Thursday 19 January 2006.

Speakers were Meredith and Roger Briggs. With Meredith as presenter and Roger as the technician, the whole audience was captivated by the four audio-visuals.

The Island in the Sky.

This was an overview of the different moods of Mt Buffalo. We saw a selection of photos taken over a 25 year period before the fires.

The background cello music set the scene of the magical mountain, separate from the Alps.

We saw

• an abundance of wildflowers, some found only on the Mount.
• The magic of the rock formations, the trees and the human interaction.
• The winter transformation and the new life when snow melts and the new life-cycle springs into being.
• The 1985 wildfires which were all part of the natural cycle.

Bushfires 2003.

The second audiovisual was a personal reflection of the initial feeling of loss that Meredith and Roger felt to see the devastation of special places they had visited for years.

On closer examination there were flowers amongst the smoke, and, after rain, green shoots and flowers began to appear. There were tree skeletons but life goes on. Within three months regeneration was taking place. Snow Grasses were sprouting. The mountain was slowly healing its wounds.

One Year later.

In the flowering season in 2004 on top of the mountain, the scorching was still evident, but life had begun to regenerate. Leaves, fungi, ferns and orchids appeared. Some were plants that had not been seen before, or were ones that needed a hot fire for new life. The spectacular Snow Gums were sprouting from the base. Herbs flourished and the plains turned yellow with a succession of flowers.

Roadside Art.

This was a different view of what also suffered damage by fire - the road signs and posts. Posts and reflectors melted and distorted. Signs with the pain burnt and singed formed interesting patterns. As the signage was replaced the old was still remaining as a stark reminder to some. For others it was the art of heat and distortion.

Thank you.

It was so obvious that Meredith and Roger have a very deep love, devotion and understanding of the "Island in the sky" - Mt Buffalo. Thank you Meredith and Roger for sharing and showing us an insight to this beautiful experience.

Marilyn Honeybun

1: Buffalo Plateau from the Horn at Dusk. Jan 1997.
2: Plateau from South View Track. Post-fire. Dec 2005.