December 2000 NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION (ACT) INCORPORATED Australian Alps National Parks cooperative management Some reflections from the West News from the Bulletin Working Group PA BULLETIN Volume 37 number 4 December 200C CONTENTS News from the Bulletin Working Group 3 Warrumbungle and Kaputar Syd Comfort National Parks November 2000 9 Max Lawrence Martin Chalk photographic exhibition 3 Syd Comfort Namadgi National Park Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Project 10 Some reflections from the West 4 Steue Welch Stephen Johnston Charlie Hill (1921 - 2000) 5 Walking and talking the land 11 Stephen Hill Fiona MacDonald Brand Australian Alps National Parks Parkwatch 12 cooperative management 6 Syd Comfort Book Review 14 Burnt pines 7 Eleanor Stodart Syd Comfort Escapism 15 Gene technology in agriculture: Martin Chalk implications for consumers and the environment ... 8 Len Haskew 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 areaB. 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 of, Internet: http-J/wxvw.spirit.net.au/-npaact such natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised Membership 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 oflanduse to achieve conservation. Corporate members S30 Bulletin only S30 Office-bearers, committee and convenors Concession $25 For new subscriptions joining between: President Clive Hurlstone 6288 7592(h); 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate 040 778 3422fw) 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription Vice President David Large 6291 4830(h) NPA Bulletin Immediate Contributions of articles, line drawings and photographs Past President Eleanor Stodart 6281 5004(h) including colour prints are welcome and should be lodged with Secretary Len Haskew 6281 4268(h) the office or Syd Comfort (02) 6286 2578. Treasurer Mike Smith 6286 2984(h) Deadline for March issue: 1 February 2001. Committee members Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Steven Forst 6251 6817(h) 6279 1326(w) association opinion or objectives. Judy Kelly 6253 1859(h) This bulletin was produced by the NPA Bulletin Working Group Timothy Walsh 6285 1112(h) with assistance from Green Words & Images. Eleanor Stodart 6281 5004(h) Printed by Ausdoc On Demand, Canberra, ACT. Convenors ISSN 0727-8837 Environment Sub-committee David Large 6291 4830(h) Outings Sub-committee Max Lawrence 6288 1370(h) Couer photo: Brumby yards between Smokers Trail and Bulletin Working Group Syd Comfort 6286 2578(h) Blue Gum Creek. Photo Martin Chalk News from the Bulletin Working Group The October meeting of the group was well received by members and students use the Internet as a was attended by Muriel Edwards, will be continued. reference source, placing the Betty Lewis, Martin Chalk, Len Currently Bulletin pages are laid Bulletin on the Net could make it Haskew, Reg Alder, Graeme Wicks out in three columns with each page more available. and Syd Comfort, and apologies contained by a ruled border. Muriel Edwards who has done were received from Judith Webster, Alternative layouts of two columns, such a good job of coordinating the Greg Foster, Fiona MacDonald both with and without borders, were mail-out of the Bulletin, told the Brand, and Barbara de Bruine. examined and it was agreed to trial meeting that she would be unable After a frank evaluation of the one such layout, probably with the to continue in this role but will September issue, discussion focused March 2001 issue. continue to assist in editing. The on three matters: format of the The Bulletin is distributed free to meeting expressed sincere Outings Program, alternative page many ACT schools and colleges, but appreciation of her work over the layouts, and the "free" distribution as this is no longer supported by a past three years. The association of the Bulletin to school and other government grant it costs the needs a volunteer to take over this groups. association approximately $2 per coordinating role. In the September issue, the copy. The group concluded that this The convenor thanked all Outings Program, printed on green expenditure is justified as providing members of the group for their paper, was incorporated into the a resource to the schools and good support during the year. Bulletin proper rather than being a publicity for the association. The Syd Comfort separate sheet. This arrangement suggestion was made that, as Convenor Martin Christmas Office volunteers needed Chalk greetings Members will be aware that the association office in Chifley is now photographic The President and operated by volunteers. Neville Esau, who is coordinating the office members of the arrangements, would like to hear exhibition from any member who could take a An exhibition of photographs by Committee extend to all place in the office roster. Neville's association member Martin association members phone number is 6286 4176. Chalk will be held at the j Namadgi Visitor Centre from best wishes for 8 December 2000 to 31 January I Volunteer sought ; 2001. Martin, well known to Christmas and the The NPA Bulletin is packaged and members as walks leader, author ; New Year. posted out each quarter by a group and photographer, has of volunteers, a task occupying about contributed many fine photos to three hours. A volunteer is urgently the Bulletin, including the front required to take responsibility for cover in this issue and that coordinating this activity. For more spectacular scene at Lego Land information, please ring featured in the September issue. 1 Syd Comfort on 6286 2578. The coming exhibition titled I High Plains and Mountain Tops J reflects on the essence of the | Correction alpine area and those who once I The author of the book The Vision lived there, subjects which have \ always fascinated Martin. The i Christmas party of Edna Walling, quoted in the article "Edna Walling as a exhibition will be a major [ drawcard at the Visitor Centre ; The NPA Christmas Party will be conservationist", NPA Bulletin, over the summer holiday period. held at Caloola Farm from 11 am on ! September 2000, should read Trisha Sunday December 10. Further | Dixon. details are contained in the Outings i Syd Comfort j Program. Some reflections from the West Every weekday morning as I jockey left a gap in the subdivisions, it was The forests are riddled with old for position on the busy Kwinana often a gap of original bush rather logging access tracks but many are freeway on my way to work, I obtain than a paddock or orchard. Hence now little used and form pleasant a magnificent view that lifts my you find jarrah woodland in small and easy walking tracks. Easy, spirits for the day. The view is north council reserves and around the because the only major changes to along the broad stretch of the edges of golf courses and cemeteries the topography are the creek gullies Canning River, across the even dotted with xamia palms and grass and river valleys that cut down into broader Swan River and up to the low trees. the plateau and the changes in tree-covered hill called Mt Eliza. The The lakes were formed between elevation are rarely more than trees mark the renowned Kings the north-south lines of sand dunes. 200 metres. Park, the 400 hectares of botanic While some were drained and built So why wasn't this plateau forest gardens and remnant bush that over, those that remain provide so close to Perth more extensively forms a natural heart for the ever metropolitan habitat for a great cleared? We can partly thank the sprawling city of Perth. variety of waterbirds, long-necked widespread presence of the The view immediately to the east tortoises and, where there is still Gastrolobium species, a genus of pea and west of Kings Park is less than fringing vegetation, small flowers which evolved a method of attractive: tall residential buildings marsupials like the bush rat and protecting themselves from seed- and office towers. The striking southern brown bandicoot bandicooeatint g oanr d browsing animals. They contrast of this sort of collocation of quenda. As in other cities, the have in their leaves new, often ugly and crass reserves and lakes are under great monofluoroacetate, a poisonous development beside attractive pressure from weeds, particularly substance now commonly known as natural features was my first, and watsonia and bridal creeper, popular 1080. Over many years native has remained my strongest single usage, fires and pollution. animals developed immunity to this impression of Perth and the nearby On a broader scale the contrasting poison, but introduced species are region since I arrived here