GRAMPIANS NP
General Enquiries: 5361 4000 or 131963.
David Roberts (Ranger in Charge):5361 4013
droberts@parks.vic.gov.au

TSG CONTACT: Pauline Rudolph 0437463378
pauline.rudolph@dse.vic.gov.au

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and are not necessarily the opinions of the editor or of all members.

A group in the USA has digitised all the early editions of the Victorian Field Naturalists Club newsletters, from 1892 onwards. There’s a lot of useful observations on the Grampians there, plus insights into the biodiversity of our State 110 years ago. The accounts are often long and chatty, so for this issue just an introduction.

May 1892 :
President: PROFESSOR W. BALDWIN SPENCER, M.A.
This Club was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested; for the Exhibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in the Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the Metropolis.

There followed a list of invertebrata obtained during “the excursion to the Grampians”. Spiders, butterflies and beetles I gather. Ive passed it on to FOGGS insect expert to look at for next issue.
So far I haven’t been able to find who led the excursion or where they went, but I’ll keep digging. Next time wildflowers of the Grampians from 1919 I hope.
Also another still relevant note: In 1919 Wisons Prom was the State’s only National Park, and the Field Nats were its zealous protectors.
“ In connection with the National Park, during the year the Government received applications to throw open this
proclaimed sanctuary for the preservation of the native fauna and flora for purposes of tin mining. A large and influential deputation (on which this Club was strongly represented) waited on the Minister of Mines to oppose this application, and their efforts were partially successful.”

I recently purchased a copy of ‘The Victorian Bush its ‘original and natural’ condition’ by Ron Hateley. It is an extremely interesting book and I urge all who are interested in conservation and history to read it.
Ron was brought up in Kiata where his father Keith was a prominent field naturalist. Ron went to Creswick and trained in Forestry then later was a lecturer there. His book was published some time in the past 12 to 18 months, and sadly he died earlier this year.
He questions and discusses widely held views of ‘the original and natural’ condition of our bush. He looks at issues such as
6. The extent of pre 1788 tree cover.
7. The extent and frequency of fire stick farming and was it as broadly used by aboriginals as some experts imply?
8. The effect of native fauna in the dynamics of the natural ecosystem
9. Wombats in Victoria
10. Tornadoes in Victoria
11. Our limited knowledge of pre1788 ‘Ecological Vegetation Communities’

The book is presented as observations and experiences of early explorers and settlers. Ron found that there was a wealth of information in obscure colonial books and journals, newspaper accounts, early artwork and personal diaries, of early settlers and explorers.
He has used Major Mitchell’s diaries to describe some of the landscapes he travelled through in the 1830’s before widespread white settlement, with the Grampians and Wimmera well featured.
As a scientist he has referenced his quotes and he has an extensive bibliography which could be a source of much further reading.
I strongly urge people to buy or borrow this book for some insight into our natural environment, past and present.
The book is published by Polybractea Press in Melbourne and can be ordered from their website www.polybracteapress.com.au/

GRAMPIANS RICE FLOWER SEARCH 27/10/11

It was a very small group who went looking to see how this unusual rice flower (Pimelea pagagophylla) was faring on Mt William. But the three of us had a great day. We started near the car park and looked along the road and on the hill above. We found so many that we stopped counting at about 150. Most were young, and quite a few looked as if they were suffering from the dry spring. It will be interesting to see how they go. There were also quite a few of the more common Pimelea linearii, three different tea trees, the tallest fairies’ aprons I have ever seen, grevilleas looking dramatic …. On the way back down the rocky slopes were an absolute garden of different low shrubs: kunzea, boronia, grevilleas, goodenia …..

About 20 enthusiastic searchers participated in the 2011 Threatened Species Group search for the Grampians Duck Orchid (Paracaleana disjuncta). This orchid grows to 15cm, has a distinctive ovate green leaf with purplish underside (usually withered at flowering time), and only has dark wart-like calli on the front third of the labellum.

The weather remained overcast throughout the day providing ideal search conditions – not too hot for the searchers and not hot enough for snakes to be out and about. Two tiger snake sightings were however reported at the end of the day.

We searched two areas in the southern Grampians where Stringy Bark with healthy understorey and lots of sedges suggested the possible presence of duck orchids. All three Duck Orchids found in the Grampians require the same mycorrhiza association and can therefore be found growing together.

To get to the first area we passed through a dense area of damp heath noting a number of plants flowering along the way (see list below). Two Lathams Snipes were flushed out of the sedges as we walked through this area. Our search under the Stringy Barks at Site1 revealed several Large Duck-orchids (Caleana major).

In the second area off the Victoria Valley Rd where the understorey was more open we discovered both Calaena major and Small Duck Orchids (Paracalean minor), including one large patch of about 70 plants, but alas none of the target species.

On our way back to Brambuk we were treated with a short detour to view an Elbow Orchid that had been discovered the previous day by Ivan and Margaret Margitta at a spot recommended to them some ten years ago. Despite looking each year, this was the first time they had found one there!

Helping with these searches is a valuable learning experience – next morning with a better understanding of where to look, we went searching on our own property in the northern Grampians and found lots of Small Duck Orchids, including a patch that looked like apomictic plants (plants that reproduce asexually) almost at the back door!

Geraldine Harris

Some of the plants identified included:-

Site 1
Acacia verticillata Prickly Moses
Allocasuarina misera Small Casuarina
Bansia marginata Silver Banksia
Boronia nana var pubescens Dwarf Boronia
Brachyloma daphnoides Daphne Heath
Calaena major Large Duck-orchid
Calectasia intermedia BlueTinsel-lily
Carex fascicularis Tassel Sedge
Conospermum mitchellii Victorian Smoke-bush
Dianella admixta Black-anther Flax-lily
Dillwynia glaberrima Smooth Parrot-pea
Gompholobium huegelii Common Wedge-pea
Grevillea aquifolium Holly Grevillea
Helichrysum scorpioides Button Everlasting
Hibbertia fascisculata Bundled guinea-flower
Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flower
Hypoleana fastigiata Tassel Rope-rush
Leptospermum myrsinoides Heath Tea-tree
Melaleuca squamea Swamp Honey-myrtle
Melaleuca squarosa Scented Paperbark
Patersonia fragilis Short Purple Flag
Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice-flower
Stylidium graminifolium Grass Triggerplant
Thysanotus juncifolius Branching Fringe-lily
Xris operculata Tall Yellow-eye

Site 2
Asplenium flabellifolium Necklace fern
Caladenia sp. Green-comb Spider Orchid
Calytrix teragona Heath Myrtle
Comesperma calamega Blue-spike Milkwort
Gompholobium ecostatum Dwarf Wedge-pea
Isopogen ceratophyllus Horny Cone-bush Lepidosperma carphioides Black Rapier-sedge
Paracalaena minor Small Duck Orchid
Spyridium vexiliferum Winged spiridium
Xerochrysum obtusangulum Common Flat- pea

Site 3
Thinninorchis huntianus Elbow orchid

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Prue presented a verbal report. The floods affected our programme quite a bit, but also brought some good activities. The geology excursion with Ross Cayley was excellent, and many FOGG members joined in the excursions organised by Parks Vic and VICROADS. We hope that we will be able to do more in the coming year.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mabel presented a printed report. Our books were audited this year by Ron Goudie at no charge. It was decided that the membership fee remain at $10 per household.
ELECTION
President: Proo Pyke
Secretary: Wendy Bedggood
Treasurer: Mabel Brouwer
Webmaster: Frank van der Peet
Editor: Margo Sietsma
Assistant Editor: Kathy McDonald
Committee Members: Kathy McDonald, Alison White & John Fischer, Ewen Johnson, Rob Lucas, Jan-Bert Brouwer, Leigh Douglas & Ben Gunn
Frank van der Peet to be thanked once again for his professional attention to our website & assistance with other computer-based necessities.

GENERAL MEETING
1. Ewen reported that the Parfett family were most appreciative of the tribute to Stan Parfett, with the new table at the Red Gum Walk.
2. Friends of Zumsteins have closed and donated their funds of $1300 to FOGG. It was unanimously decided to have the money used for the repairs to the Zumsteins area in such a way that it is something distinctive, not just swallowed up in general costs. Suggestions were: a picnic table, plants, the water garden. Prue reported that there are ongoing discussions with the local community as to how best to restore the area, with an emphasis on the historic area.
3. Prue raised the future of our annual Ptilotis erebescens count for discussion. It does not appear to be a priority for Parks Vic. And the lack of maintenance of the tiny plots prejudices the relevance of our statistics. It was decided to ask Ben and Wendy to write up what we have been doing, and the results. We will find out what work Mike Stevens did on counting all the herbs in the bigger enclosures, and whether that could be worth continuing. Ben suggested that we could move to ptilotis counting every 5 years. We decided that we would further discuss this with Ryan Duffy.
4. Ben raised that we need to do more hands on activities. Ideas are weeding and rubbish collection.
5. Eric reminded us that we should be asking the local staff what they want us to do. He also reminded us how much valuable local and historic knowledge we have in our group.

SEPT 29 TO OCT 4 GRAMPIANS WILDFLOWER SHOW HALLS GAP.

Once again a successful show, which couldn’t happen without the dedicated help of our FOGG members. We will be again looking for your support for next year’s show. Our theme was the big wet and its effects. Next year will be our 75th show, and we are looking for ideas to make it a real celebration.

February 21 5:00 pm: meeting with Dave Roberts at the Park Office, then dinner together somewhere. All members welcome.

March 4 10 am start: Clean Up Australia Day. We may be spread out for this one, covering different ends of the Park. Contact: Margo S 53564524 0429 201139 closer to the date.

Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land draft consultaion.
I was invited and represented FOGG’s at this meeting in Ballarat. The new ‘code’ addresses many of the concerns handed down in the Royal commission on the 2007 Bushfire. The ‘Code’ will be passed by parliament and last 3-5 years, and as such any minor changes (even a comma) have to go back to parliament. The document has therefore been made strategic and is designed to be an overarching guide to operational documents yet to be drafted. The operational documents will be more easily changed as need arises and also have input from the public.

22nd Annual Grampians Fire Conference
A large crowd gathered at the Mooralla Golf club for morning tea and an overview of the day. We then proceeded along the Goat Track to view areas which are on the planned burn list for this season. We heard about the burn history of the area, the cultural heritage considerations and the reasons behind the proposed burns and the role they play in hopefully abating any future wild fires in the area. One area we stopped at was ready to be burnt last year but when crews went in to check the area, an empty bus was found so, with hikers out and about the burn had to be cancelled. This illustrated the complexities for staff when carrying out some of these fire management operations.
We ended up at the Victoria Valley air base where lunch was served. New equipment was on display. We were also addressed by a researcher from Mildura DPI who told us about a collaborative research program between Curtin University, the WA department of Agriculture, Adelaide University and Victorian Department of Primary Industries which is looking at smoke taint in the Wine industry. The research hopes to find out at what growth stages grapes are the most sensitive to smoke. Another guest speaker was a weather forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology, she specializes in weather forecasting and implications for fire. Various DSE and CFA staff can contact her directly to gain forecasts for their specific small areas, as forecasts broadcast on radio or put up on the web tend to cover larger areas and have to be general in wording. The day was informative and well worth attending.
After attending these events and being involved in other workshops where fire management has been discussed, it is apparent that fire management is very complex and not an easy subject to get your head around.
Ben also attended the day and added a comment on the Weather talk; “Fascinating that the water level in Lkae Eyre has an impact on Victoria’s summer weather”.

The September meeting

We clarified what we hoped to achieve by appointing two junior members to the group, and how to go about it.
Mountain bike working group update: Committee met mid-July and 2 members committed to map proposed trial network north of Halls Gap using existing tracks and forward to David Roberts.
Brambuk Management Service Agreement was discussed.
Heritage Events: Next year represents 100 years since Walter Zumstein established the historic visitor site and accommodation, and this clearly will need to be included in ideas for the re-opening of the Zumsteins picnic area. There is also interest in a Forestry heritage event, Spring 2012 tentative date.
Two community forums have been held to discuss Zumsteins renewal plans. Once insurance money is confirmed a site plan will be developed and circulated for community comment.
Fire Ecology Strategy update: Jill Reid described the underlying strategy which guides the Fire Operations Plan for the next three years and explained the maps showing the zones. The biophysical report that underlies these recommendations is available via the ParksVictoria Website.
Dave told us about the Round Table that has been formed to discuss fire management issues associated with the Park neighbours, stakeholders and interest groups. This forum is designed to allow a better discussion between groups about the individual and broader issues of fire management policy (Wendy is the FOGG representative at the Round Table – see her report below).
Pre-planned burn indigenous heritage protection works. Ryan Duffy described how they are preparing to deliver protection works around identified indigenous cultural sites within planned burn areas.
Grampians Peak Trail. Dave described the initial Halls Gap Peak Trail circuit that has been planned and funded, involving a 3 day loop. Planning has been undertaken for the entire Peak Trail, however funding so far has only been provided to develop the Halls Gap loop.
Terms of appointment. The current GNPAG was appointed in early 2008, as the term is for 3 years the AG is up for re-appointment.

The November meeting

The letter to local secondary schools calling for applications for junior membership of the AG has gone out, and we hope to have two young members next year.
Terms of appointment update. This AG will remain until PV management calls for expressions of interest for a new one. There are many important issues facing PV at the moment and this may not be high on their agenda.
Flood recovery update. Much work has been going on to try to have as much as possible open for summer. In some areas there will be temporary solutions, pending new bridges. Access to Mt Rosea will be difficult because Vicroads are beginning their work on the Silverband Rd.
Grampians Fire Round Table. This is being led by DSE and is succeeding in getting diverse interests at the one forum. We felt it was important that the AG should also be involved.
Staffing issues. We discussed the fact that Dave has inherited many of the smaller reserves which were under John Harris (others have been joined in with Casterton and the Little Desert). On paper that brought three of John’s staff over; but two of these are on long-term leave, as are a couple of the Grampians NP staff. PV has budget problems, and is reducing staff by attrition i.e. not replacing staff who leave or are on long term leave. This, we felt, impacted most unfairly on this Park which is currently five positions down. The staff situation is made worse by the rigid way the new fire and pest staff must be used. For example, neither the fire staff nor the pest person are allowed to do any track work. It was resolved that Margo write to Rod Newnham expressing our concern. (I actually already included some of this in my letter last January, which at least resulted in having a Team Leader Natural Values appointed after a long gap, but not these other positions. It’s worth a try anyway.)
There were also discussions on the heritage days and on the Registered Aboriginal Parties / Traditional Owner status of the Park.

The last few months however, have seen the bush really start to dry out and when I consulted our rainfall chart I realised that when I removed the 200mm rainfall we received in January, this was our second driest year for many years. So I was just starting to settle for a hot dry summer when in the last 24 hours we received over 70 mm rain and by reports on the news Halls Gap has received even more with minor flooding occurring, and renewed road closures in the Park. So I guess what I can say about 2012 is that it will be as unpredictable as any year on this continent of drought and flooding rains.

It is wonderful news that all the major roads through the Grampians and most of the walking tracks are now open thanks to the hard work of park staff and others.

In 2012 we will need to be alert that some of the current attacks on the environment do not adversely affect the Grampians. It has to be a concern that the government is still pushing to introduce cattle into the Alpine National Park, that wood collecting is being encouraged with no concern for the potential damage to biodiversity as well as our continuing concern at the 5% target for planned burning regardless of other events in the landscape including wildfire.

Wishing all members of FOGGs a very happy Christmas and I hope to catch up with many of you at our activities in 2012.

Proo Pyke.

On a sad note, we note the passing of Jane Williams, one of our founding members. Jane had done so much for the Grampians over the years. Through their Pomonal Wildflower Nursery, she and Phil propagated thousands of plants for revegetation and beautification of camp and picnic sites in the park, as well as for so many Landcare projects. So much expertise and enthusiasm lost. Our deepest sympathy to Phil and the family.

SOME USEFUL LINKS
For information on what is open and closed in Grampians National Park please visit the Parks Victoria website www.parks.vic.gov.au Grampians Tourism are also continually updating the map of which roads are open. www.grampianstourism.com.au

October
Thursday 13 Pomonal Leek-orchid Southern end of GNP
Monday 17 Pomonal Leek Orchid and Fitzgerald’s Leek Orchid Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve
Thursday 27 Grampians Rice-flower Mount William, Grampians National Park

November
Wednesday 2 Grampians Bitter-pea Hut Creek / Honeysuckle Creek GNP
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 Grampians Pin-cushion Lily. Overnight hike along the Victoria Range, GNP
Saturday 26 Grampians Duck-orchid Northern end of GNP.

All TSG activities need an RSVP and may change at short notice. More info and RSVP for Threatened Species Group : Pauline 0437 463 378. pauline.rudolph@dse.vic.gov.au or Jacinta Williamson 5361 4001 jawillia@parks.vic.gov.au