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New legislation introduced on 6 June 2018 overrides the legal protection provided to the native plants and animals of the national park, allowing the health of the park to be compromised. Fact-Sheet-on feral horses of KNP Save Kosci Website – The organisation formed to protect Kosciuszko National Park from feral horses and the damage restored. OFF Field Officer, Graham Fry and Program Officer Matt Allison have put together the program of activities for 2019. There is a mixture of easy excursions and some more demanding walks. Our monthly Monday meetings will feature environmental research, travel and tips on living sustainably. CHECK OFF NEWS FOR DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES OFF program 2019- pdf copy can be printed or get a card at one of our talks or walks PROGRAM 2019 FEBRUARY 25th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm OEH researcher -Dr David Eldridge: Conservation & management of Australian Drylands. MARCH 5thTuesday – Field day – Tour of Royal Botanic Gardens – history, wildlife and horticulture. Leader: Amanda Gibson 25th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm – Linda Groom from Save Kosci Inc walks the talk: Protecting fragile ecosystems in Kosciuszko NP. 31stSunday – Field day – Easy walk – McMahons Pt to Milsons Pt, Wendy Whiteley’s garden. Leader: Sue de Beuzeville APRIL 29th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm – OEH Researcher – Ross Crates – updates us on the fate of the endangered Regent Honeyeater. MAY 5thSunday – Field day - Hard walk with easier alternative – spectacular Bargo R and Gorge. Leader: Sharyn Cullis 27th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm- Deb Andrew on Wildlife wonders of the Burragorang Valley – hidden refuge near here. JUNE 2ndSunday – Field day - Medium walk – Red Hand Cave stencils, axe-grinding grooves, Glenbrook. Leader: Matt Allison 24th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm - Anna Moltchanski from GRC-partnered Our Energy Future – Solar energy &reducing bills 30thSunday – Field day - Medium walk (some off-track) – Blue Labyrinth, Mt Whaite nr Wentworth Falls. Leader: Julian Sheen JULY 22ndMonday Meeting – 7.30pm - Alan Fairley& Kim Wagstaff showcase the natural wonders of Western Australia – flora & landscape. 27thSaturday – Field day - Easy walk – explore Yeramba Lagoon at Picnic Point nr Georges River. Leader: Vicki Bolling AUGUST 26th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm - Jayden Walsh displays extraordinary knowledge of reptiles and frogs of the Sydney Basin 31stSaturday – Field day - 15 km walk –Waterfall to Heathcote via Uloola Pools, Royal NP, wildflowers. Leader: K Wagstaff SEPTEMBER 23rd Monday Meeting – 7.30pm - President Graham Lalchere goes the extra mile with the history of Myles Dunphy, the man. 27/29thWeekend field trip - Stay in Capertee NP accommodation, explore the valley and enjoy the woodland’s rich fauna. Leader: Deb Andrew OCTOBER 28th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm - OFF’s research grant recipient- Justin Collette – reveals progress on his seed germination studies NOVEMBER 3rd Sunday – field trip - Morning cruise – explore Hawkesbury R with commentary by local historian. Leader: G Fry 25th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm - Chris Lloyd takes us off the coast of Wollongong to the 5 Islands where he has been instrumental in the conservation strategies of these important sea bird refuges. DECEMBER 2nd Monday Christmas Picnic in Oatley Park PROGRAM 2020 FEBRUARY 3rdAGM – 7.30pm- Followed by members’ photos & supper
10,000 years ago at the start of the Holocene period was the beginning of a relatively stable climate and environment. Just prior to that, there had been an unusually large increase in temperatures. Richard explained the contents of his excavations which were in deposits called loess. This term was new to most of the 54 members and guests at our meeting. These deposits consist of fine wind blown silt, typically in the 20–50 micrometre size range, twenty percent or less clay and the balance equal parts sand and silt that are loosely cemented by calcium carbonate. These deposits can be several metres in depth. Some very large examples can be found in China (more than 100 metres deep.) Loess seem to be formed in Australia when lakes suddenly dry out causing these fine particles to be moved by the prevailing winds over short periods of time, resulting in homogeneous accumulations. Excavations by Richard unearthed examples of now extinct mega fauna. Richard has also been involved in forensic excavations of mass graves in Bosnia for the United Nations and more recently in the recovery and identification of WW1 skeletal remains at Fromelles in France.  We had a record number of attendees with 75 members and guests at our first general meeting in Februarywhich featured speaker James Baxter -Gilbert. His enthusiastic talk on the Eastern Water Dragon and their adaptability to a changing urban environment was fascinating.
An interesting aspect of the presentation was the methodology applied by James and the rigorous testing used in his research.
 He captivated the audience with his story on the elusive nature of the dragon – taking him 6 months to capture candidates. It is anticipated that his impressive research will be awarded a PhD in Science . James put the offspring of the originally captured and released lizards through all sorts of rigorous experiments to test nature over nurture. The research looked at whether genetic difference was the reason the dragons have survived and thrived in a man – made world or if a steep curve of learned behaviour was the key .In conclusion James believes it is a combination of both with final results ready in another month or so. After such grueling research and experimentation, the expectation of a PhD
is particularly satisfying. A touching end to the presentation was to see James’ Dad throw his arm around his son in a show of admiration and pride
Take a look at our 2018 Program- pdf copy can be printed or get a card at one of our talks or walks 2018 Program MEETINGS: Held at 7.30 pm in Oatley RSL & Community Club, 23 Letitia Street, Oatley CHECK OFF NEWS FOR DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES
FEBRUARY 26th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm James Baxter-Gilbert examining eastern water dragons and their adaptability to urban habitat. MARCH 1st Thursday – Field day Victoria Barracks – tour of precinct with its early colonial architecture. Leader: Julian Sheen 21st Wednesday – Field day Walk from Edgecliff to Circular Quay via Royal Botanic Garden. Leader: Keith McRorie 26th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Em Prof of Anthropology, Richard Wright OAM examines the Australian climate & environment of 10,000 years ago. APRIL 23rd Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Julian Sheen on The Old Burma Road to Shangrila: travelling beyond expectations in Myanmar and China. 27/29th Weekend field trip Stay in Capertee NP homestead surrounded by wildlife; explore the valley. Leader: Deb Andrew MAY 28th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Ecologist Dr Rod Armistead from Eco Logical explains the Phytophthora Dieback in Myles D R. JUNE 3rd Sunday – Field day Parramatta – further exploration of its heritage sites and parks. Leader: Vicki Bolling 25th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Author Paul Irish revealing his recent book “Hidden in Plain View” exploring Aboriginal lives post 1788. JULY 1st Sunday – Field Day North Head – medium walk through rare heathland and wildflowers. Leader: Melina Amerasinghe 23rd Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Bev Debrincat shows how easy it is to establish small bird habitat corridors in our own yards. 29th Sunday – Field Day Nattai NP – medium to hard walk to Bonnum Pic, spectacular views. Leader Adrian Buzo AUGUST 27th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Movie screening of “Secrets at Sunrise”: Western Australia’s rarest bird: the western ground parrot. SEPTEMBER 2nd Sunday – Field Day Sydney Olympic Park – Heritage Railway tour, birds, wetlands. Leader: Liz Cameron 23rd Sunday – Field Day Quarantine Station North Head – tour of heritage buildings, colonial history. Leader: Yvonne Penn 24th Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Cliff Crane (The Banjo) reminisces on famous and little known Oatley Bushwalkers of Yesteryear. OCTOBER 22nd Monday Meeting – 7.30pm Prof Ross Jeffree shows it is possible with the “Conservation success stories of Bhutan”. 27th Saturday – Field day Blue Mountains Botanic Garden – cool climate Spring flowers. Leader: Graham Fry NOVEMBER 18th Sunday – Field Day Stony Range Botanical Garden, an oasis of native plants in Dee Why. Leader: Graham Lalchere 26th Monday Meeting & Social Supper – 7.30pm PhD candidate, Reannan Honey brings us up to speed on the results of her “Homes in Hollows” study which OFF is helping to finance. DECEMBER 3rd Christmas Picnic in Oatley Park PROGRAM 2019 FEBRUARY 4th AGM – 7.30pm Followed by members’ photos & supper COMMITTEE President Graham Lalchere 9580 3107 Vice Presidents Alan Fairley 9570 8332 Julian Sheen 9594 4888 Secretary Liz Cameron 9580 6621 Treasurer Rodger Robertson 9570 7471 Program & Publicity Officer Matt Allison 0408 605 923 Field Officer Graham Fry 9580 6621 Membership Officer Robin Dickson 9580 5663 Website Officer Melina Amerasinghe 0400 300 662 Grants Officer Kim Wagstaff 9580 7919 Additional Officers Vicki Bolling 9580 3107 Peter de Beuzeville 8068 6149 Ben Hope 0402 358 348 Peter Mahoney 0435 990 965 James Deli 0434 441 800 Appointed Positions Public Officer Julian Sheen 9594 4888 Editorial Committee Conservation Advisor Deb Andrew 9570 2695 Hospitality and Welcome Beverley Watters 9534 1096 Vicki Bolling 9580 3107 Sue de Beuzeville 8068 6149 Sue Howard 9579 1718
OFF Field Day on Tuesday 15 August will be on Sheldon Forest Track, a 5-6 km walk from Turramurra Station through tall forest bordering Avon Creek and returning along Pymble streets. This is not a long walk but includes steep streets and an uneven track with many stone steps descending to a running stream and back up again. The track passes through majestic forest which transitions from Sydney Blue Gum through Blackbutt to Turpentine and thence Coachwood. The main attractions are the changing vegetation, birdlife and peacefulness – it will be an opportunity for photography and ‘forest bathing’, so a leisurely pace is recommended. Travel in 2nd last carriage departing Oatley Station at 8.45 am; 9.27 am train from Town Hall arriving Turramurra at 10.04 am. Bring something for a late morning tea/early lunch along the track. Back at Turramurra Station by about 2 pm. Leader: Liz Cameron 9580 6621; elsmere02@gmail.com For more information and map see – Ku-ring-gai Council – Sheldon Forest Track: Forest bathing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_bathing
Inner Sydney is fast becoming a concrete jungle, with high rise apartments & shopping centres driving out the houses & corner shops that formed local communities. Even the remaining houses are being gentrified, with high walls hiding buxus hedges & garden furniture. Trees and gardens are disappearing because they’re untidy & take too much work.
But some intrepid souls are fighting back – a small but determined army of bush carers, community groups & feral gardeners are trying to stem the tide, with support from local governments – also under threat. They’re creating bush pockets, rain gardens, walking & cycle tracks that enable us to still keep in touch with nature & watch the antics of birds & lizards. BIO
There are currently swimming baths and beaches along the river that had been used historically (and still are) but, being a working river with a legacy of highly polluting industries along its shores, the quality of the water is dubious. Water testing over the years has revealed many and varied toxins suspended in the water column and, more worryingly, present in high densities in the sediment. Among many dirty industries Union Carbide had a large factory producing chemicals used during the Vietnam War and the resultant dioxins have entered the river and accumulated in the food chain. It is recommended that fish caught west of the Harbour Bridge not to be eaten. Industries generally do not discharge into the river anymore and there are heavy fines for doing so. However, some factories now discharge into the sewer and pay Sydney Water via a licence for the privilege. Treatment of effluent is carried out at the ocean-end of the sewage carriers and that can prove problematic during a rain event. Stormwater enters the sewer and during heavy rain the overburdened pipes release untreated effluent directly into the creeks and river. In conclusion, swimming in the Parramatta River may well be feasible BUT unless a massive upgrade of the sewerage system is implemented then the current discharges of pollutants into the catchment during rain events will regretfully render the river risky for regular recreational revival. CLICK HERE FOR A Pdf COPY OF THE SLIDE PRESENTATION Members were reminded that Oatley Swimming baths have a proud and long history, with the existence of the Oatley Swimming Club at Jewfish Bay Baths since 1927. The society will work to ensure that it remains safe in terms of water quality.
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