Insurance for association members Gudgenby homestead submission NPA on snowshoes NPA BULLETIN volume38number4 December 2001

CONTENTS NPA takes out public liability insurance 3 A driver reviver to help save the Monga Forest 11 Max Lawrence Len Haskew Interim Namadgi Advisory Board 4 Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group 12 Syd Comfort Eleanor Stodart Association news 4 Ferals v natives: A question of "rights"! 13 New Committee members 5 Len Haskew Tree planting in Namadgi 6 Parish maps tell settlement story 14 Reg Alder Reg Alder Gudgenby Homestead proposal Greenhouse - your house 15 "totally inappropriate" 7 Adrienne Nicholson Robyn Barker Celebrating 40 years 15 NPA on snowshoes - Guthega to Len Haskew The Paralyser and Mount Perisher 8 Parkwatch 16 Brian Slee Len Haskew Environment Sub-committee report October 2001 9 Book review 18 Robyn Barker & Tom Heinsohn Graham Scully Summer orchids in Murramarang National Park... 10 Local environment news 18 Jean Egan Meetings and Calendar of events 19

National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated The NPA (ACT) office is located in MacLaurin Crescent, Inaugurated 1960 Chifley, next to the preschool. It is staffed by volunteers Aims and objectives of the Association but, at present, not on a regular basis. Callers may leave • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the phone or email messages at any time and they will be protection of fauna and flora, scenery, natural features and attended to. Mail from the post office box is cleared daily. cultural heritage in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reservation of specific areas. Telephone/Fax: (02) 6282 5813 • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation Email: [email protected] areas. Address: PO Box 1940, Woden ACT 2606 • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment Internet: http://www.spirit.net.au/~npaact of, such natural phenomena and cultural heritage by Membership organised field outings, meetings or any other means. New members are welcome and should enquire through the • Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar NPA office. interests and objectives. Subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) • Promotion of, and education for, conservation, and the Household members $40 Single members S35 planning of landuse to achieve conservation. Corporate members S30 Bulletin only S30 Office-bearers, committee and convenors Concession $25 President Clive Hurlstone 6288 7592(h); For new subscriptions joining between: 040 778 3422 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate Vice President Neville Esau 6286 4176(h) 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription Secretary Judy Kelly 6253 1859(h) Treasurer Mike Smith 6286 2984(h) NPA Bulletin Contributions of articles, line drawings and photographs Committee members including colour prints are welcome and should be lodged with Robyn Barker 6253 9964(h) the office or Syd Comfort (02) 6286 2578. Jacqui Cole 6262 2152 Steven Forst 6251 6817(h); 6279 1326Canberra, ACT. Outings Sub-committee Max Lawrence 6288 1370(h) Bulletin Working Group Syd Comfort 6286 2578(h) ISSN 0727-8837 Environment Sub-committee contacts are: Neville Esau 6286 4176(h) Robyn Barker 6253 9964(h) Cover photo: On his 30th annual October NPA wildflower Tom Heinsohn 6253 9964(h) walk around Black Mountain, George Chippendale Membership Officer Jacqui Cole 6262 2152 emphasises a point of identification with his magnifying 0408 231 903 (mobile) glass. There was an attendance of 65 on a glorious day with EmaiJ: [email protected] many species of flower in full bloom. Photo Reg Alder NPA takes out public liability insurance The NPA of the ACT has at last of this issue, at least as far as cover below indicates that I have read, joined the Confederation of NSW for outings is concerned, originated understood, and accept these Bushwalking Clubs and now as a with a motion from the Outings Sub­ requirements. member of confederation has access committee which was endorsed by In addition to their signature, to the public liability insurance the NPA Management Committee. walkers will be asked to supply their cover that organisation and other NPA's application for membership name, phone number, car peak state bodies have negotiated (and insurance) was subsequently registration, and membership with Jardine Sport and Leisure, accepted by confederation at its status. Leaders are required to insurance brokers. This brings NPA October meeting. ensure that all participants into line with the two other main NPA has paid for membership for complete and sign the form prior to ACT bushwalking clubs - Canberra the current 2001-02 financial year the commencement of the outing, Bushwalking Club and the Family out of general funds. We have paid and afterwards they are required to Bushwalkers. on the basis of 200 walking forward the completed forms to the Membership of confederation members, $2.50 per person Outings Convenor. This process means that NPA will be associated membership, and $2.50 insurance came into effect immediately our with the major NSW (and ACT) premium - a total of $1000. For the membership was accepted by clubs in the provision of information next full financial year (2002-03) it confederation. on bushwalking, camping and other has been agreed that funding should In addition to the protection recreational activities; the be on a user pays' basis. This means provided by insurance to all maintenance of a search and rescue NPAmembers will be asked on their participants in our Outings unit under the charter of the membership renewal forms whether Program, membership of relevant state volunteer rescue they will be going on more than confederation and involvement by organisation; and the promotion of three outings during the year, and our members in the search and goodwill and social intercourse if the answer is yes they will be rescue and leadership development amongst the bushwalking fraternity. asked to pay the additional cost activities of confederation can only In addition, confederation has a (currently $5.50 for a full year). In but help NPA provide a more conservation ethic very much in line addition, members will also be given competent and secure environment with NPA's own stated aims and the option of taking out non- for our program to operate. I believe objectives. One of its main compulsory personal accident cover we have an excellent record to date, constituent organisations is our (big) through confederation (currently but the world is becoming more sister organisation the NPAof NSW. $2.50). litigious and there are pressures for The insurance cover available Having insurance cover involves more regulation along the lines of through confederation means that some procedures and obligations accreditation requirements for NPA, its walks leaders, and all that will be new to us. It is a leaders. We are a voluntary non­ associated with its outings program requirement that non-members (ie, profit organisation, but we need to will now have public liability cover people who are not paid-up walking maintain improving standards for against legal actions that may be members) sign a declaration before our members and unfortunately brought against them alleging each walk. NPA of NSW, and now this costs. negligence or breach of duty of care ourselves, have decided that this arising from injuries sustained or form should in fact be signed by all Max Lawrence property damaged or destroyed people participating in each walk. Convenor, Outings Sub-committee during the course of NPAsanctioned The declaration is as follows: outings. This includes actions In participating in this activity of brought by our own members the NPA, I am aware that this may against other members or the expose me to risks that could lead association. The policy of course to injury, illness, death, or to loss of THE PRESIDENT AND includes various conditions and or damage to my property. To limitations, but the overall minimize these risks, I have COMMITTEE maximum underwriter's liability for endeavoured to ensure that: this extend to all members a single occurrence is $10 million. activity is within my capabilities best wishes for Non-members are covered for up to and; that I am carrying food, three outings each during the year. water, and equipment Christmas and New Year NPA membership of confederation appropriate for the activity. I have and invite everyone to attend has long been a bone of contention advised the activity leader if I am the Christmas Party on taking any medication or have any within the association and the most Sunday 9 December recent resurrection of the discussion physical or other limitation that at Nil Desperandum. became bogged down in an might affect my participation in the unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a activity. I will make every effort to Details are in the Outings single policy that would meet all of remain with the rest of the party Program our insurance needs. The resolution during the activity. My signature Interim Namadgi Advisory Board The Namadgi National Park management agreement signed in May makes provision for the involvement of Aboriginal representatives in the management of the park through the formation of an Interim Namadgi Advisory Board. The following appointments have been made to this board: Aboriginal representatives: Agnes Shea These three were signatories of the May agreement and nominated themselves to Valda Connors sit on the board. Fred Monaghan-! i Matilda House _i Nominated by Nurri Williams who was a signatory to the May agreement Roslyn Brown J Nominated by the above members in accordance with agreed interim arrangements. Other members: Dr Sue Briggs A senior research scientist from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service located in the CSIRO Sustainable Systems Unit in Canberra, brings scientific experience to the board. Dr Mike Pearson Director of Heritage Consulting Pty Ltd, formerly Deputy Executive Director of the Australian Heritage Commission and historian with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service brings heritage experience to the board. Di Thompson A former vice-president and well known member of the ACT NPA and an active member of other conservation organisations, represents the interests of non-government bodies. Geoff Wells Manager, Environment Planning and Legislation Unit in Environment ACT and member of the Murrumbidgee River Catchment Management Board represents the ACT Conservator. A further position on the board to represent eco-tourist interests is currently vacant. Co-chairmanship of the board has been adopted, Matilda House presently holding one of these positions, the other being vacant. The board is supported by a secretariat drawn from Environment ACT headed by Tbrence Uren, and assisted by other Environment ACT staff as needed. The board has held two meetings and is in the process of becoming familiar with current issues particularly cultural matters including that of the employment of indigenous rangers. Syd Comfort Association news New general meetings Muriel Edwards, Len Haskew, Clive New position of venue Hurlstone, Judy Kelly, Betty Lewis, Membership Officer Commencing with the February Fiona Macdonald Brand, Adrienne NPA Committee member Jacqui meeting, the association's general Nicholson, Barbara Slotemaker de Cole has prepared a wide-ranging meetings will be held in the Uniting Bruine, Eleanor Stodart and management strategy concerning Church Hall, Weston. This change Graeme Wicks. Max Lawrence has membership of the association has been necessary because Forestry produced the outings program and which was discussed at the October House is no longer available to us. Neville and Maxine Esau have meeting of the association's The Uniting Church Weston is printed the postage labels. In Management Committee. Following located in Parkinson Street Weston, addition, other members have been this she has accepted the position of between the Irish Club and involved with the post out. Of course Membership Officer and in this role Cooleman Court next to the Child there would be no Bulletin without will aim to promote membership of Care Centre. There is plenty of contributors. To all these members the? association and to ensure that parking in front of and adjacent to I would like to extend a "well done": there is good communication between members, both new and the church. Meeting time of 8 pm to other members an invitation to old, and the Committee. She is keen remains unchanged. become part of the team for 2002. to hear from members on any Syd Comfort Convenor Bulletin Working Group matters affecting the NPA and would welcome calls or emails. Her The following association members New email address for contact details are set out inside the have formed the working group NPA front cover. which has been responsible for the production and distribution of the The association's email address is Bulletin during the year: Reg Alder, now: Margaret Aston, Martin Chalk, [email protected] New Committee members

Robyn Barker and Janet Neale "were in the Southwest Pacific and he has elected to the NPA Committee at the conducted a series of expeditions to August annual general meeting, and parts of Indonesia, Papua New Tom Heinsohn was subsequently co- Guinea, the Solomon Islands and opted to the Committee. The northern Australia. One of his great following paragraphs introduce loves, however, is the Australian Robyn, Janet and Tom to members. Alps much of which he has explored with his partner Robyn.

Tom Heinsohn.

Tom Heinsohn

Tom Heinsohn was born in Robyn Barker. Smithton, Tasmania in 1961, but spent much of his childhood growing Robyn Barker up in North Queensland. A love of Robyn Barker was born in Lithgow, nature was passed on by his Janet Neale on Mount Morgan. NSW in 1971. A keen interest in zoologist father and outdoors-loving Janet Neale bushwalking was developed on her mother. A concern for the parent's property at Newnes, NSW, preservation of Australia's last wild Janet Neale has been a member of near Gardens of Stone and Wollemi places was strengthened by a the NPAfor two years, and says that National Parks. Since then she has friendship with the late Milo during that time she has had some lived in Bathurst and Wagga Wagga Dunphy with whom Tom made a great experiences on the track. She before coming to Canberra in 1991. number of memorable bushwalks. has attended most monthly Studies in arts at Charles Sturt Tom has a Master of Science in meetings and has been constantly biogeography, a BA (Hons) in University, Wagga Wagga, and the interested in the dynamics of the archaeology and has recently ANU led to work in the field of association and the informative completed work as a founding museum collection management at talks. Janet decided this year to curator at the National Museum of Parliament House and the become a Committee member to put Australia. He is currently working Australian War Memorial. Her "a little something back into the on a PhD with the Department of number one passion is exploring the organisation that has given me so Archaeology and Natural History at Australian High Country with her much". She says: "Come and the Research School of Pacific and partner. Love of the Australian bush introduce yourself to me at the Asian Studies at the ANU. Tom's has awakened concerns for its Christmas party. Ill be the one with interests include nature and culture protection from ongoing threats. the bells on ...'

Association neWS *- continued from page 4 ACT heritage legislation land. Thirty three submissions were NPA display lodged on the proposals and at the reform We need a few coloured end of August the Government photographs on particular subjects introduced the Heritage Bill 2001 Earlier this year the ACT for the new display we are preparing. Government released a discussion incorporating its reforms. The Bill The subjects most needed are: paper on proposals to reform heritage was not passed by the Assembly but registration and protection and following the elections it is expected • recent NPA outings, particularly to invited submissions on the proposed that it will be presented to the new national parks outside ACT, or of legislative reform. The NPA made a Government for its consideration. mountains looking mountainous; comprehensive response to these The direction of reform in this and important area will be a matter for proposals concentrating on issues • damage in national parks done by the new Government. related to the national park and feral horses, feral pigs or vehicles. nature reserves and other public Syd Comfort Eleanor Stodart Tree planting in Namadgi In the early 1980s, the bitumen kangaroos by wire mesh enclosures surfacing of the Adaminaby Road set in old motor tyres. Rabbits were was extended southward from supposed to be deterred by the odour Glendale, and an area just north of of the tyres. the former Information Centre (the By September 1988, the present picnic area and toilet) was cumulative loss was 47.5 per cent. used as a depot for road-making Examining the site recently, a count equipment and the storage of shows approximately 100 trees still materials. surviving: some reasonably mature When the road making was but a large number just surviving finished, the depot area was bare, from their root stock, ground compacted and contaminated with hugging with multiple stems. The rip road base, fuel, lubricants and lines can barely be distinguished, bitumen. Hardly an ideal location to natural soil movements having filled area of Gudgenby. The ripped area plant trees. However, the NPA put the depressions and reduced the has a boundary perimeter of forward a proposal to plant native mounds. approximately 2km. trees and so rejuvenate the area. This work at Glendale can be It has now been decided not to With approval gained, seed was related to the work undertaken for plant the ripped area and the ripped gathered locally (to preserve the Greenfleet near the Yankee Hat lines will be back-filled and gene pool and so increase viability), carpark. (Greenfleet is a program consolidated. As the soil disturbance germinated in trays and when supported by sponsors and motorists will provide a readymade seed bed sufficiently robust transferred to to compensate for car emissions by for briars, thistles and other weeds, milk cartons. These were distributed the planting of trees.) Greenfleet a close watch will need to be kept to members to care for them until expected to have available more for germination, and early remedial the autumn planting. seedlings than would be needed for action taken. Four varieties of trees were the Gudgenby regeneration area, so selected: snow gum (E. pauciflora), an additional area in Namadgi was Reg Alder black sallee (E. stellulata), apple box selected for planting. (E. bridgesianai and candlebark (E. In anticipation of these trees being rubida). In May and June 1983,468 available for planting this spring, a seedlings were planted randomly in 6ha area, 300m above the Gudgenby- Update on Greenfleet copses in the furrows ripped by the Yankee Hat car park was ripped in tree planting parks service. They were given readiness. The map shows this area Plans for scout and community protection from rabbits and and its relationship to the grazed groups to plant 50 000 Greenfleet seedlings over the weekend of 6-7 October were given prominence in the local media but in the event only about 17 000 seedlings were planted and the remainder have been held in their tubes near Franks Hut. The ACT Parks and Conservation Service reports that it is intended to plant the remaining seedlings by contract, possibly with some Green Corps involvement. The service also advises that the area to the east of the Yankee Hat carpark, which had been ripped, will not be planted. The area will be rehabilitated by rolling with a rubber-tyred tractor to compress the rip lines thus minimising the possibility of weed infestation. The area will be monitored closely for any weed activity. Part of the area in the Gudgenby Valley ripped for the proposed Green Fleet tree planting project. Photo Reg Alder SFC Gudgenby Homestead proposal "totally inappropriate" The NPA strongly believes that, if conserving and maintaining Namadgi National Park contains it were accepted, a proposal for the heritage structures. a rich diversity of cultural resources. upgrading of waste water treatment The NPA submission points out The Australian Heritage and the commercial development at that that Namadgi National Park Commission and the National Trust Gudgenby Homestead in Namadgi contains a rich diversity of natural has determined that the park has National Park would have and cultural resources and is of high Aboriginal cultural values of "significant adverse environmental conservation value. national estate significance. It has impacts on the immediate site and The area is dominated by high identified at least 50 sites. They the park in the short and long mountains, many crowned by include occupation, rock paintings, term". massive granite outcrops and stone arrangements and quarry An NPA submission to the ACT plateaus separated by small upland sites. Many other sites have been Government states that the flats in saddles leading down reported and recorded in the area proposal is "totally inappropriate heavily forested slopes to deep frost and are yet to be assessed to for the Park". hollow valleys. A wide range of determine their significance. The submission was prepared by vegetation habitats are The Territory Plan's ACT Heritage the Environment Sub-committee in represented, including wet Places Register recognises seven August 2001 in response to the sclerophyll forest, sub-alpine rock art sites in Namadgi National "Gudgenby Homestead Upgrading woodland, montane savannah Park. It also recognises European Of Waste Water Treatment woodland, montane and sub-alpine cultural heritage sites, including Preliminary Assessment" (PA). heath, herbfields, sphagnum bogs huts, brumby yards and the ACT/ "A development and marketing and swamps, subalpine grasslands, NSW border survey markers. paradigm rather than one of wise wet forest gullies and dry tussock The association's submission says management, sustainability and grass. an overall concern is one of restraint form the basis of the PA,'it The park's vegetation habitats sustainability and the prevention of says. "There is virtually no provide a range of faunal habitats impacts on our fragile national consideration of the impacts of for species such as the Corroboree parks and reserves. "One of the artificially pumping more and more Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), principal roles of national parks, for people into fragile areas. There is no Alpine Water Skink (Eulamprus example, is to preserve remnants of consideration of the effect on kosciuskoi), Tan-Backed Rock Skink Australia's ancient landscapes," it significant natural and cultural (Egemia species) and the Kosciusko says. "This includes native places in the area as listed on various Metallic Cockroach (Polyzosteria vegetation and wildlife, as well as heritage lists regarding various virridisima). A number of rare and ancient Aboriginal cultural development proposals." uncommon plant and animal landscapes. Something that makes The submission says the PA omits species occur in some of the park's national parks special and different the true meaning and objectives of more unusual habitats. to the urban environment is that the Mountain and Bushlands Land The park's physical connection to they are in a substantially Use Policies as stated in the important protected lands such as undeveloped state. Great care Territory Plan, and ignores the fact Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, should be taken not to apply an that many significant natural and Bimberi Nature Reserve, Scabby inappropriate development cultural places within the park are Nature Reserve and Kosciuszko paradigm that threatens those listed for special and stringent National Park enhance the Park's special values. protection on the ACT's Heritage natural environment. All of these, A concentration of recreational Places Register, Australian Heritage together with Namadgi National activities encouraged by commercial Commission's Register of the Park, Brindabella National Park development in the Gudgenby Valley National Estate and the National and the 'Victoria Alpine Parks, are and hinterland would compromise Trust's Register of Classified Places. part of the Australian Alps National the integrity of the wilderness area The association's preferred option, Parks. immediately to the west. This would given the need to preserve the The PA ignores the fact that the place rare and delicate subalpine homestead, is for it to be used as a Gudgenby area is important in the habitats under increased threat of ranger residence. historic record of former Aboriginal being accidentally disturbed or This would provide a much-needed occupation and the widespread destroyed by increasing numbers of ranger presence in the southern end occurrence of Aboriginal sites. The visitors attracted to the area. of the park and protect the house and Gudgenby area including its Increased access to the Gudgenby other cultural sites from vandalism natural and cultural features must Valley and Bimberi Wilderness and other illegal activities such as have and continues to have including the summits of Mounts night shooting. It would also protect considerable traditional Kelly, Namadgi, Burbidge, Scabby, the historical integrity of the significance to Aboriginal people. Sentry Box and Gudgenby should homestead site while making it Archaeological dates from the not be encouraged. The PA does not accessible to parties, such as the region indicate that some sites are adequately address the effects of Kosciuszko Huts Association, with the last sign of at least 21 000 years special interests and expertise in of Aboriginal occupation. NPA on snowshoes - Guthega to The Paralyser and Mount Perisher

NPA on snowshoes - Guthega to The Paralyser and Mount Perisher The first (so it is claimed) NPA snowshoe walk was held on Sunday 29 July 2001. I made the arrangements and Steve Hill and Martin Chalk managed to convince themselves it was a good idea. A nasty low pressure system was still infuriating NSW coastal waters on the gloomy and windy morning that we departed Canberra. A day under the doona looked a better option. What a difference 21/., hours made. We drove into a mostly empty Guthega carpark at 9 am under blue skies, the chill air invigorated by a slight breeze. Our path lay along the top road through the village and Descending Mount Perisher, with Martin Chalk followed by Steve Hill. Photo Brian Slee down to Blue Cow Creek. Crossing this provided the only hazard of the Having reached The Paralyser plodders was a stroll down a gentle day: icy rocks. Once across the trig (1980m), the original slope to the ridge running between adjacent Old Farm Creek, we destination, in about two hours, it New and Old Farm Creeks, through climbed the ridge to the summit of was decided to descend to Old Farm delightful groves of snowgums and The Paralyser. It was only at the top Creek saddle for lunch and to extend snow-capped boulders. The of the first rise (1700m) that there the walk to Mount Perisher afternoon was crisply cool, with full was sufficient snow to don (2054m). This was duly scaled, with winter sun. The Paralyser and views to Charlotte Pass adding to snowshoes. The snow was still hard continued on page 9 from overnight freeze. the panorama. Brilliant orange/red Types of snowshoes But conditions got better. The snowgums were passed on the way. snow cover was soon complete, From the summit, Perisher Ski The earliest types were wooden compact and easily traversed. Field could be seen to the north and slabs. The natives of North America Shoeing techniques, easily learnt, east. On our side of the mountain, developed shoes with strong, but light, wooden frames within which were readily mastered on the three snowshoers: on the other, a structures of leather and twine were softening surface. As we climbed, full carpark and thousands of woven ("tennis racquets"). The magnificent views of the Main downhillers. frame and webbing bore the weight Range, from Kosciuszko to Tate, On skis we would have rushed while allowing the feet some emerged, framed by ice-crusted down New Farm Creek and been freedom when stepping. The longer snowgums. Signs of elation crept back at Guthega in 20 minutes. type of shoe, more than 1.5m, was upon us. However, what lay ahead of us used on open, flat country. Shorter "bear paws", for use in rough country, are now made with metal, Merits of snowshoes extendable, frames. Sliding on skis is the fastest and most efficient means of transport on snow The Australian designed Yowie is for an othenvise unaided person, particularly when descending or traversing. a short, strong plastic paddle - the underside is patterned, and has Skis also distribute weight more widely than short snowshoes. However, metal cleats, to maintain grip. The climbing can be easier and more direct on snowshoes. They are lighter and foot is not manoeuvrable within the less cumbersome to carry than skis. Moreover, snowshoes are better in trees, structure. They cost about $170. a lot on broken ground and when carrying packs. Braking on skis can be awkward, cheaper than skis. Snowshoes have making the risk of injury significantly greater. Snowshoes lack buzz but are been popularised by snow boarders. especially useful for "bushwalking in the snow" where the experience of being Yowies were used on the NPA walk. in a chosen environment is more important than passing it by. Ski poles were used for balance but may be discarded. Environment Sub-committee report October 2001

The Sub-committee has been very particularly after snow, which was issues with Dr Tony Fleming, busy over the past few months a result of the Transgrid clearing. Fleming Director NSW National Parks and preparing submissions, writing The Sub-committee prepared a Wildlife Service Southern letters and articles, working on submission on the clearings in Directorate. projects, making site inspections Namadgi and Brindabella National Other issues that have arisen over and keeping across a variety of Parks and is awaiting the results of the last few months include the re­ issues. The most important item on an inquiry. A submission on the routing of the Nursery Swamp track. our agenda was preparing a Heritage Assessment Discussion The new track was inspected by Sub­ submission in response to proposed paper was also prepared. All committee members who are commercial development at submissions and responses can be satisfied that the new route is Gudgenby Homestead in Namadgi viewed on request. satisfactory and necessary. It is National Park. Sub-committee The presence of feral horses in important for the NPA to monitor members held two meetings on the Kosciuszko National Park is an any new track developments. Tree issue, resulting in a comprehensive ongoing concern for the Sub­ planting programs in the Gudgenby submission document. This committee. The recently released Valley are also being monitored. On submission was recently sent to the Third English Report supports the the urban front, the Sub-committee major political parties in Canberra removal of horses by vehicles and continues to keep track of the asking for their position on the issue. hand. A concern is that these situation regarding the Gungahlin So far, we have received a positive methods can themselves have Drive extension. The status of these response from the Greens, damaging effects on the and other issues such as Gudgenby Democrats and Labor parties who environment, and will not Homestead will not be known until all oppose commercial development necessarily solve the problem of feral after the ACT elections. at the site. horses in the park. Some NPA Robyn Barker & NPA members may have noticed members are attending a field trip Tom Heinsohn the scar on the Brindabella Range to KNP to discuss this and other

NPA on snowshoes - Guthega to The Paralyser and Mount Perisher - continued from page 8

Martin Chalk (left) and Steve Hill on the ridge between New Farm Creek and Old Farm Creek. Photo Brian Slee

Guthega Valley came to dominate the view. Things kept getting better. We prolonged the descent; it was such a pleasure. Skiers are losers in Martin Chalk and the south slope of Mount Perisher. Photo Brian Slee places like this. After following the ridge and was approximately 11km. After a hoped to include a similar excursion recrossingBIue Cow Creek, Guthega break at Jindabyne, we arrived in in the 2002 NPA outings program. was reached at 4 pm. Walk distance Canberra soon after 7 pm. It is Brian Slee Summer orchids in Murramarang National Park

Cryptostylis subulata. Cymbidium suave. Cryptostylis erecta. During the summer months commonly known as Hyacinth conveniently low down for better thousands of Canberrans pack their Orchids. These are usually in flower observation. Amagnificent specimen cars, hook trailers or caravans to the during January; a close look will is growing quite high up on a tree, back, or a tent on top (some even reveal that the markings on the ones about 200 metres up the forest track organise to stay in places that have that are flowering early in the from the day carpark at Pretty real roofs) and head to the South month are rounded, deep pink spots Beach. Coast. And it is no wonder, as the while the later flowering ones have Another December flowering South Coast has superb beaches blotches rather than spots. In fact orchid is the Slender Beard Orchid, providing a range of activities for the they are two distinct species, D. Calochilus gracillimus. However, very young to the elderly. However, punctatum and D. variegatum I have recorded it flowering in mid- for my family it's the forests fringing respectively. Readers will no doubt January. This plant is not dissimilar the coastline that provide the most be familiar with this genus, found in appearance to C. robertsonii, pleasure. Here one can walk all day on any trip to the Brindabellas in common in the ACT, but it is later and seldom see another person and, the summer months. flowering and has a longer beard. to add to the enjoyment, orchids Two coastal orchids common also Most of the orchids mentioned in abound. in the ACT are Spiranthes australis this article are fairly common and The beautiful Cryptostylis genus, or Ladies Tresses, which favours quite accessible. Our favourite walk known as the Tongue Orchid, has no damp habitats, and the widespread, when visiting the near South Coast representatives in the ACT, but in tiny green Onion Orchid, Microtis starts from the Pretty Beach day the Murramarang National Park I unifolia. carpark and follows the marked have found three of the four NSW A less common but quite track into the forest. All these species. The entire genus is spectacular orchid is Prasophyllum orchids have been found within 2km relatively tall, with Cryptostylis flavum or Yellow Leek Orchid. of the carpark. subulata's flowering stem growing Standing up to 90cm tall, with Happy hunting! up to 80cm. C. subulata is also the yellow sweetly scented flowers, it is first to flower. I have recorded it a joy to find. However these are For further reading I suggest flowering from October to late really December flowering, and by Anthony Bishop's Field Guide to the February, but December to early mid-January are usually past their Orchids of New South Wales and January seems to be its optimum best. Victoria, 2nd edition, UNSW Press, flowering time. C. erecta is the next Cymbidium suave, sometimes or A Field Guide to the Native to flower, from November to March, known as the Snake Orchid, also Orchids of Southern Australia, by but is in abundance through flowers in December at the South David and Barbara Jones, January. C. leptochila is a smaller Coast but most years the flowers are Bloomings Books. Both these books and shyer species that flowers still there till the middle of January. are available from the National mainly in January. This orchid is epiphytic so is usually Botanic Gardens shop. Another genus of tall orchids found fairly high in trees, although common at the coast is Dipodium, occasionally they will grow Jean Egan NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION (ACT) INCORPORATED NPA outings program December 2001 - March 2002 Outings guide

Walk gradings Terrain grading '• Distance grading (per day) , A - Road, fire trail track 1 - up to 10km B — Open forest 2-10km to 15km C —Light scrub • 3 -15km to 20km . D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth 4 - above 20km E — Rock scrambling F -Exploratory

Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY WEDNESDAY OR AS INDICATED IN PROGRAM. Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Vehicles taken to site can be used for camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. Other activities include narure rambles, environmental and field guide studies and ski tours.

Points to note Please help keep our outings program alive by volunteering to lead outings. New leaders are welcome. The outings convenor is happy to suggest locations suitable for a walk if you do not have something in mind yourself. Feel free to send in suggestions for outings to the associations office as soon as you think of them, with a suggested date. All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and appointed leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. The committee suggests a donation, to the nearest dollar, of THIRTY cents per kilometre DIVIDED BYTHE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the car, including the driver, be offered to the driver by each passenger accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted in the program are approximate distances forretur n journeys.

16 December Sunday daywalk (a number of locked gates through private Snowy Mountains wildflowers property) it will be necessary to form car 9 December Leaden Brian Slee convoys starting from the carpark at the 2A/C Tidbinbilla Visitors Centre. Convoys will (Sunday) leave at 11am and 12 noon sharp, so don't Map: Mt Kosciuszko 1:50 000 be late or you'll miss out. A continuous Phone: 6281 0719 NPA Christmas shutde will work for departures, so within Depart Kambah Village 6.30am. Park at some limits you'll be able to leave pretty Charlotte Pass. Proceed initially via Blue much when you want to. Bring a picnic Lake track and then south, across Club Lake Party lunch and refreshments, and let's celebrate Creek to Kunama Hutte site. After Contact: Max Lawrence Christmas together. Also, don't forget to inspecting ruins of lodge and ski tow, stop Phone: 6288 1370 bring along donations of gear and goodies for morning tea at nearby waterfall. Our Christmas parry this year will again be for our fun-raising auction! Continuing west, cross Northcote Pass and at Nil Desperandum in Tidbinbilla Nature descend to Lake Albina for lunch, Reserve. Because of access problems inspecting eyebrights, buttercups and anemones on the way. Return via Mt Lee. 13 January Sunday daywaik 27 January Sunday daywaik Great views. SeveraJ steep climbs. Tate West Ridge Snowy Mountains - The Sentinal, Mr Afternoon tea Jindabyne. Book with leader Leader: Brian Slee Twynam, Headley Tarn as numbers limited and weather check 3A7C Leader: Steve Hill essential. 430kms, $ 129 per car plus $ 15 for Map: Mt Kosciuszko 1:50 000 3A/C/E cars withour permit. Phone: 6281 0719 Map: Mount Kosciuszko 1:50 000 Depart Kambah Village 6.30am. Park at Phone: 6231 9186 Guthega and walk north up Guthega Ridge This walk requires two rolls of filmt o catch Late December packwalk toward the Rolling Ground. Cross Windy the views and flowers, and will proceed only Rivers and Rainforests Creek north of Consett Stephen Pass and if the weather is good. We drive to Leaders: Pat and Eric Pickering continue up to Tate West Ridge. Visit a Charlottes Pass carpark (two and a half IC/D/E/F number of rocky outcrops along the broad hours) and follow the Main tange track to Phone 6286 2128 for details and ridge, stopping for lunch at a daisy meadow the Blue Lake lookout. We climb over the bookings along the way. Views north to Jagungal and Main Range and descend to visit The The intention is to spend 4-5 days Dicky Cooper Bogong and west to Geehi Sentinel for stunning views. Then we trek between Christmas and New Year in an area Reservoir. Amazing panorama from Mr Tare to Mt Twynam (2196m, third highest) for such as Ettrema or the Shoalhaven - to Watsons Crags to the south. A couple of more views and lunch. We descend via Little probably the former this year - walking, steepish climbs. Afternoon tea Jindabyne. Twynam down the magnificent Crummer scrambling and swimming. Traditionally we Contact leader in advance in case weather Spur past Headley Tarn back to the cars. return to Canberra on New Years Day (after affects plans. 430kms, $ 129 per car plus $ 15 The walk will require good fitness, is mainly an early celebration on New Years Eve). for vehicles without permit. off track, and will involve regular climbs Precise dates and location of the walk are including some rock scrambling. It brings negotiable. with it an early start and late return to 19 - 20 January weekend packwalk Canberra, but the sights are supremely Four Mile Hut January one week packwalk rewarding. Ring Steve Hill by Friday Leader: Steven Forst Cape Conran to Mallacoota evening to register and for details of the 2A/B Leader: Graham Scully meeting place. 400kms, $120 per car. Map: Mt Selwyn Ski Touring Map Phone: 6230 3352 Phone: 6251 6817(ah), 6219 5236(w) Graham is at the planning stages (daces yet An easy packwalk mainly on firetrailsfro m 30 January daywaik to be finalised) of this walk using "Walking Kiandra to Four Mile Hut, camping near Wednesday walk the Wilderness Coast" as a guide. The total the hut. Explote the area without packs in Leader: Ken Free crip will take around eight days, two for the afternoon. Next day retutn to Kiandra Phone: 6295 8894 transport there and back, and six days via different route. 400kms, SI20 per car. NPA has two midweek walks this month. walking. Ac some future cime he plans to Phone leader for details. do the section from Mallacoota to Lake Wonboyn. Graham invites expressions of 20 January Sunday daywaik interest from fit walkers able to carry pack Murrumbidgee Corridor / Lower 2 February Saturday evening/night walk and food for six days. Numbers must be Molonglo Nature Reserve Grassy Creek area limited to a total of eight, so get in early. Leader: Adrienne Nicholson Leader: Martin Chalk 1A7C 2A/B/C Map: ACT 1:100 000, Umburra 1:25 Map: Yaouk 1:25 000 6 January 2002 Sunday daywaik 000 Phone: 6292 3502(ah), 6268 4864(w) Kowen Forest - historical sites and Phone: 6281 6381 Leave Canberra around 4pm and return Molonglo Gorge An easy day exploring the area around the around 10.30pm. Experience a walk in the Leader: Col McAlister confluence of the Molonglo and valleys of southern Namadgi in the gloaming. 2A/B Murrumbidgee Rivers. Meet at Shepherds Eat your self-catered dinner in the setting Map: Bungendore 1:25 000 Lookout off Stockdill Drive Holt at 9.00am. sun and return to the vehicles bv torchlight. Phone: 6288 4171 If day is hot, opportunities to explore the This area is familiar to many of us, but offers Visit sites such as Glenburn homestead, water closely (ie swim). Okms, $0 per car. a different experience when darkness denies Colverwell graves and Colliers homestead. the full use of your eyesight. Phone leader Then a walk down Molonglo River to Blue for details. 170kms, $50 per car. Tiles and Molonglo Gorge. Shore car 23 January daywaik shuffle. Meet at Canberra Railway Station Wednesday walk Kingston at 8.30am. 40kms, $12 per car. Leader: Col McAlister Phone: 6288 4171 The first 2002 edition of our monthly midweek walks. Phone leader for details, which will be determined nearer the date. 9 February Saturday" work party 23 February Saturday daywalk 16km total. Meet at Kambah Village shops Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group Monga National Park at 7.00am. 200kms, $60 per car. Contact: Eleanor Stodart, Syd Comfort Leader: Len Haskew Phone: 6281 5004 (Eleanor), 6286 2578 2A 9 March Saturday work party (Syd) Maps: Monga, Araluen 1:25 000 Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre Tharwa Phone: 6281 4268 Contact: Eleanor Stodart, Syd Comfort at 9.15am, or Yankee Hat carpark at Walk with The Friends of the Mongarlowe Phone: 6281 5004 (Eleanor), 6286 2578 10.00am. Weeding, wilding removal or River to look at some of the diversity of (Syd) other work for rehabilitation of the vegetation in this beautiful area. We will Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre Tharwa Boboyan pines area. Tools will be provided. see fern glades, old growth forest and stands at 9.15am, or Yankee Hat carpark at of centuries old pinkwoods. Meet at 10.00am. Weeding, wilding removal or Canberra Railway Station Kingston at other work for rehabilitation of the 10 February Sunday daywalk 8.00am. 250kms, $75 per car, plus the usual Boboyan pines area. Tools will be provided. Snowy Mountains — Two Ramsheads donation to the Friends. Leader: Steve Hill 3A/C/E 10 March Sunday daywalk Goulburn Map: Mount Kosciuszko 1:50 000 27 February Wednesday daywalk history walks Phone: 6231 9186 Mts Majura and Ainslie Leader: Col McAlister A day of fabulous views. This will proceed Leaden Rob Forster 2A only if the weather is good. We drive to 2A/B Map: Goulbum walking trails pamphlets Thredbo (two and a half hours) and catch Map: Canberra Street Directory Phone: 6288 4171 the chair to the top of Crackenback. We Phone: 6249 8546 We will walk the Goulbum Heritage Trail trek direct to Ramshead (2190m, fourth Meet at 9.00am at the Antill Street Hackett and Wollondilly Trail or Governor highest) for superb views south of the access to Canberra Nature Park (just past the Macquarie Trail. These are pleasant walks Snowies. We stroll along the main range and last house). Walk up trail to Mt Majura then around Goulbum to take in some local climb North Ramshead for more delightful along the ridgeline to Mt Ainslie. Return via history. Plenty of time for coffee and cakes. views. The walk will require good fitness, is a lower route to cars. Total climb 290m. Meet at 8.30am at the netball centre offtrack, and will involve some short steep carpark, just past the Dickson traffic lights climbs. It brings with it an early start and 2 March Saturday daywalk on Northbourne Avenue. 200kms, $60 per late return to Canberra, but the sights and Mt Domain car. flowers are absolutely worth it. Ring leader Leader. Rob Forster by Thursday evening to register and for 2A details of the meeting place. 400kms, $120 (15), 16,17, 18, (19) March long Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 per car, plus chairlift. weekend carcamp Phone: 6249 8546 Coolendel (camping by the Shoalhaven Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30am. River) 17 February Sunday daywalk Drive to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, walk Leaden Len Haskew Brindabella Range Ramble up firetrail to Fishing Gap, then steep track Map: Burrier 1:25 000 Leader: Steven Forst to summit of Mt Domain for great views. Phone: 6281 4268 2A 60kms, $18 per car. Map: ACT 1:100 000; Cotter Dam, Coolendel is a private camping area with Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 modern amenities on the Shoaihaven Phone: 6251 6817(ah) 3 March Sunday daywalk 30kms west of Nowra. The property has a Meet in the carpark off Uriarra Road near Mt Murray 2.5km river frontage for swimming and the Cotter Road at 8.30am. A firetrailwal k Leader: Pat Miethke rapids for canoeing and liloing. There are through tall shady forest between the Cotter 3A/C/E many opportunities for half or one day hikes River and the Brindabella Road. Nesded in Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 of all degrees of difficulty, and there are old a southeast facing valley this moist Phone: 6241 2798(ah) gold mine sites about an hour's walk away. temperate/alpine eucalypt forest provides This is a fairly long day but should be For the more intrepidf?) canoe trips from for pleasant walking even in summer. feasible and worth the effort to visit such a Tallowa Dam to Coolendel can be arranged. 80kms, $24 per car. remote peak on the ACT/NSW border. We Please contact Len by 18 February so that will drive to Yaouk (1180m) and set off" up bookings can be made. 550kms, $165 per the Lone Pine Firetrail, with the emphasis car. Camping fees apply at Coolendel. 18 February on the up'. Near the Mt Morgan turn-off Last day for Coolendel bookings (see (1570m) there is a long ridge which rises March long weekend) gradually towards Mt Murray (1840m). Murray has two peaks close together, both with great views. One involves some rock scrambling to get on top. The walk involves about 4km and 390m climb along the firetrail, and a further 4km and 270km climb along the ridge to the top of Murray, 16—18 March long weekend packwalk The Vines and Beyond Leader: Steven Forst 2A (pack), 3B/C/E (day) Map: CMW Budawangs Great Books from your NPA Phone: 6251 6817(ah), 6219 5236(w) An ideal gift for someone special A walk to explore areas beyond the Vines. The first day is an easy packwalk to a this &vd6tntaA campsite in the Vines area between the Endrick River and Quiltys Mountain. A daywaik the next day to explore one of "Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT" several interesting areas in the vicinity $12.50 to NPA members depending on weather and party for lunch, returning to the Vines camp. "Walk out "Field Guide to the Native Trees of the Monday. Please contact leader by preceding Wednesday. 340kms, $100 per car. ACT" $5.00 to NPA members

16—18 March long weekend packwalk Brogo River "Reptiles & Frogs of the ACT" Leaders: Pat and Eric Pickering $12.00 to NPA members 1C/D/E/F Maps: Yowrie and Puen Buen 1:25 000 Contact Janet Neale after 5.30pm on 6258 2397(h)/ Phone: 6286 2128 for details and bookings email [email protected] to place your order A hard walk in the upper reaches of the Brogo, on the edge of the tableland cast of fBette* 6ti£l - come and look at the books Cooma. A different area from last years walk and make your purchase at the but still a long descent of900m (and teturn) to the Brogo River with wading, possible NPA Qfvddtma* Party compulsory swimsand rock scrambling. For experienced walkers. Solitude guaranteed.

24 March Sunday daywaik Mulligans Flat Leader: Matthew Higgins LA/B/C Map: Canberra Street Directory Phone: 6247 7285 A chance to explore some of the Flat's SNOWGUM ADVENTURE history (school site, 1880s road, 1911 Monday 10 December border markers) and (he area's renowned natural values including part of the Bird SNOWGUM ADVENTURE of Walk. The walk is fairly easy and leisurely, 9 Lonsdale Street Braddon will be holding with good views. About lOkms, some off" their usual Christmas Discount Night for track. Book with leader, numbers limited. outdoor clubs on Monday 10 December. All members of NPA and their families are welcome to attend between 5.30pm and 9.00pm. A minimum discount of 20% applies on all camping and outdoors Stephen Johnston marries gear on the night. News has filtered through from the West that association stalwart Stephen Johnston was married in Perth on 6 October 2001 to Bernadette Wright. A further proof, if one was needed, of the wisdom of the adage, "Go west, young man". Stephen and his bride have the congratulations and best wishes of members of the association. A driver reviver to help save the Monga Forest

On Saturday 13 October a group of 20 or so Friends of the Mongarlowe River set up a driver-reviver at the top of the Clyde. Tea, coffee and a great selection of home-made cakes were on offer, and in addition motorists who took advantage of their hospitality were offered literature to read on the significance of the old-growth forest and the folly of the charcoal plant proposed for Mogo. They were also invited to sign petitions addressed to Bob Carr to halt the logging and abandon the Sign erected at locked gate. Photo Len Haskew charcoal plant proposal. Fact sheets forming the catchment of the taken of the effects of opening up the and/or a form letter to forward to the Mongarlowe River ran red with mud surrounding eucalypt canopy, soil Premier and his Minister for the and silt. So much so, in fact, that the disturbance and the results of post- Environment were available. I don't Environmental Protection Agency logging burns. Nor does there seem know whether it was only the enforced some stream protection to be any concern about the massive "converted" who were attracted by measures. Concerned protestors soil disturbance from the logging the colourful signage and placards, attempted to slow the progress of the machinery and the detrimental but everyone who pulled up seemed bulldozers but the police were called effect this will have on the to be most supportive. in and protestors were asked to cleanliness and purity of the waters Some months ago when the leave or were arrested. And so of the Mongarlowe, one NSWs most Regional Forest Assessment was logging commenced. pristine rivers. completed conservationists were It is now impossible for the public The Friends are also very delighted to hear that the former to monitor what is happening in the concerned about the proposed Monga State Forest was to be logging area or in adjacent portions charcoal plant which is to be built protected as a national park — none of the national park. Logging roads about 3km south of Mogo. Quite more so, I would think, than the have locked gates where they meet rightly, local residents are concerned Friends of the Mongarlowe River River Road and draconian notices that this plant will generate noise, who had campaigned long and hard inform visitors that unauthorised odour, greenhouse gasses and for just such an outcome. As is so entry carries an on-the-spot fine noxious waste (about which even often the case though "the devil was penalty of up to $2200, which can company officials can give no precise in the detail". In the final analysis be imposed by either the police or details), as well as considerable about 20 per cent of the area was to forestry officers. Access to Monga water usage. (Once again, the be retained by State Forests for National Park is also prohibited at company is rather vague and their logging. This area is virtually the boundary on River Road. An estimates range from 20 to 50 surrounded by the national park expedient (?) collapse of the culvert megalitres per year. Heavy traffic in and, in effect, destroys the integrity has resulted in a Road Closed sign the area will increase dramatically of the protected area. Botanical and being erected and I gather from the - one estimate is 70 trucks per day! wildlife experts have stressed the Friends who have walked in, that And, of course, the Friends fear that importance of a continuous corridor several other culverts/bridges on the timber will mostly come from the of habitat along the coastal River Road are also broken. The south-eastern forests. escarpment to ensure the survival immediate question that comes to The Friends plan more driver- of threatened species. This corridor mind is what is the reason for this revivers over the next few months. is now severely compromised. apparent need for lack of scrutiny? They are planning to set them up State Forests made the decision to I don't know why State Forests on Friday afternoons at the top of log the area immediately and were found it to be so urgently necessary the Clyde. So if you making a trip to deaf to the reasoning of groups such to log the area. There are several the coast for the weekend, drop in as the Friends. Logging roads were significant and beautiful areas of and have some fresh coffee and upgraded immediately and rainforest within the compartments something to eat and learn the latest preparations for logging hastily put being logged. It is claimed that about their campaigns. in place. During the roadwork logging proscriptions will protect operations the pristine creeks these areas but no account has been Len Haskew Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group Another good spring with regular rains and a need for further infill in the Hospital Creek area have meant that our spring work parties have concentrated on planting. The top photograph, taken at the October work party, clearly shows that regeneration from the original seeding has not been successful on the slopes near Hospital Creek. In other areas logs are largely obscured by seedlings up to two metres tall. As well as planting mixed seedlings in amongst the logs, we planted Eucalyptus stellutata (black sallee along the western margin of the swamp. The November work party saw this planting continued, but we also Peter Neimanis and Graham Eddy planting Greenfleet seedlings. planted about 700 of the 50 000 Greenfleet seedlings using their Photos Eleanor Stodart very efficient technique. The is dropped in, the soil pressed down, success rate after a year, and we are seedlings are small and a special and a carton placed around the hoping things will go at least as well plunger is used to make the hole. seedling for protection. Even this year. The weather has been Some water crystals are poured though seedlings are small, the first kind to us so far. down the tube before the seedling Greenfleet planting had 70 per cent Eleanor Stodart

Senior musical chairs

NPA outings range from tiger walks to more gentle strolls. Margaret Aston's walk along Cooleman Ridge on 21 October was a shorter walk than most and attracted some of our older members, who are here enjoying a short break. Our next break was amongst hundreds of bulbine lillies just coming into flower, and later still we were entertained by a pair of black shouldered kites performing aerobatics.

Eleanor Stodart Ferals v natives: A question of "rights"! It would seem today that the wild dogs, foxes and cats. A community group dedicated to conservation of natural resources is Eradication programs were put in the preservation of native species - almost always seen as a threat to the place for all but one of these "Ark on Eyre" - maintains that the self-interest of individuals. The introduced pests - horses. ponies don't belong in the park. They desire to protect biodiversity in Ross Allen from National Parks propose that the ponies be removed national parks is being met with and Wildlife, SAwas interviewed on to some SA Water land adjacent to increased opposition and reserved Landline and recognised that the the Coffin Bay township where their areas are at risk of alienation for eradication of feral animals is one "natural beauty" would be accessible commercial or individual profit. The of the founding principles of the to all, instead of being at the end of weak environmental philosophy state's national parks. Yet the a 2-3 hour 4WD track. Not on says that governs the Kosciuszko ski- service has entered into an PPS - "Relocation shouldn't be an fields and allows beds to be seen as agreement with the Pony issue for these horses as they're in a currency is proof enough of this Preservation Society (PPS) to managed capacity." attitude. The philosophy is based on maintain a "managed" herd within A draft management plan for the the premise that commercially the park. The PPS argued that the Park was put forward in 1999 and based recreation and tourism are Coffin Bay ponies were a feature of at least two ministerial advisory legitimate activities within national the peninsula and popular with the committees have examined both the parks. In an attempt to legitimise area's horse fraternity. The ponies' draft and community submissions. this outlook the concept of "equity" future was threatened by Parks and These documents have all gone to is often raised and this encourages Wudlife's "pest control" program and the Minister but there has been no some very strange bedfellows for the PPS successfully lobbied for a decision has been made. park adrrrinistrators. managed herd to remain within the In the meantime the ponies So, if a conservationist were to ask park. A formal agreement was continue to exist in the national a park administrator: Do feral signed in the early 90s which allows park. animals have a place in a national for a herd of 20 mares and their foals Conservationists must continue to park1? instead of the answer being and one stallion. The ponies belong lobby to eliminate all undesirable an unequivocal No, the current to the park but are sold to the PPS, practices in park management. So answer would be Perhaps. which in turn sells off excess stock far as the management of feral This is not just a NSW trend as at annual auction. species is concerned it seems we have seen with the feral horse The service claims that the ponies reasonable to demand: problem in Kosciuszko and Guy in their present numbers have • that legislation unambiguously Fawkes, but it extends to other minimal impact on the environment, state the prime purpose of a states as well. but the area they graze was once national park — the protection of On 20 October this year the ABC's sheoak woodland that is showing biological diversity and ecological Landline program included a few, if any, signs of rehabilitation. integrity; segment on feral horses in Coffin The Service doesn't blame the ponies • that no concessions be allowed to Bay National Park on the west coast - rather it is the fault of a impair the prime objective of of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. burgeoning kangaroo population. nature conservation; and This area was declared a national And 2000 roos have been culled • that management proceeds park in the early 70s. It recently. The increase in the roo according to the results of encompasses about 30 OOOha of population is blamed on the opening independent scientific research diverse habitat, is home to about 150 up of waterholes. What the parks and monitoring. bird species, 11 mammals and an spokesman didn't explain on If meeting such criteria was unknown number of amphibious Landline was why these waterholes obligatory for management the species. The park's creation posed a were opened up. Obviously the local only answer to the question Is there challenge to management as it was kangaroos didn't need them so it a place for feral animals in mainly land that had been degraded seems reasonable to assume that national parks? could only be an by farming practices and feral they were rejuvenated for the horses' unequivocal No! animals, including horses, cattle, needs. Len Haskew

Gudgenby Homestead proposal "totally inappropriate" continued from page 7 commercial development and Commercial operations and "A serious question that must be increased access on these significant activities would endanger asked is, if the Namadgi Visitor natural heritage places. Aboriginal sites and comprise the Centre was placed at the edge of the A commercial development at historical integrity of the area. park near Tharwa for reasons of Gudgenby Homestead and "The proposal for commercial environmental and cultural concentration of visitors and development at Gudgenby sensitivity, then why should a recreational activities in the Homestead, if it were to be accepted, commercial development be allowed Gudgenby Valley and hinterland would set a dangerous precedent of in the heart of the park?" would place Aboriginal sites under commercial developments right in Robyn Barker increased threat of being the heart of Namadgi National accidentally disturbed or destroyed. Park" the submission says. Parish maps tell settlement story

New South Wales is divided into 141 counties which are further divided into smaller areas called parishes. These have a greater degree of stability than do local government, electoral and regional areas where political whim can cause frequent changes. There are over 7000 parish map sheets and because of name duplication it is essential to quote the county as well as the parish name. Each parish is divided into portions which vary in size according to the degree of occupation in that part of the state. In a town or village, portions are shown in a more detailed scale in sections or allotments. On ordinary parish " "'LIT i'vrffi* maps the portions will show the area, survey catalogue numbers and in most instances grantees' names. — -> _ P I K E FOP Parish maps in most instances still show imperial measurements. The parish map does not go beyond the issue of the crown grant; subdivisions occurring after the grant are recorded on deposited plans at the Lands Titles Office. The mortgagee will appear as grantee if there was a mortgage issued at the time of the grant. The grantee may A collage of cl900 parish maps showing the names of grantees and boundaries of their properties. Superimposed are the boundaries of the not have been the original selector Bootes property and the pine forest which were excluded from the who held the land under lease. Gudgenby Nature Reserve at the time of its declaration. Some years ago when the Gudgenby Nature Reserve was be related to the parish map. It portions into a single property. declared, I acquired parish maps readily becomes apparent how According to the maps, the Bootes covering the valley floor areas of the closely sub-divided the Gudgenby property of the last century was reserve. On applying the boundaries valley has been. Some present made up from 30 portions held by of one to the other it became fences still follow the old 12 owners. apparent that whereas boundaries. For example, the main When the large families of that era diagrammatically the sizes of continuous western fence can be are considered, together with portions may have been accurate, easily picked up from the minor employees looking after stock, tree the locations of natural features changes of its direction, as can the clearing and rabbit trapping, the varied in position from one map to boundary fence in the scrub on the valley could have supported a large the other. way down to the Middle Creek axe number of people. I overlaid the maps to give the best grinding grooves. In my early bushwalking days the fix and so built up a composite sheet One thing readily apparent is the topographical detail on parish maps, to show the relationships of the large number of portions owned by in the absence of more detailed Naas, Gudgenby and the Orroral individuals or as mortgagees and maps, was often used to provide valley portions. The next problem the struggle it must have been to basic exploratory routes. The detail was to relate the parish maps to the eke out an existence on such small of the meanderings of creeks and modern 1:25000 scale maps of Corin holdings. This situation made it rivers was quite good, but there were Dam, Rendezvous Creek and Yaouk. easier for those with a stronger large areas of blank spaces between On the map, I have drawn a grid financial background to eventually rivers and catchment boundaries. of an appropriate scale which may and progressively gather the Reg Alder Greenhouse - your house

Chris Mackenzie Davey has brought days, more spring droughts, rain consider gas water heating, par­ a background of landscape heavier and more frequent. Impacts ticularly "instant" heating which architecture and horticulture to his on habitats such as in national heats water only as it is used present position of ACT Facilitator parks) will include increased water solar water heating - Cool Com­ for Cool Communities. At the runoff, changes in species munities is trying to reach September meeting of the composition, greater weed and pest plumbers, as hot water systems association, Chris explained what problems (because of the are often replaced under more or this project is about. adaptability of these species), a less emergency conditions! The Cool Communities project threat to conserved alpine • Energy use: Recommendations aims to reduce household vegetation and an increased fire risk. include low energy light bulbs greenhouse gas emissions; it works As one fifth of Australia's signing up for "green electricity" with community and local emissions come from households, the factoring in energy efficiency government groups to reach actions of individuals now can have ratings in decisions when replac­ householders, "a group notoriously a significant effect. There are a ing appliances. difficult to change". number of areas where householders • Other ways by which reductions While our planet needs some can take action to reduce their in emissions can be made are: greenhouse effect to maintain life- energy usage, thereby reducing reducing landfill waste supporting conditions, too much emissions from power generation. undertaking home composting greenhouse gas emission will result These include the following: considering transport options — in abnormal warming. Current • Heat loss. Installation of insula­ walking, cycling, public transport scientific opinion accepts that a 3 to tion in houses can reduce heat loss. and the type of car used when a 5 degree Celsius increase will Approximately 35 per cent of car is really necessary. develop over the next 50 years from house heating is lost through the Chris provided a questionnaire for current energy use worldwide; 0.6 roof and 25 per cent through the us to check just how Cool our own to 2.5 degrees for Australia. For walls. Insulation can also be in­ households were. The results were comparison, during the last Ice Age, serted under timber floors. not spectacularly good, but showed temperatures were about 4 degrees Improved seals around windows a possible correlation between the lower than currently. and doors can control draughts. age of a house and its likely A general temperature rise • Hot water use. The following steps efficiency. The "coolest" house was globally will cause increased can be taken to reduce the usage four years old and built with evaporation — wetter summers and of hot water: use cold water for efficiency in mind. autumns, drier winters and springs washing machines Cool Communities advice is — and more extreme weather events install low flow shower heads available at the Canberra locally, mcluding doubling of days cut unnecessary hot water tap use Environment Centre on Thursdays. over 35 degrees, halving of frost (note mixer taps particularly) Adrienne Nicholson Celebrating 40 years

The Canberra Bushwalking Club is opined that our trip had brought capture the imagination of everyone celebrating its 40th anniversary. forward the event by at least I knew who attended! Our association sends the CBC our 18 months." I also learnt from a reading of the warmest congratulations. The two As well as producing a special magazine that Eleanor Stodart organisations worked hard together magazine ( giving an excellent drew the club's emblem - the to realise NPA's dream of a history of the club ) to mark the corroboree frog. "National Park for the National occasion, a photographic exhibition It would seem that the old saying Capital". In their 40th Anniversary was mounted at the Botanic "40 years young" certainly applies Special Magazine, Alan Vidler and Gardens. High quality historic and to the Canberra Bushwalking Club, Dan Beuchler record a walk to current photographs giving a great and we are sure that they will Mount Kelly with local politicians overview of the club and its varied continue to be a high profile John Knight and John Haslem. activities were appreciated by all bushwalking and conservation Much lobbying went on and Alan who saw the exhibition. Perhaps the organisation for many more years and Dan's article concludes: "When photos were overshadowed a little by to come. the Namadgi National Park was a display of someone's "rations" for created in 1978 a couple of a week on the Alpine Track. This Len Haskew experienced NPA campaigners "lightweight" exhibit seemed to PARKWATCH Something fishy at Tharwa in their millions by native animals of the Little River, as well as ensure Populations of the threatened Trout such as mountain pygmy possums. the track remained for walkers, Cod and Macquarie Perch in the At the start of the year, NSW instead of being converted into a road ACT are set to increase thanks to National Parks and Wildlife Service for motor vehicles. The site should rock walls constructed on the wildlife ecologist Ken Green noticed be purchased by either the Murrumbidgee River between that outside the caves where the Department of Land and Water Tharwa and Point Hut crossing bogongs hibernate during summer Conservation who manage the Track The Federal Governments (or aestivate), the grass and or the Sydney Catchment Authority Natural Heritage Trust contributed vegetation was dead. to protect the Warragamba $250,000 towards the project, which Heavy rains had washed millions catchment. involves constructing the walls and of dead bogongs out of their crevices, The Colong Bulletin, September anchoring them to the riverbank. and tests revealed high levels of 2001 Project officer Mark Lintermans arsenic in the dead moths and said the Tharwa stretch of the vegetation. Things are getting desperate, Murrumbidgee was chosen because Dr Green said in a new scientific by gum it was in the most serious condition, paper that the moths do not feed with large swathes of sand silting during their stay in the mountains, So valuable and scarce are sources up the river and blocking fish access. so the arsenic must have been of native seeds - up to $9,000 a The river at Tharwa has an average consumed where the larvae feed. kilogram for good blue gum - some depth of only 30-40cm with sand Arsenic has been used in the past landholders are illegally importing smothering the previously deep in pesticides, insecticides and cattle stock from eucalypt plantations in holes in the river. and sheep dips. India and Africa, the head of "The walls increase the river's "The distances between the larval Greening Australia says. ability to wash away sand build-up sites inland and the aestivation sites The chief executive of Greening creating a series of holes or 'stepping in the mountains is up to 1,000 Australia, Mr Mark Thomas, said stones' with deeper water," Mark kilometres," Dr Green said in his one of the greatest obstacles to the said. paper. repair of the Australian continent "We've also excavated sand out of "This finding constitutes yet was the growing shortage of good the river and put in logs to create another example of long-distance indigenous seed stock. "There is a cover for fish, and water creatures transport of pollutants, but one that business opportunity for farmers like the Murray River crayfish. is unusual in that an insect is the here; if they want to talk to us we Removing the blockages will give transporting agent," he said. "The will help them set up." fish access to good habitat upstream results indicate long distance Mr Thomas estimated that the and downstream." transport of sub-lethal quantities of national demand for seed was about Natural Heritage, Spring 2001 arsenic which are then concentrated 54,000 kilograms a year, but with to damaging levels by the millions just one new Commonwealth of moths at aestivation sites." initiative in the Murray-Darling Havoc in the air as mischief Dr Green said he hopes to study Basin alone this figure was expected flies south for summer the impact of the arsenic on the food to triple. The bogong migration is one of the chain this season. "We are running into seed supply greatest mass movements of insects The Sydney Morning Herald, problems already, and we are just at on Earth, as billions of moths travel October 20, 2001. the beginning of decades of large- more than 1,000 kilometres for a scale revegetation," Mr Thomas said summer hibernation on the In frustration, he said, farmers summits of Australia's tallest Government steps in to protect wanting to revegetate their land mountains. historic track were turning to whatever seed they But a new study has revealed it is On September 4th, Environment could lay their hands on, and also a frightening long-distance Minister Bob Debus announced the sometimes that meant obtaining migration of arsenic, which the NPWS would enter talks with material from trees grown in other moths consume in plants from graziers in the Kanimbla Valley States or even from plantations in farmland in NSW and Queensland, about buying a parcel of land the Third World. and bring to the Snowy Mountains. through which the historic Six Foot The problem is that such material The moths have been coming to Track runs. Responding to an urgent is of dubious quality and does not the mountains for thousands of plea from the Colong Foundation, have the genetic variability of locally years and were once the main course Mr Debus said he was keen to grown native plants. Local stock in Aboriginal summer feasts. preserve the track for the use of grows more vigorously and is better The insects, which arrive from the recreational walkers. adapted to its environment, and lowlands with up to 65 per cent of Acquisition of the development wildlife has evolved with it. their body weight as fat, are eaten site would protect the water quality Mr Owen Whitaker of Greening Australia, said, "If you put a dollar new protected areas of ecological An integrated pest management value on seeds they are absolute significance. By working with public program focussing on the gold." and private landholders, including eradication of feral cats was started The Sydney Morning Herald, Indigenous Australians, the in 1997 thanks to an initial grant of September 8-9, 2001. program is safeguarding a $148,000 from the Natural Heritage comprehensive and representative Trust's National Feral Animal sample of all of Australia's Control Program. Since then the North Watson - 5 acres ecosystems. Trust has contributed a further declared as urban open space Natural Heritage, Autumn, 2001. $883,000 to the project 5 acres in Watson containing mature As a direct benefit of the Yellow Box and Red Gum trees have eradication program, breeding of the been declared urban open space HSI protects Queensland bush Grey Petrel has occurred for the first through a variation to the Territory HSI's "Million Acres" campaign has time in more than 100 years. The Plan. This is in addition to the 18 secured protection for huge areas of last Grey Petrel eggs were hectares of high quality woodland endangered bush in Queensland — discovered on the island in the added to Majura Nature Reserve. home to many species of animals 1890s. The ACT Flora and Fauna and plants. "At this stage four colonies of the Committee had conducted an In April 2001 Senator Robert Hill endangered Grey Petrel have been extensive assessment of the listed blue grasslands, brigalow discovered, and five chicks hatched ecological values of the 5 acres. woodlands and semi evergreen vine last October. We have also Brendan Smyth said that, thickets from the Brigalow Belt of discovered another seabird species "Identifying this land at North Queensland and north NSW as previously found only on offshore Watson as Urban Open Space has "endangered ecological seastacks - the critically- been chosen as an appropriate communities" on the Federal endangered Blue Petrel - is now means of conserving trees, and still Environment Protection and breedingback on Macquarie Island," allowing some sympathetic Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999. project manger Geoff Copson said. residential development on other Senator Hill also listed springs from Natural Heritage, Autumn, 2001. parts of the site". the Great Artesian Basin as EDO - Talk, April - May, 2001 endangered. These were all the direct result of nominations HSI Men of clay submitted as part of our Million The Newnes Kaolin company New national park leading the Acres program. proposes to establish a kaolin mine way to biodiversity Numerous threatened flora at Newnes Junction, next to South Australia's first new national species can be found in the blue Clarence Colliery. park in eight years has been grasslands, while the endangered The mine is in the headwaters of established thanks to $822,000 Black Striped Wallaby, the Greater the Wollangambe River catchment funding from the Natural Heritage Long Eared Bat and the Glossy near Ldthgow, and if approved could Trust. Black Cockatoo, among other fauna compromise the recent government The 1200,000-hectare Gawler species, make their home in the decision to clean up the pollution at Ranges National Park lies 350km Brigalow Acacia harpophylla the Clarence Colliery. north west of Adelaide, and for the woodlands and semi evergreen vine The 50 hectare proposal first time conserves arid shrublands thickets. These important wildlife maximises the potential and hummock grasslands in the habitats have been drastically environmental impact of the quarry region. reduced by broad scale vegetation by being located in this sensitive Gawler Ranges National Park lies clearing, overgrazed and/or heavily catchment and by seeking to close amid volcanic rock hills thought to impacted by weed invasion. HSI is down the local community of be 1500 million years old, some of calling on the Federal Government Newnes Junction. The quarry which are 400 metres above sea to ensure that the new legal company has already offered to buy level. The rock hills and sweeping protection over these habitats is up the village. valleys contain 210 known plant strictly enforced and that sufficient If developed, the proposed quarry species and 120 bird species, among resources are given to programs that will become a huge hole in the them at least 21 rare and threatened will bring about their recovery. ground that will of course fill up with species mcluding the inland thorn- Humane Society International, July, water. It will need to be regularly bill, thick-billed grass wren, yellow- 2001. pumped out into the national park footed rock wallaby, Penatty below, causing a pollution hazard. So Penatty knob-tailed gecko, southern hairySucces- s in the fight against much for restoring the Wollangambe nosed wombat, pink cockatoo, and feral cats River to a pristine state. If this malleefowl. Macquarie Island was settled in the proposal is approved clay may end Land for the park was purchased early 1800s by sealers who up in the World Heritage listed under the Natural Heritage Trust's introduced exotic species such as Wollemi wilderness. National Reserve System Program cats and rabbits that are still a The Colong Bulletin, July, 2001. that is estabhshing and managing major problem today. Len Haskew Book review

Reflections of Ted Taylor "Man of the High Country", edited and published by Judi Hearn. I started reading this book with my usual approach of looking for structure - a table of contents and index - but quickly realised that this book is a very different creature. In fact, it was necessary to mentally sit on a log in front of a fire opposite Ted, and let him talk to me. Judi Hearn, editor, has been visiting Currango as a guest of Ted and Helen Taylor for several years now and suggested to him that he record some of the tales of his life he had entertained her with. It Plaque placed in grounds of Currango by Ted Taylor in memory of his turned out that his children had parents. Photo Syd Comfort asked him to do the same thing, so he had already started talking into in his books Huts of the High experienced by today's young a tape recorder. Judi's role was to Country and The People Book, people. put some order into his recollections, (where detailed interviews with The book is available at Cooma being careful not to change his Tom and Mollie Taylor are from the Visitors Centre and wording. available), and Harry Hill in his bookshop, NPWS headquarters What has emerged is the story of books Old Currango and Cooinbil. Jindabyne, Corryong, Yarrangobilly a man of the High Country, a man Ted's reflections add yet more Caves, and the Tumut Visitors who is an integral part of the richness to the history of the many Centre and news agency. mountains where he grew up, people who struggled to make a Alternatively, it can be obtained worked as a stockman, ran living in and around the Tantangara direct from the editor and publisher, brumbies, and worked with Major Plain. Judi Hearn, PO Box 202, Bermagui, Clews on the Indi. When I rang Ted he, like all NSW 2546. "We used to fish off our horses, authors I suspect, reckoned there Perhaps Ted's reflections will down on the Murrumbidgee, before was much more he could have said. inspire some readers to experience the dam went in... we used to fish On reflecting on his early life he Currango and the general area and upstream and fish off the horse. The commented that "each day and stay either as guests in the only time you got off was if you each year were much the same", homestead with Ted and Helen, or couldn't land a big one. Many's the whereas since decimal currency in one of two cottages in the complex. time I got a fish up under the horse's and computers the pace of life has Booking details are available from belly and its run around the horses sped up to a point it was difficult The Tumut Region Visitors Centre, legs and got hooked around the tail." to keep up. Despite the hardships, phone 02-69477025 or email Much has already been recorded his has been a good life, and he [email protected] by writers such as Klaus Huenecke would not change it for the life Graham Scully Local environment news Bitumen sealing of the Federal Government Program and years in each state and territory with Boboyan Road involves expenditure of $1 400 000 the winners progressing to the Brian Slee has drawn attention to in years 2003-04 and 2004-05. national awards in the following year. Two nominations for the 2001 the proposal by the ACT SFC Government to seal about 2.5km of ACT awards will be of particular the Boboyan Road which runs south interest to association members: the through the ACT to the NSW border 2001 ACT Landcare Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group at Shannons Flat. This would extend Awards was nominated for the Alcoa the sealed section from the Yankee Landcare Awards, which recognise Landcare Community Group Award Hat turnoff to the lookout near the efforts of the landcare and Eleanor Stodart was nominated continued on page 19 Hospital Hill. This work is part of a community, are conducted every two General Meetings Calendar

Please note new venue for General Activity Dec Jan Feb Mar Meetings. Committee meeting Thu 6 Uniting Church, hall Thu 7 Thu 7 Parkinson St., Weston, Weston Environment Sub-committee1 Thu 16 Thu 14 Thu 14 Creek. General meeting _ Thu 21 Thu 21 Meetings start at 8.00pm. Christmas party2 Sun 9

December 2001 and Gudgenby Regeneration3 Sat 8 Sat 9 Sat 9 January 2002 no General Meetings. Further details 1 See page 2 for contacts

2 Thursday 21st February 2002 Outings program The Snowy Mountains - a walker's 3 Yankee Hat carpark 10:00 am; Eleanor Stodart 6281 5004. views NPA member Steve Hill plans to show some of his slides displaying last year gave NPA members from This talk will explore the dark the beauty of the Snowy's from above the ACT and NSW an opportunity side of kangaroos, namely their the tree line. A mix of summer to view and discuss with NPWS staff potential to impede the growth scenery, flowers and snow scenes. park management issues. This and survival of woody seedlings. Brian Slee plans to bring some of his included, new additions to the In addition, it will canvas options magnificent prints for you to view. reserve system, feral animal control for controlling macropod browsing and horse based recreation in damage, including tree guards, northern KNP. electric fencing and chemical Thursday 21* March 2002 Here about some of the achievements repellents. Facts, Tracks and Ferals and problems of KNP managers from Chris carried out the research Dianne Thompson, David Large and your intrepid investigators. for the project on which this talk Clive Hurlstone. is based in the Boboyan pines A four day visit to the Southern and Thursday 18th April 2002 bush regeneration area in Northern Regions of Kosciusko When Macropods Attack.1 Namadgi National Park. National Park at the end of October Chris Webb

Local environment neWS — continued from page 18 for the National Landcare Program Environment ACT from the ACT recent clearing of areas under Individual Landcarer Award. Department of Planning and Land powerlines in the Brindabella and The ACT Awards were presented Management. Namadgi National Parks. However at a function on September 6 at this inquiry has now been postponed. which the group award was made to New minister for parks Transgrid will continue with the the Friends of Aranda Bushland and and conservation restoration work but the examination the individual award to Geoff Butler, of the processes of the clearing and Following the recent ACT elections, both awards being very well earned. development of proposals for the Bill Wood has been appointed Eleanor received a framed certificate future will be delayed. Minister for Urban Services, which of merit and the Gudgenby Bushies includes responsibility for parks and were accorded special mention by Feral horses in Namadgi forests and the environment. the Chief Minister, Gary At the November general meeting of Bill was Minister for the Humphries, when he made the the association, members who had Environment, Land and Planning, group award. We wish the Friends recently been walking in the Mount and held other portfolios, from June of Aranda and Geoff Butler good Murray area reported that they had 1991 until March 1995. Some fortune as they face the national seen feral horses in Namadgi. The highlights of this time were the awards next year. horses were close to the NSW border adoption of the territory plan and Syd Comfort in the Jacks Jacks Creek area. The environmental legislation. meeting expressed grave concern Environment ACT Graeme Wicks about this, particularly in the fight appointment of the actions taken some years ago Transgrid inquiry to remove feral horses from Dr Maxine Cooper has been deferred. Namadgi. appointed to the position of Executive Director of Environment The NSW Legislative Council has ACT. Dr Cooper comes to decided to conduct an inquiry into the Great Books An ideal gift for someone special this <3Awtaw

"Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT*

aFidd Guid« to the Native Trees ofthe ACT* 55.00 to NPA jmsnbers

"Renri!** & Fn>g* of the ACT"

Contact Janet Neale after s.ftipm *n W7(h}/ ctrmi ^u^^k^istmailcom to plwe your order

3Se£&* - COTie and look at the books arsd make you; purchase at the

/ft So.

4Cp