Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. Issue No. 376 HUT NEWS December 2019 “Nature Conservation Saves for Tomorrow” January 2020 Nursery sales Our Admin Officer is looking for a replacement Nursery volunteers will be selling plants at Blackheath and Lawson markets in at the March AGM—Can you help? December and again in February, but The Society's administration officer will not be continuing in that position there will be no markets in January. A after the March AGM. As this is a fairly pivotal role, it would be ideal to new automatic watering system, with have a replacement ready to take over immediately following the AGM. remote control, has been installed in the It is a voluntary position. shadehouse and will help volunteers look To learn about what is involved and to have an opportunity to visit the after the plants through the holiday Hut office, please contact Jeanette Robertson on either 0414 956 060 or period. [email protected] A sustainable Christmas The Mick Dark Talk for the Future 2019 and a recommended read Dr Joelle Gergis’s talk, delivered on 15th November, was relevant and chilling but also inspiring. With brilliant use of graphics, we were taken It’s timely to share some ideas about from the earliest signs of human induced climate change to the life and celebrating Christmas as sustainably as death challenge of our current era. There was a great sense of possible. Firstly though, I know that the objectivity when Dr Gergis talked about the loss of 50% of the Great book industry is not the most sustainable Barrier Reef already and the possible future inundation of Australian one, but in terms of an important and coastal communities. stimulating read, I highly recommend Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking At the same time, Dr Gergis was by no means an entirely detached Can Save the World by Tyson scientist. She was unafraid of articulating emotion at such times as Yunkaporta of the Apalech Clan in far when she spoke of the poet Dorothea McKellar who gave Australians north Queensland. In Tyson’s words: words to express our relationship to climate extremes and when she “The book outlines Indigenous ways of responded to a question from Blue Mountains Councillor Brent Hoare thinking and producing new knowledge about a brilliant article she wrote in The Monthly. through respectful dialogue based on Gundungurra man Dave King set the mood in his Welcome to Country reciprocity rather than competition. It when he described how the need to respond to changes in the environ- imparts an impression of the pattern of ment had been expressed in Aboriginal rock art. Amy Sambrooke and creation and how we might follow that our former president Madi Maclean gave a balanced presentation of the pattern in our lives and systems … I values of Varuna and Blue Mountains Conservation Society respectively, hope readers will see their sacred role as which had brought the two organisations to honour the late Mick Dark. custodians of creation, and that each will Local Federal Member Susan Templeman gave an uplifting introduction. find their unique way of contributing to Jill Dark and other family members of Mick were looking on. the diversity and true sustainability of the complex systems they inhabit.” Thirsty? Imagine how our feathered and furry friends feel in these A few sustainability tips: branches of very dry times. Yes, parched. We have a bird bath that I now clean-and top up radiata pines make good Christmas most days. It’s trees; wrap presents in newspapers, placed in the shade magazines, fabric, or ‘who gives a crap’ under a bushy tree toilet roll wrapping, use solar or LED which allows lights for house and Christmas tree nervous little birds lighting if that’s your thing. In terms of to access it without presents there are so many options that too many worries. don’t require plastic or exploitation of the While not always planet – make and bake gifts, give a hearing or seeing service or an experience or a charity birds using it, I do donation, re-gift unused or good quality notice splashes items that others might love, shop locally around the rim.. and plan ahead so you don’t have to And at night? compromise when buying last minute Skinny-dipping gifts. Search for ‘sustainable possums Christmas’ in your preferred web perhaps. browser for many more ideas. Alan Page. Clare Power Kool Kookaburra—photographed by Mary. Printed on Australian-made 100% Recycled Paper Hut News, No. 376, December 2019/January 2020— Page 1. “Hut News”, the newsletter of Grandparents for Climate Action NOW Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. P.O. Box 29, Wentworth Falls, 2782 At a gathering of 100 concerned grandparents at Wentworth Falls on Phone 4757 1872 (leave message) 24 November, speakers were Dr Roy Tasker of Planet Ark, Blue Mountains Email: [email protected] Mayor Mark Greenhill (photographed), the convenor of Grandparents for Web page: www.bluemountains.org.au Climate Action Now Facebook: Blue Mountains Conservation (Grandparents CAN) Society Twitter: bmcsnsw Robin Mosman and, to President:: Tara Cameron 0419 824 974 speak for the grand- [email protected] children, Tom Lodewyke. Senior Vice President: (President) Second Vice President: Our Federal and State Don Morison 8230 2116 Governments are failing [email protected] us. Leadership in climate Treasurer: Elizabeth Howard 0414 090251 action has to be from the [email protected] bottom up, with local Administration Officer: Jeanette Robertson councils and with us. [email protected] Bushcare Officer: Paul Vale Help put pressure on the 4787 8080 0429 014 454 Australian Government [email protected] for them to declare a Climate Emergency and introduce major policies to Climate Change and Sustainability Officer: reduce carbon emissions. Go to https://grandparentscan.org/ and register. Clare Power Each week you will receive information about an easy action you can take [email protected] from home. Environmental Education Officer: Cathy Cavanagh 0431 692 394 [email protected] New Children’s Picture Book: The Magical Blue Forest Events Coordinator: VACANT Gardens of Stone Officer The Magical Blue Forest is about a secret forest in the Blue Mountains that comes alive at night. Madi Maclean 0412 428 202 [email protected] Have you seen fireflies dancing under Landuse Officer: moonlight? Did you know fireflies symbolise Angela Langdon 0417 004 722 friendship and waterfalls sing songs to [email protected] enchant you? In some cultures, people carry Meetings Secretary: Heather Hull jam jars of fireflies as gifts of friendship. 4739 1493 [email protected] Membership Secretary: Ross Coster In parts of Australia and New Guinea, 0418 462 576 organisms like fireflies and trees symbolise [email protected] human emotions. These ideas come National Parks/World Heritage Officer: naturally to many people but Western society Adam Curry 0425 326 842 so often forgets our deep emotional and [email protected] physical need for trees and rivers and Newsletter Editor: Christine Davies 4787 7246 rockpools. [email protected] Have you seen the bio-luminescent insects Nursery Manager: Paul Irwin and Owl, Possum and Quoll who live in your [email protected] Magical Blue Mountains too? If not, you may Publicity Officer: VACANT need a little person to help you see them! Threatened Species Officer: Judy Smith [email protected] We are a tiny publisher in Springwood called Spotted Quoll Books and we Website Manager: Alan Page have worked in the media, including the BBC, The Age, Nature, New [email protected] Scientist, Deutsche Welle etc. Project Officer—Katoomba Airfield Di Shanks [email protected] The Magical Blue Forest children’s picture book (soft cover, full colour) is Walks Convenor: available from the Springwood Book Lounge opposite the station, telephone: Maurice Kerkham 4739 4942 4751 8010 (address: 2/252 Macquarie Rd Springwood) or online at: [email protected] www.etsy.com/shop/spottedquollbooks or by emailing Georgina Kenyon at Bushfire Representative: Hugh Paterson Spotted Quoll Books: [email protected] 4751.2303, mob 0427 512 303 [email protected] Welcome to BMCS NURSERY PLANT SALES The DEADLINE for the next issue of new members We offer the home gardener, landscaper or HUT NEWS is Kay Freedman contractor a big variety of quality local native plants 18 JANUARY 2020 at economical prices. Kathi Downs Christine Davies, 4787 7246 Blackheath Community Market, 1st Sunday of the [email protected] Karin Schianetz month, Blackheath Public School 9am to1pm. No PO Box 29, Wentworth Falls 2782 Christine Flynn market in January. Magpie Market, 3rd Sunday of month at Lawson MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES Public School, 9am—2pm. No market in January. Ross Coster 0418 462 576 Tube stock $3.50. Discounts for bulk orders. [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 29, Wentworth Falls 2782 Printed on Australian-made 100% Recycled Paper Hut News, No. 376, December 2019/January 2020— Page 2. Ferals finally noticed It’s time to update the Timeline, by Jim Smith Federal Minister Bridget Mackenzie made Back in the days when Blue Moun- a major announcement on federal tains Conservation Society had contributions for feral pig control on monthly meetings in the ‘Hut’ a 8 November 2019. Disease spread by speaker gave a presentation at each feral pigs is a massive credible threat to meeting. I learned an enormous the Australian pork industry. amount from these talks and Now for politicians to get serious about contributed by giving one myself feral goats, feral horses, feral dogs, feral each year for 19 years. One of cats, feral deer and the whole menagerie these talks was my attempt to create of introduced species that can undermine a ‘Timeline’ for seasonal environ- both Australia’s economy and Australia’s mental events during the year in the Summer: Old Man Banksia ecosystems.