Newsletter No.36 October 1996

Dear Friends

Under the threat of rain a band of Friends gathered on Greenhill Road to wander through the bush armed with yellow tape {environmentally friendly stuff of course} to identify the dreaded Bridal Creeper and other undesirables. Later we moved to a wet area on Riley`s Road to repeat the task.

It`s amazing what people see when looking for weeds! A fine plant of Goodia medicaginea, Western Golden-tip, was spotted in the Greenhill block. It will be added to our sites of significance map since it is a rare species for Chiltern. Tiny fungi called Earth Tongues were found at the Riley`s block. According to Shepherd and Totterdell, authors of Mushrooms and Toadstools of Australia, little is known of  these tiny black tongue-like fungi. They are a species of  Geoglossum. The literature states that “ there are several species in Australia; the genus is imperfectly known here”. Nice to know it`s represented in Chiltern Park.

However, the ears produced the find of the day as Regent Honeyeaters were heard and soon found. More on these elusive creatures later.

By this time rain was falling steadily. We had lunch, the AGM, and the general meeting under the meagre shelter of the information board at the Pioneer Cemetery. We`re a pretty hardy bunch and meetings must go on! When the business was dealt with we returned to Riley`s Road, put up our umbrellas{yes we all had one!} and  watched the Regents. The area was searched in the hope that more birds would be found. We had no luck  but the walk was enriched by the wealth of wildflowers including a little patch of the Dookie Daisy, Brachyscome gracilis, another rare plant for Chiltern. At 4.30pm after a cup of tea in the rain  we headed for home after a rewarding and enjoyable day.

From the meeting:

AGM:

Positions were declared vacant. Scott Jessup was elected secretary; Eileen remains as convenor/treasurer and newsletter writer; Scott becomes the third signatory to the Friends` account.

The audited accounts were presented and accepted. The membership fee for the year 1997-8 was set at $8.00.

GENERAL  MEETING:

1. Our application for a community grant from the Indigo Shire was successful. $500 was granted  to erect a plaque on an historic site on a bushland reserve. A representative of the Shire will present the grant at the next meeting.

2. Scott prepared the NRE grant submission. This year we requested  a grant for signage on the freeway walk track.

3. Friends responded to the Inquiry into Pest Plants in Victoria. Scott prepared the notes and Tony Marsh wrote the submission.

4.Eileen prepared a brochure about Friends for the Indigo Shire information folder and collated information on Chiltern Park for addition to the home page.

5.Membership has reached 70.

6.John and Jenny  Reeve sent a card from Port McQuarie, their new home.

7.Broken Creek Field Naturalists` Club donated $50 to Friends. It will be used to provide signage on the freeway walk track. A letter of appreciation will be sent. Note: Walkers encountered on this track frequently remark upon its presence and speak of the lack of this type of facility in other states. The two Chiltern Park rest areas are certainly among the best on the Hume and are a credit to Vic-roads.

I would like to thank Mr Charlie Oates for the auditing of the Friends Accounts. Charlie is a retired Chartered  Accountant who generously gives his services to local clubs.

Around the Park:

We have been inundated with visitors as well as rain!  VNPA camped at Chiltern Valley No.2 Dam on 21/22 September. Broken Creek Field Naturalists also came on the 22nd. The same weekend saw a big group camped at Cyanide Dam and Orienteering taking place at Donkey Hill. It`s great to see the park appreciated. Fortunately the Regent Honeyeaters were “on show” for that weekend.

On Wednesday September 25th ten very enthusiastic children from the kindergarten planted trees on the revegetaion area at Depot Road. Now all ages have planted trees. This area was previously used as a road dump by the shire.

Murray/Goulburn Bird Observers Club camped at Valley 2 Dam on October 5/6 and thoroughly enjoyed their stay. On Monday 7th we welcomed the BOCA group who are spending a week in the area and are returning to the Park on Saturday 12th. They were the unlucky group for the Regents did a disappearing trick overnight! Hopefully we`ll do better on the 12th.

Pauline`s Patch: Pauline and her husband have adopted a patch of the park to care for. They will battle the Cape Weed and rubbish for a start. Their particular area adjoins farmland so there will be no shortage of work! Nice idea Pauline, thank you.

Chiltern was the venue, and John McDonald was the host, for the recent North-east Rangers Conference. After formal proceedings the rangers spent some time in the park appreciating the spring display and the birdlife.

Another new plant! This time a pea, Common Eutaxia, Eutaxia microphylla.

Waterbirds are abundant at Chiltern Valley No.1 Dam and on the adjoining swamp and excellent Land for Wildlife property of  Lee and Robert Griffin.  Summer migrant are rolling in, Rainbow birds, Wood swallows, Kingfishers, Painted Honeyeaters in good numbers, Rufous Whistlers, Cuckoos, Reed Warblers, Snipe and Stilts. It`s never dull. Why not come along and enjoy it?

NEXT  MEETING  SUNDAY  NOVEMBER 3RD

MEET AT BARTLEY`S BLOCK AT 9.00AM  LUNCH AT 12.30PM  AT BARTLEY`S.

Activity: weeding Genista and Caper Spurge, easy but tedious. Bring gloves, lunch and willing hands and patience. Afternoon activity: a bush walk. Come along and have fun!

 

THE CHILTERN BRANCH OF W.A.W. CREDIT UNION  PRINT  THIS NEWSLETTER AS A CONTRIBUTION TO FRIENDS

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