Magazine of National Parks Association of Queensland Our first national park What can we learn from our national park history? PLUS Values based management - a new approach ALSO FEATURED - The struggle for Mount Etna Caves - Magnetic Island National Park Issue 20 APRIL - MAY 2018 - The elusive night parrot 1 Contents From the President ������������������������� 3 Magnetic Island National Park �������� 10 FROM THE PRESIDENT Our first national park ��������������������� 4 The Night Parrot ��������������������������� 12 Building a legacy ���������������������������� 6 The national park experience ��������� 13 Queensland’s longest environmental Spotlight: Ranger of the Month ������ 14 conflict ������������������������������������������ 8 What’s On ����������������������������������� 15 Editorial team Advertising enquiries Reece Pianta, Jeannie Rice and Marika Strand� Please email admin@npaq�org�au or phone (07) 3367 0878� Graeme Bartrim Contributor guidelines President, National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) Banner: Hill Inlet lookout over the Whitsundays (NPAQ Library) If you have an idea for a Protected article we Advertising policy would love to hear from you� We can help with Advertisements are required to align with 5.6% of the state is presently better protect sufficient examples campaign to secure the Mount reviewing, editing and images� Contributions relevant NPAQ policies� NPAQ reserves the designated national park. of the state’s very diverse flora Etna Caves National Park and are always welcome� Please email admin@ right to refuse any advertisement at any time� npaq�org�au for a schedule of future editions� Advertisement in Protected does not imply These parks were proclaimed and fauna� end mining there� Securing parks Contributors, please include contact details NPAQ’s endorsement of products or services� usually as a consequence of But there are opportunities: is only half the mission, ongoing and brief personal summary� Articles can be much hard work by advocates, We await the government’s management is essential, so we submitted via email or hard copy� Digital photos Copyright and disclaimer public servants, in particular Protected Area Strategy� This will also have a contribution from the should be minimum 300dpi� parks service personnel Queensland Parks and Wildlife NPAQ retains copyright of Protected� Articles be a very important document for Cover image may be quoted provided that appropriate since 1975, and with support the state, setting the direction for Service on their Value Based acknowledgement occurs in the reproduction from senior bureaucrats and Management Framework� A proud history - composite image park management� It will reflect and use of material� politicians. a decision around conserving The lesson from history for me is Photos: NPAQ Library We are presently at a delicate securing a national park is never Left image: Main Range NP, NPAQ Library Articles in Protected do not necessarily reflect biodiversity values and a NPAQ’s opinion or position� stage in the history of the state’s judgement of what expenditure easy and its ongoing management national parks� the state can afford� It is a great requires research and work - our There are specific threats to opportunity for Queensland to association has a vital role to play About NPAQ each park’s biodiversity values. catch up� on both fronts� We work towards Mission statement These include feral animals, The election promise to allocate growing the park estate, improving weeds, overuse and more $500 million to a Land Restoration its management and increasing The National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) public awareness of park values� promotes the preservation, expansion and good recently “eco tourism” proposals� Fund has the potential to generate That is why we currently have management of national parks in Queensland� National park personnel are conservation benefits� typically passionate about nature several fundraisers underway And the potential conversion of and a $10 membership offering� Council Staff conservation but also under state forest to national park� President Graeme Bartrim Business Development Officer Marika Strand resourced� There is now a risk of Scores of new members from Vice Presidents Yvonne Parsons Communications Officer Reece Pianta long term degradation to sections A Pew Charitable Trust funded all walks of life have expressed Galaxy poll found that 84% Hon Treasurer Neil Williams Conservation Officer Laura Hahn of the existing park estate� their support for our work - a very of Queensland respondents heartening achievement� If you are Hon Secretary Debra Marwedel Project & Office Administrator Jeannie Rice The state’s biodiversity is not believe that more land should be not a member, or know somebody Asst Hon Secretary Jacqueline Rose’Meyer fully represented in the park protected and 75% support at who you think should support Councillors David Ball estate. There is a recognised Contact details least 20% of the state being in our work encourage them to visit Suzanne Cooper need to consolidate the estate to Office Unit 10/36 Finchley St, Milton national parks and reserves� This npaq.org.au to find out how they Julie Hainsworth Post PO Box 1040, Milton QLD 4064 aligns rather well with the Labor can join and get involved� Daniel Kelly Phone (07) 3367 0878 party’s stated goal of 17%� Denis McMullen Web www�npaq�org�au Email admin@npaq�org�au Community support for national Alexsis Wilson parks needs to be more visible� ABN 60 206 792 095 If you have an History is a great teacher, so in Want to get involved with NPAQ? this issue of Protected we look article idea - we back at a few historical examples NPAQ welcomes people from all walks of life and offers a variety of ways to be involved: want to hear • Have fun in the bush – come • Step up – become a National • Connect with us – Facebook, of how national parks were won� along on a bush walk or Parks Conservation member Instagram and Twitter Neville McMannim remind us how from you! other activity or a National Parks Protector • Stay in touch – read regular Queensland’s first official national • Get your hands dirty – • Donate – support our work updates on our website park was declared, how a push participate in on-ground over many decades opened a We can help with editing, • Volunteer on exciting projects • Share a bush adventure with images and content. conservation efforts • Subscribe to Protected and children – download NPAQ’s successful period of conservation • Join us – become a member Neck of the Woods via email Kids in National Parks guide and protected area growth in Email us to find out how: Queensland� We also examine [email protected] SUPPORT NPAQ AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE Queensland’s national parks need you too� a more contentious fight - the BECOME A MEMBER, DONATE OR VOLUNTEER www.npaq.org.au/get-involved www.facebook.com/NPAQld @nationalparksassocqld @NPA_Qld 2Connect and Protect 3 OUR FIRST NATIONAL PARK Remembering Qld’s park pioneers Neville McManimm National park history enthusiast Images: banner left: Cunninghams Gap undated, Mt Crookneck 1933, below left: Romeo Lahey 1919, middle: Hinchinbrook undated, right: Bunya Mountains undated (all NPAQ library). When asked to write on the scepticism� parks� member of the Queensland and Black Fellows Knob topic of how we got our first To me, we got our national Robert Martin Collins, raised parliament, gaining a new overlooking Condamine Queensland national park, I parks not just because of at Mundoolun, near Canungra, platform to raise the issue of Gorge, now part of Queen pondered it for a day or so and legislation passed in parliament, saw a lot of our land� He rode protecting our land as he had Mary Falls National Park� 1909 then my mind began to wander� but because we have had, and on horseback to near Taroom seen done in the USA� gave us Millstream Falls and It seems to do that at my age� do have, people who treasure During March 1898, he took Cunningham’s Gap National As a young bushwalker it was and out west to the Channel the idea that the stories and the then Queensland Governor, Park� my feet that used to wander, but Country, from 1873� I and beauty around us exist not just others call him the Father of Lord Lamington, walking up Sadly, it was after Robert Collins like some things in life, it has for us, but for all the generations death in 1913, that the Border gone to my head� Queensland National Parks� Christmas Creek� Finally, in to come� This was, and always During 1878, Collins and his November 1906 legislation was Ranges he favoured became I was once told a tale about will be, a continuous battle brother visited national parks introduced into parliament for Lamington National Park in how national parks are picked� with those who only see the in the USA� This no doubt fired an Act to Preserve State Forest 1915� His dream is fulfilled as It was at the bar in parliament now in life� This is our goal: to him up for the years to come, and National Parks to take generations since, and to come, house, after a hectic session show people the world around in his struggle to get protected effect from 1st January 1907� In have and will, enjoy the fruit of when pollies had to vote on to be created National Parks us and open their eyes, mind, land reserves in his home land� March 1908, Witches Falls on his labour� Association of Queensland (NPAQ) whether they would accept and heart to the treasures of Tamborine Mountain became a pay rise recommended by In 1886 he climbed Mt Barney, Romeo