1616 issue 12 - wildcare

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IN THIS ISSUE• Maatsuyker Island

• Adopt-a-Tracknews

• Eco-tourism atLillico Beach

• New Projectsfunded

• Whale news

• WILDCARER of theyear nominations

• Narawntapuvisitors hut revamp

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Issue No 12 December 2001

WILDCARERS Work & Relaxat Maria IslandOn the weekend of 13–14 October2001, 34 WILDCARE membersdrifted over to Maria Island, toindulge in work and play, and toenjoy the hospitality PWS staff onthe island.

The weather on Friday was wet, wet,wet, but Saturday allowed us to dosome of the work set down for theweekend. After the majority of usdisembarked from the morning ferry,we were greeted by Jo Field (Adopt-a-Track Facilitator), loaded our packsonto the trolley and hauled them up tothe Penitentiary to settle in.

Once settled, we gathered together inthe Convict Mess Hall to get thelowdown from Chris Arthur (PWSSenior Ranger) about the agenda forthe island, what had been achieved todate and what was planned within thebudgets.

Alan Coates (PWS Ranger) then toldof his interests on the island,followed by Andrew Smith(WILDCARE Chairman) outliningthe weekend activities. A number ofactivity sheets were posted on theboards for volunteers to write theirnames under their selected tasks.Saturday afternoon was allocated forrelaxing and preparing for the bignight time events, however, beingmembers of an “action organisation”,we instead shot off in all directions

soccer until it became too dark toscore between goals that could onlybe seen by the game’s players!

We drifted up from the picnic shelterto the Mess Hall — which today isused by school parties for lessonsand assemblies. The fire in a corner

of the Hall was burning well andthrowing out lots of warmth. Theband for the night were the Ranters(Hobart) and what a great combo

they proved to be, with Gaelic-flavour music.

Sunday morning we woke to rain,which meant for some a change fromoutdoor to indoor jobs. But as the oldfarmers saying goes “rain beforeseven, cleared by eleven” — and it

with gloves, tools and equipmentneeded for our chosen tasks.

Come that evening we ambled downto the picnic shelter for a BBQ

(compliments of CommunityPartnerships Section) of steaks,rissoles, sausages, with saladssupplied by some of the volunteersand finishing up with fresh fruit.Most members did BYO [alcoholic]beverages, but a couple looked onimbibing with envy … forgot tobring a supply?!

Night started to stride across the skybut there was plenty of light from ahuge bonfire of pine refuses. Thekids — big and small — played

Volunteers enjoying a good “nosh” on Saturday evening. Photo J Field.

The Ranters from Hobart provided hours of entertainment! Photo J Field.

Bill Forsyth & Patti Burbury plantingtrees at campground. Photo A Smith.

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WILDTIMESDecember 2001

did! The tree planters continued theaction in the camping area; this timeplanting Casuarinas in amongst theDogwood copse planted the daybefore. The Rangers kept the materials(wooden stakes and plastic sleeves) upto the ‘planters’, with one joke(slightly over exercised) “how do youlike your stakes, rare or medium?”

All too soon it was time to pack up thegear, have lunch and catch the ferry. Alot was achieved over the weekend —both work and play.

Some of the jobs undertaken byvolunteers over the weekend includedseedlings re-potted at the nursery nearthe workshop; a large fence waspartially removed to be relocatedabove the gully near Fossil Cliffs; theinside and out of Preros (the shack inthe sand dunes) felt volunteers at workwith a tank stand erected and a tankpositioned (nearly!), and inside liningand cover strips put into place. A drainwas attended to near the Penitentiarytoilet block, relocation of artefacts and,as mentioned, the tree planting. Allthese jobs, which took less than 2 daysto complete, would have taken theMaria PWS staff ages to do because oftheir other work obligations such astalking to visitors, administrativeduties and ferries to meet.

WILDCARE members get such a kickout of being in our parks, especially so

when you have contributed to themaintenance and new projects. That iswhy our WILDCARE membershipgrew at such a fast rate and it stillgrowing, because volunteers getenjoyment out of the work they do andPWS staff enjoy seeing their ideascome to fruition with our help.

It was a great weekend in all respects!Bill Forsyth

WILDCARE member

* * * *In the Year of the Volunteer, thiscommunity partnership programwas a classic example of whatWILDCARE is all about.

Members gathered from near and faron this little gem of an island bytaking the opportunity to mix withfellow WILDCARErs, exchange

ideas, experiences and to enjoyvarious social activities.

After discussions it became obviouspeople were keen to assist Park staffwith some work from the list of jobswaiting to be addressed. A majorityopted to dismantle the old animalbarrier fence

near the Fossil Cliffs (which will bere-erected to protect a nearby erosiongully). Other “botanical buffs’’worked on revegetation of selectedareas, with the Maria Island CAResgroup members working on andaround Preros hut.

All this activity was followed by anevening of quality entertainment. Thebonfire and barby was a feature. BUTWHERE DID THEY GET THATIRISH BAND? They were great, aninspiration to everyone skilled orotherwise in the art of the dance.

Some amazing talent revealedpublicly for all to see. RIVERDANCEEAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Overnight rain ruined any furthereffort on the fence demolition, someindoor jobs occupied volunteersbefore leaving. On a personalinspection of several projects beingundertaken by the Maria IslandCARes group I must acknowledge thepositive things they have achieved.The Painted Cliffs access track, thecircular walk to the historic OastHouse Ruins and the reconstruction atPreros are all a testament of theirdedication and enthusiasm.Congratulations!

Lyle RubockWILDCARE member

Note: Another “Back to Maria”weekend is planned for March 2002. Ifmembers are interested inparticipating and their namesincluded on the mailout out next year,please contact the CommunityPartnerships Section on 6233 2836 oremail <[email protected]>.

“The Ranters” head home. Photo A Smith.

Packs, Tents, Boots,

Clothing, Sleeping Bags,

Climbing Gear, Stoves,

Maps, Foods, Cookware,

Torches, Compasses,

Kayaks & Accessories.

Expert Advice.

104 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Ph 03 6234 7877Mail order welcome. Phone for catalogue.

Specialists in Adventure Equipment

10% discount to WILDCARE members (Just quote membership number when making a purchase.)


3

Friends ofMt Field —President’sReport

that does not make it to maturity.

Signs that have been erectedthroughout the park need to bechecked and records updated and thisis something that may interest a fewpeople to take on as a task.

If you would like to be kept regularly

informed about the Friends of Mt.Field activities then contact PeterFranklin by email at<[email protected]> or byphoning 03 6228 4889.

Peter Franklin

President, Mt Field CARes Group

The Friends of Mt Field CAResgroup is moving forward with plansfor activities involving WILDCAREmembers that will provide a benefitfor the park. The uptake of tracksunder Adopt-a-Track in Mt Fieldhas also been good and is somethingwe would like to see grow.

One project is to spruce up and paintthe interiors of the huts near LakeDobson.

Another possibility is maintenance ofthe newly landscaped gardens aroundthe Visitor centre. The plants used arenative to the local area and will needsome maintenance a few times peryear. Removal of weeds, a bit ofrubbish and replace the odd dead plant

Mt Field CARes group — some members at the inaugural CARE’s meeting inDecember 2001. Photo J Field.

A day in the sun onMaatsuyker IslandI was recently lucky enough to graba helicopter flight to MaatsuykerIsland, accompanied by the GeneralManager of the Huon Municipality,to have a look at the island, meetwith the WILDCARE membersstarting their three monthplacement, check out the type ofwork they undertake, and have alook at a couple of proposedworking bee projects for later in theyear.

The day was absolutely wonderfulwith a light breeze to move that sofresh air around, and warm sunshine,

not your usual weather for the island.The welcome was warm too withAlbert Thompson, the Ranger incharge of the Caretaker program, andWILDCARErs John and Wilhelmina(Willie) Watts meeting us as welanded high on the side of the island.The helicopter pad must have one ofthe most beautiful views in thecountry, looking out over the SouthernOcean, rocky islands and SouthwestCape in the distance on the“mainland”.

The island has three houses, with theone being used by the volunteer

Caretakers being located just abovethe original lighthouse, overlooking aseal colony on the rocky island justoffshore. These houses have been thesubject of volunteer activity, beingcleaned, washed, floors replaced andregularly aired, since the programbegan. The grass around the housesand along the one and only road hasnow also been tamed to be lawn as itwas during the lighthouse keepertimes.

The Caretakers also carry out threehourly weather reports from a weatherstation near the main house. Theweather reports we see on the TV andhear on the radio giving wind and seaconditions off the coast of southernTasmania are provided by

View of lighthouse and Southern Ocean. Photo A Smith.

The “clockwork” of the lighthouse. PhotoA Smith.

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WILDCARE volunteers. Thesereports are very important for thefishers working in the area andbushwalkers on the South Coast track.

After a wonderful lunch of homemade (what else would it be?) breadand soup we walked along the road tothe red shed. Access to the shore andfrom the sea is very limited, and theone reasonable location still required along haulage line (originally poweredby horses and later a diesel engine)from the shore to the red shed.Unloading of supplies was a franticaffair as, should the weather close in,the boat would leave, taking with itany unloaded supplies.

The shoreline is out of bounds for theCaretakers nowadays, for safety

reasons (the seas are veryunpredictable even on apparently calmdays) and because the sheltered bay atthe haulage is a favourite place for

mosaic of different species creating atight and low canopy, constantlymoving in the wind. Much of thewalking around the island is in belowthis roof of vegetation.

We had a look at the originallighthouse that is still in full workingorder with beautifully engineeredworkings of finely tuned bearings,cogs and weights. The lighthouse willpossibly be the focus for a workingbee on the island as it needs externaland internal painting. In the meantimethe Caretakers check the light daily toclean up any leaks from rain and saltspray.

John and Willie have been on theisland before, doing a wintertime shiftso were looking forward to a summeron the island. John has a longbackground in metallurgy andmanagement with Pasminco. Willierecently qualified as a LibraryTechnician. Both are veryindependently competent, fit and ableto turn their hands to anything — nota bad attribute for a Caretaker in aplace like this. Albert Thompson hadbeen on the island with the Caretakersfor four days helping them settle in,but as John and Willie are experienced

POETS BREAKFASTEAGLEHAWK CAFÉ

If you are interested inCreative Writing and Poetry,

come and join in on this infor-mal group meeting at the

Eaglehawk Café, 5131 ArthurHighway, Eaglehawk Neck.

Phone 03 6250 3331 or email:eaglehawk.café@tassie.net.au

Bring your ownwritings/poetr y along.

Next meeting will be30 December 2001 at

10:30am with special guestMargaret Scott .

WILDCARE members areentitled to 10% discount* offall meals valued over $20.00.

(*alcohol not included.)

seals that don’t like being disturbed. Asecond seal colony is clearly visiblefrom the main house and Willie told astory of the great storm that washedseals from the rocks killing a numberin the process. On this day thoughthey were loudly lounging on therocks sunning themselves in the warmsunshine or happily floating in thewater below. Other wildlife on theisland includes thousands ofshearwaters, an occasional sea eagleand wedgetailed eagle, and even aswamp harrier cruising the edge of thevegetation, and the tiny antechinus, nodoubt carefully hiding from theSwampy. There are no snakes on theisland, and thankfully no rabbits,hence the vegetation is in pretty goodcondition apart from the occasionalbreakage resulting from Shearwaterscrash landing into the canopy.

The vegetation is a very interestingresult of the constant winds cuttingacross the island punishing anythingthat tries to poke its head above thesurrounding vegetation. Viewed fromabove it is a colourful patchwork

Lighthouse keeper house and roads on the island. Photo A Smith.

Flying over Hobart town. Photo A Smith.

Maatsuyker Island Caretakers, John &‘Willie’ Watts on Maatsuyker.


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Caretakers they were able to spendsome time together with Albert gettinga few of those sorts of jobs done thatrequire three people.

Becoming a Maatsuyker Caretaker (orMatites as some of the Caretakers liketo call themselves) is not as simple asjust signing up. The training,involving a number of weeks, includesinduction, weather reading andrecording, first aid, safety, radio use, amedical test to pass, and even apsychological test to ensure that youwill be able to cope with the isolation.Re-supplies only happen every four tosix weeks. Safety is a big focus of theinduction course as should an injuryoccur it might involve several dayswaiting for the weather to clear toallow evacuation. So, prevention isbetter than a cure for sure in this place.

At the end of the day as we wavedgoodbye to John and Willie and leftthem to begin their three months aloneI felt a huge amount of admiration forvolunteers who undertake this type ofwork. They are very special people.The program is an outstandingexample of what can be achieved byvolunteers properly supported andtrained, working in cooperation withthe Ranger staff. I am sure that theisland is in safe hands. I am also surethat the Caretakers are in competenthands with Albert obviously verycapable of ensuring it all works well.

For those number crunchers out there,it is pretty good value too. The Matitesprovide 17,480 hours of volunteerpresence on the island each year. Thatalone is worth $262,200 not tomention the money being saved bypreventing deterioration of thebuildings and other assets on theisland.

To cap the day off, on the way backwe did a few tight turns overVanishing Falls south of HartzMountain National Park. Thesespectacular falls plummet over alimestone cliff to disappear into a cave

system at the foot of the falls ratherthan flow down the riverbed. Justanother example of the amazingnatural features that Tasmania has. Atruly beautiful group of islands.

If you would like to hear more aboutthe possible working bees onMaatsuyker island, contact theWILDCARE Office by email

<[email protected]> orphone 6233 2836 to alter yourdatabase records to includeMaatsuyker Island as a possible worklocation. This will ensure that youreceive notification of any workingbees coming up.

Andrew Smith

Chairperson, WILDCARE Inc

It’s hard being a helicopter pilot! Photo A Smith. Helicopter at Cambridge airport. Photo A Smith.

Adopt-A-Track NewsTasman NP TrackMaintenance WorkshopOn a Sunday in early September 2001,9 WILDCARE members attended aone-day track maintenance workshopat the Tasman National Park, locatedon the Tasman Peninsula. Thisworkshop was specifically held forindividuals interested in adoptingvarious tracks within the “new” Park.

The meeting point on that morningwas at Waterfall Bay car park, at thenorthern end of the Park. Onceintroductions and an overview of thedays events were undertaken by DavidClarke, PWS Ranger, Taranna FieldCentre and Jo Field, Adopt-a-TrackFacilitator, the volunteers headed outwith 2 PWS Trackworkers — AndrewFerguson and Rob Edwards — todiscuss and view various aspects oftrack maintenance and how volunteerswho nominated to be a TrackCaretaker would use those techniqueson their adopted tracks.

After following the track up toTatnells Hill, the group headed back toEaglehawk Café for afternoon tea(compliments of PWS) and to sign upas Track Caretakers. Tracksadopted/in the process of beingadopted include: Mt Fortescue;Lichen Hill-Cashes Lookout-TatnellsCrest; Cape Raoul (part of); WaterfallBay-Waterfall Bluff.

Individuals who participated on the

day are either from the TasmanPeninsula or have a longstandingattachment to the area (e.g. HobartWalking Club members). BlaneFitzgerald, co-Track Caretaker of MtFortescue track — commented thatthe terrain where some of the cuttracks are located were possibly okayfor low impact usage (i.e. number ofwalkers), but could see whymanagement practices and techniquesused by Parks & Wildlife Servicetoday are needed, especially with

The POSSUM

SHEDWesterway (Nr Mt Field NP)

10% discount toWILDCARE members

on all gifts.

6


substantial number increase of peoplewho walk these same tracks now.“The track maintenance techniqueswe learnt [at the workshop] were areal eye-opener!” said Blane.

There are still a number of tracksavailable for adoption within TasmanNP. For more information on trackadoption within this or other PWSNational Parks and Reserves contactJo Field, Adopt-a-Track Facilitator on03 6336 5454 or email<[email protected]>.

Adopt-a-Track TrackMaintenance InformationWorkshopSunday 7th October 2001 saw over 35WILDCARE volunteers, TrackCaretakers, Park Rangers andCommunity Partnership Section staffa Track Maintenance InformationWorkshop held at Mt. Field NationalPark.

The workshop kicked off at 9.30 amwith a welcome from the Adopt-a-Track Facilitator — Jo Field —followed by a presentation fromSenior Interpretation Officer, PeterGrant.

Peter’s topic “Explain yourself!Interpretation on the Track”, led to ushaving a broader understanding aboutour cultural and natural resources.After some discussion, we broke offinto groups to reveal our “hiddendrama skills”! Here we took turns as atrack volunteer, or a party of peopleout for a walk asking the “trackie”what they were doing, and why theywere doing it and how they becameinvolved. The “trackie” then had torespond to our questions, while therest of the group listened for the

answers that were the mostconvincing. Our groups carried outthis exercise with enthusiasticintentions, however, soon our actingcreated lots of laughs and giggles.

Jamie Everett, Tasmanian AboriginalLand Council Field Officer, presentedthe second topic. Jamie’s talk aimed inmaking us more aware of indigenouscultural heritage. This was followedup by a video taken on the North WestCoast, as well as the passing around ofstone artefacts that were used as tools.The artefacts were extremelyinteresting — the shape of the stonetool fitted snugly into our hands. Bylooking and touching, it raised ourawareness how these stone tools caneasily be mistaken with other stoneslying on the ground.

The third topic presented by MarkFountain, Horticultural OperationsManager of the Royal TasmanianBotanical Gardens, was focused onthe art of “invisible pruningpractices”. We learnt valuable

guidelines to better pruningtechniques and now feel moreconfident when taking that final“snip” with our secateurs and pruningsaws along our adopted tracks (not tomention in our garden!).

From this point, our next presentationwas a most delicious and tasty lunch.“Thanks” must go to those responsiblein preparing such a fabulous lunch thatwas thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.This was also a time for everyone tobecome acquainted with otherWILDCARE members from variousparts of the State.

Dick Dwyer, using his extensiveknowledge and experience in drainageand surface water management, gavethe final presentation. This wascoupled by 2 groups undertakingpractical sessions on pruning anddrainage techniques out in the field,on the Lyrebird Nature Trail, theWoodlands Track, and the Mt FieldEast track.

On conclusion of the workshop, manyaspects became apparent. Forexample, from our interpretationsession we all shared similar reasonsfor why we volunteer our services toParks & Wildlife as WILDCAREmembers. Through other sessions weadvanced our skill levels andknowledge to the point where we feelconfident that we can undertake mosttasks that as Track Caretakers, we arerequired to do on our adopted tracks.

For those WILDCARE membersunable to attend, we would thoroughlyrecommend any future workshops.They are not only a valuable learningexperience but also lots of fun!

Kerry, Bron & Leigh SmithTrack Caretakers — Mt Field NP

Mark Fountain demonstrating to volunteers the theory of “invisible pruning”. Photo C Leitch.


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Mt Field TrackMaintenance InformationWorkshop: A novice’spoint of view!The weather deteriorated throughoutthe Derwent Valley on Saturdayafternoon [of the weekend of theworkshop], so it was surprising that somany enthusiastic participantsgathered on Sunday morning (7October) at Mt Field Visitor Centre.

The presenters were accomplishedspeakers and had the undividedattention of their audience withinformative and often entertainingofferings.

Peter Grant began the proceedingswith a thought provoking quiz and itcame as no surprise to him that hisaudience knew more about themselvesthan the other three categories —Tasmania’s palaeofauna; thetrigonometry of walking track design;or high latitude meteorology!

However, I am sure to retain all that Ilearnt particularly from MarkFountain [RTBG speaker on the topicof “Invisible Pruning and OtherEncouraging Practices”] and DickDwyer [PWS Senior Ranger speaker

working bee where I will hopefully begiven the task to make my very ownwater bar!

Thank you Jo and all who contributedin making this a beneficial and mostenjoyable experience.

Vonda SushamesPresident, North West Walking Club

+ WILDCARE member

Adopt-a-Track Road ShowPhotographic DisplayOver the next 6 months aphotographic display will betravelling around the State, showingWILDCARE members involved in a

number of Adopt-a-Track workingbees on tracks located in manyTasmanian Reserves and NationalParks. Photos include those taken byLea Photographics, Hobart.

The display will be held at variousParks & Wildlife visitor centres,Forest and Council visitor informationcentres, and Service Tasmania outletsin Launceston and Hobart — so keepyour eye out!

Volunteer Callup — Do you know a 2nd language?

Parks & Wildlife’s VisitorsService Section is currentlydeveloping interpretativeinformation manuals for 5regions around the State.

A large component is the PWSinformation note sheets.Approximately 30 of the notesheets could potentially betranslated into other languages.

If you are fluent in German,Japanese, French or Chinese

(Mandarin) and you would liketo volunteer to assist in thisproject, please contact theWILDCARE office on 03 62332836 or email <[email protected]>? Your memberrecord will be updated and theinformation passed onto theVisitors Service SectionManager. (Note — advice onwhen the project is to start willnot be until early 2002).

Forestry Tasmania andthe Adopt-a-Track

ProgramOver the 12 months in developingthe Adopt-a-Track ProgramGuidelines, a number of peopleshowed interested in adoptingForestry-managed tracks.Discussions are currently being heldwith Forestry Tasmania with theview of extending this Program toallow WILDCARE members toadopt and maintain Forestry tracks.If you have any questions about thisprocess please contact AndrewSmith, Chairman, WILDCARE Inc.on 6233 2836 or email<wildcare@dpiwe. tas.gov.au>.

on the topic of “Surface WaterManagement”]. Jamie Everett’s[TALC Field Officer] presentationwas intriguing and left me reviewingmy tendency to collect unusual thingsin case of they being indigenous stoneartefacts!

The practical sessions wereexperienced in the afternoon in fairlykind conditions. While I hardly plan touse waterbars in my garden, many ofMark’s advice on pruning will beincorporated in my garden and onworking bees.

I learnt greatly from Dick’s dirty workand can’t wait for the next club-

CA

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Dick Dwyer demonstrating to participants the installation of a waterbar. Photo J Field.

Vonda Sushames shows Dick Dwyer (PWS) how to dig a drainage channel for awaterbar! Photo J Field.

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Eco-tourism atLillico BeachA busload of seniors from WesternVictoria was some of the firstvisitors to the Lillico BeachConservation Area this penguin-breeding season. Being only tenminutes from Devonport LillicoBeach Conservation Area is one ofthe attractions many interstate andoverseas visitors interested inwildlife are anxious to see for theLittle Penguins and Short tailedShearwaters.

When the volunteers for the Parks &Wildlife Service start work in lateSeptember the number of visitors issmall as it is fairly chilly but as theweather warms up and the eveningslengthen visitor numbers jump toaround 200 people each night. WhileTasmanians are rather blase about thepenguins and shearwaters our visitorsare over the moon to see such fantasticwildlife at very close range in anatural setting. Comments in thevisitors book include “Thanks for theimportant work in protection” (NSWvisitor), “Very good to see them in anatural state (Victorian), It is a great

Walking Tracks available for adoption (updated)The following walking tracks are available for “adoption” under the Adopt-a-Track Program*. If anyone is interested in one (or more) of the listed tracksplease contact the Community Partnerships Facilitators to discuss what levelof involvement is required under the Program. If there is a track not listedwhich you may have an interest in, please give us a call. Note: Tracks with a line through them have been adopted.

PWS RESERVES Track Name

Ben Lomond NP Bent BluffStorys Creek to Stacks Bluff

Central Plateau CA^ Mother Cummings (Smoko Rd access)Mother Cummings (West Thorpe Rd access)

Central Plateau CA Higgs(Western Tiers) Parsons

SydsWestern BluffWestern Creek

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair NP^ Rodway (Cradle Mountain)Watersmeet (Lake St Clair)

Devils Gullet SR Devils GulletFranklin-Gordon Wild Rivers NP^ Fincham

Kelly Basin Bird RiverMt Murchison

Freycinet NP Cooks Beach to HazardsHazards to car parkIsthmusMt AmosMt Graham to Cooks BeachWinglass Bay to Mt Graham

Hartz Mtn NP^ Kermandie (old access track to Hartz Mountains)Maria Island NP Oast House Painted Cliffs CircuitMt Field NP Lady Barron Falls from Campgrond

Lady Barron Falls to Tall TreesLake Fenton to WebsterMt Field EastTall Trees Circuit

Mt Roland “Valley Track”Mt William NP Various beach access tracks at Deep Creek +

Eddystone PointNarawntapu NP Archers Knob

Badger Head CoastalSpringlawnWest Head Coastal

Notley Gorge SR Notley GorgePenguin Cradle Trail Section between Taylors Flat & Mt BeecroftRocky Cape NP Postmans Snug Tiers NRA Pelverata Falls

Snug FallsSouthwest NP^ Needles

Sentinal RangeWoolies Tarn

Steppes SR Steppes WalkTasman NP Bivouac Bay to Fortescue Bay

Camp Falls to Bivouac BayCape HauyCape Pillar (bottom section)Cape RaoulDevils Kitchen to Waterfall BayLichen Hill-Cashes Lookout-TatnellsMt FortescueWaterfall Bay to Waterfall Bluff

CA = Conservation Area (in the WHA), NP = National Park, NRA = Nature RecreationArea, SR = State Reserve, PWS = Parks & Wildlife Service. * The Adopt-a-Track Program is a volunteer program that provides the communitywith an opportunity to become actively involved in maintaining walking tracks andother activities associated with track use, on an on-going basis.Contact details for Community Partnerships Section Facilitators involved with theAdopt-a-Track Program:

Jo Field Chris LeitchAdopt-a-Track Facilitator (Statewide) WHA Community Partnership FacilitatorPh: 03 6336 5454 Ph: 03 6233 2867Email: <[email protected]> Email: <[email protected]>

Note: Chris facilitates all tracks adopted within the World Heritage Area (WHA). TheReserves that fall under the WHA are marked with^.


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privilege to see the penguins in theirnatural environment” (visitor fromEngland).

The number of penguins on the 14-hectare site is about 3000 and thereare hundreds of Shearwaters. Thisyear two lots of poachers weredetected with one person being fined$1000. This should be a deterrent toanyone else thinking of doing thesame. It is pretty poor that this colony

of shearwaters, which is such anattraction for visitors could be soeasily wiped out by poachers. A bitlike going to Phillip Island to kill thepenguins!

At other penguin and shearwaterviewing sites around the State visitorshave to book and pay before beingtaken to view the birds. At LillicoBeach this is not the case, so anyonetravelling on the busy Bass Highway

can just pull off the raodroad and be atthe viewing platform. This makes thework done by the volunteers from theFriends of the Lillico Penguins andthe summer rangers vital, as not onlydo they interpret the two species tovisitors and explain the rules forvisiting the Conservation Area butthey also immediately adviseTasmania Police and the Rangers ifthey suspect shearwater poaching isoccurring.

At the moment the number ofvolunteers at Lillico Beach is down sothere is a wonderful opportunity forinterested people to join the team andmake a real practical difference on theground protecting both the values ofthis important wildlife habitat and thewildlife that live there. This is agenuine ecotourism experience unlikeplaces where ecotourism is claimedsimply to increase the amount chargedat the gate.

Interested? Please phone Barry,Chairman of the Friends of the LillicoPenguins on 6424 5178 for details oftraining and placement on the roster.

Barry HebbardChairman, Friends of the Lillico

Penguins

Barry Hebbard, Chairman Friends of the Lillico Penguins and Mary Binks, MayorDevonport City Council, have high hopes for the penguins creating a tourism boom.Photo D Cumming, Advocate Newspaper.

N E W P R O J E C T S F U N D E DProject Contact Requested Granted Details

Track Warden Program Kathy Van $1800.00 $1800.00 Good project. It was agreed to give the —Cradle Mountain Dullemen (PWS) project in principle support of $1800 subject to

the spending of the $3500 currently held first.

Education Volunteer Jenni Burdon $2200.00 $2200.00 Are getting in kind contributions of $3000Training (PWS) from PWS. Approve subject to funding needs

for the Threatened Species Manuals. Also subject to not being able to find a volunteer to assist with program set up for 4 days ($640).

Maatsuyker Island Albert $1475.00 $1475.00 Volunteers do a 3-month stint on the island. Volunteer Reward Thompson Want to present sleeveless vest Scheme to the(PWS) volunteers with the WILDCARE logo on it.

Shared costs ($1475 each). Would involve a ceremony to present the vests to around 70 participants. Application was approved — considered an excellent proposal.

Steppes Walk (signage) Mike Cousins $2500 $2500 Support up to $2500 with provision of more (PWS) accurate costs and further details. Also suggest

seeking sponsorship for materials.

Steppes Walk (Shelter) Mike Cousins $1850 $2000 Actual costs needed. It was agreed to get Mike (PWS) Cousins to bill us after the project is finished

with the total amount approved up to $2000.

WILDCARE Small Grants application forms are available from the WILDCARE Office, phone 6233 2836 or email<[email protected]>.

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Community interest mapping in theTasmanian World Heritage Area(WHA)

Community InterestMappingThe Community Interest Mappingproject is being undertaken toimplement part of the EstablishedPractices section of the TasmanianWilderness World Heritage Area(WHA) Management Plan 1999(pages 104–106).

Project AimThe project aims to map all interestsand uses of the WHA by individuals,communities and groups (includingstatutory bodies etc.) and to place thisinformation on a database that iseasily accessible to relevant staff ofthe Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS)and Resource Management andConservation Division (RMC).

Data UseStaff will use the information as an aidto assist them administer and managethe area. Managers, planners and otherstaff can use the database to identifythose individuals and groups it isnecessary to involve when makingdecisions that may affect an area,preparing management and site plans,or in relation to specific works withinthe WHA. The WHA CommunityPartnerships Facilitator will use theinformation to identify those groupsand individuals with commoninterests who may wish to form apartnership with the PWS.

Data CollectionThere are two types of informationthat we are interested in collecting inthis project. Firstly we want to collectgeneral “topic” interests (includinguses). This information could includeyours/your groups/your communitygeneral interest in topics, such as all orsome (but not specific) tracks, huts,landscapes/landforms, rivers,campsites, mountains, coastal areas,nature conservation, cultural heritageetc., information that is not easilymapped.

The second type of information isspatially specific, that is easilymapped, such as a specific hut, a trackor a section, a campsite etc. Thisinformation will be entered onto amap-based database. The two sets ofdata will be linked to create an overallpicture of the interests in the WHA.Data will be collected on an ongoingbasis and therefore the database willbe constantly updated to ensure thatstaff has current information.

Your/Yourcommunity/Your groupInputAs an individual or as a community orgroup you are invited to fill out thefollowing details relating to youruse(s) or association(s) with theWHA. There are several levels ofinterest that you or your group can bealigned with and these relate to theengagement you or your group wishesto have in this program and theDepartment.

For more information on how you canregister please contact Chris Leitch,WHA Community PartnershipsFacilitator on 03 6233 2867 or email<[email protected]>.

Community Engagementan important way tomanage the WHAOne important requirement under theWorld Heritage Convention is to adopta general policy which aims to givethe natural and cultural heritage afunction in the life of the community.

Involving communities in planningand managing the WHA assists withthe integration of the WHA into thecommunity and provides for theopportunity for a two-way flow ofinformation between managers andthe public.

In addition to involvement inplanning, people increasingly want toactively help in managing the area.Volunteers can expand the Service’swork capabilities and assist inachieving management objectives.

For enquires and bookingsPhone (03) 6248-5390 Fax (03) 6248-5117

Flights to Tasmania’s South West National Park –World Heritage Area.

Award winning Par Avion can take you to thispristine and remote region allowing you the

opportunity to experience Tasmania’s inspiringwilderness.

Tours range from half to full day World HeritageFlights to overnight camps as well as luxury cruis-

es aboard MV Southern Explorer.

1995, 1996, 1997Tourism Award Winners.

10% discount to WILDCARE members (Just quote membership number when making a booking.)


11

NarawntapuVisitors HutRevamp

the remaining displays.

At the end of the project we were ableto look at and enjoy the revitalisedHut. Though only a small area the Hutgives valuable interpretation of thePark, including photos of track workundertaken by WILDCAREvolunteers.

As always, a lovely day in the Parkand confirmation to myself yet again

that WILDCARE is fantastic!Suzie Donkers

President, Narawntapu CARes GroupIf members are interested in beinginvolved in future projects in the Park,please contact the WILDCARE officeon 6233 2836 or email<[email protected]> to addNarawntapu NP to as a “preferredReserve” on your members record.

On Saturday 27 October, a smallgroup of members (4 adults and 6children) of the NarawntapuNational Park CARes group hasanother working bee in the Park —the project being a much neededspring clean, update and re-organisation of displays in theVisitors Hut.

The morning involved emptying outthe hut including lots of heavy dutydusting and cleaning. As always onSpringlawn, local residents ofwombats, wallabies and pademelonskept us company.

Lunch was a delicious BBQ put on bythe Rangers. We also took this time torelax and discuss future WILDCAREprojects at Narawntapu.

The afternoon consisted of replacingmany of the old posters with new,colourful ones that contain updatedinformation, as well as reorganising

Narawntapu Visitors Hut clean up and revamp. Photo S Donkers.

Whale News

Whale Rescuer Training,StrahanWhale Rescuer Training was held on awet and dismally grey day at Strahanon Sunday, 11th November 2001.

The aim of the training was to teachparticipants the importance ofsupplying accurate information to theNature Conservation Branch or theParks & Wildlife Service, if and whenthey came upon a stranding. Theinformation required includes the type(baleen or toothed), size, number,location of the whale(s) and otherimportant factors that could speed upa rescue attempt, such as access pointsto the coast, weather and seaconditions.

The course outlined whale biologyand ecology, looked at some of ourmost common species and thedifferences between the baleen andtoothed species in particular. It alsocovered why whales strand, their useof echolocation and sonar, theirbehaviour at sea, how and why weshould prevent strandings and threatsto whales. The fact that many whales

are now listed as threatened specieswas explained in a historical context— due to people’s actions in the past.

Nick Mooney, Wildlife Biologist fromthe Nature Conservation Branch alsoexplained the many reasons why we(the Department) rescue whales andthen ran through the Whale RescuePlan and gear to bring to a rescue.

After a great barby lunch we wereintroduced to the whale rescue trailer

and all the rescue gear by SeniorRanger Paul Helleman, then webraved the rain to play on WestStrahan beach with the rescue gear,under the supervision of the Nick. Therain stopped briefly and allowed us topack up the gear before heading home.

More Whale Rescuer Training courseswill be available next year at variouslocations around the State — watchfor the ads in the next issues ofWILDTIMES.

WILDCARE volunteers (L-R) Michael Stokes, Mukta Summers, Vanessa Shoobridge.Photo C Leitch.

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Minke on South ArmYou may have noticed on the TV newson Monday evening (12th November)a report about a Minke whalestranding at South Arm.

The Nature Conservation Branch ofResource Management &Conservation responded to the calland sent a small team down to assessthe situation and work with those thathad reported the stranding. This is

standard procedure under the WhaleStranding Action Plan.

WILDCARE was asked to providenames of members registered forwhale rescue who live in the area incase a call up for assistance wasnecessary (also part of the RescueAction Plan). However, the NatureConservation team was able to refloatthe whale using the inflatable rescuepontoons and get it back out to sea,without calling for assistance.

Unfortunately, despite the newsreporting a successful rescue, thewhale was discovered during an air-search the next day, re-stranded on abeach further south. It had diedovernight. To add to the mystery ofwhale strandings, it had restranded incalm conditions after apparentlyspending some time and effortdeliberately swimming ashore inshallow water.


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Friends of Trevallyn Bushland — formation of new CARes Group

Tasmania’s Natural ResourceManagement FrameworkIn April this year, the Minister forPrimary Industries, Water andEnvironment, David Llewellynannounced the formation of theTasmanian Natural ResourceManagement Steering Committee.

This Committee was given the task ofdeveloping the Tasmanian NaturalResource Management Framework byNovember 2001.

That has involved setting a strategy forsustainable natural resourcemanagement for the state.

The Framework sets priorities forTasmania, so there is a clearunderstanding of the most pressingnatural resource management issues inthe state.

The importance of this process cannotbe underestimated.

Tasmania’s future depends onsustainable industries and healthyecosystems. A strategic and integratedapproach to the management of ournatural resources is vital to achievingthis.

One of Tasmania’s and indeedAustralia’s greatest challenges is theway we manage our natural resources— our soil, water, plants and animals.It is at the core of being able to be oneof the world’s great agriculturalproducers and at the same time protectour unique plants and animals. It alsoaffects the profitability of many ruralbusinesses and the viability ofcommunities across Australia.

The NRM Steering Committee ischaired by Kim Evans, DPIWE, andincluded representatives from theLocal Government Association ofTasmania, Tasmanian AboriginalLand Council, Women in Agriculture,Tasmanian Landcare Association,

Wildlife Product Discount for Carers of

Orphaned/Injured Animals

WILDCARE members can now get a 7.5%discount off every product contained in

Cartledge Agency’s “ Wildlife” catalogue.

All members need to do is quote theirWILDCARE membership number when placing

an order.

Stock is available and supplied from thefollowing companies: Healthy Bird,

Wombaroo/Passwell, Vetafarm, Inca (Flight),Petcare Direct and Rudducks.

Another customer service offered by CartledgeAgency is to keep their customers up-to-date onany new or deleted products lines as well as for-warding information containing monthly specials.

To request a catalogue or place orders contact:

Mark Cartledge at Cartledge Agency, 26/34 Innocent Street, Kings Meadows Tas 7249.

Phone 03 6344 5466 Fax 03 6344 7721 Email: [email protected]

ILDLIF

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A CARes group (CommunityAction in Reserves) has beenformed for the Trevallyn StateReserve, near Launceston. Theaim of the group is to maintain thenatural environment whileensuring access for appropriaterecreation, working in

partnership with Parks & WildlifeService in assisting to manage theReserve. Some of the worksidentified by group members atthe first meeting held at the end ofOctober were weed removal,revegetation of damaged areas,maintaining tracks.

If you are interested in participatingin some or all of the upcomingprojects at Trevallyn State Reserve,please contact the WILDCAREoffice on 6233 2836 or email<[email protected]>, tohave your name added to the Friendsof Trevallyn Bushland CARes group.

University of Tasmania, TasmanianConservation Trust, TasmanianMinerals Council, Tasmanian FishingIndustry Council, Greening Australia,

Forest Industry Association ofTasmania, Tasmanian Farmers andGraziers Association, ConstructionForestry Mining and Energy Union,Department of Premier and Cabinetand DPIWE.

The Framework was developed toprovide for the integrated

management of our natural resources,in a way that takes into account theenvironmental, social and economicfactors influencing their use andconservation.

The Framework will also be a keystrategy for implementing the goals,standards, targets and indicators setthrough the Tasmania Togetherbenchmarking process.

The community during theconsultation for the TasmaniaTogether process highlighted naturalresource management issues.

14


The Framework sets out high-levelnatural resource managementpriorities. It also sets out the formationof a Tasmanian Natural ResourceManagement Council and threeregional committees made up ofindustry and communityrepresentatives to oversee naturalresource management across the state.The Framework was developed in atwo-stage process. An issues andoptions paper was released in July forpublic comment. This paper providedbackground on natural resourcemanagement in Tasmania and

suggested options for future

management strategies.

These comments formed the basis of

discussions by the steering committee

with stakeholder groups and the

subsequent development of the Draft

Framework, which was released for

public comment during October.

Detailed submissions were received

from a broad cross-section of people

representing State and local

government, industry, community and

conservation groups.

Caretaker Program —Eddystone Lighthouse

Call for Expressions ofInterest are invited forvolunteers to be placed in acaretaker role at EddystoneLighthouse. It is anticipatedthat six-weekly rotation willoccur from December 2001until the current tendernegotiations are finalised.

The Eddystone Lighthousecomplex, part of Mt WilliamNational Park, is currently undernegotiation for leaseholdthrough a recent tender process.Until this is finalised Parks &Wildlife Service are seeking

interested parties who wish totake part in a “CaretakerProgram” living on site at House2 and providing minimalmaintenance/caretaker rolessuch as gardening.

The accommodation available isvery basic and only partlyfurnished. Firewood will beprovided as well as electricitycosts covered.

Please submit expressions ofinterest to: Senior Ranger, POBox 50, Bridport Tas 7262 oremail <[email protected]>

CA

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Nominations for WILDCARERof the Year In the Year of the Volunteer, it istime for WILDCARE toacknowledge volunteer members.WILDCARER OF THE YEAR willbe awarded to a volunteer memberwho has contributed significanteffort and support for natural andcultural heritage conservation andreserve management since 1997.WILDCARER OF THE YEAR canbe nominated by other WILDCAREmembers or staff of the NatureConservation Branch, CulturalHeritage Branch or the Parks &Wildlife Service. Nominationsshould be in the form of a one pagedescription of why you feel your

nominee should receive the award,detailing the activities they havebeen involved in. Ideally thenomination should have thesupport of a staff member involvedin the projects outlined. Thenominee must be a currentWILDCARE member. Pleaseinclude contact details of both thenominee and nominator.

There will be a prize (to be notified)and certificate for the winner.

Nominations can be forwarded to theChairman, WILDCARE Inc. GPOBox 44, Hobart 7001 or email<[email protected]>.

Merry Christmasand Happy New

Year from thestaff of

CommunityPartnerships

Section, Dept.Primary

Industries, Waterand Environment.

Merry

Christmas and

Happy New

Year from the

WILDCARE

Board of

Management.


15

Licenced Restaurant &

GuesthouseArthur Highway Eaglehawk Neck

Phone 6250 3331

Email: [email protected]: www.tassie.net.au/eaglehawk

10% discount* toWILDCARE members

(*On purchases over $20.00alcohol not included)

EAGLEHAWKCAFE

What makes the Steppes[State Reserve] special?

volunteers and Ranger who first had todevise a strategy to get the logs to thelocation and then manoeuvre theminto place. It took 5 people and half anhour to push and pull one log 400mdown the partially rocked andgravelled track. It then took 3–4people to move and cement in thesupport logs and place a bench seat ontop of the supports. All this was donein disintegrating weather conditionsoften experienced in the CentralHighlands.

After lunch on the Sunday and withthe bench seats installed, thevolunteers advised the Ranger that the2 seats had been named — “SnowStorm” and “Hail Storm”! (We have iton good authority that at one stage ofthe operation the ground was whitewith hailstones.)

So, if you have a weekend and you’reinspired to go for a drive, why nothead up to the Central Highlands tothe Steppes State Reserve, located onthe Lake Highway about 35 kmnorthwest of Bothwell. Visitors canaccess the Reserve at any time (thoughthe interior of the homestead andsome of the outbuildings are lockedand can only be viewed on open days).Then take a walk along the track toview the sculptures — and don’tforget to try the seats out!

If you are interested in participating inother Adopt-a-Track Programworking bees at either the Steppes SRor elsewhere in the State, contact theAdopt-a-Track Facilitator on 03 63365454.

It is where the Wilson familyhomestead is located and was hometo the family for a period of 112years, from 1863.

It is also were the Steppes Stones —large dolerite rock columns with ironsculptures depicting scenes ofindigenous people, birds feeding theirchicks, cattle droving, native animals— a gift from Tasmanian sculptorStephen Walker.

And a recent addition to the SteppesReserve is a new walking trackinstalled by WILDCARE Inc.volunteers working with Parks &Wildlife staff, under the Adopt-a-Track Program.

The beginning of the walking trackwas the inspiration of the local Parks& Wildlife Ranger, Mike Cousins,who envisaged a track linking thehomestead and the sculptures. Thearea the 900m track goes through hasa history of its own; having once beenan area of selective logging practicesand an old saw mill.

On a weekend in November and the4th WILDCARE working bee at theSteppes SR, volunteers participated inthe near completion of the track withthe installation of 2 new bench seats.The bench seats were cut from oldwooden telegraph poles andstrategically placed along the track forvisitors to the area to sit down andsaviour the scenery and sounds of thesurrounding bushland.

Installing the bench seats were atestament to the dedication of the 6–8

IYV 2001 Small Equipment Grant Funding

WILDCARERENEWAL

REMINDERNOTICE

If you wish to continue to receive

your copy of the WILDTIMES

newsletter in 2002, please

remember to renew your

membership by 31 December

2001. If you wait until during

2002 to renew WILDCAREmembership with your Annual All

Parks Pass, you may end up

missing out of the newsletter as

well as information on other

exciting WILDCARE events.

WILDCARE Inc., as part of aFederal Government initiative inthe International Year of theVolunteer, submitted a successfulapplication for the SmallEquipment Grant funding for $780,for tools and equipment to be usedby WILDCARE volunteersparticipating in working bees on

the West Coast (e.g. Trial Harbour

and Granville Harbour coastal

management projects). The

WILDCARE submission was one

of over 17,000 applications

Australia-wide. The tools will be

stored at Parks & Wildlife Strahan

Field Centre.

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Thankyou!WILDCARE wishes to thank the following sponsors for their

support of the WILDCARE Fund

Gold Sponsors ($10,000 plus)Category 2 sponsors ($5000–$9999)

Environment Australia

Category 3 sponsors ($1000–$4999)• Malcolm Murchison • Dept. Premier and Cabinet

• Brighton Council • Lea Photography• Resource Management & Conservation

And the following WILDCAREmember-discount sponsors

Parks and Wildlife Service – $20 discount on Annual Park PassSnowgum equipment – 10% discount

Par Avion Wilderness Flights – 10% discountEaglehawk Neck Backpackers – $2 discount per night

Moonpads – 5% discountThe Possum Shed, Westerway – 10% discount on all gifts

Eaglehawk Cafe — 10% discount (on meals over $20.00 excludes alcohol)

(To claim your discount, simply present your WILDCARE member card.)

We are looking for other sponsors, both for the WILDCARE Fund and as discounters. Knowsomeone who you think might be interested? Why not have a chat to them and suggest theycontact Andrew Smith at Community Partnerships Section for more details (Ph 6233 2836— GPO Box 44 Hobart 7001).

This essential guide will give walkers, bicyclists andhorse riders all the information needed to travel all orpart of the unique Tasmanian Trail.Detailed trail notes cover each stage of the journey,providing concise directions and information onaccess, campsites and facilities. Distances are given fortrips in either direction, while each stage is supple-mented with detailed maps. Planning, safety and environmental issues are all thor-oughly covered.

Fascinating snippets of information on the natural andcultural features you will discover along the trail areliberally spread throughout the book.If you are contemplating a full traverse of the state orjust a day trip, this book is a must.Recommended Retail Price: $22.00. Order through theWILDCARE Office, GPO Box 44 Hobart 7001. Pleasemake cheques payable to The Tasmanian Trail Association.

ISBN 9 318923 009651

Tasmanian Trail Guidebook – Tasmanian Trail

1616 issue 12 - wildcare

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