[ the Toolern Vale Naturalists' Cabin

230 WHEELER Bird [ Watcher The Toolern Vale Naturalists' Cabin By ROY WHEELER, 59a Upton Road, Windsor. 3181, Victoria In the early days of ornithology in the Melbourne district, the Melton area (about 48 kilometres ( 30 miles) west of Melbourne) was worked by Mr A. J. Campbell, Mr G. A. Keartland and the Brittlebank brothers. Mr Campbell was a foundation member of the Bird Oberservers' Club and later his son Mr A. G. Campbell, also a foundation member, became active in the Toolern Vale district about 14 kilometres ( 9 miles) north of Melton. In the early 1930's Mr A. G. Campbell became acquainted with Mr V. R. Davey, an apiarist who lived at Melliodora Park at Toolern Vale and persuaded him to join the Bird Observers Club and the Royal Australasian Ornithologists's Union. Mr Dav ey made his property of 97 hectares (240 acres) a bird sanctuary and it quickly became the focal point for bird photographers such as Mr Charles Bryant, Mr Ray Littlejohns, Mr Dudley Dickison and others. On October 28, 1933, the "Naturalists' Cabin" built by Mr Davey on the property close to the house was formally opened by the local member Mr White M.L.A., at a function attended by about 70 persons. It was the first such cabin ever erected in Vic toria. The President of the Shire Mr J. Beatty spoke at the open ing and said "It will surprise residents that such unusual interest can be found here". Mr Davey stated that the idea of such a cabin had grown in his mind in that this sanctuary in the centre of a fine district, would be just the place for naturalists to congregate, both for pleasure and general observations in natural history. He had erected the cabin, not for profit but as a gesture to assist this ob jective. Photographers should make full use of opportunities amongst the great number of birds congregated there. Mr A. G. Campbell, speaking on behalf of the R.A.O.U., drew attention to the historical setting - the You Y angs and Mathew Flinders and Mount Cotteril of John Batman both being within sight from the door of the cabin, and that under the latter peak his father, one of the founders of both the R.A.O.U. and B.O.C., had spent his earliest years. Mr E. S. Hanks spoke on behalf of the Bird Observers' Club, Mr V. H . Miller for the Field Natural ists' Club of Victoria, Mr H. N. Beck on behalf of the Gould League, Mr H . E. D. Stevens for the Leach Memorial Club and Mr H. A. Purnell on behalf of the Geelong Naturalists' Club. The prizes won by local children in the recent Gould League com petitions were later presented by Mr A. H. Chisholm. A really great occasion was the opening of the Naturalists' Cabin at Toolern Vale. Of those mentioned Mr Miller, Mr Hanks and Mr Chisholm were all later to become Life Members of the Bird Observers' Club. September ] Toolern Vale Naturalists' Cabin 231 1978 The cabin consisted of a lean-to kitchen and a large room that could be partitioned off and had stretchers, table and chairs, and the front had a nice verandah for relaxation after a solid days' birding. The earliest occupant of the Cabin was Mr J. J. Bryant, a brother of Mr C. E. Bryant the Editor of "The Emu" from 1929 to 1960. He stayed from November 1933 to the end of February 1934, and a full account of his stay was published in "The Emu" Vol. 34, part 2. In the same issue Mr John M. Gray, formerly an Editor of "The Bird Observer", wrote of the area, its trees and a log book kept in the Cabin for notes from those visiting the area from time to time. The Leach Memorial Club under the leadership of Mr Bill Heathcote paid regular visits to the area, and in the late 1940's to early 1950, the Gould League held Bird Day outings to the prop erty and the Cabin became a first-aid post for the St. John's am bulance members and for the distribution of tea and drinks to the one thousand children and teachers. The Bird Observers' Club visited the area periodically from 1938 to July 1954. I first stayed at the Cabin on the weekend of September 12-13, 1942, with Mr and Mrs Bryant. Highlights of this visit were Paint ed Quail, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Owlet Nightjar, Flame Robin, Weebill, Speckled Warbler and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. My second visit was when I cycled from my present address in Wind sor for three days. November 12-14, 1946. On my arrival Mr Davey met me with a small jug of milk and a large dish of honey comb oozing with Melliodora honey. It was a very pleasant three days roaming the hills near the cabin. The highlights, other than the birds already mentioned were Budgerygah, Black-eared Cuc koo, Hooded Robin, White-winged Triller, White-browed Wood swallow, Fuscous Honeyeater and Diamond Firetail. My final visit was with Mr Dudley Dickison on October 11-13, 1947, and high lights of that visit were Wedge-tailed Eagle, Boobook Owl, Barn Owl, Grey-crowned Babbler and Southern Whiteface. Mr Davey died in April 1949, aged 74. His wife survived him by only a few years. The log book was apparently destroyed after Mrs Davey's death. It contained bird notes from many famous ornithologists over the years and its loss was a tragedy. The prop erty was sold to Mr Fogarty and he allowed members to camp there until1965. Mr Dudley Dickison and his nephew Mr Harvey Dickison were the last two B.O.C. members to use the Cabin regularly. The property is now owned by Mr Roger Wood, son-in-law of Mr Fogarty and he assured me on a recent visit to the property that the cabin would remain part of the place. It is used for furni ture storage. The sign the "Naturalists Cabin" is still in place above the door and the small painting of a Grey Thrush still dis cernible after nearly 45 years of weathering. 232 BONSER & BONSER [ Bird Watcher On May 24, 1978, Mrs Wheeler and I, with Mr and Mrs C. O'Hagen, visited the property at Toolern Vale where we met Mr Wood. We spent an hour near the Cabin and recorded the follow ing species : Australian Magpie, Spotted Pardalote, Golden Whist ler, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White naped Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Grey Currawong, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Weebill, Eastern Rosella, Grey Fantail, Eastern Spinebill, Goldfinch, White-throated Treecreeper, Crimson Rosella, Grey Shrike-thrush, Yellow-rumped Thornhill, Galah and Scarlet Robin. Over the years, more than 100 bird species have been recorded on the property. The absolute highlights include Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Win king Owl, Swift Parrot, Rufous Fantail, Chestnut-tailed Heath wren, Mountain Thrush, Spotted Quailthrush, Pink Robin, Satin Flycatcher, Olive-backed Oriole, Red-capped Robin, Tawny Frog mouth, White-browed Babbler and Western Warbler. Three Generations of Ramsays. By CHRISTINE BONSER and TOM BONSER 14C Western Road, Mowll Village, Castle Hill, 2154. N.S.W. The founder of the family in Australia, David Ramsay, M. D. Edinburgh, was born in Perth, Scotland on March 16, 1794; he graduated from the University with a Diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Diploma of Obstetrics, and a General Diploma. From 1818 to 1823 he served as ship's Surgeon in the sailing ship "Surry", with Capt. Raine as Master. His ship took him to Batavia and Australia, he saw Sydney for the first time on Novem ber 7, 1820, and decided he would like to make his home there. In 1823, he and Capt. Raine decided to sever their connection with the sea, and together they founded the firm of Raine and Ramsay, Merchants. In 1825 he married Sarah Ann, daughter ot Simeon Lord, by whom he had 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. The family interest in Natural History was alive then. Both he, and his father before him, had sent many specimens to the Natural History Museum in Perth, Scotland. He lived on his estate, named "Dobroyde", near Sydney, where he died on June 10, 1860. Edward Pearson Ramsay, the second of his line in Australia, was born at Dobroyde on December 3, 1842; he was educated at MacArthur School and Sydney University. .

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