V1 - MERE01Z01FC Friday, May 6, 2016 01 THE PEOPLE’S PARKS A MERCURY SPECIAL FEATURE FROM THE MINISTER AS we celebrate the reservation of Mt Field and Frecyinet national The people’s parks 100 years ago, it’s important to reflect on the extraordinary asset our national parks represent and the value they contribute to our daily HEY have been the Visitors have long been lives as natural places of wonder people’s parks for a aware of the health and and beauty, as well as important century. wellbeing benefits that contributors to our regional T economies. This year marks the reserves provide to the mind, Tasmania can rightly be called a world leader in nature centenary of the state’s first body and soul. conservation as we have around 50 per cent of our island state national parks — Mt Field and This can come through art, reserved in parks and various conservation reserves — in Freycinet — which were photography, poetry, music, comparison the world average is around 11 per cent. reserved for all time from storytelling, picnics, quiz Our centenary parks, Mt Field and Freycinet, were set aside as national parks for their scenic and tourism value, however August 29, 1916. nights, beach games, kayaking, since then, their wider value to society is increasingly being This significant milestone is sports or fishing. recognised. being celebrated all year round Spread out across the state, The Hodgman Liberal Government believes our tourism but a highlight will be the our parks and reserves appeal icons such as Freycinet, Mt Field, Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, anniversary activities among to everyone from mums, dads the Gordon River, Maria Island and the Bay of Fires are the the tall timber and alpine and children, to people with cornerstone of Tasmania’s tourism appeal. Our parks have a major role to play in delivering on the waterfalls at Mt Field and on disabilities. Government’s promise to transform Tasmania into the the stunning beaches and They are great places for a environmental tourism capital of the world, and they are an granite outcrops of Freycinet range of outdoor activities important asset in achieving our target of attracting 1.5 million in August. such as walking, bushwalking, visitors to the state by 2020. A series of events and camping, kayaking and We need to continue to preserve and protect these areas as well as developing new tourism experiences so that people can activities is already under way. boating. continue to experience these areas for generations to come. This includes special And they provide We have had a positive response to our call for Expressions Discovery Ranger Program everything for those wanting a of Interest in Tasmania’s parks and reserves and look forward to activities, arts projects such as tough off-track hiking seeing these proposals being developed in a sustainable way as the Breath of Fresh Air Film experience through to people they come to fruition in coming months and years. Our national parks and reserves make a major contribution Festival and the Wildcare wanting to sit on the granite to the state’s regional and local economies. This has been Nature Writing Prize, pebbles of Honeymoon Bay at evident from the earliest eco-tourism ventures such as Gustav community festivals at Mt Freycinet. Weindorfer’s Waldheim Chalet at Cradle Mountain (1912), Field and Freycinet, guided Reserves are the through to Gordon River Cruises in 1978, the five Cradle Huts on walks, free entry days and cornerstone of regional the Overland Track (1987), as well as more recent examples such as the newly created Three Capes Track that opened late other special events. tourism and provide last year. Tasmania’s Parks and opportunities for community We must continue to recognise the extraordinary value of Wildlife Service hopes to bring involvement, volunteering and our parks. Large natural areas enable ecosystems to function the community together to events. naturally and provide refuge for species that come under celebrate national parks as Tasmania’s reserves are full pressure outside of those areas. Water is a very valuable natural places to connect with one of life and are of global resource and the clean water provided by natural areas is of immense value to our community. another and the natural significance with their high The health benefits of natural areas are being scientifically environment, as places that biodiversity, incredible proven as we begin to understand that nature is a powerful conserve Tasmania’s unique wilderness and interactive antidote to the stresses of our increasingly frenetic digital- biodiversity and contribute to opportunities. driven lives. Research has shown that not only do we feel better Tasmania’s economy and way They are also great refuges we when spend time in natural environments, but our mental processes are measurably improved. of life. for animal life and provide The social value of our parks should also be recognised. Our national parks are good scientific opportunities, Many Tasmanians have lifelong treasured memories of family places to have fun, work and including vital places to learn of scenic features and wildlife elevations. The park visits camping, picnicking, walking, fishing, swimming, bike undertake adventures. about the impacts of climate and offers a great range of essentially has two visitor riding, boating and skiing at not only our beloved centenary Far from being the change. facilities for day visitors. sections. The first, near the parks, but also places such as Bruny Island, Maria Island, Cockle Creek and Narawntapu. Parks appeal to all ages and nowhere is exclusive preserve of Mt Field National Park is Few other national parks in park entrance, includes picnic this more apparent than on the new Three Capes Track, where bushwalkers and native plants, one of Tasmania’s most loved Australia offer such a diversity facilities and Russell Falls. three and even four generations of a family are choosing to our parks and reserves have national parks. of vegetation. Stunning walks through spend their leisure time together undertaking a walking many benefits. Its significance is such that It ranges from tall swamp enormous fern forests and experience. Parks and reserves are for many still refer to it as gum forests and massive tree some of the tallest trees in the Finally, I would like to commend the efforts of the staff of the Parks and Wildlife Service and the thousands of volunteers everyone. “National Park” even though ferns at the base of the world are also available in this that bring passion and dedication to looking after our great They encourage both active there are now another 18 mountain, through to a area. reserves. I encourage all Tasmanians to help celebrate this recreation and quiet national parks and hundreds rainforest along the Lake The second visitor section important milestone and become involved in the Parks contemplation. They inspire of formal reserves. Dobson Rd and alpine is centred at Lake Dobson and Centenary celebrations. imagination and creativity. The park has a wide variety vegetation at the higher includes the long day walks MATTHEW GROOM MHA Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE Parks and Wildlife Service is indebted to the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office (TAHO) for providing most of the Centenary celebrations photographs for this feature. The search for relevant material has turned up some wonderful images as well as useful information MAY 9-15: National internationally renowned include a diversity of activities, Launceston Campus, 5.30- that has greatly assisted the Centenary project. TAHO’s extensive Volunteer Week. The Parks thinkers and take part in the from Aboriginal culture and 7.30pm. Celebrating the collection of archival and heritage material is online at and Wildlife Service will interactive forum. Followed by craft, to photography, star benefits that parks and www.linc.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage celebrate and highlight the Q&A session. More details gazing, dining opportunities, a reserves provide to Tasmania’s Specific publications and websites: Peter MacFie: Biography William George Crooke Australian work of volunteers and thank available soon. schools day/careers day, economy, society, Dictionary of Biography Supplementary Volume (MUP) 2005 them for their efforts. Working JULY 31: World Ranger Day. music, local speakers, an environment and overall (Australian National University, Canberra); Mt Field — The bees and thank-you events will A celebration of the people amazing race event and much identity. Panel of Evolution of Tasmania’s First National Park (DPW & H) be held in parks and field behind parks, highlighting the more. Venues in Queenstown internationally renowned Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club: Easter Camp-Out 1909 to Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Peninsula (TAHO) centres. work of PWS and staff. Local and Strahan. thinkers. Q&A session. More Parks and Wildlife Service website www.parks.tas.gov.au JUNE 23: The Power of working bees and thank-you AUGUST 27-29: Mt Field and details available soon. Tazi Tiger coins, stamps, medal and collectables website http:// Parks. Public forum at UTAS events in parks and field Freycinet National Park NOVEMBER: Tasmanian www.thestampplace.com/information/stamps/tasmanian- Cradle Coast Campus, 5.30- centres. Centenary Celebrations. Free Breath of Fresh Air Film pictorial-stamps.html Tasmanian Tramp No 11 December 1939 (TAHO) 7.30pm. Celebrating the AUGUST 4-7: Bright Ideas — entry to all national parks for Festival (BOFA). benefits that parks and Innovation and the three days of community Announcement of short-film For the Mercury: reserves provide to Tasmania’s Opportunities in Western celebrations. More details competition winners, film Editor: Damian Bester. Advertising: Peter Carey, Anna Wiegandt economy, society, Tasmania. This combined available soon. screenings. Special thanks: The Stamp and Coin Place and Greg Millar. environment and overall Parks Centenary and National SEPTEMBER 1: The Power of Check for updates at identity.