The newsletter of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Branches, members and friends

THIS ISSUE:

Branch reports  Kids Day Out Nature snippets Volunteer Profile Climate Action Summit report

SUMMER 2014-15

WAMBALIMAN, since July 1967 In the language of the Kabi Tribe which occupied the land from Maleny to Howard, including Fraser Island and all the territory drained by the Mary, Burrum, Mooloolah, Maroochy and systems, “wambaliman” means simply “carry”.

 Editor's Note

Things have been relatively quiet for our groups over the festive season / summer holidays but there was still plenty to fill this issue. WILDLIFE PRESERVATION

Congratulations to WBBEC for a second successful SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND annual Mary River Kids Day Out in Maryborough known as in mid January. Also to the groups who supported WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND the event. There’s an article on page 16. BUNDABERG BRANCH If you haven’t already seen it, the new Tiaro Inter- PO Box 1215 Bundaberg, 4670 pretive Centre which includes a new deck, a bronze sculpture of a Mary River Turtle (known as 'Mr T' President: by the locals), other artwork and interpretive sign- Maureen Schmitt age and information is worth a look. At Tiaro Vice President: Landcare’s “Experiencing the Mary” celebrations Leeann Evans in November we had fun anointing Mr T with Mary River water as he finds his resting place in the new Secretary: centre after being commissioned by the FCRC in Ann Jarman 4159 1931 2011. It’s a beautiful sculpture and the artist has Treasurer: ensured he has represented the features of the Mary Phil Jarman 4159 1931 River Turtle well. 

FRASER COAST BRANCH PO Box 7396 Urangan, 4655 Wildlife FC vice president, Peter, and Mr T President: Sara Gerdsen 41295789 Vice President: Peter Duck 41221998 Secretary: Vanessa Elwell-Gavins 0428624366 Asst Secretary (minutes): Ruby Rosenfield 41234765 Treasurer: Carol Bussey 4129 5979 Asst Treasurer: Linda Idiens 41242913

WAMBALIMAN Publisher: Wildlife Qld FC Editor: Jenny Watts 0400656325 See WAMBALIMAN in colour Production: Jenny Watts on Wildlife FC’s webpage Additional writing: Carol Bussey and Jenny Watts http:/frasercoast.wildlife.org.au Proofreading: Andrea van Kampen

2 NOTICE BOARD

Summer 2014/15 Contents THANK YOU VANESSA

Wildlife FC thanks Vanessa for the Wildlife FC President’s Comment 4 huge amount of work she did to see Wildlife Bundaberg the production of the beautiful greet- President’s Report………………... 6 ing cards featuring our own photo- graphs. Choose from 57 designs. Wildlife FC Branch Activities……. 8 See page 8 for details.

Various nature snippets…………. 14 DATE CLAIMERS

Wide Bay Burnett Environment Saturday, February 7 Council …………………………….. 16 Rainforest Identification Field Day Baldwin Swamp Shelter Shed, Steindl St, Volunteer Profile…………………. 19 Bundaberg - Meet 3 of 's highly es- teemed botanists, Gwen Harden, Dr Bill McDonald and Glenn Leiper. RSVP to Monica Branch Monthly Outings ……….. 20 Elsey, Bundaberg RC on (07) 4130 4505 [email protected] by Feb 5 People you meet………………….. 21 Saturday, February 14 Paddle - Burrum River with the Friends of the Climate Action Summit………….. 22 Burrum River System Group. See back page for details

We welcome contributions from WPSQ Saturday, February 14 members and supporters. Send contribu- Cub/scout wetland activity - 4pm - Woocoo Park, Teddington Road, Tinana. tions by email to [email protected] or All helpers and people with ideas welcome. post to The Editor, Wambaliman, PO BOX 7396 URANGAN 4655 Saturday, March 7 Monthly Community Nature Outing Submissions for the next WAMBALIMAN Teddington Weir - Tinana Creek Ring Car- are due by mid April 2015 ol Bussey 4129 5979

Opinions expressed in WAMBALIMAN are not necessari- Saturday, April 12 ly those endorsed by the Wildlife Preservation Society Monthly Community Nature Outing Queensland, Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Branches Maryborough Meander unless specifically attributed to them. Woocoo - Pioneer Park - Aquatic Park - Bo- tanics on Bazaar (aka 44 Jenny & Peter’s - Queen Street, Maryborough). 2-3 hours. Want to join Wildlife Queensland? Shorter walks and car shuttle available. Ring Peter 41221998 Membership for 1 year $30.00 single Friday, April 17 $20.00 concession Submissions due for Autumn WAMBALIMAN

$45.00 family / non-profit Saturday May 2 $12.50 youth Monthly Community Nature Outing

You can join online or download a mem- Bauple State Forest spotlighting with bership form from www.wildlife.org.au Dr. Kevin Wormington - to be confirmed Nb. When you join Wildlife Queensland you are Ring Carol Bussey 4129 5979 automatically a member of any branch. 3 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch President’s Comment by Sara Gerdsen

It’s a difficult climb Do you remember the old math’s problem The Say No to Plastic Bags pantomime about the frog which tried to climb out of troupe has performed at Howard State the well? It advanced during the day then School and at The Mary River Kids Day fell back at night. Recently it has seemed Out. As well, Di continued with the spot to me that this is the state of environmen- an eco-shopper campaign until the end of tal affairs here on the Fraser Coast. the year. Have our efforts paid off? My observations suggest we still have a long At the end of November, I attended the way to go to convert the general popula- opening of the Bush Tucker Garden at the tion to bring their own bags. Botanic Gardens. Cr Garland provided funding for this project which is not only On a bright note the branch’s application an educational tool but a gesture of rec- for funding to rehabilitate Woocoo Park as onciliation. Auntie Joyce explained how koala habitat has been successful. At the the Botanic Gardens are situated on a same time nothing more has been heard former Butchulla camp site known as Ea- from Council about their application gle Flats. At the same time in the media (supported by the branch) to State Gov- there was an ongoing debate about the ernment about the purchase of vacant Council’s intention to clear vegetation in land in Tinana to increase the area of Ernie Organ Park with particular empha- reserve land for koala habitat. sis on the cotton trees once again. Mem- bers and other citizens wrote letters about Still, 2015 does start with several posi- this intended environmental destruction tives. Cr Seymour has invited us to pre- but to no avail it seems. sent monthly talks about important fea- tures of the Fraser Coast natural environ- Just before Christmas, Carol and I ar- ment. These will be held at Hervey Bay ranged a luncheon for Joan to present her library. Carol has already started formulat- Patron’s Award to John Parsons for his ing ideas for monthly bush walks. Ruby work educating the public about the im- and Di have offered to continue present- portance of flying foxes in the ecosystem. ing wildlife-friendly garden workshops and Sadly that same day Carol and I discov- hopefully we will be asked to give more ered that a huge fire break had been bull- pantomime performances. dozed along the edge of the Burrum Coast National Park destroying wetlands, So let’s not be discouraged there is work habitat for Crinia tinnula, as well as im- to be done. portant wallum vegetation.

2014 FCWPSQ Patron’s Award - goes to John Parsons

Left: John pictured a year ago at the presentation of the flying fox murals. He was recently involved in the compi- lation of a fact sheet “Flying Foxes of the Fraser Coast” published by the FCRC. 4 Joan Coutts and Ross Bradbury with the donation frog Donation Frog! At the Wildlife FC end of year breakup Ross Bradbury presented his much anticipat- ed and appreciated donation frog to Wildlife FC patron Joan Coutts.

Joan was president of the branch when they fought to save a 200 year old Crow’s Ash from the chop on the corner of Ann Street and Boat Harbour Drive, Torquay during upgrades by Mains Roads in 2005. Unfortunately the campaign was unsuc- cessful and the wood was used to make the lectern for the Hervey Bay library, some was donated to the Butchulla people and some to Wildlife FC.

At the time fellow members and cabinet makers Ross Bradbury and brother Tony, who campaigned especially hard to save the flying fox colony at Tooan Tooan Creek, promised to carve a piece of the beautiful blond wood into a donation box for the branch.

Sadly, not long after the tree was felled Tony, 55, died of a brain tumour but Ross kept his word and, in honour of his brother, presented the one-of-a-kind box to the branch. The carving has the most endearing little face and hopefully will appeal to donors at public walks and talks!

5 Wildlife Bundaberg President’s Annual Report 2014 by Maureen Schmitt As presented at The Central Branches Get-Together our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING group hosted at Mon Repos in July this WPSQ BUNDABERG BRANCH year was a resounding success thanks to the hard work of everyone involved. BALDWIN SWAMP 30TH NOVEMBER, 2014 Our one display for the year was Polly the Pelican, the garbage hungry pelican from Like all other years, 2014 has been a Hervey Bay. Polly was erected at Hinkler conceding year for the environment - not Place and Sugarland Shopping Centres only on a local level, but also on a region- and from what I hear, she received quite al, national and global scale. Unfortu- a lot of attention. Grateful thanks to Ann nately economics still rules the decision and Phil, our very dedicated secretary making process and politicians only need and treasurer, who organised collecting to cry “aussie-battler, disadvantaged, job Pollie from Diane at Wildlife FC. Thanks losses or job creation” and environmental also to Peter from Landcare who was protection get thrown out the window. brave enough to offer his services and vehicle to collect and then return Polly to Hervey Bay.

Pam has continued to send well-researched and spirited submissions on local key issues with the latest submission being comments on the Proposed Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme, only being submitted last Friday. Many thanks to Pam for her dedication and skill.

2015 - what does it hold?

Well, I think we all agree that it will be just more of the same but you know what, I am starting to feel that it is the older gen- On the local level, however…. erations that are blocking environmental Thankfully many of the bats that were so change. For example, I am very heart- cruelly displaced from Bargara and the ened when I turn on my computer and I Botanical Gardens have found a home in am swamped with petitions and infor- Baldwin Swamp. Council signage around mation from young people lobbying our Baldwin Swamp has been erected to edu- policy makers about this or that environ- cate the general public. mental issue.

Barolin Nature Reserve continues to grow Let’s face it, we have come a long way in popularity and Council continues to but there is still a long way to go. I re- provide improved visitor facilities. Council member when I was in primary school, has also held several tree plants involving we would draw our map of Australia and local business people. One can only mark in the whaling stations – thankfully hope that the idea of putting a road all are now closed and many are tourist through the western section of the re- destinations. And timber was from North serve is due to some temporary madness Queensland and thankfully much of this afflicting some of our Councillors which area is now World Heritage Listed. will pass once the hot weather leaves us. continued next page 6 Wildlife Bundaberg Branch President’s Report 2014 continued from page 6

At the local level, two issues spring to The second issue is the proposed sale by mind we could pursue in 2015. the State Government of a 259 ha block of unallocated state land along Bucca The first is Baldwin Swamp, where Wild- Road. life has been involved for a long time. Issues that could be lobbied are: Over 100 plant species were recorded in a preliminary survey including two rare Declaring Baldwin Swamp Conservation and threatened plants. Despite the clean Park a cat-free zone thus allowing for the and green rhetoric we receive from all trapping and removal of feral cats caught levels of government, it seems they are all in the area, happy to allow the clearing of this huge Advocating for the dredging of some of tract of land for agricultural purposes. I the lagoons that are so shallow now that feel this is morally and environmentally the magpie geese don’t have to swim, irresponsible and WPSQ could focus on they just walk on the bottom its protection through letter writing, lobby- Lobbying Council to create more clear ing, media releases, visits to local politi- water by removing some of the salvinia on cians etc. and as well as joining with other the water surface groups such as Landcare to stop this Advocating for the removal of environ- madness. mental weeds such as asparagus fern, There are many other worthy issues we cat’s claw vine and broad-leaf pepper could pursue but these two spring to Continue to lobby Council to include mind. We are all busy people and we can Gympie Estate in Baldwin Swamp only do what we can do. 

In November Tiaro and District Landcare held a very successful evening called “Experience the Mary”. Amongst many other events Wildlife Queensland presented a cheque to the group representing the funds raised in its 2014 appeal “Reviving the Amazing Mary River Turtle”. Pictured here are representatives from Wildlife Queens- land including, Wildlife Queensland’s Policies and Campaign Manager Des Boyland, (second right) and State President Peter Ogilvie (far right) with Wildlife FC members Coryn, Jenny, Ruby, Carol and Peter.  7 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities From mid October 2014 to mid Feb 2015 written by Vanessa Elwell-Gavins with photos from various members.

Submissions Ian Butler with branch president We made a submission to the Senate’s Sara, at the November meeting. Inquiry into the Abbott Government’s at- tacks on the environment. We made a submission to the Federal Government on its Draft Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds.

Meetings and Sub-committees Our November meeting was held on Saturday 8 November in Torquay. Our speaker was the excellent Ian Butler. Ian is a marine biologist and University of Queensland student who is studying Her- vey Bay's coral as he completes his doc- Koalas torate. The Koala Count took place on the See next page weekend of 18-19 October. Unfortunately

Administrative the count was quite small, apparently reflecting a steep decline in the numbers Success! We have secured a grant for of koalas in the Fraser Coast region. $4,100 under the Everyone’s Environment Next time we will invite participants to Program to undertake plantings and an report ‘nil’ sightings. educational program in Woocoo Park, See page 11 Maryborough. This will guide our pro- gram during 2015. Communications Our Secretary, Vanessa Elwell-Gavins,  Wambaliman Spring 2014 was released who is Wildlife Fraser Coast’s nominated towards the end of October. representative as a member of the Bur- We have finalised a set of blank greeting nett Mary Regional Group for Natural Re- cards, using photos submitted by our source Management, has now been elect- members and their family and friends. 57 ed to the Board of BMRG for a three-year separate cards have been produced. term. People may purchase these direct from We will conduct a survey of members the Secretary (0428 624 366 or email: early in 2015. [email protected]) Our blank greeting cards are now for sale at the Arkarra Lagoons Tea Gardens, or direct from the Wildlife FC Secretary.

Plastics Various bits of corre- spondence are being prepared. Anti plastic pantomime presented at two events. 8 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities Hervey Bay’s Coral is Disappearing mid October 2014 to mid January 2015 continued from previous page In the absence of an article on Ian’s talk given at Wildlife FC’s November meeting - Wamba- Workshops and Events liman is printing this article from the Fraser Sat 1 November: Our final walk for Coast Chronicle 18 September 2013. the year was in the Mungomery Vine Forest Reserve (Dundowran Beach), OUR coral is in trouble and according to Uni- followed by morning tea at Arkarra versity of Queensland PhD student Ian Butler Lagoons Tea Gardens and a walk it's time to act. around the lagoons. Mr Butler estimates the 2011 and 2013 floods See page 20 destroyed up to 60% of the coral in Hervey Sat 1 November: Tiaro Landcare Bay waters, with the marine national park presentation. This event celebrated zone at the northern end of Big Woody Island the launch of an app to report turtle suffering a near total loss. sightings on the Mary River, unveil a bronze turtle statue in Tiaro and for He said floodwaters raced down the river and Wildlife Queensland to present entered the ocean, bringing with them sedi- funds raised to Tiaro Landcare for its ments, fresh water and chemicals such as work to save the Mary River Turtle. fertiliser or petrol.

The new State Wildlife Qld presi- "It bathes the coral in this water… but corals dent, Peter Ogilvie, and several like to have clear, warm water," he said. Wildlife Qld Council members at- Mr Butler said although corals spend lots of tended, as well as a few of our time trying to "clean itself up", it struggled members. when not given enough time to recover. See page 2 and 7 Tues 9 December: Presentation to He said poor water quality was also a major Howard State School - anti plastic problem facing the Barrier Reef and one way pantomime. to fix the problem might be to plant more trees.

See page 10 The researcher said 85% of the Mary River Sat 6 December: bank was eroding, and more trees and other End of year lunch at the home of plants were needed to rejuvenate and steady Peter Duck and Jenny Watts. the area in case of floods. See page 12 and 13 He is urging the government to help protect Sun 14 December: Linda Idiens Australian reefs and says global warming pre- gave a talk at the Pet Expo in dicts an increase in floods, which may lead to Maryborough. more dead coral. Wed 14 January 2015: Mary River Kids Day Out. Wildlife Fraser Coast Mr Butler said a world without coral would be a presented their anti plastic panto- "sad, sad thing". "Coral reefs are beautiful... mime. they are like the rainforests of the sea," he See page 16 said. "Obviously coral is very important for fisheries, tourism and shoreline protection… Congratulations and thanks to the the corals are also useful for medical things, organisers and deliverers of these like the treatment of cancer or the creation of workshops and events. sunscreen.

As usual, apologies if there is any- "I would recommend paying attention to what thing major that has been omitted you're putting in the ocean.’  9 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities

Anti plastic pantomime - HOWARD STATE SCHOOL 9 December. Above: Linda (jester), John and Dianne; below left, John and students; below right, Temp (hidden plastic bag remover) and Diane (Mother Earth).

10 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities

FRASER COAST COMMUNITY KOALA COUNT This was initiated and run by Wildlife FC on the weekend 18 /19 October 2014. The team received 16 calls that reported 18 koala sightings. Sightings in Tinana were from Pioneer Park, Police Paddock, Hen- dersen Park, Cheyne Estate, Springvale Road, Iindah Road west, Matilda Way, and four koalas were sighted on Nerada Road. This confirms Tinana is an area of high human-koala interaction. The count has provided baseline data from which future counts could reveal trends in popu- lations.

Left top: Peter locates the posi- tion of a koala sighting on map. Left bottom: Col and Glenda man the phones in the Maryborough town hall.

Anti plastic pantomime - MARY RIVER KIDS DAY OUT, Queens Park, Maryborough 14 January 2015—Linda, Carol, Sara, John, Gwen and Diane.

11 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities

END OF YEAR BREAK-UP— Above: What a great photo of two great members, John (left) and Alan. Below left: Linda, Peter, Tony and Carol. Below right: Diane, Linda, Cecile and birthday girl, Vanessa.

12 Wildlife Fraser Coast Branch Activities

END OF YEAR BREAK-UP— Above: Juanita, Denise, Diane and Glenys. Below left: Jenny, Ross, Chris, Alan and Peter, Denise and Joan. Denise makes the first donation to the new donation frog. Below right; Ruby and Peter.

13 Botanical news Census of the Queensland Flora 2014. This is an essential reference document for those interested in native and introduced plants. The census published by the Queensland Herbarium provides an authoritative published list of all the known native and naturalised species of plants, algae, fungi and lichens in Queensland. It updates the previous census (Bostock & Holland 2013). The latest census is only available online and is free to download. The separate introduction to the census contains much important information including a very useful list of changes since the last census. You can check it all out at https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/ plants-animals/plants/herbarium/flora-census/index.html

Tony van Kampen

Fontainea rostrata Macaranga tanarius This Vulnerable species has a limited The attractive macaranga in the photo distribution and is restricted to the Wide (below) came up as a volunteer in our Bay region. It is found at various locations front garden. According to Nan and around Gympie as well as a couple of Hugh Richardson (Australian Rainforest sites further north on Tinana Creek south Plants), macarangas are very useful of Maryborough. Research on the spe- pioneers on degraded rainforest land cies is currently being undertaken by sci- and are also being used for landscaping entists from the University of the Sun- and it containers. The trees are dioe- shine Coast. Local volunteers are assist- cious and this one is a male. It is a har- ing with surveys to try and find more of dy plant and can be seen around Bunda- these plants. Vegetation along Tinana berg and Bargara as hedges along the Creek including at Teddington Weir is road verge. It can be grown from seed or particularly important as it provides habi- from cuttings. Carol Bussey tat for a number of threatened plants and animals. Tony van Kampen

Above; Fontainea rostrata, female flower, Photo by Ruby Rosenfield. 14 Snake or Lizard?

The first thought that pops up when you see this little fellow is “death adder” because of his stripes and distinctive head shape. However, the photo is of a baby pink-tongued skink (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii). Baby pink-tongued skinks ac- tually have blue tongues! It is in a different genus than blue- tongues (Tiliqua). Pink-tongue skinks are mostly nocturnal so not often seen. We have seen an adult one here which was more colourful – with brown stripes and a more yellowish hue. Some adults lose their stripes and are a fawn colour. The snout to vent body length is 20 cm, total length 40 cm. They forage, especially on wet nights, for slugs and snails.

Carol Bussey

Metamorphosis By Audrey Sorensen

Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed The night reverberated with croaks Frogs in amplexus in water splashed.

A raft of black dots in jelly floats Till tiny tadpoles appear in the reeds The waterholes fill with miniature boats.

On aquatic weeds the tadpole feeds Legs appear, tail disappears Life Cycle complete, Nature succeeds.

But with so many enemies, everyone fears They're becoming endangered, some species extinct. Will there be frogs in future years?

15 Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council

MARY RIVER KIDS DAY OUT

The WBBEC has kicked off the New Year In its inaugural year, we were unsure of with a bang with the Mary River Kids Day how well it would be attended and re- Out (MRKDO) held on Wednesday 14th ceived by the community, especially after January in Queens Park! very little advertising or promotion. But the old saying ‘build it and they will come’ This was the second year that we have proved to be true that day. 15 minutes run this fun, family friendly and free Envi- before the event was due to start, parents ronmental Fun Day and it was equally as and children began flocking in and by the successful as the first! time the event came to a close, we esti-

The concept of the MRKDO was born in mated that around 300 children had been 2013 after the Environment Council had present throughout the day. Craig Frank- contacted expert Craig Franklin and ar- lin attended on the day and provided one ranged for him to travel to Maryborough on one education about crocodiles as he to engage with the community about croc- made his way through the crowd with a odile safety and the critical role they play juvenile croc to the delight of children and as an apex predator in river systems. We parents alike! Overall the 2014 Event was had originally planned to run a forum spe- a massive success and we decided that cifically focusing on crocodiles however we had to run it again. after some brainstorming during a general The 2015 event was equally successful meeting, we decided to broaden the focus with an estimated 200 children attending and run an environmental education day between 10am-2pm. Free gift bags were focusing on the Mary River and her Spe- in high demand and have ensured that cial (threatened) Species along with Mary beautiful Mary River Riparian brochures, Croc-ins. activity books, stickers and magnets and And so, the Mary River Kids Day Out was other educational material has made its born. way into homes all over the Fraser Coast. 16 Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council cont…

Activities throughout the day included: Wildlife Arts and Craft where they could make a recycled paper bag puppet, card- board caterpillar or coloured in a Lung- fish, Mary River Cod or Mary River Turtle Water Testing where children learned to test for water quality parameters and learning how to count and identify macro invertebrates Seed ball making where children could make a seed ball that they can take home to plant and encourage the growth of na- tive vegetation in their back yards Cats Claw Creeper basket weaving workshops where they learned to make use of the invasive creeper and turn it into a lovely basket to take home Learn about Cats Claw Creeper’s biolog- ical control by getting up close and per- sonal with Tingid Bugs and Jewel Beetles Previous page: Above: A little lad identify- Mary River Threatened Species Detec- ing some macroinvertebrates. tive Game where children got to play de- Below: Weaving with Cats Claw Creeper. tective for the day and learn all about the Mary River threatened species Meet some lizards and pythons from Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Story-time sessions including Wildlife Fraser Coast’s ‘Plastic Bag Pantomime’ and WBBEC’s ‘Mary River- A Journey Through Time’ where children could sit back and relax on the picnic rugs under the shade of the Banyan tree Learn about the Marvellous Mary River Mangroves through the eyes of Lindsay ‘Butch’ Titmarsh and his photo display and Take a ride through the park on the ‘Mary Croc-ins Express’ and see the Mary River high up from the banks of the river

Activities were well attended right throughout the event but particularly be- tween 10am-12noon before it got too warm. continued page 18 17 Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council cont…

This environmental education initiative could attend their centres and give a local has been so well received by the commu- environment presentation. This is how the nity and it is just fantastic to see so many ‘Mary River- A Journey Through Time’ children having fun while learning about story time session was born. In 2014 I the environment, the Mary River and why attended a number of centres and gave it is important to all of us and for our fu- the presentation to many enthusiastic little ture. We must never forget that in order to kids who all thoroughly enjoyed it. convince a community why they should protect the environment, we must first I am now potentially booked to attend at show why it is important and why it mat- least 5 different centres in the next few ters to them. We must show them the months to give the presentation again and value of the environment in their own fu- I am thoroughly looking forward to it yet tures. again.

While the event is funded and run by So, in wrapping up, let 2015 be the year WBBEC, we simply could not deliver it to that the environment is placed back on the community without the support and the agenda across the state and here’s to dedication of many local environment, hoping that whoever forms government in catchment care, landcare and community Queensland post January 31st has the groups. courage and conviction to consider the environment’s protection in all decision Mary River Catchment Coordinating Com- making and ensure that it is always a top mittee, The Greater Mary Association, priority. Tiaro and District Landcare, Wildlife Fra- ser Coast, Bauple and District Recreation Until then, remember ‘every bit counts’. Grounds Association, Apex Club of Emma-Kate Currie Maryborough, Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanc- Manager tuary, Lindsay ‘Butch’ Titmarsh and Erica Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council Inc Neate; from WBBEC, we thank you all wholeheartedly for your contribution and commitment to the event. P.S. WBBEC has moved! We are now located in Shop 11/A, 224 As a result of last year’s event, I was con- Adelaide Street, Maryborough 4650 tacted by a number of local childcare cen- (Upstairs in the Sunstate Arcade and, tres and providers and asked whether I yes, this is our postal address too). Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Community Environment Program News by Tina Raveneau No report in this issue. Back next. See FCRC website for link to current news . http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/community-environment-program

Or contact Tina 4125 9710 Tina.raveneau@frasercoast .qld.gov.au

18 Volunteer Profile Glenda Pitman Member Wildlife FC

Those of us who know Glenda through Leader and trainer with Conservation Vol- Wildlife FC would observe a sensible, unteers, and also teaching Conservation hardworking and down to earth member. and Land Management and Horticulture at But her working life started very different- Maryborough TAFE, where she had previ- ly; she joined the RAAF to see the world! ously worked as a technician. But as often happens, things didn’t go to plan. In her ten year stint in the air force Not satisfied with getting her finger nails she only saw Wagga and Canberra. dirty in a nine to five job, Glenda has her own small propagating nursery at home in Nevertheless her working life has been Maryborough where her focus is ground- varied, and far from ordinary. She moved covers and understorey plants endemic to onto the Australian Public Service, work- our region. ing in both the Employment Services and Primary Industries departments. Her time A recent project Glenda has been very in Canberra saw her study Horticulture involved in is the production of the publi- part time and this led to work at the grow- cation Creating a Wildlife Corridor on the ing houses of ANU, where she was in- Mary River which details the work of the volved in the difficult task of growing eu- Greater Mary Association (of which Glen- calypts from cutting. Glenda also worked da is currently the president) and local propagating plants at a nursery near Can- landholders to develop a riparian wildlife berra that specialises in developing new corridor along the Mary. varieties of native plants. Glenda’s busy life also involves substan- These experiences have influenced many tial family commitments. Adrian and Glen- of Glenda’s subsequent pursuits. With her da have two sons and a daughter, and husband Adrian they spent four years in two grandsons. She was born in Western the US. There she joined a local Beautifi- Australia, and as most of her own family cation Committee, established a town are still there, return trips to the West are arboretum and earned the title of a Texas frequent. Master Gardener. A google search re- While Glenda says she loves to be in- veals that this is a prestigious organisa- volved with groups like Wildlife FC because tion, and they get to wear very big garden- of what she can learn (“wish I had a bota- ing hats! ny friendly brain”), with the knowledge and Back in Australia Glenda continued to experience Glenda brings to our group advance her skills working in the natural the appreciation is certainly reciprocated. environment by taking on a role of Team Peter Duck 19 Branch Monthly Outings - November Mungomery Vine Forest Reserve, at Dundowran Beach & Arkarra Lagoons and Wetlands

1 2

About twelve people attended this leisurely stroll through Mungomery Vine Forest Reserve to the Dun- dowran Beach. High up in the trees 3 we spotted Cymbidium canaliculatum in full flower (photo 3). On the beach we admired the beautiful Casuarina equisetifolia, which has many com- mon names - including Horsetail She- oak; Beach Sheoak; Beach Casuari- na; Coast Sheoak and Whistling Pine. The specific name equisetifolia is derived from the Latin equisetum, meaning "horse hair" referring to the resemblance of the drooping branch- 4 lets to horse tail. The “whispering” of the tails of minute scale leaves in the wind is very characteristic of our coast. Another interesting plant, which is not so common is Sophora 5 tomentosa, called Necklace Bush (photo 1) because of its long string of seed pods. Following the walk we drove a short distance to Arkarra tea gardens, and after refreshments strolled around the wetlands (photo 4). On the water the delicate 'Snowflakes' Nymphoides indica was in bloom (photo 5). While native to Queensland it is a very cosmopolitan species, found in several continents. 20 People you meet……

Coral (left) with friend, Glenda Gary (left)

Coral Turley- Gary Brooks-

It’s not every day you meet someone who Gary was our guide on the September Tin- has a plant species named after them! Coral nanbar outing; a very unassuming man who turned up to our Tinnanbar branch outing has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the local with friend, Wildlife member Glenda Pitman. plants. Prior to the outing Gary provided us Coral was visiting from Esperance WA. We with comprehensive flora lists for the Tin- began to prick up our ears as Coral started nanbar area. And then, at the conclusion of reeling off the Greek and Latin roots of plant our outing he presented our branch with a names such as leucopogen, the beard DVD of all his wildflower photos that link to heath, “pogen’ meaning beard, and correct- his plant lists. What a resource to possess! ing our pronunciation “it’s “Hib – bert-ia, not Our secretary (who has been dawdling Hi-bert-ia, named after Mr Hibbert”. Truly somewhat over the DVD….) reckons it’s she knew what she was talking about. better than any field guide. Remarkably Gary has collected and pressed about 300 Coral, a trained nurse, moved to Esperance species (to be formerly identified by the with a young family. She gave up work for state herbarium) . the family and home including trying to fig- ure what sort of plants would grow on the Gary grew up on a dairy farm “halfway up” Esperance sand plains. This sparked a pas- Bauple mountain. He worked for the PMG sion for native plants and she joined a local until a crook back forced a change of life- group and became a self-taught botanist. style. He moved to Tinnanbar in 1986 and She later worked voluntarily for about 30 because of his back he was restricted to years for the herbarium in Esperance, col- walking for exercise. He soon became inter- lecting, pressing, naming and cataloguing ested in the plants and armed himself with plants. During that course she discovered volumes of Stanley and Ross and began to three new species, one in each of the ge- learn to identify the local plants. nuses Hibbertia, Goodenia and Stylidium. He heard about a proposed 700 acre devel- I was amazed talking to Coral to learn that opment nearby and contacted the state her- WA has a Regional Herbaria Network. Some barium to see what plants were listed for the research from me discovered that this links area. The response was…..one! And that regional community groups to the Western was including the area 5 miles around Tin- Australia herbarium, “creating nodes of local nanbar. So Gary set about to record Tin- expertise”. Hundreds of volunteers work in nanbar’s flora. He has entered species on to over 80 herbariums across the state. A Weed the Atlas of Living Australia www.ala.org.au , Information Network runs alongside. Check where there are now 277 species listed for out http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/rhn/ Tinnanbar. Jenny Watts 21 Report on CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT Held in Brisbane on 20-21 Sep 2014 By Juanita Johnson

A good 250 people filed into the QUT vestment action was critically important in Gardens Campus for two days of inten- cutting off the apartheid power in S Africa; st sive workshops on how to spread the that coal is the asbestos of the 21 century; urgency of climate action to the Aus- that the size of our Retirement Savings (RS) tralian public and our neighbours. is the largest RS in the World; that we have $1.3 trillion in home loans in Australia. Our It was wise to arrive with homework done Big 4 Banks are in the top 10 Banks in the giving a grasp of all the top line speakers World. So make a home loan switch. If and their presentations, guessing who could 2,000 home loans were to switch, that would be one’s favoured presenters and sort out equal $1 billion – a serious signal for the Big how one could shuffle most of them in to a 4 who have left themselves wide open by tight schedule. I knew my top speaker being so expensive. Smaller banks have would be Dr Jane O’Sullivan speaking on smaller charges. population control. Little did I realize what China peaks for 16 out of 20 mainstream dynamos the Beyond Zero Emissions team market analysts. Recently China an- had become. nounced: a) She would reduce the worst of her eco- QUT’s welcome by David Hood, AM told us logical risks and that we are witnessing the most horrific b) That she will move into alternative energy. change this planet has ever seen since life China is now regarded as having the great- began; that our Government was not facing est movement into alternative energy. up to the issues, so it was up to us to get on This puts our Superannuation funds under with the job ourselves. risk with the Big 4 Banks. Now is the time to Next Professor Will Steffen from ANU gave align our money safely and with an ecologi- us a climate science update – all problems! cally focused bank.

So far the ocean is absorbing 93% of the Reclaiming Democracy: Tony Lane, Treas- heat. Being fluid it responds in fits and urer ‘Voices for Indi’ Cathy McGowan ran starts with globally synchronous signals as an independent for the Division of Indi in higher, not natural variables. Basic science Victoria at the 2013 Australian federal elec- says “warming of the climate system is une- tion, against the Liberal incumbent Sophie quivocal”. In Australia, when it is affecting Mirabella. A grassroots campaign started sports ovals and players as the news re- when a group of locals gathered to brain- ports, it is getting serious! Rainfall is in- storm and see what they could do for the creasing from ocean heating. A warmer coming election. They chose not to talk atmosphere contains more water – which about local affinities but focus on what the comes in heavy falls events, though not in average person wanted. Some said: This drought prone areas. Greenland’s ice loss electorate is only interested in the cost of has caused a 7 metre rise in their sea level. living, which they chose to ignore. So their West Antarctica is also melting. The Climate campaign motto was “Sign up to the values”. Council’s “Guide to Communicating Climate They told their group to bring someone they Change in Australia” shows the economic hardly knew to the next meeting and to Be costs from rising tides around our coastline your best self. From this humble beginning are frightening. their candidate became a challenging con- Next was Simon Sheikh, founder of GetUp, testant. They trained their members to be- reminding us that we scored the highest come alert scrutineers. Post election they vote for voter disengagement by informal demanded recounts. When a lost box of votes and minor parties in the last election. votes was discovered, it truly acknowledged The PUP was a tipping point. One powerful the group’s success as McGowan claimed ploy is to manage our finances wisely: Di- victory, winning the seat. 22 Report on CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT Held in Brisbane on 20-21 Sep 2014 continued

Susie Burke, Public Interest, Environment & on 6 pillars of concern that we need to ad- Disaster Response, Aust. Psychological dress, to enable us to move through this Soc. We need to know the facts. The Arctic time of transition into a healthy sustainable has lost two thirds of its ice mass; it is warm- future. They are: ing faster than other places on the planet.  An Energy Plan Scientists generally agree on climate  A Building Plan change but not the rate of change. We are  A Speed Rail and Transport Plan all totally dependent on the five main cycles  A Land Use Plan of the planet: water, carbon, ocean, atmos-  Industrial Processes Plan phere and nitrogen cycles. Since 1970 we  A Renewable Energy Superpower have destroyed 60% of the trees which help BZE work in with Dr Jeremy Rifkin (a US us sustain these cycles. advisor to UN and USA on future develop- ment models) as interviewed on Power for Morag Gamble, Founder of Northy Street the People, the process of each of these Community Gardens: We were given invita- phases are being published in book form. tions to visit the Northy Street Community The Transport Plan is the latest published Gardens and Crystal Waters Permaculture and The Land Use Plan is due out late Octo- Village gardens. World agriculture is mov- ber. I brought back The Building Plan which ing into a monoculture which grows three is available for borrowing. species: rice, corn and wheat. Morag has Dr Jane O’Sullivan from Sustainable Popu- visited farms in Denmark which grow crops lation Australia spoke on Australia’s rising sustainably and people are encouraged to population. Our natural growth rate is the eat less meat. highest of the First World Economies and it Morag’s dream is to have small systems that needs to be curtailed. Jane believes that supply small designs in harmony with na- couples should be given support for their ture. Doing it with others makes it workable; first two children. If they have more than retro-fit the suburbs, keeping everything two children, that is their prerogative, but small scale. Morag spoke on our securing there should be no support for these children. food security for our district. She is certain They would be provided for by the parents. that no matter what the rise in temperature, we would still be able to grow our own food Jane described the lessons being learned in – provided we had water. Africa where some nations are encouraging family planning to limit their population, and How to present Climate Change to the public: some are not. Those nations who are en- Terry McBride, ParraCAN. We need to re- deavouring to limit their population growth member that we live on a living organism are experiencing higher wealth and well- that is called a “Biosphere”. We can kill it. being than their neighbours who do not en- 1° heat rise means increased water vapour courage birth control. Smaller families which means more storms, and floods mean less stress on the parents to provide (though not necessarily in drought afflicted for them and this allows parents to plan their areas). If we would find a 1° temperature future and support the common good. It can rise difficult, what is going to happen with a be clearly seen that other nations who have 2° rise in heat? overpopulated the land, have overexploited Every rooftop should be painted white to all their woodlands and wildlife in their con- keep the planet cooler. He is amazed to stant search for fuel and food, so that the see Queensland’s dark rooftops. land is left parched and desolate with a vast Dr Stephen Bygrave, CEO, Beyond Zero population requiring foreign aid. Their gov- Emissions (BZE) runs a think tank in Mel- ernments are in disarray because they do bourne. Australia’s emissions are higher not receive internal income to support the per capita than the USA. BZE are focusing job of governing. 23 Report on CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT Brisbane on 20-21 Sep 2014 continued

Many Australians blame lax immigra- FRIENDS OF THE BURRUM RIVER SYSTEM GROUP tion laws allowing too many displaced (aka ) people into the country for our rising Friends of the Burrum population. However, Australia’s intake of immigrants is on par with the rest of the Western World.

Gerard Wedderburn Bisshop (BAE) was an unexpected delight to listen to. He gave a passionate talk on how Australia is mostly misusing our land in chemical agriculture, raising beef invite you to their next paddle! cattle, and clearing bushland for these farming pursuits which are not viable in the long term. He is co- Everything permitting, our first paddle for the th author in a soon to be published book year will be on Saturday, February the 14 (St. The Land Use Plan. Valentine’s Day). This will be a paddle with a difference, as we propose to paddle on the out- In the Free Speech Forum a MD from going tide from Wall’s Camp to Buxton (about Gladstone spoke of the damage to 5k) and return on the incoming tide for our usu- human health as well as the harbour al sausage sizzle lunch. Although the low tide is and its industries during the work of not all that low (1.26m) there could be almost extending the harbour for overseas supertankers. He gave graphic pic- as much sand bank(s) as water for paddlers to tures of the before and during periods negotiate. Portage will not be necessary. The of this AU$60 billion ecocide covering upside is there will be plenty of opportunities to 500 square acres of the harbour. The get out and have a play on the sand banks.

Bund Wall which was highlighted as being the supporting backbone for the Launching at Wall’s camp will be about 10am venture was shown to be negligently giving us about an hour to paddle downstream designed, built and supervised by to Buxton. There we have a huge sand bank to Gladstone Harbour Management. In play on, and / or the public boat ramp and adja- order to save money, the geotextile cent pontoon to allow you to go ashore and buy was not used in its intended inner an ice-cream /a drink / whatever, at the store. position, but used on the outside to When the tide turns it will be an easy paddle cover over the entire wall. It was back through the sand banks to Wall’s Camp quickly ripped to pieces by the rocks for lunch at about 1 pm. Outgoing / low tides on used in raising the bund wall, allowing the Burrum are not as easy to predict as incom- the toxic contents to ooze out. There ing / high tides, so the return will depend upon occurred deaths of many endangered marine species. the day.

I am so grateful for these two days of En route we will pass the islands and the mouth listening to and speaking with some of the Cherwell River, the islands and mouth of of Australia’s foremost thinkers as the , and go across Buxton Hole (the they highlighted the serious concerns deepest section of the entire Burrum River system). ahead caused by our nation’s un- Please RSVP to me for catering purposes. thinking focus on momentary comfort. Newcomers / learners are most welcome. Juanita Johnson Tim Thornton - Phone 0741290609 24