erected in the park. Sir George and Lady Knox took by providing money for revegetation, Inquiries revealed that not one a personal interest in his welfare. construction of fire protection tracks, member of the Committee had any In the meantime the Authority had development of water supplies, knowledge of the building or when supported me in my proposal that a picnic facilities, toilets, etc. it was erected, by whom and with house be built in the park; but, when There were two important matters whose authority, and Mr McKellar the house was ready for occupation, which the Authority had to deal did not enlighten the Director or the the Committee had pressed for with in those early stages. Many Authority. The upshot of this was that the appointment of a married man years prior to the creation of the the Committee extracted a promise in order to achieve a ‘more stable Authority, the Lands Department had from the Authority that no officer of arrangement’. It was alleged that granted a ‘permissive occupancy’ the Authority would in future visit the the young man had been ‘seen to the Boy Scouts Association over park unless he was escorted by a with a girl’ in or near the caravan, an area of 30 acres in the park. member of the Committee. I gave up although it was not clear that any The Scouts had engaged in the visiting the park, except on official major crime had been committed usual range of activities, including visits with the entire Authority.

The head hunters 177 It should be explained that the to exceed the budget allocations. was no money available; yet, slowly, Authority was not really in a very I pointed out that the Government we began to formulate plans and strong position in relation to the granted the Authority a certain sum make progress. We found a ranger; Committee because, on the death of money annually and it was the we built a house for the ranger; we of Sir George Knox, the Hon. Authority’s responsibility to ‘live within provided him with a vehicle; we (later Sir) G. L. Chandler MLC had its income’ and that the Committees began to build a fence around the been appointed Chairman of the had the same obligation. However, park; we worked out a fire-protection Committee of Management. I had the situation did not improve and plan and saw it put into practice, endeavoured to dissuade him from the Committee prevailed upon the we made great improvements to the taking this appointment, pointing out Minister, Mr Manson, to convene a water supply, and so on”. Step by that I did not consider it appropriate special meeting of the Committee of step I took the meeting through the that a Minister of the Crown (he Management and the National Parks long list of developments which had was Minister for Agriculture) should Authority so that the Committee could brought Churchill National Park to its serve on a Committee which air its grievances and, presumably, present state, when it was providing was responsible to an arm of the put an end to the Director’s attempts a valuable service for thousands of Government, but he deemed it to control their activities. people every year! politically advantageous to be seen The meeting was duly held, with the I continued, “I hope you can all as the Chairman of the Committee of Minister in the Chair. The Committee’s remember these things which have Management of a National Park, so spokesmen were principally Mr come about since the Authority he proceeded with his plan. McKellar and Mr Wright, with became involved, because I too As the development of the park supporting remarks from the was involved in every one of these proceeded, the Dandenong City Committee Chairman the Hon. G L activities and helped in every way Engineer, Mr G. W. Wright, became Chandler MLC. The ‘trial’ continued possible”. I added, “The hand that increasingly involved in construction for at least an hour and a half. Step was held out to the Committee during works in the park. The Authority by step the Committee expounded all those years is still extended, and I welcomed the participation of my crimes, seemingly gaining willing to help; but there is one thing Councils generally in national park confidence as they proceeded. we must all remember, and that is affairs and were at some pains to Somehow I managed to remain silent that the Authority cannot spend foster cordial relations with them. I until, when all seemed lost and the money it does not have and the Committee can’t either. The Authority recall that we received a great deal Committee had virtually run out of is accountable to the Government of assistance from the Dimboola stones to throw at me, the Minister and the Committee is accountable and Karkarooc Shire Councils in the turned to me and said, “Does the to the Authority. Subject to those western part of the State, but other Director have anything to say?” limitations, Mr Minister, I am always Councils also helped in many ways. He might have added, “Before I ready to assist any Committee in pronounce sentence”, but he did As can be imagined, when the the achievement of our common not. I simply said, “Thank you, Mr Authority required a construction objectives”. Minister. Yes, I would like to say body to perform a particular job something. I am surprised that the I had not attacked any individual; in a national park, it obtained an Committee should have condemned I had simply defended a principle. estimate of the cost of the work and me for what I have done. I don’t know what the Committee allocated finance accordingly. In had hoped to achieve; if they were the case of Churchill National Park “I am even more surprised that they after my head, they must have been it very frequently happened that the seem to have forgotten so soon how disappointed. There was no censure cost of work performed under the conditions were in the park when I then or later from the Minister, but I supervision or at the instigation of first became involved in its affairs. think that the Committee did exercise Mr Wright exceeded the allocation; I wonder how many of you can better financial control thereafter. and, to compound the problem, the remember those early days when Authority did not learn of this until I used to visit the park to talk to Sir the account had been received George Knox about plans for the from the Council. I requested that development of the park. We had the Committee exercise adequate to sit on large rocks, because there control over its spending, so as not was nothing else to sit on. There

178 CHAPTER 23 Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) in Bulga NP, a favourite lyrebird haunt. Circa May 1959.

The head hunters 179 Chapter 24 Battles for survival

he National Parks Act provided still be heard in the environs of the the event, the golf course did not that the Authority should not park. materialise and the Committee itself engage in construction felt that it had been deprived of a T Chapter 19 has a brief account activities but that it should avail itself valuable source of revenue. However, of the difficulties encountered by of the services of private contractors the two bodies eventually combined the Authority in its endeavours to or government agencies. to develop a very attractive picnic meet its obligation regarding the area at Janesleigh Dell. If such services had always been kiosk at Fern Tree Gully National available when the Authority needed Park. One could hardly escape the The Committee’s entrepreneurial them, and if the Government had conclusion the Committee seemed ambitions suffered another setback provided sufficient funds, this not to understand why it was when the Authority declined to arrangement might have been deemed necessary or desirable for endorse a proposal that a private satisfactory. As it was, the Authority the Authority to conduct its affairs developer be permitted to build a was not always able to perform up to in a business-like manner. The chair-lift to transport patrons from the the expectations of the Committees lessee of the kiosk had extended vicinity of the kiosk to the high point of Management and, in some the range of park ‘attractions’ by of the Tremont section of the park. cases, because of the particular purchasing a number of small ponies This would have entailed clearing circumstances, was not always at the which provided rides for children, a swathe through the park beneath top of the popularity polls with certain reminiscent of the celebrated donkey the lift, thereby destroying numerous committees. rides at Clovelly in North Devon native trees. It would have also have but for a different reason. Then the been necessary for the chair-lift Relations with the Fern Tree Authority found itself confronted with to go over the Mount Dandenong Gully National Park Committee of a request for permission to install a Tourist Road, exposing both users Management had always been rather miniature train on the site of the old of the lift and vehicles using the fragile. Prior to 1957, the Committee tennis court, under the auspices road to possible dangers. I thought had enjoyed a long period of of the Fern Tree Gully Rotary Club. it prudent to discuss the matter autonomy and sometimes found it Against its better judgment, the with the Chairman of the Country difficult to accommodate itself to the Authority was persuaded to agree Roads Board and felt comforted by Authority’s policies. to the installation of the train, which his assurance that the Board would For many years the Committee became known as ‘Little Toots’. oppose any such proposal, but the refusal of the Authority to support the had exhibited a number of birds in The Committee was extremely Committee’s plan imposed a further cages, especially Sulphur-crested disappointed when the Authority strain on the relations between the Cockatoos, whose antics provided found itself unable to acquiesce in a two bodies. amusement for visitors. At one proposal that a miniature golf course time, the Committee had created a be developed in the Janesleigh It was unfortunate that the Authority miniature Whipsnade Zoo by fencing Dell area and was initially lacking was thus placed in the position of off an area of the park, but this had in enthusiasm for the Authority’s appearing to curb the Committee’s fallen into disrepair and had been counter-proposal that the area be aspirations. On the other hand, the abandoned before the advent of tidied up and developed as a picnic Authority had been responsible for the Authority. Negotiations between area, in order to relieve the pressure considerable improvements in tourist the Committee and the Authority on the main picnic area and, at the facilities in the way of fireplaces, regarding the abandonment of the same time, provide an escape for picnic tables and shelters, walking practice of exhibiting caged birds those visitors who did not derive full tracks, conservation works, toilets were protracted and not always enjoyment from their exposure to the and water supply. The Authority cordial; but eventually the birds won raucous screeching of the cockatoos had had the lookout tower at One their freedom and their progeny may and the tooting of ‘Little Toots’. In Tree Hill repaired, financed the

180 CHAPTER 24 Masons Falls picnic area in Kinglake NP, north of Melbourne. This chapter covers a 1970 proposal for the Forests Commission to take over the management of Victoria’s national parks. construction of a scenic bridge over kind enough to invite my opinion. provisions of the National Parks Act one of the fern gullies (which had and of the Forests Act. The Minister I responded by saying that the also been beautified),and undertook pursed his lips and said, “Hmm - I Commission’s arguments were fire-protection works in the more had not thought of that.” So he indeed very persuasive, but vulnerable parts of the park. informed the Minister for Forests there were other aspects to be accordingly, and the proposal for a considered. I pointed out that Fern ‘takeover’ was not pursued. Offer of partial takeover Tree Gully National Park was the first area in Victoria to be reserved There is a popular belief that the for public purposes, in 1882, and Offer of complete grass is greener on the other side of that successive Governments had the fence, but experience has shown spent considerable public money in takeover that this is not always the case. purchasing additional land to add However, the Forests Commission It is not known what prompted the to the park and in its development did not remain idle. On 27 January Forests Commission to intervene; for the enjoyment of the people. 1970, the Minister for Forests wrote to but apparently the time seemed In addition, I said, after very the Premier in the following terms: opportune for the Minister of Forests comprehensive debate in 1956, the “The Hon. Sir Henry Bolte, KCMG, to write to the Minister of State Parliament had passed the National MP Development offering to take Fern Parks Act creating a National Parks Tree Gully National Park under its Authority for the express purpose of Premier and ‘Treasurer umbrella. In its letter, the Commission controlling Victoria’s national parks, New State Public Offices and had entrusted Fern Tree Gully pointed out that the Authority was MELBOURNE 3002 lacking in resources and especially National Park to the care of the new in the equipment required to execute Authority. I suggested that it might Dear Sir Henry not sit too well with the Parliament the very necessary fire-protection In view of the recent upsurge of if the Authority suggested that works. The park had suffered from interest in Land Conservation, I think Parliament had made a mistake no fewer than 17 fires in one season, it is opportune for the Government and that it (the Authority) did not deliberately lit by a pyromaniac who to give further consideration to a feel competent to fulfil the duties was later identified as a member of change in the administration of entrusted to it. the local rural fire brigade. national parks. In this connection, I The Commission was at some pains I pointed out that the lighting of the have examined the situation which to emphasize the benefits which fires in the park was in no way related exists in Queensland where the would accrue to the proposed to the identity of the controlling body Forests Authority is entrusted with the change, and. the Minister (Mr and that, in performing fire-protection administration of the national parks Manson) appeared to look favourably duties, the Forests Commission was as well as the forests. I believe that on the proposal. However, he was merely acting in accordance with the this is an efficient and economical

Battles for survival 181 administrative arrangement and one the control of national parks by the professionally-trained foresters, with which has been well accepted by the Forest Authority is not unique. In the necessary office, clerical and public of that State. many countries, advanced in so far transport facilities, and who already as forest management is concerned, in many cases have under their care The Queensland Forestry Acts, 1959 the national parks are administered large areas of State forest adjacent to 1964 as amended in 1963 and in by the Forest Authority. Examples to or in the vicinity of national consolidated form are entitled:- are Finland, Federal Republic of parks. In fact, Forest Commission ‘An Act to Provide for Forest Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, district or divisional foresters are Reservations, the Management, Brazil and India. active members of almost all of Silvicultural Treatment and Protection In keeping with the growing the Committees of Management of of State Forests, and the Sale and public interest in State forests for national parks. Disposal of Forest Products and recreational purposes, and from The Forests Commission has also Quarry Material, the Property of the the viewpoint of overall economy, it set aside within reserved forests Crown on State Forests, Timber appears to me that a very good case under the provisions of Section Reserves and on Other Lands; to exists in Victoria for national park 50 of the Forests Act, eighty-three make Provision for the Management administration to be consolidated forest parks, alpine reserves, of National Parks and for other with administration of State forests. scenic reserves and other special purposes.’ At the present time the Forests purpose reserves. Most of these are Part V of this consolidation is entitled Commission is responsible for fire at present administered by district ‘Management of National Parks’ and suppression in national parks and foresters, with the assistance of some contains Sections 40 to 43 which set is actively associated with pre- specialist officers and in co-operation down the purposes and procedures suppression measures and hazard with Committees of Management. in management. Section 40 states: reduction. It provides advice and The Commission proposes to establish a Division of Recreational ‘The cardinal principle to be assistance to the National Parks Forestry to formalize and re-organize observed in the management Authority in relation to financial this administration, as well as cater of National Parks shall be the matters, internal accounting for the recreational aspects inherent permanent preservation, to the procedures and negotiations for in reserved forests throughout the greatest possible extent, of land purchases for extensions to State which are already widely used their natural condition and the national parks. For many years the by the public, and the Chairman of Conservator of Forests shall exercise Commission has been active in the Commission, Dr F R Moulds, has his powers under this part of this the provision of roads and general approached the Public Service Board Act in such manner as appears to engineering services, and has with proposals for the setting up of him most appropriate to achieve this arranged for aerial spraying against such a Division. A copy of his letter to objective.’ insect pests and for the installation of fire protection equipment the Public Service Board is attached Sections 41 and 42 give the and facilities in national parks. hereto. If the Government agrees that Conservator of Forests power to carry Furthermore, the Commission has national parks and forests could be out works in national parks and to auxiliary services already set up and most efficiently managed under the grant or recommend special leases. staffed with professionally competent one Authority, then I believe that this He may also, within any national people to deal with such aspects new Division of Recreational Forestry park, subject to such provisions of forested lands (which comprise could readily be re-named to be and conditions as he thinks fit, grant the great bulk of national parks) as the Division of National Parks and grazing permits for up to seven years entomology, pathology, hydrology, Recreational Forestry. and permits for apiary sites. Section and general silvicultural research, To accomplish the objective of 43 provides for permits to be granted together with nurseries for the raising unified control of State forests and by the Conservator of Forests, to of native trees and shrubs suitable national parks in the interests of obtain forest products from within for planting in forest areas and efficiency and to avoid present and national parks for scientific purposes national parks. future duplication of services, some only. The Commission, of course, has an relatively simple amendments to the I have ascertained that the established network of forest districts Forests Act would be required along Queensland situation providing for and field divisions staffed with similar lines to those mentioned

182 CHAPTER 24 above in the Queensland Forestry representative of additional public the National Parks Service with the Acts. interests could be constituted embryonic Division of Recreational under the Forests Act to advise Forestry would provide a good I have also discussed with the the Minister and the Commission, reason for strengthening the Chairman of the Commission, some from time to time, on aspects of Creswick School of Forestry and, at aspects of the future of the School of forest and park management; the same time, add to the prestige Forestry at Creswick and believe that of the Commission. And, of course, a real contribution towards efficient (2) the necessary amendments to there was always the possibility that and sound management of our the Forests Act 1958 be prepared the Treasurer might be dazzled by national parks could be achieved by which would follow similar lines to the Commission’s altruism and the broadening the scope of the courses the Queensland Forests Acts; prospect of saving money. on general resources management (3) the scope of training at the and national parks administration. The Minister summoned me School of Forestry, Creswick, be Victoria would then have a training to his office and passed the broadened to include training ground for administrators and correspondence across the table, for administrators and technical technical staff in the broad field saying, “What do you think of that?” staff in the broad field of of forested land management. After reading the letter, I said, “If you resources management and park This move should receive the can give me twenty-four hours, I’ll administration. support of the various conservation tell you.” Next day I presented Mr organizations in the State. In a subsequent submission, I will Manson with the following statement. suggest an extension of the above In this connection, a move has principles to establish a Ministry of been made by the new Canberra “Queensland National Parks Conservation to further streamline College of Advanced Education the administration of the natural The Queensland system of national (brochure attached herewith) to resources of the State and the above parks is no doubt appropriate to the establish a full-time 3-year course proposals, whilst capable of standing needs of that State, but the general in conservation administration, alone, could then be merely a first economy of the State of Victoria is recreational planning, ecology and stage towards creation of the new much more sophisticated than that pollution. It has been claimed by Ministry. of Queensland. The Queensland the sponsors that the course will national parks are not developed to meet a demand, particularly from I have sent a copy of this letter to the same extent as those of Victoria Victoria and New South Wales. our colleague, the Hon J W Manson, (or New South Wales) and it is very It would seem unnecessary for Minister of State Development, for his doubtful whether the Queensland Victorian Government Departments information. parks could or would be developed and organizations to send officers Yours sincerely, under the aegis of the Forestry to Canberra for this purpose when Department to provide the same suitable arrangements can be made (Sgd) E. R. Meagher sort of service as is provided by the at an established centre in Victoria Minister of Forests” Victorian national parks. which enjoys a high reputation in such a closely related field as The Minister (Mr Manson) was, to There are no camping developments forestry. put it mildly, shocked by this new or lodge accommodation in proposal for a complete takeover. Queensland national parks Summarizing, it is recommended Perhaps he had thought that his comparable with the facilities that: refusal to negotiate on Fern Tree provided at Tidal River in Wilsons (1) the Government agree in principle Gully National Park had quenched Promontory, or at Fraser or Mount to incorporate national park the fire of the Commission, but Buffalo. The Queensland national administration within that of State the smouldering ambitions of that parks are best known for their forests. This would be achieved body had suddenly flared into a walking tracks, day-visitor facilities by expanding the Commission’s conflagration. Possibly the threat and sign-posting. The parks proposed Division of Recreational from Canberra had provided the themselves, of course, are very Forestry to a Division of National Commission with the motive to beautiful. Parks and Recreational Forestry. take the offensive as the best form A part-time Advisory Panel of defence. The amalgamation of

Battles for survival 183 scale desired. minor differences between the forms Control in other countries The Canberra College of of management of national parks and Advanced Education recreational forest parks respectively. The fact that in some other countries The management policies for national national parks are administered by If the Commission is to provide a parks are already well established the Forest Authority does not prove course of training comparable with and have enabled a great deal of anything. The important question that envisaged by the Canberra progress to be made in Victoria’s is: how do such national parks fare CAE, some major changes would be national parks service. under these systems? necessary, including the appointment It is significant that in many of specialist staff. It might prove to be What have the National Parks more economical in the long run to countries the national parks are not accomplished? administered by the Forest Authority. watch the developments at Canberra In the United States and Canada the for a period before embarking on an It should be recognized at the national parks enjoy independent expensive programme in competition outset that a considerable amount status, and it is noteworthy that the with the Canberra school. Experience of progress has been made in national parks are not administered might well demonstrate how to developing a national parks service by the forestry Authority in New South operate the two schools on a since the National Parks Authority Wales. This was a step which could complementary basis. was established. The Authority has have been taken when the national enjoyed excellent co-operation from parks system was re-modelled The Commission’s Division of the other Government Departments in that State two years ago; but, Recreational Forestry and organizations and has made instead, the position of the national full use of the resources in trained parks service was enhanced by The Commission now has 83 personnel and finance made giving it independent status. There recreational areas of various available by the Government. Some is no doubt that New South Wales categories and proposes to establish of the Authority’s achievements are leads the way in national parks a separate Division of Recreational described below. administration in Australia. Forestry. There may be much merit in the proposal; but, until such a system Provision for tourists Training in National Parks has been firmly established and it management has been demonstrated that the new The Authority has been at some Division can cope with the numerous pains to provide appropriate facilities There may be some advantages in problems of recreational services, it for tourists in every national park broadening the scope of the training would seem unwise to merge the 23 under its control. Owing to the course at Creswick to embrace the national parks with such a system. remoteness of some of these areas broader aspects of conservation and the harsh climates of such including national parks management, The mere fact that the Commission has announced its intention of places as Wyperfeld and Hattah but it would seem premature to Lakes, it has not always been easy, suggest that the national parks creating such a Division does not in but good progress has been made system should be absorbed into the itself crystallize the policy decisions nevertheless. Forestry Service before the Creswick which will need to be made before Course has been broadened. And, enduring working plans for such even if the course were broadened, areas can be established and Water supplies, etc it would be feasible to train national implemented. It would be unfortunate Water supplies have been parks personnel there whether the if, while the new body was developed, picnic facilities have Commission controlled the national establishing itself, the undoubted been provided, nature trails have progress made by the national parks parks or not. been devised, modern amenities in Victoria should be impeded in any What has retarded the training of have been provided, literature way. national parks personnel up to the describing park features has been present time has been the lack Until the management policies for prepared, and numerous letters of of finance and, unless additional the recreational forestry areas have appreciation from the visiting public finance is forthcoming, the necessary been clearly enunciated, it will not be attest to the general approval which service cannot be provided on the clear whether there will be major or has attended these efforts.

184 CHAPTER 24 Day visitors Many of the national parks, because of their size and close proximity to large towns, have been developed as day-visitor parks. The attendance at is now of the order of 100,000 visitors each year; some 30,000 to 40,000 people visit Tarra Valley and Bulga Park yearly. Many thousands of people visit Fern Tree Gully and Churchill National Parks each year. And the number of people visiting Mount Eccles, Mount Richmond, Hattah Lakes, Mallacoota Inlet and, indeed, Tarra Valley NP, 1971. Margaret Smith and Nell Spencer at entrance to Tarra Valley NP. all of the national parks, is growing each year. association with the Authority and able annually to enjoy the attractions Overnight accommodation Committee of Management. The of the Mount Buffalo National Park. experience gained in this field will set During the summer, numerous Other parks provide overnight the pattern for other parks. walking tracks and the fine road to accommodation as well as day- The Horn provide for the visitors, who visitor facilities. Without doubt, may be up for the day or who may be Wilsons Promontory is among the Revenue from tourists camped at Lake Catani, or staying as leading resorts in Victoria, if not services at Wilsons guests at The Chalet or at Tatra Inn. Australia. The camping area at Promontory Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory In the winter, the excellent skiing has been developed so that it now The sustained tourist interest in facilities at Dingo Dell and Cresta, caters for some 4,000 visitors at Wilsons Promontory has justified the which have been developed by the one time. In addition, a variety establishment there of a modern cafe the Authority over the years, attract of lodges at Tidal River provide to supplement the services provided thousands of skiers. In 1966, the modern accommodation with in-built by the Camp Store. The value of Authority had a modern Pomalift amenities for 160 people. As an these services to the visiting public constructed at Dingo Dell and the indication of the development of Tidal may be judged from the fact that skiing fields have been greatly River as a resort, it may be stated the annual rent paid by the lessee enlarged. So popular has Dingo Dell that the annual consumption of LP of the cafe is $1,960 and that paid become that last year the Authority gas for water heating, space heating, by the lessee of the store is $3,900. had the A. W. Keown Lodge enlarged refrigeration and cooking exceeds Total revenue from park services is and modernized at a cost of $75,000, 50 tons. The peak daily consumption $109,000. and plans are well advanced for the of water is of the order of 80,000 installation of a second Pomalift. gallons. Mount Buffalo National Park The revenue from the Dingo Dell Wilsons Promontory is not the skiing field nowadays ranges Master Plan for Tidal River only national park to attract great between $8,000 and $14,000 per annum, depending on the season, as To ensure that the development of numbers of visitors for extended against $4,000.00 before the Pomalift Tidal River over the next 10 to 30 periods. Thanks to the excellent was installed in 1966. years is enabled to proceed on the accommodation provided by the correct basis, a master plan is being Victorian Railways at The Chalet There is also a growing public prepared by a firm of architects and by Tatra Development Pty Ltd appreciation of the improved and town planners working in close at Cresta, some 50,000 people are camping area at Lake Catani where

Battles for survival 185 the Authority has installed hot showers and other amenities.

Cresta Valley development Reference will be made below to the development of tourist facilities at Cresta by Tatra Development Pty Ltd, under the terms of a lease granted by the Authority, but it should be stated here that this development has led to great improvements in the skiing fields at Cresta. The Authority has retained control of the slopes for the people, but the developers have installed three lifts to provide for the needs of skiers. Fraser NP, 1974. Camping and boating area. Lease at Cresta in Mount Buffalo National Park day visitors and 4,898 campers It is a matter of some pride to the As mentioned above, the Authority annually, and produce revenue at the Authority that one of its officers has has granted a lease to Tatra rate of $9,564 per annum. recently been awarded a Churchill Development Pty Ltd, to enable Fellowship, under the terms of which tourist facilities to be provided Ranger recruitment and he will be enabled to make a study of national parks planning in North at Cresta. This enterprise, which training began in 1964, has resulted in America and England during 1970. the expenditure of approximately When the Authority was formed in The additional experience he will $400,000 by the developers, and 1957, there were four full-time and thus gain will be of considerable is now in a satisfactory financial two part-time Rangers employed in value to the Authority. position. There are 84 beds available national parks. There are now thirteen for the public and further high-grade full-time Rangers and six part-time Public support for the accommodation is planned. The Rangers. In addition there are about Authority Tatra Inn itself provides a very good 20 other field personnel employed in Recognition of the value of the service for visitors and guests. the national parks. service provided by the Authority has The Authority has assisted, with The Authority has run four Ranger come from several sources: the aid of special grants from the Training Courses to supplement the (a) In response to overtures by the Government, in the improvement in-service training which the Rangers Director, the Chairman of Conzinc of the skiing fields of which there receive, and these training courses Riotinto Australia, Sir Maurice are now six, serving the needs of have proved very successful. different grades of skiers. Mawby, approached a number The Director visited North America in of large business organizations The rent paid by the lessees is at 1965 to attend a short course in the which joined his own Company present $1,000 p.a. The formula for administration of national parks and in contributing $3,000 to enable the rent ensures that in 1974, the equivalent reserves and the Chief the Authority to purchase a very rent will rise to not less than $2,000; Technical Officer spent beautiful natural area of 270 acres in fact it will almost certainly rise to several months at the US Ranger adjoining , for $3000 shortly after 1974. Training Course in 1966. The addition to the park. experience gained by these officers Fraser National Park (b) A private citizen has informed has been of great value to the the Authority that he has made The facilities provided by the Authority Authority in improving and extending provision in his will for a very at Fraser National Park attract 17,428 the Service. attractive area of land adjoining

186 CHAPTER 24 the Kinglake National Park to overcome many difficulties to Premier responded, but Mr Meagher pass to the Authority for addition develop a valuable and growing replied on 24 February, saying that to the park. national parks service in Victoria. “there was no intention on his part It has demonstrated that it has the of denigrating the National Parks (c) The Bird Observers Club donated capacity to meet difficult situations Authority or its administration of funds to the Authority to enable and there is no doubt that, given national parks”. His only concern had 115 acres of land adjoining the the necessary support and been to “bring about a streamlining Tarra Valley National Park to be encouragement, it will continue to and co-ordination of effort”. There purchased for addition to the apply the experience gained during the matter was allowed to rest; park. past years. apparently another dragon had been It should be noted that in the cases slain or at least chased away for the The Forests Commission will (a) and (c) mentioned above, it was time being. make a valuable contribution to the owners’ express wish that the the development of Victoria’s total Now it should not be assumed that land be added to the park, but in requirements in the field of outdoor the offer of the Forests Commission neither case could they afford to recreation, through the creation of the to absorb the national parks service actually donate the land. new Division of Recreational Forestry. was the result of open hostility of the However, until its management one body towards the other. There Fire protection work policies in regard to the 83 areas had always been some difference of The Authority has been very currently reserved have been defined opinion over certain aspects of fire active in having fire protection and tested, and until the new Division protection philosophy and practice, plans prepared for every national has acquired the necessary staff, but the Commission and its officers park under its control and to date finance and experience to cope with and the Authority had developed approximately $40,000 has been its own particular problems, and has many avenues of co-operation. spent in implementing such plans. demonstrate a capacity to do so, it I personally had a very pleasant The Forests Commission has greatly would seem unwise to endeavour relationship with Mr A. O. (Alf) assisted in this work. to absorb the national parks system Lawrence and his successor Dr F. H. which has already demonstrated its (Frank) Moulds. ability to provide a valuable service, Vermin and noxious weeds While the Ministers were exchanging despite the difficulties which it has letters, Frank had invited me around Since its formation the Authority has had to overcome. to his office to explain his plans for developed a vigorous collaboration It should be possible to develop the the ‘takeover’. I wasn’t at all clear with the Vermin and Noxious two services – the national parks about my own role or future in the Weeds Destruction Board in the service and the recreational forest proposed re-organization; but, as I extermination of rabbits and noxious service – on a complementary basis, thought that the ‘Chief of the Division’ weeds in national parks. It has been each retaining its independent had already been ‘lined up’, I did not found possible to destroy rabbits by character but co-operating wherever see my future through rose-tinted any of four methods, namely, trail necessary in the best interests of spectacles. But I explained to Frank poisoning (using 1080 and carrot), the State, as is the case with other that, while I had always appreciated hand broadcasting in areas where Government Departments.” the need for a vigorous and efficient trail poisoning is not practicable, Forestry Service and recognized fumigation of warrens and, where The Minister (Mr Manson) lost no the outstanding contributions which other methods are not suitable, by time in conveying these views to the Commission had made to the aerial baiting. In addition, where the Premier and (for information) well-being of the State, I held the necessary, park staff play an active to the Minister for Forests. At the view that the people of Victoria were part in vermin and weed control. All same time, he pointed out that he entitled to their own national parks care is taken to ensure that the native would be putting up his own ideas service with its own identity and animals do not suffer. (on the administration of national independence. Accordingly, I did parks) within the next week or so not regard the proposed takeover as General for consideration by the Premier either desirable or necessary. as part of the Government’s new Over the past thirteen years, There was no rancour; after all, we policy. I do not know how the the National Parks Authority has had to keep on living in peaceable

Battles for survival 187 Chapter 25 Plans for reorganisation

n the previous chapter we saw how my office one afternoon to ‘have a In confirmation of our discussion the national parks service survived chat’ about national parks matters. this morning, I wish to submit Ia threat from without. But while Dewar had always involved himself the following matters for your that dragon had been laid to rest, in the details of the Authority’s consideration. even if only temporarily, another was administration and management You are aware that the key personnel bestirring itself. more than anybody else. His free- of the National Parks Authority lance sort of existence afforded him There is no doubt that, after thirteen who are technical men and heads much greater scope for this than was years of strenuous endeavour, of departments are not always possible for his colleagues who were the National Parks Authority had available for either inspections or already fully stretched in their own achieved a great deal, but the for attendance at all meetings; and departments, but who nevertheless pressure on the members had grown in fact they are unable to devote always found time to give me their considerably. By 1970, there were adequate time to National Parks fullest co-operation and support. nineteen national parks and other business. It is too much to expect Dewar informed me that the Minister proposals to be examined by the them to attend all inspections and all was considering the creation of a Authority, which entailed inspections meetings because they have full time Commission consisting of a number and long periods of absence from jobs as departmental heads. of executive members. In a burst their offices of the various heads of of confidence, he explained that I In my own case I do attend all the relevant government departments would probably not be the Head of meetings, am a member of most as well as of the private members. the Commission, but ‘probably’ the of the subcommittees and have There were committee meetings deputy-head, while the Chairman attended almost every inspection. (within the Authority) to be organised, would probably be ‘part-time’. In the several years that I have been which placed additional burdens on the Authority I would estimate on the Authority’s staff and on the Quite frankly, I felt devastated. From that I spend one-third of my time on members themselves. the day I assumed office, I had National Parks business. Although worked unceasingly and had been From time to time one heard this is more than would be required well supported by every member of suggestions that the size of the from someone such as the Chairman the Authority and by the staff who Authority should be reduced, and of the Forests Commission, it is clear had served far beyond the call of especially that the involvement that to have a full appreciation of duty. It was immediately apparent of the senior government officials all the problems of National Parks a that Dewar was riding his old hobby should be reduced because their person of such high qualifications horse; this was not his first attempt own departments had grown since as Mr Lawrence might need to to restructure the Authority. In 1957 and because their continued spend perhaps one-fifth of his November 1965, he had written to membership of the National Parks time on inspections, meetings the Minister (Mr Manson) as follows: Authority imposed excessive and other Parks business. If the burdens, but I was not yet aware departments are to be represented “Hon. J. W. Manson, MLA that change was imminent. At a by someone other than the head of meeting early in 1968, attended by Chairman, the department, it would still mean the Minister (the Hon. J. W. Manson National Parks Authority, that several State departments would MP) in his capacity of Chairman, the State Public Offices, still have to provide a senior officer matter of reconstituting the Authority for a substantial part of his time on Melbourne C2. was raised. National Parks affairs. Dear Mr Manson My first intimation of impending Clearly the time is opportune to developments came from Mr re RECONSTITUTION OF NATIONAL re-examine the position in regard to Dewar Goode, who ‘dropped into’ PARKS AUTHORITY National Parks and at the same time

188 CHAPTER 25 Mt Eccles NP in western Victoria was established in 1960. It features volcanic formations, including Lake Surprise nestled in the crater of the former volcano. re-assess the position regarding the constituted. National Parks Authority Governor-in-Council from a panel of Land Utilisation Advisory Council. In would have the right to ask for names submitted by organisations regard to the latter I would suggest reconsideration of a decision of the or persons interested in the that the Council should have Land Use Advisory Council in the preservation of flora, and fauna and additional personnel, at least in the light of the special requirements of natural history. person of Mr A. D. Butcher, head of a national Park, but the LUAC, as Such constitution of the Authority the Fisheries & Wildlife Division, who the chief body for land use, would would ensure that the Government would represent on the Council the have the final decision. The National nominee in the form of the Chairman fauna and other wildlife implications Parks Authority, therefore, could be with a casting vote, and the Director, of National Parks. Mr Lawrence, reconstituted in the following manner: could override the non-departmental of course, would represent flora representatives on the Authority. implications. The government would nominate a Chairman who would be a retired This would mean that the Authority The newly constituted Council officer of the Civil Service, preferably would be a small one. It would be would need to be in fact a Land Use with some knowledge of the natural able to keep close contact with all Authority, and would define land sciences. There are a number of the National Parks and attend all use in Victoria. The method of this such Civil Service men who are meetings necessary. It is my opinion decision would be by joint ecological retired periodically, and who are that the Chairman should receive a investigations by appropriate still perfectly capable of taking a salary for his part-time work, and that departments represented on Council. part time job and whose knowledge the two other members appointed by These ecological and indeed of departmental procedure and of the Governor-in-Council should also economic surveys would indicate administration would be of particular receive a lesser stipend. clearly broad land use principles. value to the National Parks Authority. I have discussed this matter, as I told This body would then make the The Director and Executive Officer you today, with a number of members ultimate determinations in regard of the Authority would be deputy of the Authority and with members to future areas to be set aside for chairman and, of course, full time; of the Cabinet; and I feel that this is National Parks. and in addition there should be two a matter which should be brought I would envisage that the newly members to be appointed by the to the notice of the Premier. Might I

Plans for reorganisation 189 suggest that you, as Chairman of the Mr Manson was a little confused by that I had reservations about George Authority, and Mr G. T. Thompson, Mr Goode’s reformation package Thompson as an administrator; the who was previously head of the Soil and, after mature consideration, had Soil Conservation Authority stands Conservation Authority and is now decided to acquaint himself with the (or stood) as a monument to his a member of the National Parks modus operandi of the National Parks endeavours and ingenuity. But Authority, and myself, should wait on Authority before recommending he was a strong personality and, the Premier to have a discussion on such drastic changes. He might although we were good friends, these two matters. have recognised that it was not so we didn’t always agree on what much the size of the Authority which should be done in national parks. In a previous letter to the Premier determined its rate of progress in George was prepared to accept the I did suggest the reconstitution of the development of national parks, 22,000 volt powerlines in Wilsons the Land Use Advisory Council. but rather the extent to which trained Promontory; I did my utmost to This letter has not been answered, manpower and money could be protect the environment against and I have had no opportunity of provided. At all events, the Authority this intrusion. George was less discussing it with the Premier, so I remained intact for several years. concerned about the Unger invasion feel at this stage that this present than I was, and even considered letter to you should precede the letter Before leaving this item, I want the possibility of constructing a dam to the Premier of a couple of years to refer to certain aspects of Mr across Lilly Pilly Gully or Tristania ago. Goode’s proposals. Firstly, the Creek [in Wilsons Promontory NP] to Chairman of the new Authority supply water [to Tidal River]. I would I will be in Melbourne from Monday was to be a retired public servant not entertain such a scheme. afternoon November 22 until Friday (preferably with some knowledge morning November 26. Although of the natural sciences). Unless the But Dewar’s idea that giving the I have a National Parks Authority Chairman had already acquired a Chairman a casting vote “would meeting on the morning of November great deal of useful knowledge of the ensure that the Government nominee 24 and a Natural Resources meeting modus operandi of the national parks in the form of the Chairman with after midday on November 25, I service, there would predictably be a casting vote, and the Director, would be available at any other time. a period of slow progress while he could override the non-departmental Mr Thompson has indicated that he was ‘learning the trade’. Unless, of representation on the Authority” was would be pleased to attend such a course, he was the sort of person nothing short of a field of land mines. meeting, and, I suggest that you fix who didn’t want to learn the trade but Obviously, it would be desirable a time with him convenient to the wanted to direct matters or change for decisions of the Authority to Premier, yourself Mr Thompson and direction in regard to important be unanimous, but Dewar would myself. matters. If he were to be a former remember that he not infrequently Yours sincerely member of the National Parks dissented from majority decisions of (Sgd) Dewar V. Goode” Authority, the only person who could the National Parks Authority. meet Dewar’s specifications was Mr If, however, the success of the G. T. Thompson, who had retired as I do not know how Mr Manson Authority depended on unanimity Chairman of the Soil Conservation reacted to Mr Goode’s proposals; between the Director and the Authority in 1961 but who had he did not discuss them with me. Chairman, it clearly meant that the remained a member of the National Perhaps, having been in office for Director would be placed in the Parks Authority as ‘a person having a only six weeks (his first promotion to position of having to endorse the special interest in national parks’. the Cabinet), he deemed it imprudent Chairman’s proposals. And what to go to the Premier and tell him that One would not need to venture would happen if the Chairman and he thought that the National Parks too far into the realm of conjecture the two non-government members Authority should be reduced in size to assume that one of the non- did not agree with a proposal from in order to ease the workload of government members would be the Director? Clearly, the proposed senior public servants and, at the Mr Goode himself. No doubt the arrangement required that the same time, recommend that the Minister had someone in mind for Director be a man devoid of initiative Land Utilization Advisory Council be the other non-government member. and pride - a plastic man. Perhaps enlarged by taking on board another I was very apprehensive about the that was the idea - whatever it was, it public servant. It is possible that proposed arrangement. It was not filled me with apprehension.

190 CHAPTER 25 At the meeting of the Authority early in 1968, 1 volunteered to examine the Year 1958 1969 matter of the proposed reorganization and, in a report dated 17 April 1969, No. of National Parks 14 21 I reviewed the circumstances which had given rise to the creation of the Ranger Service 4 Full-time Rangers + 11 Full-time Rangers + 1 Part-time Ranger 6 Part-time Rangers + Authority and gave a resume of its 8 Park Assistants achievements. The report was duly considered by the Authority and the Ranger Training Nil 3 Courses held; a 4th planned for 1969 matter was allowed to rest; but the proponents of the smaller Authority remained active. In January 1969, Year 1958/59 1969/70 the Minister requested me to let him have my thoughts on the proposal. Visitor Use: I prepared a report dated 9 January Wilson’s Promontory 28,000 85,000 1969, in the course of which inter alia I made the following observations: Mount Buffalo Not Recorded 45,000 “It has been said that the National Wyperfeld 1,000 (ca.) 8,030 Parks Authority has ‘been a failure’ Kinglake 16,000 71,600 and that it is to be reconstituted. I do not agree that the National Park Revenue: Parks Authority has been a failure. Wilson’s Promontory $23,772 $95,299 No criteria have ever been defined to enable the Authority’s success Mount Buffalo $2,947 $10,796 or failure to be determined and I Kinglake $310 $4,617 believe that such judgments are the judgments of men. Man is not infallible and is not always impartial. I am certain that, if the full story of the Authority’s achievements and of THE MINISTER the obstacles which have had to be surmounted were placed before a competent judge, the verdict would DIRECTOR be a resounding commendation of Assistant Director Assistant Director the Authority. ADMINISTRAT ION TECHNICAL “There is no doubt that more could have been achieved in the Functions: Functions: development of a national parks Research and Finance and Budgets Operations service for Victoria over the past Development eleven years, if the Authority had been afforded the resources Personnel Classification Fire Protection necessary to accomplish the task, Administration Research (New Parks) Engineering in the way of trained manpower and adequate finance. The Authority Records Master Planning Construction of began from scratch and every and Landscaping Roads and Tracks moment has been a continuing Leases and Permits Ranger Training Minor Constructions struggle for manpower and finance. (Buildings) “Some of the results which have been Public Relations Interpretation Park Services achieved in national parks since the (and Publicity) Authority was formed are set out Library Service hereunder:

Plans for reorganisation 191 My report continued: “It has come the assistance of government “We will, to assist in this work, divide to be recognised that the control of departments could be obtained the State into three ‘regions’, namely any enterprise, commercial, industrial on a departmental basis and that, (a) Western, (b) Central and North or of the service type, requires a where necessary, liaison with local Central (c) Eastern and, with the competent professionally-qualified bodies such as Shire Councils and assistance of the Land Utilization staff, whose energies are united in citizen bodies could be developed Advisory Committee, each of these the pursuit of the defined objectives. at the discretion of the Authority. sub-divisions will be carefully It is recognized that such liaison examined for particular potential. “It is inconceivable that the Forests is valuable, but there is no reason Commission, the Department of “Foreshadowing a much greater to suppose that it could be less Fisheries and Wildlife, the Soil effective because the Authority itself demand and use of our National Conservation Authority or Australian was the active body. In many cases, Parks system it may be necessary Paper Manufacturers Ltd, or lCIANZ this liaison already exists.” in the future for Committees of Ltd, could successfully manage Management to re-examine their role its affairs if the power to plan and I am not sure what effect these so that they can cater for the new make decisions, and translate such ‘thoughts’ had on the Minister. I demands which will be placed upon decisions into action, were not didn’t know it then, but a game of them. vested in competent fully-employed poker was in progress and I wasn’t professionally qualified executives. being dealt any cards. The Minister “All of these detailed matters will be The principles underlying the proceeded with his plans, no doubt examined between now and the next development and management of in consultation with his advisors. It session of Parliament, with a view a national parks service for Victoria so happened that a general election to producing legislation as early as differ in no way from those of involved was scheduled for later in 1970 and possible.” in any other enterprise and success the Minister deemed it appropriate No doubt this was considered will come only when this irrefutable to make a policy statement on the appropriate for election purposes: fact is clearly recognised and the subject of national parks, in strategic Sir Humphrey Appleby and Jim necessary resources are provided.” areas. The rough outline of ‘what Hacker [of the TV program ‘Yes might be said in a press statement’ I concluded by proposing two Minister’] could hardly have done scheduled for release by the Minister possible alternative structures for a better. “Looking carefully into a at Doncaster on 20th May, at Lorne new Authority, viz: proposal....” “reduced to either a on 21st May and at Port Fairy on 3 or 5 man commission” “Always 1. One in which the super-structure 22nd May 1970, ran as follows: advisable to have a choice.” consists of a Director supported “It is the Government’s intention to “Such Commissioners would be by two Assistant-Directors, with a reconstitute the present National assigned specific duties covering direct line of responsibility to the Parks Authority. In place of the administration, scientific study, Minister. The various functions present 11-member authority we new parks investigations, general to be performed are listed in are looking carefully into a proposal publicity, day-to-day operations the chart below, and it will be that this should be reduced to of existing and future parks.” Very appreciated that appropriate staff either a 3- or 5-man commission. encouraging that “... the only people would be required, to augment the Such Commissioners would be competent to do such work were existing staff. assigned specific duties covering already employed by the National 2. A three-man Authority, consisting administration, scientific study, new Parks Authority.” “ ...increased ranger of a Chairman and two other park investigation, general publicity, service....information centres....” and members, with appropriate staff to day to day operations of existing and so on and so on. carry out essential functions. The future parks. Not a word about how all this Authority would be responsible to “Greater emphasis would be placed increased activity was to be financed! the Minister as in 1. above. on increased ranger service, “Foreshadowing a much greater The report concluded as follows: “It information centres in each park, demand ... it may be necessary for will be seen that these systems do and proper classification of parks the Committees of Management to not embrace either representatives between areas to be retained in their re-examine their role so that they can of government departments or natural form and areas suitable for cater for new demands which will be private organisations. It is felt that tourist activities. placed upon them.” What does this

192 CHAPTER 25 mean? That the ‘new demands’ would State Parliament House parks has a very special increase the input of the Committees Melbourne 3002 significance, and the Soil of Management or that they would Conservation Authority and the become advisory bodies? What did Dear Mr Dickie, National Parks Authority have “....with a view to producing legislation It was 15 years ago that I chaired the designed and used conservation as early as possible” mean? public meeting in Melbourne which measures which I referred to in the previous paragraph. In One detects an interplay of political resulted in the formation 13 years particular, the excellent dunal forces in this burst of electioneering ago of the National Parks Authority. [sand dune protection] work done journalism. The Land Conservation The control and development at Wilsons Promontory has set Act was passed on 24 November then of national parks and other a pattern for dunal conservation 1970, the Bill having been debated in natural reserves was in the hands work elsewhere. Parliament during the spring session, of dedicated local citizens whose and it is difficult to believe that the interests and urgings resulted in (c) The Lands Department controls Minister was unaware that such a Bill their development, and possibly vermin and noxious weeds in was in course of preparation. The the reservation itself. It was not then National Parks, and again the policy statement almost pre-empts realized that many special skills had Department and the Authority the objectives of the LCC Bill. also to be developed to preserve the have evolved special techniques The policy statement was apparently area for posterity, yet enable present which destroy vermin but which approved by the Deputy Premier, Sir use to be fully developed. have little or no impact on wildlife or at most a modified impact. Arthur Rylah MP, but its credibility There is a problem to maintain the was hardly enhanced by the fact flora, fauna and scenic values on (d) Fire protection is a responsibility that, after the release, the Premier the one hand, and on the other of the Authority, but under Sir Henry Bolte MP, is said to have to develop the national parks in the Forests Act the Forests disclaimed all knowledge of the such a way that the public get full Commission of Victoria is proposals embodied in the release! continuous enjoyment from them. responsible for fire suppression. But, as so often happens, Fate This seeming conflict of interests, Here again special fire preventive intervened and, after 11th June 1970, however, is being overcome. The measures have been designed Mr Manson ceased to be a member Authority and its technical staff have by the very active Fire Protection of the Cabinet. He was succeeded developed these special skills and Committee which comprises by the Hon. Vance Dickie MLC, know-how. In this they have been both senior officers of the Forests who had been Minister of State guided by the several specialists Commission and Authority Development and Chairman of the on the Authority. Conversely, it can members. National Parks Authority from 15th be said that the Authority and its There is abundant evidence of close, discussions have had an impact on July 1964 to 30th September 1965. cordial and fruitful collaboration the specialist departments. It is of There was fresh hope. between the Departments interest to see some of the modified mentioned, also the Fisheries & activities of some departments which Wildlife Department, Public Works, Another try have evolved over the decade, for State Rivers, and others. Mr Dickie hardly had time to arrange example: his office furniture before Mr Goode The great problem has been that (a) Roadworks in and to National wrote to him proposing major the Authority has not kept the public Parks have been specially changes to the form of the National informed of what it is doing. Its designed by the CRB and Parks Authority. His letter of 13th annual reports are not widely read the Authority. The associated August 1970 read as follows: and it has no spectacular successes conservation work at Mount which have hit the headlines. The “COPY Buffalo and Wilsons Promontory work done by the Authority and its National Parks and the modified 3 Mandeville Crescent. technical staff has been solid, and road design in these and other a base has been built upon which Toorak Vic. 3142 national parks have set a pattern the development and conservation August 13 1970 of which we can be proud. of National Parks can be assured. I The Hon Vance Dickie, MP (b) Conservation work in national am convinced, after seeing national

Plans for reorganisation 193 parks and reserves in many countries is becoming more difficult to should the Authority staff be increased overseas, that our programme is accomplish because it is necessary to deal with this management/ modem and effective, but we most to organize the affairs of the Authority development problem, which is also a certainly need more trained staff and or of its administration so as to fit in conservation problem? finance. with the needs of the Committees If the management of bush areas of of Management. Consultations Earlier I mentioned that prior to recreational value is to be carried out which ought to be held are the Authority many National Parks by the Authority, it would probably sometimes deferred or take place and reserves were controlled by be desirable that it continue in its too late and, all in all, the outcome is committee of management, and present form for three more years. unsatisfactory. this has continued throughout the It would most certainly require an years. These committees have local If the Committees were to function increase in technical staff and would knowledge of value, and some have in an advisory capacity, with the also benefit from the appointment departmental officers with special Authority remaining in control of a full-time or part-time Chairman. skills; however, this does create of rangers and field staff, the To look still further into the future, I some problems. management of the national parks would envisage that in three years would be simplified and progress there should be an Authority with There is no doubt that members of would be more rapid. three full-time members like the the Authority and its scientific staff Soil Conservation Authority, Forests have acquired considerable skill It is my opinion that Committees of Commission and other departments. and expertise in the conservation, Management should be appointed development and management of as advisory committees, and that The Authority has had a beneficial national parks. However, there are the active management of rangers impact on nature conservation limitations in which this knowledge and other staff should be under the generally, national parks in and experience can be directed Authority. particular, but it does need a skilled because the Authority does not have administrator with public service Those with a close knowledge of direct control of the field staff in many experience. It requires reorganizing what has been done will not dispute national parks. In fact, in some parks, along similar lines to the State Rivers the foregoing. However, another this is a major problem. & Water Supply Commission, Forests problem must be faced at this stage Commission or Soil Conservation Whilst recognizing fully the value of the development of our State Authority with full-time or part-time of the ‘Committee of Management’ – that is the design and planning and full-time members. system, there is no doubt that, in of adequate areas for outdoor the evolution of a modern national recreation, other than national A great deal of good work has been parks system, the point has been parks or parklands which are under done by the Authority in the past 13 reached when the implementation governmental control. years, but unfortunately its public of the Authority’s policies in regard relations work has been almost non- In most countries of the world which to national parks would be more existent. have reached a standard of living as effectively achieved if the executive high as ours, there is positive design In summary it can be said: powers now held by the Committees and planning of recreational facilities of Management were transferred 1. There has not been adequate for the future. Outdoor recreation to the Authority, to be exercised by publicity or public relations. in open space other than national professional officers under the direct 2. The Authority has not made use of parks and parkland is required near control of the Authority. voluntary specialist organizations. to large centres of population. Major It is recognised, too, that in many recreation areas must be located, 3. Departmental representatives cases the growing demands of designated and managed to cope on the Authority (6) having large national parks (as the tempo of with the increasing population shorter departments could not devote their development has accelerated working periods, and greater mobility. as much time to meetings and to meet the needs of a more If this is to come about, and the inspections as some of the private sophisticated public) impose sooner the better, then a new body members (3). heavy burdens upon members needs to be formed to serve the 4. Committees of Management have of Committees of Management. needs of the people. The question served the State and National Moreover, liaison with committees follows, should this be a new body or Park ideals magnificently, but

194 CHAPTER 25 Hattah Lakes, December 1959.

management and development I was unaware of this proposal until Parks Authority (as from 15th March today requires highly specialist quite recently [1988]. The reader will 1971) and provided for the Minister skills, and the demands on readily discern that no mention was to become the successor-in-law of Committees of Management are made of the role of the Director; it is the National Parks Authority. The so numerous and diverse that hardly likely in the light of Mr Goode’s Director became directly responsible these Committees should now be 1965 proposal that the Director would to the Minister. appointed as advisory committees, have become the Chairman and it Section 17 of the new Act read as with professional officers of the does not seem likely that he would follows: Authority as secretaries. have become one of the part-time 5. There is a most urgent need for members. Presumably Mr Goode had “Subject to the general direction and classification of National Parks in mind an Authority of four members control of the Minister the Director of under a system which would which would have employed the National Parks shall - Director and other members of the ensure the best use for recreation (a) be responsible for the control and staff. Even now, fourteen years after and for scientific study. management of national parks; I retired, I can find no enthusiasm for 6. Equally is there need for such a scheme. (b) exercise any powers and carry development of open-space areas out any duties conferred or for outdoor recreation - along imposed upon him under the the lines of the English pattern. Department of State National Parks Act 1970 or under Such open-space recreation Development this Act or delegated to him by areas (outside municipal areas) the Minister; could well be managed by a Mr Goode’s dissertation did not find (c) report upon any matter in relation newly constituted Authority favour with the Minister, who had to national parks as required by with additional technical staff. other plans in mind. I was aware the Minister. Techniques for such management that he was apprehensive that, as and expertise have been Minister and therefore (by delegation The National Parks Authority held its developed in Churchill, Fern from the Premier) Chairman of the last meeting on 15th March 1971. Tree Gully and Port Campbell in Authority, he might find himself The Authority’s Annual Report for particular. committed to the decisions and 1970-71 contains an appreciation 7. The constitution of the new policies of the Authority with which of the pioneering work of the Authority should comprise a full- he might not agree. He did not rush Authority. The Report inter alia stated time Chairman and 3 part-time his hurdles, but proceeded with that “the enactment of the new members, which in time could end his plans to abolish the Authority. legislation marks the end of an era up in all being full-time members. The State Development Act was and the beginning of a new one. It passed on 22nd December 1970; it seems appropriate here to record Yours sincerely, established the Department of State the Director’s appreciation of the Dewar W Goode Development, abolished the National invaluable assistance rendered by

Plans for reorganisation 195 his colleagues, the members of the Shortly after assuming office Mr August 1972, the Honourable Murray former Authority, over the years. Merrett accompanied me on a week- Byrne MLC, became Minister of State The sharing of the individual and long visit to several of our national Development and Mr Dickie became collective training and experience parks. We travelled to Hattah Lakes Minister for Housing. of the members of the Authority was National Park on a Sunday, in order a vital part of the Director’s own to gain an extra day, and after a day The National Parks preparation for the responsibilities there we proceeded to Hopetoun, now placed upon him under the in order to be able to make an early Advisory Committee new legislation. In addition, through start on our visit to Wyperfeld; then One of the provisions of the State the members of the Authority, the we made our way to the Little Desert Development Act 1970, which Director and staff of the Authority and, finally, to Port Campbell and appears to have resulted from were able to secure the co- Mount Eccles. At the end of the overtures from the Victorian National operation of the various Government week, Bill Merrett had seen some of Parks Association to the Minister, departments concerned, and of the work done under the previous was that there should be formed a others, without which there could administration in a variety of areas - National Parks Advisory Committee, have been no real progress.” fire protection works, development to serve as a link between the of water supplies, provision of tourist Department and the community at New Permanent Head amenities, roadworks, conservation large, and to advise the Minister on and regeneration of native species, any matters which he might wish The Permanent Head of the new etc. He had seen some of the wide to refer to it. The Minister and the Department was Mr P. W. (Bill) Merrett, range of features of the different Permanent Head sought my advice who had for many years been a senior parks; he had met the rangers and on the personnel of the Committee officer in the Treasury. Soon after talked to them about their work and and, after discussion, the following his appointment was announced, I their problems. We talked almost composition was agreed upon: called on him in his office. It was a incessantly about national parks One person to serve as a link with the matters and, by the end of the very different situation which existed former Authority: Mr Dewar W. Goode then from the one when I crossed the week, we both felt that our ‘batteries’ threshold of the NPA office in 1958. had been recharged. This happy One person to be a zoologist: Dr E. Then I had my hopes and enthusiasm collaboration continued throughout H. M. Ealey to offer, but no experience in national the entire period during which the One person to be a botanist: Dr D. parks administration. Now I had National Parks Service remained M. Calder twelve years’ experience in that field, a part of the Department of State One person representative of added to my previous experience in Development. Municipal Shire Councils: Mr S. industry, supported by a small but Bill Merrett found the time to Cooper dedicated and competent staff. I ‘open’ the Ranger Training Course One person representative offered all of this to Bill Merrett in his held in Mount Buffalo National of industrial and commercial new enterprise and we immediately Park in November 1971 and organizations: Mr J. D. Brookes. established a very cordial and fruitful was instrumental in achieving a The Director of National Parks was relationship. reorganisation of the Service’s staff appointed Chairman of the Advisory by the creation of the new positions It was an interesting situation. I Committee. It was not intended of Chief Resources and Planning recognised that both the Minister that the Committee should serve Officer, Fire Protection Officer and and the new Permanent Head would the same purpose as the former Secretary for the Fire Protection be eager to demonstrate that they Authority had, and the appointment Committee, as well a Personnel were worthy of the confidence the of the Director as Chairman was Officer. Government had placed in them in considered a prudent measure to creating the new Department and, Mr Dickie remained Minister of State ensure that the Advisory Committee I felt sure, could be relied upon Development from 12th June 1970 had the full benefit of his experience to provide support for the Service to 23rd August 1972, during which over the past fourteen years. To which had demonstrated, under period he gave me very encouraging ensure that any advice offered the guidance of the National Parks support. With the retirement of Sir by the Advisory Committee to the Authority, that it could ‘deliver’. Henry Bolte as Premier on 23rd Minister was of a practical nature

196 CHAPTER 25 and based on first-hand knowledge accordingly, I pleaded the case for balance than the original design. of the national parks, it was essential a ‘National Parks Service’, arguing Ministry for Conservation for members of the Committee to that this was the designation In December 1972, the Ministry for visit the national parks. Because adopted by the United States and Conservation Act was passed. The members of the Committee were fully that the term ‘Service’ had very Hon. W.A. Borthwick MP became the occupied during the week with their desirable connotations. After due Minister for Conservation, and Dr R. professional vocations, such visits consideration, the Permanent Head G. Downes was appointed Director entailed long week-end excursions to agreed to this proposal and so, at of Conservation and Permanent distant parts of the State. last, we had official recognition as a Head of the new Department. With ‘National Parks Service’. Visits were paid to Mount Buffalo, the promulgation of the Act on 23 Lower Glenelg, Little Desert and January 1973, the National Parks Wyperfeld National Parks and Uniform and emblem Service passed into the Ministry for Conservation. Here at last to the proposed national park in In the early days of the Authority, the Service had found itself in an the Mount Worth district in the there was no official uniform which environment best suited to its own . Meetings were would serve to identify park rangers. aims and aspirations. For years the held, though not on a regular basis, The Authority was unable to meet the National Parks Service had been simply because no additional staff cost of a uniform designed especially the Cinderella of the Public Service; had been provided to cope with the for rangers, but adopted a uniform but finally she had found a golden extra workload. However, meetings used by certain other (commercial) slipper! were attended by the Chief Technical organizations. The addition of Officer and the Chief Resources shoulder flashes carrying suitable There are several not very well-known and Planning Officer, so that there wording enabled the rangers to be aspects of the new arrangement was a strong liaison between identified by visitors. At about the which seem worthy of comment. members of the Committee and time the transfer to the Department The creation of the Ministry for senior staff. As it turned out, this was of State Development occurred, Conservation, under the Hamer particularly valuable experience for it was found possible to upgrade Government, heralded a new era my successor, Mr J. D. Brookes, the rangers’ uniforms, which were for national parks administration. although this could not have been manufactured by the Commonwealth The new Premier, the Hon. R. W. foreseen at the time the Advisory Clothing Company. Details of the Hamer MP, had a personal interest Committee was formed. new uniform were determined by the in conservation. Some years prior to officers of the National Parks Service Early in the life of the Department this, when my Minister (Mr Manson) and the rangers in consultation. of State Development two events was temporarily indisposed, Mr occurred which seem worthy of It had long been felt that the Hamer had become my Acting recording. Service should have an emblem Minister. I always made a point of and several discussions were held discussing the agenda for meetings The National Parks between the Director, the officers of the National Parks Authority with Service and representatives of the Ranger the Minister before posting it out to Service. Among the designs, the members, because the Minister Although I had regularly referred considered, were, the lyrebird, the was the Chairman of the Authority to the body controlling the national wedge-tailed eagle, the koala, the and I wanted to make certain that parks as the National Parks mallee fowl and a few others. Finally, he knew ‘what was going on’ in his Service, there was in fact no it was agreed that the kangaroo, Authority. The last thing I wanted to official recognition of the title. All depicted in action, embodied the happen was for the Minister to learn correspondence was conducted spirit of the National Parks Service of some important development by under the title ‘National Parks better than any of the others, and way of the grapevine. In preparation Authority’. When the Authority was had the advantage of being easier for my meeting with Mr Hamer, I abolished, it was proposed that to reproduce, because of its bold seized the opportunity of presenting the organisation be known as the profile. The addition of the floral him with a summary of the principal ‘Division of National Parks’. The component, in the form of two developments which had taken designation ‘Division’ seemed crossed gum leaves, was made place in national parks since the to me to be most inappropriate; after 1975 and, I think, gives better inception of the Authority. This

Plans for reorganisation 197 became known as ‘The Hamer Report’, and included details of annual financial allocations from the government, park revenue, visitor statistics, etc. Mr Hamer was greatly impressed by the progress which had been made and said that he had ‘no idea’ that, for example, the park visitor intake had grown so remarkably or that park revenue was making such a substantial contribution to the overall developments. I personally was greatly encouraged by his kind remarks; it was in fact the first occasion that any of the several Ministers (permanent and acting) under whom I had served had made any comment on the Authority’s work, although I had not been aware of any dissatisfaction either. My liaison Wilsons Promontory NP. Conservation work to stabilize the foreshore at Norman Bay. with Mr Hamer was brief because Mr Manson was soon back on duty. Watkins and Jeff Davies, there were camp, the problems associated certain aspects of park management with the water supply and the In the latter part of 1972 there were which I wanted to bring to the notice disposal of effluents and garbage, rumours in the air that Sir Henry Bolte of the Premier-elect and I doubted the construction of walking tracks would be retiring from politics before whether there would be another such and the need for maintenance, fire the end of the year and that his opportunity. protection activities, the conservation successor would be Mr Hamer. I was work on the Norman Bay foredune present at the annual meeting of the Mr and Mrs Hamer were not slow in and so on. I pointed out to him the Keep Australia Beautiful Council in demonstrating their interest in the various sites on which Mr R. E. Unger October 1972 and, during the ‘party’ park. I had no desire to be unduly had proposed to build his hotel-motel which always follows such functions, obtrusive, but the fact is that there and took the opportunity to explain Mr Hamer approached me and was nobody else who possessed to him why I was so concerned inquired whether it might be possible the knowledge concerning the about keeping private enterprise for him and Mrs Hamer to occupy developments which had taken out of the national parks. We visited the lodge ‘Northey’ in Wilsons place in the park in recent years. the summit of Mount Oberon and Promontory over the [Melbourne] I had been a regular visitor since (while I remained discreetly in the Cup weekend early in November. 1949 and had been involved in every background) I observed Mr Hamer This was the first occasion when development which had occurred in conversation with several other any of my Ministers had shown such since 1958, whereas the rangers visitors who were enjoying the thrill interest in the national parks, and I had been in the park for relatively of viewing the west coast of the was delighted. With the co-operation short periods. So I gave them the Promontory and parts of the east of Roy Cooper, Chairman of the grand tour of Tidal River Village, coast for the first time. Committee of Management, I soon explaining the when, why and how made the necessary arrangements of the major points of interest such I particularly wanted Mr Hamer to see and decided that it would be helpful as the construction of Riverview the ‘sand blow’ to the east of Oberon if I also were in the park during Flats, the growth of the store and Bay, which had for many years been Mr Hamer’s visit, so that I could the acquisition of the Cafe by the extending in the direction of Waterloo render any assistance that might Authority, the construction of Lorikeet Bay for about 1.5 kilometres. So I be required. While I had complete Flats, the conversion of an unplanned persuaded him and Mrs Hamer and confidence in the park rangers, Steve camping area into an organised their friends to accompany me on

198 CHAPTER 25 Wilsons Promontory NP. Oberon Bay Sand Blow, which in 1972 had extended 1.5km towards Waterloo Bay. the long walk along Norman Bay in the leadership of the Government The Minister of Conservation, the and Little Oberon Bay to Oberon had a profound effect on the future Honourable W. A. Borthwick MP, Bay. After lunch I had some anxious of the National Parks Service and also had an abiding interest in moments, because Mr Hamer on the parks themselves. However, conservation matters and from his wanted to return by the way we had it is not my purpose to detract in personal experiences was able come; but, eventually, he agreed to any way from the contributions of Sir to receive and understand the undertake the long and arduous walk Henry Bolte and his colleagues to messages transmitted to him by across the vast stretch of sand and the cause of conservation in Victoria. the very able officers of the new then along the walking track on the Among other things, they created Department. The new Ministry main track from Telegraph Saddle the Soil Conservation Authority and provided a home for the National to the lighthouse. Here, though not the National Parks Authority and, Parks Service, the Soil Conservation fortuitously (because I had arranged although the Authority never had Authority and the former Division of matters with Steve Watkins) we the resources it required, to do all Fisheries and Wildlife. The Director were met by the park ranger who that it wanted to do or could have of Conservation, Dr R. G. Downes, transported us back to Tidal River, done, it was the events of those had for many years been Chairman of the Soil Conservation Authority thus saving us the long haul up to years between 1956 and 1972 and had served as a member of the Telegraph Saddle. which laid the foundations on which former National Parks Authority, so the new architect was to build. It During the visit the opportunity was that he was very familiar with the is just possible that the cold winds taken to introduce the Premier- needs and problems of these bodies. of adversity which had threatened elect and Mrs Hamer to the park His incisive mind and dedication to rangers and their wives informally to extinguish the glowing embers the cause of conservation had won at ‘Northey’, and I am certain that of enthusiasm of the officers of the him respect and acclaim throughout our visitors were very favourably National Parks Service had made Australia and abroad. His work was impressed by the quality of our the latter more innovative and had recognized in 1973 by the conferring rangers and their partners. developed within them a resilience of a Doctorate in Agricultural Science and powers of perception which All too soon the visit was over, but I by the University of Melbourne. His might not have been acquired in deputy was Mr A. D. Butcher, who received information later, from a very a more benign environment. It has reliable source, that the business had been Director of Fisheries and been my purpose to demonstrate that Wildlife for over thirty years and had of the Cabinet was held up on the Mr Hamer had a personal interest also been a foundation member of following Monday morning, while in conservation and that through the National Parks Authority. They Mr Hamer gave an account of his the creation of the Ministry for were supported by a very competent peregrinations on the Promontory Conservation he had an opportunity staff and by the Government, and the over the previous weekend! of enhancing the cause of national future of the National Parks Service There is no doubt that the change parks and related services. in its new environment was full of

Plans for reorganisation 199 Chapter 26 The rock painters of Refuge Cove

efuge Cove lies between followed I made regular pilgrimages got to by sea or by foot track, must Sealers Cove and Waterloo to that eminence, which we named have been outstandingly beautiful RBay, on the east coast of John Hartley’s Rock, just for the once. Now it is marred with a great Wilsons Promontory. To my mind, it sheer joy of experiencing the deep example of vandalism about which I is the most beautiful cove around silence and tranquillity of the place think your Park Authority should do the Promontory, being shaped like a and to gaze down once more upon something. horseshoe which opens on to Bass that beautiful cove. The placid waters The great granite boulders Strait to the east. of the Cove reflected the mood of surrounding this cove are for the the sky; sometimes it was China Almost directly opposite the entrance main part disfigured by lettering, blue, while at other times it was is a small beach of golden sand, at mainly in red, white and blue, deep shades of amethyst. The fire the southern end of which Hobbs’s announcing the names of boats and of February 1951 had so damaged Creek discharges. There is a second yachts which have called there in the vegetation that one had little small beach tucked away in the recent years. The effect is startling difficulty in picking a way through the south-eastern corner of the Cove, and distasteful and ruins the place. trackless scrub to my viewing point; where Cove Creek enters. The land Someone has even painted white but by 1963 this was becoming more between the two beaches is relatively a very rare and unusual pillar of difficult. flat, gradually rising to the south, rock on the mountainside at about east and west to forested slopes, but On that morning in December 1951, 700 feet elevation. On shore there the remainder of the shore is rocky as I looked down on the five ships is some untidiness on the southern and is overlooked by steep timbered which had run in to escape the wrath beach, bottles, cans and other slopes. of the storm which had raged over lack of care which further mars this beautiful spot. Ever since I first became aware of Bass Strait on the previous day, it it, Refuge Cove has always held a was apparent that the Cove had I suggest that you may care to ask special fascination for me. Before I been aptly named. Fortunately, from the Park Authority to send someone joined the National Parks Authority, my remote vantage point, I could not down to Refuge Cove with a wire I often visited the magnificent see ‘the evil that men do’ which I was brush, some acid and some paint Mitchell Library in Sydney and recall later to learn had indeed ‘lived after remover and get these names off the having read, in an early account of them’. rocks and try to restore the place to the Promontory, that Refuge Cove somewhere its former beauty. I think was capable of accommodating a The rock painters that there should be some publicity battleship, while the reflections of given to policing this in the future, On 17 February 1969, the the forested slopes in the still deep and I hope that your Authority would Honourable Vernon Christie MP, then waters were said to be a joy to have power to proceed against the Speaker in the Victorian Parliament, behold. owners of any boats whose name wrote to the Minister of State was used to disfigure the place in My personal recollections begin Development as follows: future. in December 1951, when I stood on a rocky platform alongside a “Some days ago I sailed down to I wonder how you can expect the large granite tor which rises above Refuge Cove and sheltered there for community at large to respect the western slope, like a sentinel a couple of days from a gale. This the great beauty of our parks if guarding the Cove. In the years that unique place, which can only be vandalism by people who ought to

200 CHAPTER 26 Refuge Cove, on the eastern side of Wilsons Promontory, in 1951. know better is not condemned and fraternity and a variety of sea-faring rangers were usually university prevented. folk who sought safe harbour there. students, some in the later years of their courses, who, after a period of I do hope something can be done I recall the feeling of revulsion I briefing at Head Office, were posted about this. had towards that bronzed young to such places as the northern and mariner who, during my visit to the Yours very sincerely, eastern parts of the Promontory. They Cove in 1951, had busied himself Vernon Christie, MP performed useful services there, by transporting kerosene tins full of gathering rubbish and burying it, Speaker” native plants (including the Fleur-de- establishing rough toilet facilities and lis or Tall Lobelia) on his shoulder, ‘keeping an eye’ on visitors. The Minister referred the matter to along a plank which connected the me, but events proved that it was not shore of the Cove to his yacht. But The conditions in those remote parts easy to remove the paint from those it is a long walk from Tidal River to were hardly romantic. There were rocks. There were many strands Refuge Cove and, in the succeeding usually two temporary rangers in which had to be identified and woven years, I had to content myself with each group; they had perforce to together before a clear picture of the regular walks to the Rock. transport their camping gear on problem could be formed. their backs; there were no comforts As the national parks service in the camps and the lack of even In the days preceding the creation developed under the guidance of a Coolgardie safe meant that one of the Authority, practically all of the the Authority, it became possible of them had to walk from Sealers management functions related to to employ ‘Temporary Rangers’ Cove to Tidal River for fresh supplies Tidal River, and the east coast was some of whom were deployed to the every three or four days. But they visited only by members of the hiking outposts of the park. The temporary were cheerful in their work and, I

The rock painters of Refuge Cove 201 think, enjoyed themselves, whilst Removing the names will probably More frustrations at the same performing well in the involve 20 man hours labour at least, Although the Authority lacked public relations arena. It was good plus one dozen wire brushes, 4 paint the resources to undertake the training for the temporary rangers brushes of various sizes (2”- 4”) and task of removing the paint from and provided the Authority with some 44 gallons or more of paint stripper the rocks, I felt encouraged by useful information. and other miscellaneous items Mr Christie’s frequent inquiries (water-carrying receptacles, etc). One such report was that prepared regarding progress; I felt pleased Even this will not erase the names by Mr Peter Pridmore, who had been that somebody outside the Authority unless irregular areas of lichen stationed at Sealers Cove during was taking an interest in our work. I growth adjacent to the names are December 1963 – January 1964. was personally disposed towards Mr also killed and removed.” Among other things, Peter reported Christie’s suggestion that the paint be that ‘painting of the rocks (at Refuge I think, without wishing to appear too removed from the rocks and that the Cove) was rife’. critical, that Bob under-estimated the damage to the lichens be ‘accepted’. task, rather than otherwise. Clearly, However, the Authority did not really Complications without a boat to transport camping control park staff, and the Committee gear and the materials of destruction, of Management, along with some In addition to the painting of the it was not going to be easy to clear others, had reservations about taking rocks at Refuge Cove, it transpired those rocks! In addition, there were drastic action to remove the paint, so that there were a number of no launching or landing facilities at we were confronted with an impasse. ‘permanent camps’ there. I asked Mr Refuge Cove or at Sealers Cove. I repeatedly requested that a ranger R. G. M. (Bob) Yorston to investigate be despatched to Refuge Cove for For some inexplicable reason, the matter. It so happened that the the express purpose of compiling when Wilsons Promontory National Authority had recently purchased a list of the names painted on the Park was originally declared, an a boat for Mallacoota Inlet National rocks, but co-operation was not area of about 8½ acres of land at Park; so, while this was in transit forthcoming. from Melbourne to Mallacoota, the the southern end of Refuge Cove, opportunity was taken to investigate approximately westward of Cove Towards the end of 1969, I decided conditions at Refuge Cove, with a Greek, was excluded from the to write to the Victorian Yachting view to instituting remedial measures. reservation. There were numerous Council expressing the Authority’s opportunities after 1956 to amend concern and requesting that During his visit, Bob Yorston the National Parks Act, but it was not members of the Association be endeavoured to remove the paint until the rock painters attracted the asked to desist from the practice of from some of the rocks by means interest of the Hon. Vernon Christie painting the names of their vessels of an LP gas blow torch and a wire that any concerted effort was made on the rocks. The Secretary, Mr Percy brush, but more effective was a to rectify the omission. Fraser, proved eager to co-operate paint stripper used in conjunction and agreed to place our submission Towards the end of March 1969, with a wire brush and a jet of water. before the Executive Council at its Mr J. W. Manson, Minister for State Removing the paint from even one next meeting, on 9th December Development and Chairman of the rock proved to be very tedious 1969. I also wrote to the Australian National Parks Authority, wrote to Sir and not completely satisfactory, Yachting Federation, along the same William McDonald, Minister for Lands, because the removal of the paint also lines. The Honorary Secretary, Mr proposing that this small area of land destroyed the lichens on the rocks Garth W. Sweeney, circularised be added to the National Park. In and exposed bare areas in the form the members of the Federation June 1969, the Lands Department, of the offending messages. and placed the Authority’s letter on by Order in Council, took steps to the agenda of the meeting of the Bob Yorston’s report included the have the land temporarily reserved Executive to be held in Adelaide on following: “I can see no easy solution for a national park. Legislation was 30-31 January 1970. to the problem of removing the duly prepared and, on 16 December names and paint from the rocks. It 1969, the land was incorporated in It had been my practice ever since can be assumed fairly accurately the national park under Act No 7928. 1949 to spend the Christmas – New that visitors to the Cove will follow the However, while the Authority now had Year period, with my family, at Tidal practice of painting notices on the jurisdiction over the land, it still lacked River. Because there appeared to rocks as previous visitors have done. the resources to enforce the law. be no other way of obtaining the

202 CHAPTER 26 ______required information, I decided to get it myself. I was not entirely 1. P. AND V. DAVIDSON 20. FIREFLY 40. FIONA 2. KIRRIBILLI – EDEN 1969 21. JACOMA OCT. ’62 41. ROAMA happy about undertaking this 3. KIRRIBILLI – PORT 22. HADRIEN (Indistinct) 42. A. DAVIS exercise on my own; but, despite the ALBERT & EDEN 23. 66 JAN 64 WAYWARD P. SIWELL heavy load (consisting of sleeping (Very recently) H.B.Y.C. JAN JAN 64 43. ILEOU 4. TASMANS 24. J. FORRY 44. ARANUICA bag, tent, spare clothes, food and 5. COGNAC JAN.’60 25. ??ESSE 45. EAST WIND photographic gear) the trip proved 6. ALAN 26. VENTURA H.B.Y.C. 46. MANSAIL uneventful and I established camp 7. MIAMA -- JOHN JAN 67 (or MAINSAIL) in a secluded area along Cove 8. MICHELLE 27. MERELE 47. ICOLA (or NICOLA) 9. SHEARWATER 1968 28. TICKING WOG 48. LUCIENNE 67 Creek during the afternoon of 26th 10. MARIO’S R -- SOVER 29. RAHNA 65 49. A. JONES 1-3-65 December 1969. I must say that 11. MIE DESIRE Dec. 1961 30. COLIBAN ? 50. ? DIVERS I found the first stage (the ascent 12. INDI 31. ….ARO BALLARAT 1966 above Sealers Cove at the south- 13. JOHN FRANKLIN ‘66 32. BEVERLEE 51. EXODUS JAN 69 (Cove Creek Beach, 33. NOMAD 52. SARINA eastern end) rather steep, and Eastern End) 34. ASCANIUS 53. MARY NORLING resolved to examine the possibility 14. JOHN FRANKLIN 35. HELEN NOV ‘66 of relocating the track on an easier (Cove Creek Beach, 36. LUCIE TOO 54. TACOMA Western End) 37. YOUTH 55. FAVALORO gradient as soon as I returned to 15. INVICTA 38. ZITA 56. JADRAN Melbourne. 16. LEENA 39. HOLLOWEEN 57. ROBYN 17. MINTAG 40. FIONA 58. JOHN 66 JOHN II Before settling down on that first 18. MINTA ‘67 59. DEANNE 66 night, I had the joy of hearing 19. STELLA RMW01 butcherbirds singing in the dense ______timber above the south-east corner of the Cove. The weather was kind and I spent the next two days compiling a record of the graffiti on the rocks. This was no easy task, as many of the rocks are difficult of access; I also found that many names had been painted on rocks high above the shore, among the scrub above the eastern shore. It seems certain that the list I compiled Graffiti removal at Refuge Cove, Wilsons was incomplete, because I could not Promontory NP, circa 1974. Photos courtesy observe the seaward side of many of Jim Whelan the rocks.

The graffiti artists The list of names painted on the rocks at Refuge Cove which I prepared between 26 and 28 December 1969 was as follows: This information, under cover of ago while others were of recent very thick coat) appear to have been my letter of 5 January 1970, was origin. The colour of the paint used applied. conveyed to Mr Percy Fraser, included white, light blue, dark blue- “Those responsible had, in many Honorary Secretary of the Victorian green, yellow, red and pale green. cases, gone to a considerable Yachting Council. Relevant passages The letters varied in height from 30 amount of trouble to achieve their of the letter read as follows: cm to 38 cm (12-15 inches) and 5-6 objective, and it would seem that “Some of these names have been cm (2 - 2½ inches) in width. In some ladders or ropes and bosuns’ chairs painted on the rocks several years cases, several coats of paint (or a may have been used. In some

The rock painters of Refuge Cove 203 cases the rock faces carrying the of the seafaring fraternity using these referring to the privileged section of inscriptions were practically (and, in waters.” the community who can afford yachts some cases, quite) inaccessible by to transport them and their tins of The Authority, of course, did not foot. It almost seemed that painting paint to Refuge Cove. Mr Dickie overlook the possibility that “some one’s mark on the rocks at Refuge expressed regret that there had not of those responsible might not be Cove was a feat of some merit in been more publicity regarding the members of your organization”. the eyes of the world. The Authority, action taken by the Authority. charged with the responsibility of The same letter was sent to the The ensuing correspondence protecting the beauty of our national Australian Yachting Federation and, suggests that relations between the parks, is at a loss to understand why naturally, to the Minister (Mr Manson), two players were becoming strained. those who are so fortunate as to be Mr Vernon Christie, the Committee of Mr Dickie proposed that Mr Christie able to avail themselves of the shelter Management and the Park Manager discuss the matter of the rock of the Cove should feel privileged (Mr Don Yorke). I was later informed painting with him and the Director; to desecrate this superlatively that, when the letter was placed Mr Christie responded by saying that beautiful area which was dedicated, before the meeting of the Executive he “could see no point in talking. The along with the remainder of Wilsons Council of the Victorian Yachting writing has gone on for almost two Promontory National Park for the Council, on 20th January, there were years. It is a matter of whether you ‘benefit of all the people for all time’, ‘a few red faces around the table’. will or will not do something to restore so many years ago. The Council passed the following resolution: the place. If you will do something, I “...the Authority hopes that, with the suggest your Director come and see information furnished herewith, it “That the attention of all VYC. me, and I will tell him how to do it.” may be possible for you to identify Member Clubs be drawn to the Apparently the two gentlemen those concerned and, through the fact that persons apprehended in good offices of your organization, defacing National Parks areas are discussed the matter by telephone; bring them to a proper sense of their liable to prosecution and heavy I was not involved. Whilst relieved in responsibilities and persuade them to fines.” one way, I was a little disappointed at abandon what can only be described never learning what particular genie The resolution was conveyed to Mr Christie had in his bottle. as a barbarous practice. all Member Clubs; but, in a letter “The Authority has carefully dated 27th May 1970, the Council Interstate involvement considered the steps which might conveyed regretfully ‘its inability be taken to remove the paint from to help’. In other words, the rock On 2nd December 1971, a New the rocks, but the task is beyond painters had indicated that they had South Wales visitor to Refuge Cove the Authority’s resources. It has no intention of cleaning up the mess reported to one of our rangers that he occurred to the Authority that it might they had made. had seen a boat’s crew painting the be possible for your organization to After Mr Manson left the Cabinet word MANANA on one of the rocks persuade a number of volunteers in June 1970, the Hon. Vance at the Cove and that the boat’s crew from among your members to Dickie MLC became Minister of had “behaved in a disorderly manner, undertake the work of removing State Development and Chairman causing concern to other campers the paint. This could be a means of the National Parks Authority (for in the area”. The boat was said to of demonstrating a genuine regret the second time). Mr Christie lost have been en route from Sydney to which it is felt the responsible no time in sending him a note of Melbourne. elements of your organization must ‘encouragement’ to get on with I immediately wrote to our informant feel that the good name of the the job of cleaning up the rocks at in Sydney, requesting further details, sea-faring fraternity should have Refuge Cove. Whilst acknowledging because the available information fallen into such poor repute. There our own efforts to improve conditions, was very sketchy, with a view to is little doubt that the great majority he informed Mr Dickie that he didn’t launching a prosecution. But I could of your members would share the “know how you can expect people hardly have foreseen the turn of Authority’s concern; but, so long generally to take much care about events which ensued. as those names remain painted on vandalism and pollution if they don’t the rocks at Refuge Cove, however get a lead from those who ought Our NSW contact apparently took unfairly, they constitute an indictment to know better”. He was of course a deep dive; at all events there was

204 CHAPTER 26 no response. In the meantime, my It appears that much of the confusion investigation was unable to obtain inquiries had led me to believe that arose because three different but evidence that could establish who the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia similar names were involved. The wrote the name J R Antoney” on the might be able to throw some light initial report referred to a yacht rock. on the subject. Accordingly, on named MANYANA, the crew of which If only I could have invoked the aid 14 December 1971, I wrote to the were alleged to have painted the of Mr Hercule Poirot or Mr Sherlock Secretary of that body, seeking name on the rock. Yet the Secretary Holmes, it might have been possible information. On 11 January 1972, I of the Australian Yachting Federation, the follow the clues to a successful in writing to Mr Swinbourne, referred received a letter from the Victorian conclusion, but the culprits proved to the yacht MANANA. Perhaps this Yachting Council informing me to be more elusive than the Scarlet was a typing error, perhaps not. that the Secretary’s inquiries had Pimpernel. led him “to believe that the owner Mr Swinbourne acknowledged that of the yacht MANANA was a Mr his yacht was in Refuge Cove on G Swinbourne”. The Secretary of 2 December 1971 and stated that, Visitors book the VYC sent me a copy of a letter when rowing ashore, he had noticed The Port Albert Yacht Club appears he had sent to Mr Swinbourne, the name MANYANA painted on a to have been the only group which conveying a copy of my letter of 14 rock in red paint. Whatever the name showed any concern over the December; his letter concluded with of the yacht originally reported in the painting of the rocks. In May 1972, these words: “If it was your boat painting incident, it is certain that, the Club wrote to the Victorian involved on this occasion, would you when it sailed away into the sunset, Yachting Council proposing that a please make this complaint known to it took its secret with it. A great deal large board be erected at Refuge the crew members on board at the of time was expended on this matter Cove so that visiting yachtsmen and time”. and numerous letters were written, others could ‘sign the visitors book’, but the mystery remains unsolved. as it were, to inform other members The matter became more of the boating fraternity that they complicated when a report Despite the fact that the Victorian had been at the Cove at a particular was received from the Wilsons Yachting Council and the Australian time. Perhaps it was hoped that this Promontory Committee of Yachting Federation repeatedly achievement would elevate them a Management to the effect that the circularised their members rung or two on the social ladder. The Park Manager (Mr Don Yorke) had requesting them to desist from defacing the rocks, the practice idea of providing a scribble board seen a boat on a trailer in Fish Creek continued. for people of childish mentality made bearing the name MANYANA. The little appeal, but I proposed that a Transport Regulation Board had In January 1973, we were informed real visitors book, suitably housed informed him that the owner of that a large rock at Sealers Cove had and discreetly located, be provided this boat was a gentleman living in had the following inscriptions painted at the expense of the yachting clubs. Morwell. Now the big question was, on it: This offer was not accepted. was the boat MANANA identical ANNE MARIE III in letters 1.35 m (4ft with the MANYANA? My limited - 6ft) high, S A 1973 extending over knowledge of Spanish leads me Publicity 4.5 m (15ft) and J R ANTONEY’S to believe that the word means ROCK in letters 45 cm (18 inches) In January 1974, plans were made ‘tomorrow’. I do not know why such a high, extending over 3.6 m (12ft). for an attack to be made on the name should seem appropriate for a graffiti on the rocks at Refuge Cove. We sought assistance from the South yacht. The matter came to the notice of the Australian Yacht Racing Association, newspaper Truth, which published Mr Swinbourne was outraged at the but to no avail. On advice from the following report on 12 January suggestion that his yacht and crew Russell Street Police Station, we 1974.The records do not show how had been involved in the incident requested the Superintendent of successful the rangers were in their at Refuge Cove and demanded an Police at Leongatha to make inquiries clean-up operation, but the problem apology. To make matters worse, to ascertain whether a Mr J. R. persisted. a copy of Mr Swinbourne’s letter of Antoney of Eltham, Victoria, could 31 January 1972, addressed to the throw any light on the matter; but, Following a lead from the Ministry for Australian Yachting Federation, did after six months we were informed Conservation, I made arrangements not reach me until four months later! that “the detective conducting the with the Sun News Pictorial

The rock painters of Refuge Cove 205 Article from the Truth newspaper on 12 January 1974.

newspaper for a journalist and a an early start (7 a.m.) and reaching Epilogue photographer to accompany me Refuge Cove at 10-10.30 a.m. and the Head Ranger (Mr S. J. Unfortunately, the weather conditions When I retired in January 1975, Watkins) to the east coast of Wilsons deteriorated to such an extent that the problem was still there, but Promontory. As there was no suitable the visit had to be cancelled at short I understand that, following the boat available from the Public Works notice. We had kept in touch with acquisition of a suitable craft, the Department or the Fisheries and the Weather Bureau for several days National Parks Service engaged Wildlife Division, it was decided and were full of apprehension as the in an attempt to remove the paint to hire the services of Mr Harry weather reports became more and from the rocks. However, a recent Bronstein and his 9.6 m (32 ft) boat more discouraging. I had unhappy report (April l989) confirms the to transport the party from Toora to recollections of an attempted visit determination of the yachting and Sealers Cove and Refuge Cove, on to the east coast of the Promontory other seafaring fraternity to exercise Thursday 28 March 1974. The cost some years previously, when I their God-given rights to despoil the was to be $48.00. accompanied the South Gippsland beauty of Refuge Cove. Regional Committee on an excursion The party was to consist of Mr Lester on a PWD boat which eventually had This account of our efforts to protect Howard (Pictorial Editor of The Sun), to turn back because of the rough the nation’s treasures and beauty Mr Barry Acres (photographer), Mr seas which buffeted the hapless spots against the irresponsible Watkins and myself, and plans were boat. It seemed as if the very Fates actions of a class within our society, made to spend the night at Port themselves were in league with the who set themselves above the law Welshpool with a view to making painters. and show their contempt for their

206 CHAPTER 26 South East Cape on east coast of Wilsons Promontory National Park, December 1974. fellow citizens, will illustrate the complexities and difficulties inherent in the task. The arrogance and hypocrisy of those concerned has to be seen to be believed, yet many of them sit in high places and ought to be setting an example to others. Let the records show that we tried.

The rock painters of Refuge Cove 207 Chapter 27 The Organ Pipes National Park

hortly after the announcement of which walking seemed safer than of about 10 acres, allowing ‘adequate’ my appointment (in July 1958) driving. But the Deputy Chairman protection of the central feature above SI received an invitation from assured me that the Organ Pipes and on either flank. It was a hot day the Deputy Chairman of the National were a desirable addition to the in January (or was it February?) and Parks Authority, the Hon. C. E. Isaacs, national heritage and I did my best to the slopes were treacherous as large to accompany him and some other muster a little enthusiasm. rocks hidden beneath the thistles members of the Authority on a visit of often caused us to stumble, but we inspection to the ‘Organ Pipes’ [near Proposal to purchase finally had the area pegged out. Sydenham, north-west of Melbourne]. Shortly after I took up office, the This excursion with Ros Garnet and Although not due to assume office Authority had before it a proposal to his friends (including Jim Quirk) for several weeks, I was anxious to purchase the Organ Pipes. After some gave me a different perspective become acquainted with the national discussion, one member moved that it on the whole concept of a ‘national parks scene. I had not previously be recommended to the Minister that monument’ incorporating the Organ visited the Jacksons Creek area and “half an acre of land be purchased Pipes. Perhaps the boxthorn and knew nothing of the Organ Pipes but facing Jacksons Creek and containing noxious weeds could be removed, what I had been told, namely, that the feature known as ‘The Organ thereby exposing the Pipes more they were an important geological Pipes’, because that was all that was impressively, and perhaps it would be [columnar basalt] formation which necessary to preserve the geological possible to develop the creek flat area was visited regularly by geology feature”. I am not sure, but I think that (then submerged in boxthorn, star students from the University of the motion was passed; what I am thistles and horehound) into a picnic Melbourne. The Pipes rated a mention sure about is that my heart sank into area. There was no similar area close in Professor Sherbon Hill’s book [The my boots, as the implications of that to the City of Keilor. Physiography of Victoria]. motion struck home. Half a bloody I resumed my negotiations with the Unfortunately, the Organ Pipes were acre! owner, but it was like a game of poker on privately-owned land, but the in which he held all the aces. I did Shortly after this, I met Mr J. Ros Victorian National Parks Association not as yet have the Government’s Garnet, Secretary of the VNPA, who (VNPA) and other bodies were approval to purchase the land, was very enthusiastic about the endeavouring to persuade the but endeavoured to persuade the idea of acquiring the Organ Pipes. Government to purchase an adequate Minister, Mr Fraser, that the effort Ros invited me to accompany him area to preserve the formation. was worthwhile. The owner kept the and some of his VNPA friends on a pressure on by informing me that I was hardly prepared for what I saw. week-end visit to the area. Somehow he could easily sell the gravel from The slopes above Jacksons Creek we managed to manoeuvre our the creek, whilst still retaining the were densely covered by boxthorn, cars down the rough track and land. I observed that some gravel artichoke thistle and horehound. The parked them in the shade of a had already been taken, which ‘Pipes’ seemed insignificant in the large peppercorn tree. We were strengthened my resolve to persuade mass of noxious weeds and boxthorn accompanied by our wives, who the Minister. which had established themselves made preparations for afternoon tea on every ledge and crevice in the while we men struggled up through But Fate was already re-shuffling the formation. Jacksons Creek was a the artichoke thistles and horehound, cards and, on the very morning that narrow shallow stream and access whilst keeping a sharp lookout for the Minister called me to say that he to the area was a rough track along snakes, as we measured out an area had obtained Cabinet approval to

208 CHAPTER 27 The Organ Pipes are an unusual formation of columnar basalt. August 1958. purchase 10 acres of land, including Another attempt to its interests in land and property the Organ Pipes, I was unable to development. communicate with the owner to ‘clinch purchase the deal’. At the time I called him on Sometime during April or May 1960, Keilor City Council the telephone, he was visiting the accompanied by Mr John Landy (who Organ Pipes in the company of a Mr had been appointed the Authority’s Now, it so happened that there E. A. Green and two of his company first Technical Officer in August 1959 was a lady living in our street in executives and, when I caught up with [and who later became Governor of Kew whose brother Fred Kiellerup him by telephone at 6 p.m., he told Victoria, 2001-2006]), I again found (a very fine athlete) had been in me that he had accepted a deposit myself at the Organ Pipes, discussing the Teachers’ College while I was of £l [one pound or $2.00] from Mr the possibility of purchasing the 10 there in the early 1930s, and this Green, who had purchased his entire acres with Mr Green and his associate fortunate circumstance served as holdings. I thereupon called Mr Green Mr Stanley S. Payne (Company an introduction to his brother, Mr and inquired whether he would be Secretary). It was a bleak day and the Arthur Kiellerup, Mayor of the City prepared to sell the Government the cold wind did little to cheer us, but of Keilor. Through his good offices, I 10 acres we had selected, but he my reception by Mr Green, although was privileged to address the Keilor declined to sell. It seemed that those hardly encouraging, was more cordial City Council one evening in the Organ Pipes were destined never than l had anticipated in the light of winter of 1960. So far as I was aware, to play a tune for the National Parks my first telephone conversation. We this was the first occasion on which Authority. were just going have to ‘wait and a representative of a government see’, while the Company pursued department had endeavoured to

The Organ Pipes National Park 209 promote the interest of the Council in going on, but nobody stopped to constructed along the same general having the Organ Pipes secured on inquire! Perhaps it was one of those alignment as that of the track which behalf of the general public. It was a passers-by who was later inspired to had hitherto provided access over miserable night, and I had to wait until make the TV commercial in which a private property. With the co-operation 11.30 pm to address the Council, but I celebrated actor had his pants ripped of the Keilor Shire Council, the road thought the time was well spent. off by a passing Volvo. was duly constructed, the cost being borne by the Special Road Fund. Mr Payne and I walked from the The tide begins to turn Calder Highway along the rough As time passed, I kept the Authority’s track to the rim of the Jacksons The first ranger interest in the Organ Pipes before the Creek valley, where we surveyed Mr Jack Lyale was appointed ranger owner, but did not seem to be making the entire area, and then picked our in 1970 and, under direction from any real progress. But, apparently, Mr way cautiously down to the floor of the National Parks Service and with Green had been softening towards the valley. From here we wended the valued assistance of a group the concept of a national monument our way through the boxthorns and of volunteer workers led by Mr Don or park and, just before he died (of thistles up to the top of the slope, Marsh, began the arduous task of a heart attack), he remarked to his above the Organ Pipes. En route we destroying the infestations of rabbits Secretary, “You’d better see that ‘they’ encountered two tiger snakes, but did and noxious weeds. This work get the Organ Pipes for a national not invite them to join us. continued after my retirement and it park”, and his will made provision for It was a fine day and Stan and I stood must be left to others to pay the richly this. there, gazing up the valley. It was a deserved tribute to Don Marsh, Barry Kemp, Carl Rayner and their helpers, When I became aware of this moment to remember. Then Stan said, and to all those responsible for (initially through Mr Jim Quirk), I “Thirty-five acres is no good, Len; removing the boxthorn from the face communicated with Mr Payne with you ought to have the whole bloody of the Organ Pipes and restoring the a view to giving effect to Mr Green’s lot.” This amounted to 162 acres. area’s original vegetation [a task that wish. It transpired that he had formed That is why, in June 1965, legislation continues to the present day]. the ‘Edward A. Green Charitable was passed dedicating the Organ Foundation’ in 1960, and had Pipes as a national park. However, appointed Mr Payne sole trustee of because of a technical error, a minor the Foundation. amendment was necessary before transfer of land from the Estate to the Initially, Mr Payne and I discussed government could be finalised (Act the possibility of reserving an area of No 7928, 16-12-69). 35 acres, which seemed much more appropriate than the 10 acres which Stan Payne and I descended from had been the Authority’s objective. our elevated vantage point to inspect However, after several discussions, the ‘tessellated pavements’ and the Mr Payne suggested that we should ‘rosette rock’, [other volcanic features] visit the area and ‘review the matter on on the northern slope of Jacksons the ground’. Creek which were to be included in the 162 acres. We were thrilled to see I recall the events of that day very a platypus swimming in a pool near clearly; we proceeded separately the tessellated pavements; and we along the Calder Highway to a point still reminisce about this as we recall on the southern side of the road the events of that eventful day so long opposite the present entrance to the ago. Organ Pipes and, from the shelter of our cars, changed out of our office Access suits into clothes and boots more appropriate to the exercise ahead of The gift from the Estate included a us. Perhaps the few motorists who strip of land connecting the Calder passed us as the changing process Highway with the principal area, was in progress wondered what was thereby enabling a public road to be

210 CHAPTER 27 The volunteer group, Friends of the Organ Pipes, has been largely responsible for revegetating the formerly weed-infested landscape with local indigenous vegetation. Here members engage in a working bee in the late 1970s.

The Organ Pipes National Park 211 Chapter 28 Some statistics

n an article published in the and vandalism, soil erosion and score. The same method was used bulletin of the Division of State contamination of water supplies, the to obtain records of the number of IDevelopment in 1959, I drew park (factory) could be relied upon to cars, boats, etc, using separate a parallel between the running go on producing its natural products. counters. In this way the Authority of a business enterprise and the was able to obtain the necessary But considerations of the financial administration of national parks. information for inclusion in the aspects of the enterprise were more I presented the National Parks Annual Report and to draw the involved. Finance had to come from Authority as the Holding Company, Parliament’s attention to the growing external sources, that is, from the and the individual parks, along importance of national parks in the Government and park users. I saw it with their respective committees of economy of the State. management, as the subsidiaries. as a very important public relations exercise, as well as a means of The cardinal factors in a commercial survival, to endeavour to persuade Preparation of budgets enterprise are production, distribution the Government to increase its Those familiar with the modus and finance. Unless these key investment in the national parks and, operandi of a government functions are maintained in balance, at the same time, to draw as much department will be aware of the the result will be unsatisfactory. I saw revenue from the park users as was budgetary procedure adopted. For the national parks as ‘factories’ in possible without causing hardship. any readers not au fait with these which it was the responsibility of the Authority (alone or in collaboration Keeping financial records was procedures, the following explanation with the committees of management) relatively easy, through the may provide some enlightenment. to ensure that the appropriate government’s accounting services To assist the Authority in making ‘products’ were produced and made (although keeping track of moneys its submissions to the Premier’s available to the public (tourists). The expended by the Public Works Department for the coming year, it products, of course, were diverse in Department on the Authority’s behalf was the practice to circularise the character and included the native was sometimes more difficult). committees of management asking flora and fauna, the landscapes, Committees of Management were them to submit estimates of the seascapes, skylines...all those things requested to provide the Authority needs of the parks. The adoption with records of their financial which collectively comprise the of standard headings related to the transactions. park. Distributing them to the public various functions to be performed in consisted of providing appropriate Obtaining reliable information the parks enabled the committees access roads and walking tracks, on the number of people using to make their submissions in a form protective and educational notices, the parks was more difficult, and which facilitated the preparation developing camping areas and/or quite impossible where there of the consolidated budget to overnight accommodation to suit was no ranger or committee of be submitted to the Premier’s the needs of the particular case, management. However, in the major Department. Thus, in due course, the providing water for drinking and parks such as Mount Buffalo and Authority would receive estimates ablutions, providing toilet facilities Wilsons Promontory and, later, of the committees’ proposals for ... all those services which are Fraser, park rangers were provided such items as ranger service, park necessary to meet the needs of the with Veeder Root counters so that maintenance, transportation costs, tourists. they could immediately record the water supply, fire-protection works, So much for production and number of visitors each day, instead garbage collection, campsite distribution. I argued that, provided of making notes on scraps of paper development, construction of toilet that we (the Authority and its or in a book. At the end of each blocks, picnic shelters, fireplaces, committees) looked after the parks day, it was a simple matter to look houses for rangers, construction of by protecting them from fire-damage at the ‘rev counter’ and record the roads and tracks, signposting, etc.

212 CHAPTER 28 Picnic group at Mt Eccles NP, 1972. Keeping accurate visitors’ statistics was, and is, an important task for national park rangers.

As the Authority grew in experience Some parks, such as Wilsons Finance and its liaison activities with the Promontory and Mount Buffalo (and, committees improved, the need later, Port Campbell and Fraser) Section 13 of the National Parks Act to plan on the basis of a three- generated useful amounts of park 1956 reads as follows: year programme became more revenue which the committees were (1) There shall be established and apparent; but, because the parks initially inclined to regard as ‘their kept in the Treasury a fund to be were generally so lacking in basic own’, to be spent at the committee’s called the ‘National Parks Fund’ requirements, and because finance discretion. This attitude was a relic (hereinafter called ‘the Fund’). was always inadequate, ad hoc of days when the committees were (2) There shall be paid into the Fund - development was often inevitable. virtually autonomous. The Authority, in The committees always erred on planning expenditure in a particular (a) any gifts or bequests made to the generous side and requested park, adopted the practice of the Authority; much more than was likely to be preparing ‘consolidated budgets’, so (b) any moneys appropriated by available, so that the Authority found that park revenue was coupled with Parliament for the purposes of it necessary to scale down their financial allocations from the Authority this Act; to cover the year’s expenditure. Park budgets before making its submission (c) any other money received by revenue was paid into the National to the Department. Treasury the Authority. allocations were invariably lower than Parks Fund and then reallocated those requested, which necessitated for use in the relevant park. The (3) There shall be paid out of the a careful re-appraisal of the entire Treasury understood that it was not Fund - works programme and further always possible to complete works (a) costs and expenses incurred discussions with the committees programmes on 30 June and ‘carried by the Authority in the exercise before final agreement was reached. forward’ any unexpended allocation so of any functions powers or It was a tedious and laborious that the parks and the Authority were authorities or the performance process, but it was unavoidable. not penalised. This was a great help. of any duties conferred or

Some statistics 213 imposed upon the Authority by extensions and renovations thereto, Park Revenue and Total this Act; and to construct a block of flats Expenditure. (‘Lorikeet’) to generate revenue with (b) any other costs and expenses, Table 9 Staff (Head Office). which to repay the loan. as certified by the Minister, of the administration of or arising Revenue generated from park Discussion under this Act. services was paid into the National (4) A separate account shall be kept Parks Fund and re-allocated for Although, when I joined the National in the Fund in respect of each incorporation in the consolidated Parks Authority, I did not claim to national park and any tolls fees budget. have any particular knowledge of rents charges or other moneys national parks administration, there received by the committee of Statistical records were certain principles which I management of any national always kept in mind: namely that the park shall be used by such park It would occupy more space than is national parks belonged to all the committee for the purposes of available to cover every aspect of the people for all time; that in order to such park. work of the National Parks Authority/ be able to produce evidence of the Service and the committees of Authority’s performance, it was going Pursuant to this requirement, records management during the period 1957- to be necessary to demonstrate to were kept of the allocations made 1975, but statistical data for certain the Government that the people by the Government for salaries and aspects are presented in tabular were using the parks; and that, general administration costs (ex form, viz: while it could never be expected ‘Vote’ or ‘Revenue’) and for Works that national parks could be self- Table 1 Financial allocations from and Improvements in the national supporting, they could, if properly the Government covering parks (ex ‘Loan Funds’). Until 1975- managed, produce substantial staff and improvements, 76, national parks rangers were not revenue. employed under the Public Service and expenditure on fire Act and it was therefore necessary to protection. In the Hansard record of the debate on the National Parks Bill 1956 (page pay their wages out of the Authority’s Table 2 Special loans and 3768) the Hon T. W. Mitchell MP, ‘Loan Fund’ allocation and park Government grants for Member for Benambra, is reported revenue. In addition, special grants designated purposes. were made from time to time for as having said, “The Government designated purposes such as the Table 3 Wilsons Promontory National has made no provision whereby purchase of land or properties. Park: Visitor Statistics the public, shall have right of entry to their own parks. If Mr Crosbie Table 4 Wilsons Promontory National Later, when the Authority had Morrison or any other dictator from Park: Expenditure on demonstrated that it had a capacity among the ‘butterfly boys’ were to Development Works and for spending money wisely, gain control over national parks, he Wages, and Revenue from ‘establishment grants’ were made could lock up an area of Victoria - for Park Services. to enable necessary developments the upkeep of which the community to proceed in selected national Table 5 Mount Buffalo National Park: would pay - and members of the parks, in order to avoid delays and Annual Expenditure, Wages public would not be allowed access inefficiencies which would otherwise and Revenue from Park to what is really their own property”. have been inevitable. In addition, Services. Those antagonistic towards the in response to proposals from the national parks concept have often Authority, permission was given to Table 6 Port Campbell National Park: advanced similar arguments and I borrow money to enable the Authority Revenue from Government have always been conscious of the to engage in revenue-producing and Park Services, and Total need to produce evidence to refute activities, the loan to be repaid Expenditure. such dogmas. from such activities. This practice Table 7 Fraser National Park: Visitor was adopted to ensure the speedy It is proposed now to comment briefly Statistics. construction of ‘Riverview Flats’ in on the information presented in the 1961-62 and to enable the Authority Table 8 Fraser National Park: several tables which follow. to gain control of the Tidal River Grants from National Cafe and to carry out the necessary Parks Authority/Service,

214 CHAPTER 28 Table 1: Financial Cafe and construct the “Lorikeet increased to 2500. The peak visitor Flats”. intake always occurs in January; Allocations in 1958/59 it was 8,842, while in The smaller “non-revenue-producing” 1973/74 it was 38,774. The allocations from Vote (Revenue) loans from the Tourist Development - Column A increased very slowly. Authority were made in the early life These figures should be studied of the National Parks Authority, when Table 4: Wilsons Promontory in conjunction with those in Table the latter body was “finding its feet” National Park - Expenditure 9 which shows how the Head and simply did not have sufficient Office staff increased from three in and Revenue funds to enable certain urgent works 1957/58 to 27 in 1973/74. It was not to be undertaken. Table 4 gives details of total until 1974/75 that the impact of the expenditure on park improvements change in organizational control and wages, and of park revenue, resulting from the creation of the Table 3: Wilsons and shows that allocations from the Ministry of Conservation and the Promontory National Park National Parks Fund advanced from incorporation therein of the National - Visitor Statistics $23,877 in 1958/59 to $50,488 in Parks Service became manifest. 1974/75, while the total expenditure The Annual Report for 1974/75 The number of visitors to Wilsons over the same-period increased from states that, at 30th June 1975, the Promontory National Park $52,382 to $334,313. Disregarding Head Office staff had increased increased from 28,000 in 1958/59 fluctuations, this corresponds to an to 50. This included a number of to 156,000 in 1973/74; there; average compound rate of 13.4 per senior appointments. The relatively were some fluctuations, but the cent. slow increase in the number of overall increase amounted to a national parks and the long periods compound rate of 11.4 per cent. The wages bill increased from of stagnation are apparent; but the This was due a number of factors $9,754 in 1958/59 to $147,615 in paucity of funds would have made it such as the increased mobility of 1973/74. The inclusion of “general impossible to cope with more parks. the people, increase in population, expenditure” in the figure for 1974/75 better distribution of wealth, etc. makes it unclear just how much of During the first sixteen years But the increase also reflects the this was due to wages, but it would (1957/58 - 1973/74), the allocation improvements in the facilities have been much greater than the from Loan Fund - Column B provided in the park during the $147,615 for the previous year. advanced very slowly, at a compound rate of 14.8 per cent. relevant period. These have been The period covered by this narrative The total government allocation detailed elsewhere, but it is important effectively ends on 24th January over the first 16 years increased, to recognize that it simply would 1975 (when I retired); but, because on average, at a compound rate of not have been possible to cope certain events which occurred 17.7 per cent. Expenditure on fire with the increased numbers had the after that date were consequential protection increased, on average, at improvements not been made. The to those of the 1958-1974 period, a compound rate of 21.2 per cent. reader is encouraged to study the it is necessary to refer to one in Fire protection has always been a figures carefully - for example, there particular, here Until the passing of highly emotive issue. has been a steady growth in visitor the National Parks Act 1975 on 1st intake during both the Christmas- December 1975, the wages of park New Year and Easter periods, the rangers and other park personnel Table 2: Special Loans totals amounting initially to about were paid out of the ‘ordinary’ Loan In a previous chapter it was 77 per cent of the total number, Fund allocation to the National Parks explained how, in 1961, the Authority but falling in later years to 61 per Authority/Service and park revenue was authorized to obtain a special cent. This indicates that people combined. The 1973 Annual Report loan of £25,000 ($50,000) from the are spreading their visits over the stated that the ranger service and Rural Finance Corporation to finance remaining months of the year. The maintenance costs absorbed 43 per the construction of the “Riverview month of July can be very bleak in cent of the government ‘Works and Flats” and, in Chapter 18, an account Wilsons Promontory, as perhaps Services’ Account. This naturally was given of the circumstances the 36 visitors in 1960/61 would impeded progress in other fields. The which gave rise to a “special loan” of have testified; but, in 1973/74, new Act provided for Park Rangers $70,000 to purchase the Tidal River the corresponding number had to be appointed under the Public

Some statistics 215 Service Act, thus relieving the ‘Works Table 6: Port Campbell the view so often expressed that, and Services Account’ of this burden. National Park - Expenditure given adequate support, the National Parks Authority/Service could provide An aspect of Table 4 which would and Revenue a very good service at a price which have been of particular interest to many people can afford within the the authors of Hansard who dealt Data are not available for the annual national parks. Had the proposal to so harshly with the National Parks visitor intake, but Table 6 shows lease some 200 acres in the Coller fraternity in the early days was the that, during the ten-year period Bay area been allowed to proceed in revenue derived from park services. 1965/66-1974/75, allocations from the early 1960s, there is little doubt This rose from $26,489 in 1958/59 the National Parks Authority/Service that Fraser National Park would have to $266,130 in 1974/75, which ranged from about $4,000 to about developed along very different lines corresponds to a compound rate $24,000 (a total of $110,447 or about and with no benefit to the people who of increase of 14.2 per cent per $11,500 pa), while park revenue own the park. annum. “The annual park revenue, rose steadily from about $2,800 to expressed as a percentage of $17,000 p.a. (a total of $81,212). This However, it was becoming clear the total expenditure in the park, amounts to a return of about 73 per that more houses were required fluctuated considerably, but ranged cent on the government investment. in the park to accommodate park from about 42 per cent to 93 per However, the total expenditure personnel and more sophisticated cent. This is a very good return in from government funding and park methods of disposing of garbage anybody’s language and suggests revenue amounted to $182,937, and of controlling water quality were that rather more time was devoted so that the average return on the likely to occupy higher positions on to the provision of services for the average annual investment was the agenda. people who use the parks than in the about 44 per cent - still a very good pursuit of butterflies, thereby allaying return. the fears of one leading authority. Tables 7 and 8: Fraser Table 5: Mt Buffalo National National Park - Visitor Park - Expenditure and Statistics, Expenditure and Revenue Revenue The figures for visitor intake are Table 7 reflects the growing public somewhat less reliable than those for interest in Fraser National Park and some other parks, but the Committee the value of the developments made of Management estimated that the by the National Parks Authority/ number of visitors to the park rose Service and the Committee of from about 40,000 in 1961/62 to about Management. The park is within 87,500 in 1974/75. The figures for two-and a half hours safe driving of park revenue and expenditure have Melbourne and the provision of good been audited and show that park roads leading to and within the park revenue rose from $2,947 in 1958/59 has encouraged increasing numbers to $33,453 in 1974/75; although, of day-visitors, campers, boating because of seasonal variations enthusiasts and caravanners to avail in snow conditions, it fluctuated themselves of the services provided. considerably. The total park revenue Table 8 shows that the revenue over the seventeen years was from park services, in 1974/75, $171,155, averaging about $10,000 amounted to 10.8 per cent of the per annum. The total expenditure total expenditure in the park since its over this period amounted to about dedication. The total revenue from $457,389, so that the average return park services over the three years on the investment over that period 1972/73 to 1974/75 amounted to 67.4 was about 37 per cent per annum. per cent of the total expenditure over the same period. This, I think, justifies

216 CHAPTER 28 Table 1 Financial Allocations from Government Table 2 and Expenditure on Fire Protection in All Parks Special Loans or Government Grants for Designated Purposes

“Vote” “Loan Expenditure Total Number (Revenue) Fund” on Fire Year Purpose $ Year A + B = C of Parks A A Protection $ $ $ $ SPECIAL LOANS:

1957/58 14 8,600 40,000 48,600 4,300 1958/59 Tourist Development Authority Road Construction, 1958/59 14 10,960 70,000 80,960 11,500 Mount Buffalo N. P. 1,900 1959/60 14 19,300 90,000 109,300 2,200 1960/61 Tourist Development Authority Water Supply, 1960/61 17 20,000 100,000 120,000 5,876 Wilsons Promontory N. P. 12,000 1961/62 17 38,660 124,000 162,660 8,866 1961/62 Rural Finance Corporation Construction of 1962/63 17 40,492 116,000 156,492 11,870 “Riverview Flats, Wilsons Promontory N. P 50,000 1963/64 18 52,000 157,000 209,000 16,094 1967/68 Rural Finance Corporation Purchase of Tidal River Café, 1964/65 19 55,300 170,000 225,300 12,424 Renovation and Extension of Café and 1965/66 19 68,215 170,000 238,215 13,701 Construction of “Lorikeet Flats” 70,000 1966/67 19 74,500 181,800 256,300 12,053 1967/68 20 84,500 190,500 275,300 11,608 SPECIAL GRANTS: 1968/69 21 97,500 218,000 315,500 24,531 1969/70 23 108,500 213,200 321,700 61,407 1969/70 Dandenongs Fire Protection Plan, Ferntree Gully N. P. 25,000 1970/71 23 117,000 218,250 335,250 49,164 1970/71 Dandenongs Fire Protection Plan, Ferntree Gully N. P. 24,200 1971/72 24 145,000 246,750 391,750 42,945 1971/72 Dandenongs Fire Protection Plan, Ferntree Gully N. P. 25,000 1972/73 24 204,000 301,000 505,710 57,443 1972/73 Dandenongs Fire Protection Plan, Ferntree Gully N. P. 25,000 1973/74 24 300,000 362,500 662,500 72,809 1973/74 Dandenongs Fire Protection Plan, Ferntree Gully N. P. 25,000 1974/75 24 878,015 320,000 1,198,015 116,607 1969/70 Fraser N. P. 20,000 17 Increments 1970/71 Fraser N. P. 19,400 16 Increments Notes on Table: 1957/58 to 1971/72 Fraser N. P. 20,000 1957/58 to 1973/74 1974/75 1972/73 Fraser N. P. 20,000 cpd. = compound interest rate Growth 14.8 %, cpd.17.7 %, cpd. 21.2 %, cpd. LAND PURCHASES: 1969/70 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 150,929 1970/71 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 42,352 1971/72 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 34,428 1972/73 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 50,000 1973/74 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 160,495* 1974/75 Addition to Fern Tree Gully N. P. 110,832 1969/70 Addition to Mallacoota Inlet N. P. (“Lakeview”) 10,500 1972/73 Addition to Mallacoota Inlet N. P. (The Archer Property, Refuge Cove) 5,785 1972/73 For proposed National Park at Cape Schanck 151,000 1973/74 Kinglake National Park 20,000 Table 3 1974/75 General 124,583 Wilsons Promontory National Park Visitor Statistics 1974/75 Cape Nelson 86,000 1974/75 Rotomah Island 295,000 % of Visitor Increase in Intake B Visitor *The 1973/74 Annual Report shows that the expenditure on land purchase for the A during Mar- Dec-Jan. C Intake over Mar-Apr. Apr plus Fern Tree Gully National Park in that year was $160,495 and, in 1974/75, was $110,832. Year Including A + B Total for Previous Including Dec-Jan, Xmas- Year Year Easter A+B ESTABLISHMENT GRANTS: New Year ×100 % ( C ) 1973/74 Lower Glenelg N. P. 25,000 1959/60 6,339 17,063 23,402 27,935 77 57.0 1973/74 Brisbane Ranges N. P. 20,000 1960/61 10,932 19,315 30,247 38,566 78 30.6 1973/74 Mornington Peninsula 8,000 1961/62 11,405 24,585 35,990 47,010 77 21.9 1973/74 (No location cited) 28,000 1962/63 13,438 29,195 42,633 58,615 73 24.0 1953/64 13,438 36,086 49,524 71,936 69 22.4 RURAL RELIEF FUND: 1964/65 11,232 35,641 46,873 64,700 73 -10.1 1965/66 15,580 39,802 54,382 71,621 76 +10.7 1972/73 Amenities Block, Port Campbell 22,000 1966/67 15,572 42,021 57,593 78,482 73 10.8 1967/68 19,886 43,937 63,823 84,658 74 8.5 SEWERAGE SYSTEM: 1968/69 18,432 44,014 62,446 83,696 75 -1.1 1969/70 18,635 46,483 65,118 93,977 70 +12.0 1971/72 Wilsons Promontory N. P. – Stage 1 56,000 1970/71 25,082 43,411 68,493 103,703 75 10.4 1973/74 Wilsons Promontory 1,205 1971/72 27,051 49,491 77,542 120,008 65 16.2 1972/73 32,146 49,699 82,845 130,431 65 7.7 TATRA INN: 1973/74 34,755 57,722 92,477 153,087 61 7.3 1974/75 Deposit on Purchase of Tatra Inn, Mt. Buffalo N. P. 296,000 1975/76 Purchase of Tatra Inn, Mt. Buffalo N. P. 691,000 Percentage increase in visitor intake, 1959/60 to 1973/74: 14 increments 11.4 % compound TOTAL: ( Σ = $987,000 )

Some statistics 217 Table 4 Wilsons Promontory National Park Table 5 Expenditure on Development Works and Wages, Mount Buffalo National Park and Revenue from Park Service Expenditure, Wages and Revenue from Park Service

Percentage Total Total Annual Expenditure Park Return on Expenditure Expenditure Revenue on Wages Revenue, Total Annual Year Year from National in Park Total Wages Only Park Services $ (P.R.) Expenditure, Parks (T.A.E.) $ $ $ P.R. $ $ X 100 T.A.E. 1958/59 14,570 4,690 2,947 1959/60 19,884 4,574 2,367 1958/59 50.7 23,877 52,382 9,754 26,489 1960/61 21,326 4,184 3,908 1959/60 11,641 43,987 12,203 29,394 66.7 1961/62 20,704 5,040 6,284 1960/61 23,642 62,738 15,592 33,734 52.2 1962/63 35,158 5,622 2,408 1961/62 53,250 69,640 18,954 46,570 67.0 1963/64 48,282 5,450 4,644 1962/63 35,400 94,422 23,488 62,874 66.6 1964/65 25,268 7,072 5,922 1963/64 27,746 76,146 26,598 70,822 93.0 1965/66 47,198 5,734 4,563 1964/65 28,698 111,114 35,502 72,416 65.0 1966/67 50,015 7,485 9,603 1965/66 28,604 84,213 36,001 78,587 93.0 1967/68 37,622 9,085 11,039 1966/67 50,504 119,478 38,783 95,463 80.0 1968/69 93,321 10,906 14,052 1967/68 82,741 212,281 45,598 93,903 44.0 1969/70 26,863 13,412 6,328 1968/69 85,028 245,334 52,444 103,797 42.3 1970/71 32,504 15,631 12,327 1969/70 67,000 158,676 59,692 138,400 87.0 1971/72 47,935 18,912 16,222 1970/71 47,216 210,545 77,301 120,299 57.0 1972/73 39,843 23,390 23,464 1971/72 89,006 290,462 85,523 192,073 66.0 1973/74 52,372 22,376 6,938 1972/73 42,592 259,704 112,822 199,172 77.0 1973/74 45,165 315,748 147,615 217,634 69.0 1974/75 50,488 334,313 277,972 266,130 80.0

Compound rate of increase 1958/59 to 1974/75 16 Increments 19.9 %

Table 6 Port Campbell National Park Table 7 Revenue from Government and Park Services, and Total Expenditures Fraser National Park – Visitor Statistics

Revenue Day Total Return on Year Campers Camps Cars Boats Caravan Expenditure, Investment Visitors Park N. P. A. Including Wages % Year Services Grants C A 1962/63 1,824 469 4,923 1,366 490 33 ×100 A B $ (C) 1963/64 2,495 664 6,622 1,802 609 41 $ $ 1964/65 3,608 964 7,095 1,877 809 63 1965/66 4,148 1,188 10,088 2,758 1,065 124 1964/65 2,142 1,432 3,574 1966/67 7,618 1,874 11,140 3,040 1,257 249 1965/66 2,755 11,696 14,451 19 1967/68 3,100 924 11.637 2,862 N. R. 86 1966/67 4.066 23,547 29,753 14 1968/69 4,898 1,341 17,528 4,219 1,162 289 1967/68 4,302 12,379 16,681 26 1969/70 6,710 1,936 25,742 6,651 1,879 487 1968/69 4,779 6,145 10,924 44 1970/71 9,867 2,583 34,944 8,922 2,621 588 1969/70 5,480 5,406 10,866 85 1971/72 9,739 2,387 30,710 8,899 2,369 564 1970/71 6,627 3,935 10,562 63 1972/73 8,533 2,454 28,998 7,438 1,109 495 1971/72 10,657 4,127 14,784 72 1973/74 12,814 2,957 43,301 12,022 3.372 643 1972/73 11,598 23,210 34,808 33 1974/75 13,091 4,007 48,089 12,472 3,336 546 1973/74 13,924 4,299 18,223 76 1974/75 17,024 15,703 32,727 52 (Average) Compound Total, Rate of 17.9 19.6 20.9 20.0 17.3 26.4 1965/66 to $81,212 $193,799 42 % Increase from 1974/75 1962/63 to (10 Years) 1974/75 (12 Increments)

218 CHAPTER 28 Table 8 Table 9 Fraser National Park – Revenue and Expenditure Staff: National Parks Authority/Service

Total Revenue Administrative Expenditure, Scientific Typists / Year Notes Year including Wages (incl. Director) (incl. Secretary) Stenographers Park Services N.P.A. Grants $ 1957/58 1 1 1 15,310 Includes $12,000 1960/61 - 15,310 1958/59 1 1 1 for roadworks 1961/62 288 6,240 6,240 Includes $5,650 1959/60 2 2 2 for roadworks 1960/61 2 2 2 1962/63 626 7,186 5,306 1961/62 2 2 3 1963/64 660 32,894 32,894 Incl. $17,150 for 1962/63 3 3 3 Ranger’s house 1963/64 4 4 3 1964/65 760 28,234 28,234 1964/65 5 4 3 1965/66 2,035 25,766 25,766 1965/66 5 4 3 1966/67 4,184 13,399 13,399 1966/67 5 5 3 32,002 Incl. $14,300 for 1967/68 5,003 32,002 1967/68 5 6 3 an amenities block 1968/69 6,878 14,902 20,922 1968/69 5 7 3 1969/70 10,572 15,752 17,712 1969/70 5 8 3 1970/71 14,503 18,134 28,398 1970/71 5 9 5 1971/72 25,795 24,217 43,089 1971/72 6 9 5 1972/73 26,623 17,655 43,355 1972/73 11 10 6 1973/74 35,676 24,089 57,324 1973/74 11 10 6 1974/75 43,233 43,817 55,466 Notes on Table: Rate of Increase in revenue from park services, 1967/68 – 1974/75 (7 increments) = 36.1 % (Compound) 1959 – 15/3/71 The National Parks Authority functioned as a Branch of the Premier’s Department. 15/3/71 – 23/1/73 The National Parks Service functioned as Division of the Department of State Development 23/1/73 – 24/1/75 The National Parks Service functioned as Division of (and later) the Ministry of Conservation

Plum Pudding Rock at Waterloo Bay, Wilsons Promontory NP, February 1973.

Some statistics 219 220