Dr Ruth Lawrence, (of Outdoor Education and Environment, Latrobe University) discussed the subject by way of seven aspects.

1. Aborigines
2. Early European exploration
3. Mining
4. Grazing
5. Kiewa hydro-electric scheme
6. Tourism
7. Fire

Aborigines of the Bogong High Plain. There were no such people as "alpine aborigines". Several language groups probably frequented the surrounding river valleys, with the Theddora group possibly being the most predominant. The various groups visited the high country almost solely to feed on Bogong Moths when they arrived in spring and summer.

Early European Exploration. In 1851, several fires in the existing cattle country drove two stockmen to penetrate the Bogong High Plains in search of grazing lands. Subsequent early exploration was largely by botanists, notably von Mueller.

Mining. The early gold mines were mostly in the river valleys on the fringes of the high country. The need for access and communications led to the establishment of a network of tracks by the Mines Department in the latter part of the 1800's.

Cattle Gazing. Sporadic grazing started in the 1860's, and in 1888 a Bogong High Plains Grazing Area was proclaimed to provide drought relief grazing. In the early 1900's, as very large numbers of cattle, sheep and horses grazed the high plains for up to 8 months of the year. Over the next century, cattle numbers were reduced to about 2000 cattle for four months grazing, due to the gradual increase in the range of restrictions. In 2005, the Victorian Government finally ended the era of livestock grazing on the Bogong High Plains.

Kiewa Hydro-electric Scheme. The scheme was started in 1938 and was completed in 1961, with dams and associated electricity-generating turbines. Concerns about reservoir infilling led to a series of early ecological studies, which helped lay a foundation for a sounder management regime for the highlands.

Tourism. 1880 saw the start of European visits, mainly by botanists to Mt Hotham and Mt Buffalo areas. Subsequently tourism associated with skiing became important. The Victorian Railways played a major role in developing the tourist potential of the area.

Bushfires. A major bushfire affected the Bogong High Plains in 1926. The 1939 "Black Friday" fires are still the most severe that have occurred, followed much more recently by serious fires in January 2003.

Final comments. Components of each of the seven aspects discussed have had impacts on the Bogong High Plains, with cattle grazing having had the most widespread impact on plant ecology.

Dr Lawrence drew attention to a number of favourable changes in plant composition following reduced grazing, and of plant recovery after serious fires. New proposals for increased ski field development and possible additional hydro-electric generation on the Kiewa River are matters of continuing concern.

Trevor Stoneman

1: Cattle feeding near Rocky Valley Dam Jan 1987.
2: Dead trunks of Snow Gum. Bogong Plains. Jan 2005.