May 2023 Newsletter
Summary
Our three properties have come through the summer season well and have benefited from some milder weather. In particular, the plantings at Rockleigh in recent years are growing well, providing encouragement to continue the efforts to more fully re-vegetate this exceptional property. Much of the focus of the current activities of the company is on Rockleigh, in preparation for the planting season, which will provide an opportunity for members, relatives and friends to participate in the rewarding work of re-vegetation. The company has also been actively pursuing further grants to fund an ongoing re-vegetation program at Rockleigh. This has included a field visit by the Native Vegetation Branch of the Department of Environment and Water to discuss the latest Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement Grant Program. Further information will be provided to members if we are successful in these efforts.
Property News
Rockleigh Planting June 2023
We have about 1250 seedlings to plant out this year, thanks to our many willing growers. Unfortunately there is no grant money to help fund this planting effort and so, without the support of GWLAP, we are seeking additional volunteers to undertake the planting over two weekends.The first volunteer day will be on held Saturday 17th June to prepare the planting area by scalping the ground where a plant is to go and auguring a hole. This is reasonably physical and time consuming work and your support would be greatly appreciated. You will really need a mattock (grubber) or long handled fire rake to effectively clear the weeds and create a bowl for watering.
The following weekend (24th and 25th June) will be the planting days. We should be able to get most, if not all, planted on the Saturday, and the Sunday will be used to mop up.
Any help you can give on either or both weekends will be greatly appreciated and friends and relatives are most welcome. Some of us will certainly be camping out over the second weekend and you are welcome to join us. Please come prepared with lunch, hats etc, perhaps a trowel, gloves and bucket for watering if you have one, although there will be plenty on site.
The planting site is the north west corner of the property so you need to drive down the ridge and across the ford. Ribbons will be in place to guide you. We can provide a ferry service if you are uncomfortable with driving down the track and across the ford.
Please contact me by email, mobile text or phone (Peter Vincent 0419 500 597) if you are planning to come or have any questions.
Company News
Next AGM
A reminder that the next AGM will be held at the Tothills property on Saturday 14 October starting at 1:30pm. More details including directions will be provided closer to the time.
New Members
The Board, at its last meeting, voted unanimously to offer Angela Wilde and Nic Nicol the opportunity to become members of the company through the issue of new shares at the most recent share sale price. This was made possible by using the vacant shareholding that became available following a recent share transaction. The monies raised will be used to fund the ongoing management and conservation of our properties as well as provide some financial flexibility for the future.
As many of you are aware, Angela and Nic have contributed hugely as volunteers to the Company through their efforts at the Rockleigh property. Among their achievements have been the collection, cleaning and drying of local provenance native seeds, the establishment of a seed bank and the propagation of some 4000 tube stock. As well as participating in the general planting programmes, the planting out of the native grass enclosures has largely been through their efforts. This work will greatly help in more efficiently sourcing substantial amount of seeds from several species of native grasses, a critical food source for Diamond Firetail finches. They also set up a walking trail to showcase some 50 plant species when they flower in spring and have published a booklet to help identify many of the more common plants on the property.
Angela and Nic are worthy and enthusiastic additions to our membership and we warmly welcome them into the company.
Talyara Property
Some of the board and company members had an opportunity to visit a property known as Talyara approximately 10 km NW of Laura, on the eastern flanks of the southern Flinders Ranges. The property is covered by Heritage agreements and extends over an area of 486 hectares. The property is well vegetated by sclerophyll woodland and forest typical of this area. There are no substantial issues with the property but the current ownership group is considering the ongoing management of it and their involvement. Bushland Conservation and representatives of the Talyara ownership group have had discussion about this property but as yet there is no firm proposal. The membership will be kept up to date on any developments.
Best wishes,
Peter Vincent
February 2023 Newsletter
Website http://www.bushlandconservation.org.au/
Email bushlandconservation1975@gmail.com
Mobile 0419500597
Firstly, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Graham White, who has been diligently preparing the newsletter and keeping us all informed about the Bushland Conservation news for many years now, as part of his role as company secretary.
I have met many of you but look forward to meeting those that I haven’t at a company volunteer day or the next AGM. In the meantime, I will endeavour to keep you up to date with what is happening in the company through the newsletter and other notifications and reminders.
Company News
New company email address
Please note that the company has a new email address bushlandconservation1975@gmail.com. This email address will now be used for all formal company notifications and all communications coming from the company secretary.
Website
Please also be reminded that the official Bushland Conservation website can be found at http://www.bushlandconservation.org.au/.
Board Changes
The board changes announced at the AGM have now been completed with M. B. resigning and both C. K. and T.R. taking up roles as directors. We welcome the two new board members.
M.B. was a valuable contributor to the board during her tenure of over 12 years and her involvement was much appreciated. A “Thank you” letter was presented to M.B. at a recent field visit to inspect a conservation property in the mid North.
Annual Fee
Thank you to all those who have paid the annual fee of $150 for 2022/2023. In particular, thank you to those members who have made donations in addition to the annual membership fee. These fees are critical to the management of the properties, the general running of the company and to support ongoing conservation projects such as the re-vegetation of Rockleigh. Unfortunately there is still small number of unpaid membership fees.
Official Notifications
The company needs to maintain a register of contact details for offical notifications. Please ensure that you update the company of any changes in address or contact details so that all members receive official notifications.
Can you please provide me with the latest contact details of the following people if you know their whereabouts: Ross Berkefeld, Andrew Moylen and Lynn Pedler.
Sale of Shares
There are a number of interested buyers for shares in Bushland Conservation who would like to be actively involved in the company. Bushland Conservation does not get involved directly in any negotiations on the sale of members shares. However, please contact me if you are considering selling your shares, and I can put you in touch with potential buyers. The last sale of shares was at a price of $69 per share.
Property Reports
New signs have been created and installed on all properties to replace the ageing ones. Thank you to the property coordinators and volunteers involved in this project. These signs make it clear that there should be no unauthorised access. Unauthorised access is becoming more of an issue for the company, mainly on our Kangaroo Island Property, where there is significant concern about erosion and damage to the vegetation from 4WD vehicles and motorbikes.
Kangaroo Island
Deb Sleeman, the KI Property Coordinator, has been working with the PhD student to set up study sites on the Bushland Conservation property for data gathering for the Rosenberg’s goanna research project. Feed-back will be provided once the study has been completed.
The cat eradication project is progressing well, with our donated cameras being put to good use. Sensors have now been installed on the traps, allowing the project team to know whether a trap is open or closed. This has reduced the requirement for unnecessary travel and traffic on the tracks.
The use of dogs to track cats on the property will only be required towards the end of the project, if at all. There is no intention to use dogs for widespread hunting of cats. The dogs are specifically trained for the purpose of very targeted tracking based on specific camera trap sightings.
Rockleigh
The significant re-vegetation projects that the company has undertaken in recent years have been well supported by favourable rainfall through spring and into summer. With further rain, there will not be a requirement for watering but a call may still go out for volunteer watering day!
Approximately 1500 plants are currently being grown by volunteers for the 2023 planting season. This is a substantial effort and thanks go to volunteer growers. Some of these are grasses which will be planted in the exclosures that have now been erected. There will also be a substantial number of tube stock that will need to be planted, with guards installed. Planting days provide a good opportunity to visit Rockleigh and contribute to the re-vegetation effort. More details will be provided closer to the planting days.
Tothills
Unfortunately deer have become an increasing problem in many parts of the state. This includes the Tothills, where feral deer are causing substantial damage. In addition to managing the native vegetation and landscape, Bushland Conservation has an obligation as a landholder to remove feral deer from its properties. The company has engaged a shooter to control feral pests on the Tothills.
With the support of the property coordinator Andrew Wurst and making use of camera traps, this programme is now achieving some success.
October 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to my last newsletter as the out-going Secretary. This is to give a summary of the AGM weekend. First up, the weather was amazing! Friday saw fog in the valley which was soon overtaken by an all over, dense fog which fortunately quickly cleared to a lovely day as were the next 3.
The AGM went very smoothly with 38 people present representing 18 shareholdings. Ages ranged from 8 to 92 with several “next generation” members present including 3 generations of the Brown and Ragless clans. I suppose that there were 3 generations of the White clan present too, albeit uncle and nephews. It is always good to see Brodie at the AGM as a young and interested teenager. We had members and visitors from Sydney, Canberra, KI and other wide-ranging places across the state. The minutes are attached so you can see in more detail what went on. Bren began proceedings with a very interesting talk on the establishment of his and Elizabeth’s Harrogate block, the devastation of the Cudlee Creek fire and the good work being done, along with their neighbours, with the help of a “Revitalising Private Conservation” grant.
It was lovely to welcome John and Meg, and their daughters Cathy and Belinda who were attending their first AGM as shareholders. Cathy and Tom Reeves were elected as directors. John and Meg were presented with an Honorary Membership to our Company for their 38 years of continuous service.
I resigned as Secretary and Peter Vincent has taken on that role. We wish Peter and the new directors all the best and thank Steve White and Marg Brown for all the work they have done in their time as directors.
Nic talked to the booklet that she and Angela had produced, and our thanks go to our member, Cameron White, and Fuji/Xerox for the complimentary printing there-of. The booklet is a beginner’s guide to flowering plants on Rockleigh, describing some 100 of the 300 plants listed for the property. More-over, they have established an unobtrusive walking trail near the campsite where some 60 of the plants can be seen in a 10 minute walk. These plants are named and numbered, that number corresponding to the page in the booklet. Many thanks Nic and Angela for all your work and the excellence of the product.
Between official duties, birdwatching, botanising and guided walks were the go. Denzel Murfet spent many fruitless hours searching for a particular spider orchid ( Caladenia tentaculata) known to have been on the property but wound up with 2 specimens of C. verrucosa and 1 species new to the property, another spider orchid, C. stricta. It is just a shame that only 1 of one of this species was found. Not good odds for successful breeding! Denzel also added Cranberry Heath, Astroloma humifusum, to the plant list. The birders clocked up 65 species for the 4 days with the migratory Rainbow Bee-eater, White winged Triller and Rufous Song Lark being highlights. A complete list is attached.
The Sunday was to be an open day with a number of groups and individuals invited. Only one couple, associated with the Nature Foundation, turned up, but I guess expecting people to give up a long weekend at the beginning of the school holidays is asking a lot. Nonetheless, a great walk was had and a convivial evening was enjoyed with the visiting couple staying to camp. Everyone finally departed on the Monday.
Thanks to everyone who made the weekend a success and thank you members for being such a diverse, friendly, supportive and knowledgeable mob. I have enjoyed my time as secretary (well, most of it!) and really appreciated the response to newsletters etc. The Company has a real community feel to it and the volunteers do an amazing job, often at some personal expense. For those of you unable to help at the likes of working bees, maintenance, etc, please do your best to help by donations, encouragement, growing plants, helping attract grants – whatever talents you can bring to bear. Thank you.
All the best
Graham
PS Plant growers: If anyone would like to grow more plants, we have a variety of seed available. Please contact Peter Vincent on 0419 500 597 or bushlandconservation1975@gmail.com
August 2022 Newsletter
AGM and open day
A reminder that the AGM is on Saturday 1st October at Rockleigh. The 2 main agenda items will be 3 amendments to the Constitution passed last year and the election of directors. We also intend to hold an open day on the Sunday. More details in the next newsletter.
The Annual Fee
At the time of writing, I have received payment from 23 shareholdings as well as many generous donations. It would be great to wrap up these payments prior to the AGM. So please, if you have not paid, could you do so on receipt of this newsletter. Thank you.
Deer culls and foxes
Our roo shooter in the Tothills, has shot several deer and, while at it, 17 foxes! It is good to have these pests removed but unfortunately the fox numbers do not appear to change significantly even with some 60 baits taken last year. Consequently, we are suspending the baiting program this year to see what happens. Andrew’s cameras will tell the story.
Meanwhile on Rockleigh, another deer shooter has removed 1 young red deer on his first visit. The shooter has been successfully hunting deer for over 10 years and is an expert on their habits, calls and tracks. He also hopes to remove the cat that has been recently sighted on the property.
A change to the Management Plan, Green Folder.
You will recall that our reliance on the CPI to fix a share price was scrapped 3 years ago on legal advice. We were remiss in not realising that it is still mentioned in the Management Plans for each property. We ask you to cross out or delete the last sentence in paragraph 3 on page 2 of the KI plan, paragraph 1, page 2 of the Tothills plan and paragraph 5, bottom of page 4 of the Rockleigh plan. Thank you.
Rockleigh
Recent work carried out at Rockleigh has included the spraying of false caper and soursobs, particularly on the roadsides, but also small incursions into the property; clearing fence lines of fallen trees, removing most guards from Bill’s (Matheson) patch and the erection of kangaroo and wallaby mesh guards on last year’s plantings where required. Andrew has also completed the annual spraying of soursobs in the Tothills.
Growing Plants for 2023
We are looking for volunteers to grow plants for Rockleigh next year. Nic and Ange have volunteered to grow some 200 mixed Eucalypts plus a heap of kangaroo grasses. We are looking for people to grow Accacia argyrophylla, A. euthycarpa, A. paradoxa and A. pycnantha. If we could also get some Dodonea and Allocasuarina in the mix, so much the better. Please let me know if you are able to help and how many you are prepared to grow. We have the seed and can supply the pots and soils if needed. Thank you.
Graham
July 2022 Newsletter
It was very pleasing to see the Eyre Peninsula and the Gawler Ranges in such good condition after all the rains earlier this year. I can thoroughly recommend the Nature Foundation’s Hiltaba Station as a place to spend some time. It features lovely drives and walks with spectacular scenery.
Due to an early return home for a funeral, I was able to attend the Rockleigh planting day. Our 16 volunteers plus Aaron and Cooper from GWLAP managed to get 1000 plants in the ground with guards and a good watering. Many thanks to my brother Ian for supplying 2000 litres of water and helping out during the day. The cows did not get fed that night! It was great to see 3 generations of the Smyth family helping out as well as Peter Reeves from Sydney. Many thanks Peter Vincent and Bren for getting the final details organized and all those who turned up for such a fantastic effort. My thanks to Marg Brown for the photos following the newsletter.
As alluded to in a previous newsletter we have incurred some significant costs this year. As you would be aware from the recent balance sheets presented at the AGM and emailed to all shareholders, the $5000 collected annually from fees barely covers ongoing management costs. The $3000 feral deer eradication program has been partly off-set by a $1000 grant that Andrew successfully applied for but the new signage is expected to cost another $2000 plus we have spent $900 upgrading the Rockleigh track, establishing an exclosure for grasses and purchasing weedicide which will last us for some time.
As a consequence, the Board has increased the annual fee to $150 but would be very grateful for donations beyond this if you are able. On the other hand, if you are financially challenged at this stage, please let me know and provisions can be made.
2022 May Newsletter
The working bee on Saturday was a great success thanks to the 9 volunteers and, despite the forecast, the weather was very pleasant. The track has been repaired, with good run-off areas for the water. The sides of the track have been cleared of intruding vegetation. The exclosure is up and sporting 500 native grasses. There are, however, still 50 kangaroo guards to put in place on last year’s plantings. My personal thanks to all who helped out. It is always a very friendly and capable group and a great chance to catch up. It also shows the depth of skills and dedication present in our membership.
Planting day 25th June Start time 10.00am
I have attached a map of Rockleigh with a rough outline (in red) as to the planting area and how to get there (see email). I have also placed posts with a fluoro green painted tops at the relevant turns. As the track into the actual planting area is very sandy and steep we are asking that you park in the area indicated on the map and walk down. If you have to drive down to off-load gear, please engage 4WD to avoid excess churning up of the sand.
Peter and Bren will be organizing things on the day so if you have any queries please contact them. Peter’s mobile is 0419 500 597 and Bren’s is 0430 595 947. I will be away for all of June, returning in early July.
As mentioned last newsletter, GWLAP will be doing the scrapes and holes, so for planting you will need gloves (if preferred), a trowel, a hammer for putting up corflute guards and a bucket for water. I’m sure there will be spares of everything (except gloves) if you don’t have the gear. If feeling energetic, please bring a mattock, as the GWLAP team may need some help and scrapes are often missed.
The annual fee
I will put out a newsletter in early July asking for payment. I will then be home to keep track of, and acknowledge, payments as they come in.
A “Thank-you”
I would like to thank all volunteers, but particularly those on the management committees, who give freely of their time and often foot considerable costs in travelling to properties and carrying out maintenance work. They also pay the annual fee. A special mention goes to Nic and Angela for all their work in collecting and sowing seed, growing and planting seedlings and their untold hours of donated time and travel. Well done everyone.
All the best,
Graham
The following are edited newsletters in which irrelevant information such as dates of working bees has been removed.
2022 April newsletter
We will have in the order of 1000 seedlings to plant out thanks to GWLAP, Nic and Angela, Ian Roberts, Barbara Bansemer and Bren Lay. GWLAP will again be supplying the grunt work by preparing the scrapes and auguring holes but we need lots of help getting the plants in, watered and guarded.
AGM
Apologies to those with other commitments on this long weekend but the Board felt this was the best weekend to coincide with school holidays here and in NSW.
More news
The Board has recently given the go ahead for a deer cull in the Tothills (see last newsletter) at an approximate cost of $3000 for the year. We are also in the process of renewing the signs on all the properties. This is particularly relevant to KI where pressure is building from 4WDrivers and bikes. The cost is going to be in the vicinity of $2000. The Board has also given the go ahead to the Rockleigh group to erect a 25m x 25 exclosure for grasses and to repair the track at a combined cost of about $700.
Given that our current annual fee of $100 barely covers ongoing expenses, the Board has made the decision to up this fee to $150. This fee is not due until July 1st and more information will be printed in an up-coming newsletter.
Back to Rockleigh
We were fortunate to get 10mm of rain a week ago and should have had a similar amount in the last 24 hours or so. This is excellent for the new plantings which are looking fantastic. Nic and Angela have been visiting most weeks to plant out seedlings, mainly grasses, but Senecios and Sennas as well, which they have grown and are too big to wait until the end of June. I was down there last week and mowed the area where the exclosure will go. Bren and I will spray the area next week so the 500 odd grasses that N & A still have can be planted as soon as possible.
Directors
Steve White is retiring at the end of his term this year so we will be looking for a new person to join the Board. New ASIC regulations require new directors to acquire a registration ID. This can be done by googling Director registration or by going to asic.gov.au and clicking on director registration under “features” on the page that comes up. So if you are interested please apply.
This year will also be my last as Secretary. Peter Vincent has agreed to take on that role. I will still have a year of my 3 year term as a director and will stay on as such. I am very grateful to Peter for accepting that responsibility and am sure he will be excellent in that role.
All the best,
Graham
2022 March newsletter
Greetings all,
We now have a Company without John and Meg as shareholders though we trust that they will continue to advise, help and visit as best they are able. I am sure you would agree that their work and sacrifice over the last 47 years has been greatly appreciated and that the legacy that they have left is quite remarkable. Many thanks John and Meg. We welcome their daughters, Catherine and Belinda, as they become the official shareholders in the family.
Andrew and the Tothill working group, with the Board’s approval, have instigated a feral deer control program in the Tothills. Ron D, an experienced shooter, has been contracted to carry out the cull. We can expect to pay $3000 pa for his services. The way deer are proliferating it may be a long-term program. Hopefully we will be able to get some grants to help fund the costs. To ensure that there are no safety issues with people wishing to visit the Tothills, you are asked to notify Andrew of any intended visit so that he can let Ron know of your presence. You can contact Andrew on his mobile 0427 764 896 or by email at wurst@bigpond.com.au. We are legally obliged to control feral deer.
We are going ahead with replacing property signs. This is mainly so we have the wording “No Unauthorised Access” on them which enables the police to act and is particularly important on KI where we have had tracks forced through the bush by bikes and 4WD vehicles.
We still have money to spend from our original Revitalising grant which must be spent by the end of June. Our seedling growth has met a few obstacles this year with poor germination of the Senna seeds and rabbits and rats invading GWLAP’s nursery. However, Nic and Angela have grown many grasses and are already planting some of them out. The rest of the funds will be spent on guards and costs incurred by GWLAP in raising seedlings. The watering done by GWLAP and volunteers earlier this year was very successful and cost much less than the quote thanks to the efforts of those volunteers. We can now organize another watering if necessary or buy even more guards with the money saved!
Together with the cat eradication program, the Dunnart survey and the proposed Echidna survey, DEW is now conducting an aerial and ground survey to establish the population size of Tammar Wallabies. The purpose of the survey is to establish a reliable base-line on which to establish commercial cull quotas. (The overall cull number will be 10% of the total population) It is hoped the commercial quotas will be taken up and reduce the number of destruction permits issued. Whatever the result, culls on our land will not happen, but it will be interesting to have a number for our wallaby population, however unreliable it may be. The aerial survey will be done at night using thermal imaging cameras and drones. The images are of sufficient quality to allow wallabies to be distinguished from kangaroos.
That brings you up to date with most of the current activities of the Company. If you have any questions please let me know.
All the best,
Graham
2022 January Newsletter
- The Rockleigh Management Group spent yesterday reinstating the “wells” or “sumps” around last year’s plantings to facilitate the watering which GWLAP and volunteers will be doing on the 22nd January. Many of the wells were completely filled in with sand washed down by the rains late last year. The survival rate among the plantings is very high which is very pleasing.
- GWLAP are growing around 1000 plants for this year, Nic and Angela some 500 and Barbara Bansemer 100, so we will be looking for plenty of volunteers come July.
Peter Vincent stayed on for some bird watching yesterday In his words
Fascinating to watch a pair of bee-eaters living up to their name. Perfectly positioned to gorge themselves on bees coming and going from a hive in a dead tree. Very acrobatic, rarely missed.
A few juvenile birds about, at least 5 young Diamond Firetails, at least 8 hooded Robin (2 eggs per clutch, so at least 4 nesting pair). Two young goldfinches, unfortunately. May be nesting on our property. Two straw-necked ibis circling overhead but seemed to be just passing through.
I Hope you all received Andrew’s newsletter giving a run down on the Tothill cameras and their observations. Many thanks for that Andrew. You may remember that the Dunnart team on KI has posted cameras on our property. A Western Pygmy Possum was observed along with native bush rat, echidna, Rosenberg goanna and of course, cats. The possum and rat are new to our mammal list for the property.
New rules for Directors
Directors must have a registration ID.
This can be done by googling Director registration or by going to asic.gov.au and clicking on director registration under “features” on the page that comes up. Current directors have until Nov. this year to register but new directors will need to have their ID before they can be elected.
2021 August newsletter
Hello Everyone,
AGM
The AGM on KI is fast approaching and hopefully arrives before any lockdowns. As there is a special resolution to consider at the AGM, I am getting in early on the 21 days notification required.
The special resolution is “to accept the proposed new constitution for Bushland Conservation Pty Ltd”. You will find a proxy form in the email attachments if you wish to vote and are unable to attend. The proxy form needs to be returned to me by 29th September as I will be travelling to KI the next day. To be passed, the resolution must be approved by 75% of those voting.
Directors retiring due to rotation are D. S. and B. B. After 7 years on the Board, several as Chair, B. is not renominating. D. S. and P. V. have nominated. If you would like to nominate as a director, please let me know.
Dr James Smith, who is managing the cat eradication program, has agreed to be our guest speaker on the day.
Plans for the Sunday are as follows:
In the recent past we have had an open day. However, the KI Wildlife Network has organized their major fund raiser for the year on that day. The focus of their fund-raising is the little penguin. KI Wildlife Network is the group that bought the block of land between our property and the Wilson River
We have no wish to compete with them in any way and some of us may well like to attend their fundraiser. You can get all the details on the following website: https://www.kiwildlifenetwork.com/ki-wildlife-carnival.
If staying around the camp-site, there are always plenty of interesting walks to do.
Grants
Peter Vincent, and others, have been busy applying for Revitalising Private Conservation Land grants. We have applied for funds to build a large enclosure at Rockleigh to house a seed orchard and a grant to fund more cameras for KI to aid in the cat eradication and bandicoot monitoring. Both grants also incorporate an application to fund new signs and on Rockleigh, guards and plant growing.
Meanwhile the work done on Rockleigh is looking good, helped no doubt by good follow-up rains exceeding 60mm. The wattles have been putting on an excellent display and orchids are there to be found.
All the best
Graham
2021 July Newsletter
The very timely rains have delivered 57mm to Rockleigh. It is just what we need for the big planting weekend.
Camera Donation
This year we are also asking you to consider make a donation to sponsor a camera. Sponsored cameras are an initiative of the cat eradication group and will be used to monitor bandicoot sites as a priority. Such cameras also pick up details of other animals of interest such as echidnas and feral cats. These cameras are expensive as they automatically send data back to the researchers. At a cost of about $1800, a donation of $40 per shareholding would allow us to sponsor one camera, so please would you consider donating $40 or more.
In the words of Peter Vincent-
“I personally see the protection of what appears to be the last remaining bandicoot population on Dudley Peninsula as the top priority. Clearing out the feral cats from Dudley Peninsula, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, provides the opportunity to re-populate the peninsula from the remaining bandicoots on our property, if they survive. This would be a fantastic outcome and a clear demonstration of the benefits of heritage agreements and of public and private cooperation on conservation efforts.”
As a group, we have done little to assist with this significant effort to eradicate cats. This is one way we can help. (On the other hand, through the foresight of John, Robert (Alf) and others we have preserved the habitat!) If we don’t make the target, the Board will make a decision on whether to top up the amount from our savings or give the donated money to the general cat eradication fund.
For the sake of the book-keeping, please just make a single payment of the annual fee combined with your donation. Anything over the $100 I will assume is for the camera unless you email me otherwise. I am very aware and thankful to those of you who normally pay well above the annual fee.
AGM
Dr James Smith, who is heading up the cat eradication program, has agreed to be guest speaker at our AGM on Saturday 2nd Oct.
All the best
Graham
2020 October Newsletter
The AGM went well with 26 people attending and 15 shareholdings represented. It was particularly good to see some of the next generation there. We had a few campers on Friday and Saturday but only D. braved the forecast rain and stayed on Sunday night. He estimated about 10 mm of rain fell overnight. Thank you to all the experts among our membership who so freely lead walks and help others learn about the area in general and plants in particular.
Directors
Our current Chair, thanked B. for his years of service on the Board. B. retired to have more time to rehabilitate their Harrogate block burnt out in the fires earlier this year but will continue in his role as Property Coordinator for Rockleigh. He is replaced as a director by D. .
Surrender of Shares
A number of shareholders have expressed an interest in leaving their shares to the Company.
I reported that our best advice to those wishing to do so is to either have a clause in the will stating your wish is to surrender your shares to the Company in which case the shares are cancelled, or to instruct the executor to sell the shares and give the proceeds to the Company. The former gives the Company an extra shareholding which could be used to raise money to purchase new land or perhaps split a large shareholding that is for sale. The latter gives the Company cash to be used as required or as stipulated in the will.
Rare orchid – thanks to D. for the following:
Hello members,
Early in September I helped ecologist Jerry Smith search for Caladenia gladiolata “Bayonet Spider-orchid”. This orchid is critically endangered in the Southern Lofty region with just a few plants hanging on in Scott Creek Conservation Park.
Historical records show it did occur in the Tothill Ranges. There are a few records from the late 1970s to early 80s. Another known location was from Hornsdale in the early 1900s, now well cleared.
Having seen the habitat at Alligator Gorge where a few hundred plants still survive it still seems a possibility it might be in the Tothills. It prefers hillside woodlands with grassy/herb understorey where it can get some sunshine during the day to warm it to release its strong scent. Flowering time is from August to early October.
The first 2 images are from Alligator Gorge. Note thick calli. The smaller form is from Scott Creek CP.
To anyone interested in helping find this orchid, please take a photo of any orchid which looks to be this species anywhere in the Northern Lofty region and record the location. This would be a great break through if this species could be rediscovered in this region.
Thanks for keeping an eye out for special plants. Regards D.
Property Reports – Highlights
A. had cameras, recently purchased with grant money, on display, as well as some of the photographic results. These will be used for monitoring a variety of things eg roo numbers, occupants of burrows and users of tracks. It was also suggested they could be used to determine the pollinators of various plants, especially orchids. A. pointed out the need to explore data storage for all the data produced by the cameras. This could be valuable information for researchers in the future.
P. outlined his ideas for a more rapid revegetation of Rockleigh using Heritage Agreement Grants. With his valuable help the management group has applied for a $10,000 grant this year and, if successful, we will apply for the larger grants available next year. A key point in the application is to plant with the aim of helping tide the Diamond Firetails over winter as recommended in Grace Hodder’s research on the bird. Another element to the grant is using outside expert help and, to this end, P. has been in discussion with the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association (GWLAP). This group has a good reputation in revegetating in many types of environments.
All the best G. (Editors note: members family names deliberately removed.)
2020 September Newsletter
Hello everyone,
AGM
The AGM this year is to be held at Webb Gap in the Tothills on Saturday 3rd October at 1:30pm. Three directors retire by rotation. They are our current Chair, A B, Bn L and myself. As reported at last year’s AGM, I will accept another term, but we are looking for a replacement secretary by the end of 2021.
The Board has discussed a draft of our new Constitution with Fraser Bell, the lawyer advising us. We believe that we are almost “there”. In the next few months we will send the possible final draft to those who volunteered to help with rewriting. An item for discussion at the AGM will be whether we call a special meeting next year after the “final” draft has been distributed to all shareholders so that a vote on its acceptance can be held.
I have attached the Profit and Loss and the Balance Sheet. The main point of difference between this year’s report and previous years’ is the positioning of the Commonwealth money we received to buy Rockleigh. Rather than being a loan and listed as a liability it now appears under shareholders equity. This is a result of it being confirmed that the initial grant now has no strings to it.
Grants
Both J.S and A.W. have been reimbursed for mileage traveled in the work they do in the Tothills, with more available for next year’s expenses. A.W. has already purchased some motion sensitive cameras and is familiarising himself with their operation.
P.V. has invigorated the Rockleigh management group and is assisting us in applying for the newly available Heritage Agreement grants. The aim will be to revegetate some of the Rockleigh land specifically to help the Diamond Firetails survive each year. We will be using Grace Hodder’s research and recommendations to help in the application. (Grace has recently finished her PhD studies on the Diamond Firetail in the Mt Lofty Ranges and our property was one of her sites)
All the best Graham
2020 August newsletter
A very successful working bee was conducted in beautiful weather over the weekend. My sincere thanks to John, David, Andrew, Barbara, Michelle, Janet, Marg, Tom B, Peter, and Neil for all their hard work and good company. We managed to construct and install 100 large mesh guards. This involved weeding around the plants first, perhaps removing old guards and in the case of the smaller old mesh guards, installing them on other needy plants.
David and I also managed to spray the false caper along the roadside and where it had impinged on our land adjacent to the road. A couple of bridal creeper plants and the odd boxthorn were also removed.
Amid all the hard work there were many flowering shrubs to admire, with the Senecios covering broad areas of the land. A bird list of some 60 species was also compiled. Most interesting among the birds was the presence of 4 different cuckoo species and a spotted nightjar. Peter was also witness to the mating flight of a pair of Australian Hobbies (Little Falcons).
Friends of Private Bushland
A couple of weeks ago 20 members of this group arrived at Rockleigh for a morning tour and lunch. Bren Lay led a very informative and interesting walk around the property. It was a very pleasant way to meet the dedicated members of this group. One thing I learned, though unfortunately a bit late, is that kangaroos will latch onto the base of a plant and rake their teeth up the stem. If they don’t uproot it they effectively ring bark it. And so, the demise of what had been some lovely young callitris from which the corflute guards had recently been removed, was explained.
All the best Graham
2020 July Newsletter
Hello everyone,
Working Bee
The working group for Rockleigh have set aside the first week-end in August (1st and 2nd) for a working bee. There are a number of tasks to be done:
- Many plants need weeding
- Many corflute guards need to be replaced with larger mesh guards
- False caper and box thorns need to be sprayed
Grant
Largely due to some excellent record keeping by A. W., we have won a $5,000 grant to fund Andrew’s and John’s travel for soursob and fox control as well as to purchase 3 motion sensitive cameras.
2020 Newsletter July 1
The recent news from KI about bandicoots and dunnarts is interesting and heartening as is the sale of lot 4, adjacent to our property, to KI Wildlife Network. The cat eradication on Dudley Peninsula is underway and it will be great to get some information on how it is going.
Reports from the western end of the island indicate pockets of unburnt vegetation harbouring a variety of birds and mammals. The problem is insufficient food to see them through to the recovery of the burnt area. Some translocation of species (eg emu wrens) is being done (and cats removed!)
Rockleigh has received a reasonable amount of rain and some of the eucalypts are flowering brilliantly.
Several things have happened at Rockleigh over the last few months. B. l. has engaged a well qualified “deer stalker” to sort out our deer problem. He walks around on a moon lit night but has so far seen none although he has reported many kangaroos. Nic and Angela have solved the silting up of the pipes under the ford. They have also planted out a variety of seedlings raised from seed collected on the property. If you are visiting Rockleigh you will notice that the wood pile at the campsite is very neat, also thanks to Nic. Angela, Nic, P. V., M. B. and I have also weeded a number of the seedlings planted out over the last few years.
There is much more weeding to be done. More substantial guards are required for many of the trees and shrubs. False caper is once again appearing on the roadside and on our southern edge. There are a few box thorn bushes that need to be removed.
In the Tothills, JS and A.W have just completed the spraying of sour sobs and A.W. is now able to relieve J.S. of that annual task in the future. Our thanks to you both.
2020 February Newsletter
Greetings All,
After a successful watering day a few weeks ago at Rockleigh we have been fortunate to have received at least sufficient rain to dampen the soil and put some water in the creeks. Dodoneas that were hanging their leaves in thirsty depression a few weeks ago are standing tall and green. There is a tinge of green and your feet no longer “crunch” at every footstep.
The crimson chats and woodswallows seem to have departed but the rainbow bee-eaters are still around. A pair of white fronted chats, pipits, whiteface, 3 hooded robins and a group of yellow-rumped thornbills made up the ground feeding contingent on the far side of the creek.
For those of you who helped on the watering day you may recall that the guards on the trees hillside of the old camping ground were missing. Once again they were all gone, possibly due to the wind but in some cases certainly helped by the roos. Marg Brown and I watered them again, replaced the guards and placed dead branches around them to deter the roos. This method is used in Turkey where Marg visited a few years ago.
I spoke to the roo shooter for Rockleigh this morning and he reported seeing a koala on his last visit back in November. That is now 2 sightings of a koala on Rockleigh. I know some of you are very much against culling roos and none of us like the idea but see it as a necessity if we are going to maintain a healthy ecosystem. We had a permit to shoot 30 western grays and in their 2 visits the shooters managed to get half that number. From what we saw yesterday the population is still very healthy. However, we are left with the question of what to do about the feral deer on our property as the shooters never saw them.
A bit more veldt grass destruction was carried out around the current campsite which is looking remarkably veldt grass free until closer inspection. Persistence must eventually pay off.
Best wishes, Graham
2020 January Newsletter
The Rockleigh watering day was very successful. There had been very few “deaths” as a result of the recent hot weather although some plants were distressed. With a workforce of 12 people, all the watering, and the removal of guards where necessary, had been accomplished by lunchtime. All in all it was an excellent day with the work accomplished, new people met, old acquaintances renewed and conversations had. Special thanks go to my brother for delivering 2000 litres of water and helping out on the day.
Many thanks to the Vincent siblings, and everyone else, for their untiring help on the day.
A final reminder to anyone wanting to comment on whether or not to change the Bushland Company structure, to please do so by Feb 14th.
2019 July Newsletter
Since the company that became Bushland Conservation Pty Ltd was formed over 40 years ago many things have changed, including the cost of living and the value of land. We have two important documents that guide our Company. The first document is our Charter, a document that sets out our guiding philosophy and principles. The second is a formal Constitution, required by law under the Companies Act.
Our Charter, emphasising our fundamental principle, states “the sole object for which the company is established is to purchase and/or lease land in its natural state in order to secure the same from agricultural exploitation and to protect and preserve existing landscape, flora and fauna.” This is our fundamental guiding principle. We are not a regular company trading for profit.
At present Item 5 of our Charter states that we aim: “To seek no gain from the investment in the company other than maintaining the value of shareholder investment through linking the share price to the Consumer Price Index.” This CPI link was adopted by members at foundation and reaffirmed in 1991 and it is currently used to determine the value of our shares when they are sold and purchased.
We can no longer assume that CPI gives “fair value”. Legal advice we have received (advice that is in accordance with our Constitution) states that the price of a share should be fixed by the member selling the share, and should represent the “fair value” of the share. We have also been advised that the Company (Bushland Conservation Pty Ltd) must not itself value the shares.
So how should a seller value their shares? Apart from our dedicated and generous shareholders our only asset is the land. There is no official schema for valuing land held for environmental heritage. As we cannot use it to produce an income it could be said to have little dollar value. Or it could be argued that our land is of exceptionally high value because it is rare and because natural habitat is ever diminishing.
A guide to fair value could be gained from recent similar sales of heritage land. In this case the value depends on the condition of the trees and scrub, the amount of restorative and maintenance work required and the convenience of the land for visiting and camping etc. There are some of our members who have knowledge of recent such sales but these are not common and not definitive. In reality, as in any other market transaction, shares are only worth what a buyer is willing to pay. So a member who is selling shares needs to set what they think is a fair asking price and negotiate with the buyer from there.
The Directors therefore strongly believe that it is essential to rescind the CPI link. At the 2019 AGM on October 12th we will, as an interim measure, propose that our Company NOT adjust the share price according to the CPI for the last financial year (+1.3%). We will set aside time for members to present their views concerning the general issue of the CPI link and the concept of the fair value of our shares. Our present intention is to convene a special General Meeting of our Company at a time and place to be decided at the AGM. At this special meeting the Directors will propose that the link between the CPI and our share price be abolished.
We ask that you think about these issues with some urgency. We hope that members will contact our Secretary (Graham White- email gandkwhite@iprimus.com.au or mobile 0404 038 852 or land-line 8370 7951) to share your thoughts.
2018 October AGM newsletter
The weather was fine, the campsite a delight, the company excellent and the AGM went well too. 17 shareholders attended and it was quite inspirational to have Doreen Matheson there. Julia, Daniel and Brodie from our youngest generation took the initiative to supply us with afternoon tea during the meeting. Well done and thank you. We had 2 visitors camp with us and 6 guests on the day.
The Chair, Bill Blessing, welcomed all present and spoke briefly on the recent death of Jeanine Vincent who has been a strong supporter of our Company and a dedicated environmentalist for many years.
Our first guest, Karleah Berris, attending with her family, spoke of the planned cat eradication program for Dudley Peninsula. She demonstrated how the “Felixer 3” trap worked – basically it uses video recognition software and 4 sensors to determine if an animal is a cat. If it is, it is hit by a globule of 1080 poison which it will then ingest by grooming itself and consequently die. At this stage no poison is being used and the software is being tested and upgraded to improve its recognition rate as it currently would only target 50% of cats which approach it.
Our second guest was Pat Hodgens who spoke about “Land for Wildlife” and their work in trying to establish the number and distribution of the KI Dunnart and the Southern Brown Bandicoot on KI. He is very passionate about protecting these animals and keen to set camera traps on our property to determine whether they are present though it is not expected. Permission to do this was granted.
Bill Blessing and David Smyth were elected as Directors and retiring Director, Janet Pedler, was thanked for her valuable input over the many years she has served on the Board.
The property reports highlighted the lack of rain on the mainland, the excellent turnout for Bill Matheson’s memorial planting day at Rockleigh and that TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network) had revisited the Tothills and had permission to set up sites on our KI property. One of our KI shareholders, Dr Richard Glatz, will meet with them when they visit. One worrying aspect for the management of our KI property which was mentioned by John in his recent newsletter is the tracks being forged by trail bike riders.
Graham
2017 Rockleigh Newsletter working bee.
Weather wise it was a miserable weekend with very strong winds and quite a bit of rain. Cosequently, campers were at a minimum but much was achieved.
On the Saturday we had 11 people present, Bren and Elizabeth, John and Reiko, John S, David, Tom R., Tom B., Barbara, Margaret and me.
The overgrown track leading to the old campsite was cleared and the track itself repaired. (The problem with the track is water running down and eroding it. Banks have been formed to direct the water away from the track.) Lots of false caper was pulled up from the roadside and in our property nearby and the northern fence line was repaired and kangaroo “runs” blocked where they gave access to sheep. Some 40 odd plants were put in the ground, some guards removed and others replaced. Several of the young Casuarinas had been damaged by kangaroos as they grew above the smaller guards. Larger guards, those made by Ross several years ago, were put over these. Lots of veldt grass plants were removed at and near the campsite. This is an area where the veldt grass is not so prolific and provides an opportunity to manually remove it. Marg’s wish is that everyone who goes to Rockleigh makes a point of removing at least 6 plants in this area each visit. The campsite area is looking really good with native grasses now predominant.
Andrew had 14 Accacia argyrophylla plants which we put in on the sandy rise at the back of the old camp site. We spent the rest of the morning removing the remaining false caper plants from the roadside.
Many thanks to all who helped out. Despite not being able to do the spraying of the Veldt grass as planned because of the inclement conditions, I think everyone was pleased with just how much was accomplished.
Graham
Figure 1: E. fasciculosa (pink gum)
Those of us who helped at the working bee at Rockleigh on the wintry weekend of July 29-30 were well rewarded by seeing the results of all the hard work that had gone before. In particular, the sustained revegetation of the previously cleared cropping land along the road is now a delight. The range of species planted over many years, their recovery from the bushfire, and the appearance of spontaneous seedlings show how worthwhile it has been. Two standouts were eucalypts in full bloom, the pink-flowered blue gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp.leucoxylon), and the white-flowered pink gum (E. fasciculata). The blue gum drops a carpet of pink blossoms from mature trees along the roadside just to the east of our block, and it is great that it is natural in the area. Such coloured forms are sold in nurseries as E. leucoxylon ‘Rosea’. The pink gum is close to the northern limit of its range at Rockleigh. It is “almost” a South Australian endemic, with a few stands in the Little Desert of western Victoria, just over the border from the South East population. Its name E. fasciculata comes from the bundles (“fascicles”) of terminal flowers so prominent when it is in flower (see photo). The lack on anthers on the outer long stamens is also characteristic of this species.
David
Figure 2 : Pittosporium ‘invading’ the veldt grass
2016 March Newletter
Greetings All,
New shareholder
We welcome S. H to the Company. S is an artist who lives on KI. He is very keen on the bush and conservation and will be a great help to D. S. and others in the management of the KI property. Many of us were fortunate to meet S., and sample his scones, at the open day on KI after the last AGM. S. recently purchased G. R.’s shares. We thank G. for his support of the Company over the last 22 years.
Awards
Congratulations to Janet Pedler and Lynn Pedler. Janet received a much deserved Pride of Australia Medal in the Environment category. Janet’s work in conservation and the environment has been ongoing for almost 40 years both privately and in conjunction with many environmental organisations. One particular contribution that stands out to me because I have attended one of the many courses she has conducted, is her association with the Nature Conservation Society of SA and the consequent development of the Bushland Condition Monitoring Method. Lynn received Birds Australia’s J N Hobbs Medal “…in honour of his extraordinary field skills and tireless efforts to locate and manage some of South Australia’s most elusive and threatened birds” We are probably all familiar with Lynn’s work in protecting Glossy Black Cockatoos on KI.
Graham
2015 newsletter
AGM
After enjoying a weeks good camping on KI for our recent AGM, it was recommended by those present to hold the next one during the school holidays and if possible at the time of a full moon. This makes it the weekend of October 15th and 16th with the AGM on Saturday 15th. By rotation the 2016 AGM will be at Rockleigh. This is somewhat later than usual and could put us in a spell of hot weather. Let me know if you think we have got it wrong!
Property Coordinators
Each of our properties has a Property Coordinator:-
Tothills: John Smyth,
KI: Deb Sleeman
Rockleigh: Bren Lay
The following people have agreed to work with those coordinators as able and when required:
Tothills; Andrew Wurst, Tom &Alison Bullock & Steve White
KI: James Doube, John Matheson & Reiko Hosokawa
Rockleigh: Graham White, Elizabeth Lay, Tom Reeves & Marg Brown
Each group becomes a Local Management Committee to work closely with the Board of Directors in helping to make decisions and see that work is done. There are many other shareholders who are happy to help out on special projects, eg tree planting. If you would like to be a part of any of these groups please let me or any other Director know and I will add your name. It is hoped that whenever some work needs to be done that I can get an email out to all shareholders inviting you to help. That brings me to the next topic.
New Members:
We welcome J. S. as the newest member of our group, having bought Sonia and Tim Croft’s shareholding. We hope she and husband J. L. enjoy their association with us.
If anyone wants to increase their shareholding please let me know as it may be an option in the sale of a large shareholding.