WINTER 2011 EDITION
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS 2011
World Environment Day (WED)
is a day that stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political
attention and public action. It is on 5th June. It was the day that United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment began.
The first World Environment
Day was on 1973.
The theme for WED of course
is forests. Forests cover one third of the earth's land mass, performing
vital functions and services around the world which make our planet alive
with possibilities. In fact, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for
their livelihoods. They play a key role in our battle against climate
change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide.
Comings & Goings
" In the last newsletter
we mentioned a number of new members which is always great news. I would
like to express particular thanks to David Weston, the new owner of Tarra
Valley Caravan Park, who had no hesitation in staffing the visitors centre
for us already and is down again on the June roster. Thanks David!
Coming Events
Lyrebird Survey - Saturday
4th June, 6.30am at the Visitor's Centre for a briefing, with breakfast
to follow at the 'Guest House'. Again, please let David Akers know on
5189-1330, or e-mail dakers@activ8.net.au. The scout group from Sale will
be joining us so it would be great to have some friends along to help
them.
Lunch with Jane Goodall,
DBE PhD - Thursday 9th June at 12:30pm, Treetops, Melbourne Museum,
Rathdowne Street, Carlton. An exclusive event and opportunity to hear
personally how one woman's vision has expanded into a global mission to
empower people to make a difference. See the FSC website for more information.
Annual Friends Dinner
Saturday 21st May was the Annual
Friends Dinner at the Tarra Bulga Guest House. We were a group of about
twenty who enjoyed a lovely meal prepared and served by Nicolene and Steve
who were the perfect hosts. You can see a few photos of the night on our
website:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~bulga/photos/dinner_2011/dinner_2011.html
More on News snapshots
In the last newsletter Peter
alerted you to the Save the Koala organisation. If you recall the group
has launched a new web-site for recording sightings of koala, as well
as uploading photos & videos.
I was fortunate enough to come across a koala on two occasions in the
last few weeks so I logged the sightings on the new website. It was quite
easy to use so if you also see any koalas I would encourage you to go
to the site and log your sightings.
As a reminder, the site can be found at www.koalamap.savethekoala.com.
Winter Hours
Please note that the shorter
winter opening hours will start on Saturday 18th June. The Visitor Centre
will open from 11.00am until 3.00pm. If volunteers are happy to stay on
later than that and there are people around please do so. Also please
note that the key has returned to the Guest House so pick it up from in
the shop and return it to the same place.
Rangers News
Look out for Tarra-Bulga National
Park on the television soon after Destination Gippsland recently filmed
a promotional video in the park featuring Gippsland local adventurer Tim
Cope.
The Tarra Valley redevelopment work has been completed following the sealing
of the car park and line marking. This has been a terrific project that
has resulted in a great facelift for the Tarra Valley site and I encourage
all Friends of the Park to have a visit soon - bring your visitors along.
Contractors have been working in the park to remove willows from around
the 'APM' dam which is another great environmental improvement that we
have been able to achieve this year.
Mark and I recently installed some colourbond capping on the head boards
of the suspension bridge to help prevent rot which was starting to show.
Other Friends
Congratulations to the Friends
of Morwell National Park who are celebrating their 25th anniversary in
June. Well done to them and best wishes from Friends of Tarra-Bulga National
Park.
Other dates for 2011
(Unless otherwise stated, all
dates are Saturday events)
Lyrebird Count - 4th June (Balook with Sale Scouts)
Tree Planting - 13th August. Continuation of last year's work, with BBQ
lunch to follow.
(September 2 - 4 Biennial Friends Conference at Kyneton)
10th September - AGM
17th September - Photo-monitoring - ALL sites
October 29th - Walk - Diaper's Track (we will do a car shuffle)
Subscriptions follow the calendar year. Have you paid yours yet?
I would like to remind everyone
that the Annual Subscriptions for 2011 are now overdue: $10 an individual,
and $15 a family (two or more people). [Please also pay for 2010 if you
have not done so.] Our Treasurer is Pam Pattison, and cheques payable
to the Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park Inc. can be sent to Pam (c/-
2119 Grand Ridge Road, Balook 3971) or left at the Park Office. You may
also leave cash at the Park Office for Craig to pass on to Pam, but please
ensure that you leave it in a labelled envelope to make our life easier.
Contact Details:
Lisa Blackman: 5186-1351, or
e-mail cascades@activ8.net.au (Acting President of Friends Group)
David Akers: 5189-1330, or e-mail dakers@activ8.net.au (Activities Coordinator)
Ranger Craig Campbell: 5196-6166 (Park Office), 5172-2508 (Traralgon Office),
or e-mail cjcampbe@parks.vic.gov.au
(Park Postal Address is: 1652a Bulga Park Rd, Balook 3971)
Web-site Address: www.home.vicnet.net.au/~bulga/welcome.html
If you have any further questions or comments about anything in relation
to the Park, please do not hesitate to contact the Acting President of
the Friends group (and newsletter editor), Lisa Blackman, on 5186-1351
or cascades@activ8.net.au
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