From the Friends of Para Wirra (Patrons: Joan Woolford and Mike Johnson) and the Barossa Goldfields Historical Society - Proudly members of Friends of Parks Inc.

‘South Para River in flood’ Photo: Darren Williams

Para Wirra NewsSeptember 2016 Vol 20, No 3

The Editor ’s Desk

Inside this Issue

Editorial …………………………………………………………………… 2President’s Report ……………………………………………………… 3-4Barossa Goldfields Historical Society Chairperson’s Annual Report … 5-6Trip to Wilgena Station-Lesley Carnogursky……………………………. 7Para Wirra Family Fun Day -Darren Williams……………………….. 8-10Barossa Goldfields Historic Society Reenactment Day -D Williams… 11-12Mack Creek Working Bee -Michael Johnson ……………………………… 13-14Wet Wet Wet, Para Wirra Gets a Soaking -Darren Williams………….. 15Spring in Para Wirra is for the Birds -Danny McCreadie………………. 16-17 Kids Page, Wildflower Species in Para Wirra ………………………….. 18Programmes and Diary Dates ………………………………………….. 19-20

Welcome to the September Edition of Para Wirra News

Spring has come, and Para Wirra has put on one of the most beautiful wildflower shows I have seen in a long time. This may be due to the amount of rainfall that has occured in recent weeks. Last edition, I commented on the South Para River having only a natural flow as the reservoir was very low and water was being pumped from Swan Reach. The recent rain has filled all the reservoirs in Adelaide to overflowing with the main rivers becoming flooding torrents. The South Para is no exception. Personally witnessing the massive volume of water forcing its way through the South Para Gorge has been a memorable and awe inspiring experience. Can’t wait to show everyone the time-lapse photography of the event.Besides the rain, Para Wirra had two open days including the Family Fun Day and the Barossa Goldfields Reenactment day. Both days were fun filled. FOPW volunteers worked alongside DEWNR staff and other volunteers to help make these days enjoyable and interesting experiences.In this issue of Para Wirra News, we will be exploring the events listed above, both natural and the man made, altogether I believe the articles within this issue highlight both the natural beauty of Para Wirra and the incredible work the Friends Of Para Wirra do to keep it that way. Darren Williams

2

President’s Report3

JulytoSeptember2016

Gree$ngsFriends,

InJulywesoldacopyof“FlowersofParaWirra”forthefirst$meattheGawlerVisitors’Centre,andoneinAugustatVadoulis,withsalesslowinallloca$ons.

Our Commonwealth Landcare Grant of $20,000 is now completed,including payment of contractors and the final report to Canberra.Sadly,theALOCteamwereunabletotakeontheWatsoniacontract,sothiswas given to Restore Environmental Services,who completed thework by the end of September, despite the unusually wet weather.Using spray applica$onwith a different approvedherbicide theywereable to completemore control thanwould have been possible by thetongsmethod,whiles$llminimisingoff-targetdamage.

Also in July, the Green Army team managed by the South ParaBiodiversityCommiTee,withourdynamoPhilGilleTassis$ngwiththeirsupervision,workedinParaWirra(theyareworkingelsewhereaswell)aspartofourcommitmenttotheBio-diversityProject.

TheOneTreeHillSchoolcametotheparkfortheiryearlyac$vi$es,andtheirvisiton11/8wentwell,with55orsochildren,theirteachersandparents enjoying the park. Lots of bridal creeper control was a greathelptooureffortstobeatthisweed.

AugustalsosawushelpingoutatSandyCreekConserva$onPark,withdedicatedmembersofthatgroup,KymandYvonneSmith.Weenjoyedadeliciouscupofsoupattheendoftheworkingbee,mostwelcomeonadampish, coldday! Unfortunately, I didnotmake it to themee$ngbackatthepark,myapologiesagain.

Theworkingbeeon7thSeptemberiscoveredinanar$clebyMike,whotookMichaelSlocombe,AnneandTomStoneandBruceThorogoodtoMack Creek for their first taste of freesia control. Mike and I camedownwith the ‘fluquitebadly inmid September, andwereunable to

4

Water coming over the spillways of The Lake and Top Dam. Both full for Summer. Photos: D Williams

cont…

helpatthemee$ngon17thorattheOpenDayonthe18th–aroTenbug,whichmany people have been suffering thiswinter, it seems totakeagestogetbeTer,andwemissedsomeotherimportanteventsinourdiaryaswellastheFamilyFunDay. TheDaywentwellregardless,withourmarvellousmembersLeonieHobbs,HelenandRupertThorne,DragosMoise,GilHollamby,KathMaThews,ColinWinsor,KymSmith,ValLacy,BerylPeck,Obelia,Jasmine,DarrenWilliamsandTrudihelpingwith running thewalksandour stall. KymandYvonnealsomanagedtheir plant sales stall on the day. (Apologies to anyone I may havemissed).

Thank you all once again for your support and keen interest in ourlovelypark,and inhelpingoutatotherbeau$fulareasofna$vefloraand fauna,which are ourwonderful heritage and our joy to improveandmaintain.

Thewildweatherandblackoutsweredras$c,nodoubtthenext issuewillhavemoreaboutthat,aswellasDarren’sar$clesinthisone.

Regards,

PatsyJohnson.

Barossa Goldfields Historical Society

5

2015/2016Chairperson’sReportBGHS

2015/16 has been another successful year for the BarossaGoldfields.

We started the financial year with a group trip to the FlindersRanges staying at theDEWNROraparrina shearer quarters. Sitesincluded theoldWilpena sta$on, thevery impressiveguided touroftheBlinmanundergroundmineandaroadtriptoBeltana. Wealsosharedseveralverysumptuousmeals.

In spring we hosted several groups including, Craigmore High, ahomeschoolgroup,GawlerVintageCars,GawlerEastandGawlerPrimary.

We farewelled our club patron, Iris Bain on August 19th aged 98years. Her family have brought her “home” to Bowdens coTage(scaTeringofashes).Alsowehavewelcomedsomenewmembers.Wealwayswelcomesomenewideasandenergy.

Opendaywasaverypleasantdayweatherwiseandanothergreatsuccess. Again the extra contribu$ons by groups like AdelaideRegiment 1862, Sing Australia, Uklele groups and Gawler VintageEngines add to the atmosphere. Thanks to allwho contribute tothisourbiggesteventontheGoldfieldscalendar.

Our club grounds host the Goldfields Top Enders neighbourhoodChristmas get together as well as the Australia Day breakfast formembers, friendsand theneighbourhood. TheseeventsarewellaTended by the neighbourhood and con$nue another point ofpromo$onandawareness.

IthankthememberswhoregularlymeetonTuesdaymorningsandalso those who have helped on the roster for the third Sunday

6

OnMondayJuly6th,theJaensch’s,(Kaylene,

museumopeningsandsomeextrahoursduringMayhistorymonth.It is great our group can maintain regular opening $mes for thecoTage.Acoupleofprojectsthatthisgrouphaveworkedonincludethe replacementofourheritage style rainwater tankandalso thereloca$on and repair of the working mine model from Uleyburyschoolmuseumtoours. S$llabitofworktogetthisdisplayseTledintoourmuseum.Keepupthegoodwork.

Recently we made Joan Woolford an honorary member andpresented her with a cer$ficate inMay. Joan has beenwith thisgroupsinceitsincep$on.

WearelookingforwardtoourannualgrouptripattheendofJuly–thisyearweareheadingtoPeterboroughanditssteammuseum.

Thankyoutoeveryoneformakingourgroupgreat.

AnthonyJaensch

Nominated Positions AGM 17/07/2016

Chair: Anthony Jaensch Nominated by Darren W. Seconded by Molly H.

Vice Chair: Darren Williams Nominated by Kaylene J. Seconded by Barry T.

Secretary: Lynton Carle Nominated by Molly H. Seconded by Darren W.

Treasurer: Kaylene Jaensch Nominated by Darren W. Seconded by Barry T.

Web Master: Darren Williams Nominated by Kaylene J. Seconded by Leonie H.

The above positions were unanimously agreed and accepted.Photos: D Williams

7Trip to Wilgena Station-Lesley Carnogursky

Recently I enjoyed three weeks volunteering on WILGENA Station. Almost in Tarcoola, this million acre property straddles the Great Southern train tracks, with both the Indian Pacific and the Ghan transversing the saltbush covered red soil. However, the recent winter rains have transformed this normally dry pastoral land into an unforgettable colourful sight. Between the mulga trees are an array of low wildflower growth, predominantly white blooms that are so dense that they resemble a fresh

snowfall. Along the Kingoonya road and adjacent to the many tracks within WILGENA, Sturt Desert Pea is flowering in vibrant low scarlet clumps. With its black eyes, I found myself, kneeling in the dirt to observe this strikingly

fascinating native. In Canada, a cerise coloured plant called fireweed is the flora symbol of the Yukon. It too, thrives in earth that man has altered. Both flowers, symbolic of their countries appear to live wildly beside human intrusion. 2016 is definitely the year to revel in outback flora.

Lesley Carnogursky Photos: Lesley C.

8Para Wirra Family Fun Day, Sunday 18/09/16-Darren Williams Thisyear,Rangers,FriendsOfParaWirraandotherDEWNRstafforganisedandrantheannualopendayinParaWirra.2000peoplecameandenjoyedthedaysentertainmentoffood,funmusicandotherac$vi$es.Prepara$ons for the day’s event began in earnest the day before, with FOPWexploringtheLizardRockTrailforguidedwalksthenextday.Thetrailturnedouttobeveryslipperyfromthepreviousdaysofcon$nuousrain.Itwasrecomended

FOPW checking out Lizard Rock Trail

thatpeopleaTendingtheguidedwalkwouldneedsuitablefootware.On theSunday, various food stalls andotherdisplays popped up and transformed theGawler View area into an entertainmentprecinct with everything from seafood tolageravailableforpurchase.TheeventwasofficiallyopenedbyTonyFox,with a heart warming ‘Welcome to Country’

conductedby IsobelleCampbell,‘Custodian of the Peramangk’,and her family. It was a veryemo$on filled ceremony as thePeramangk once again stoodproudly in Para Wirra as theyhad for thousandsof years. Theceremony concluded with SamStewart walking amongst thecrowdwithcleansingsmoke.Therewereavarietyofac$vi$esto par$cipate in, includingor ienteering with the Tin

Isobelle Campbell, Mavis, Sally, Neicy, Bernitta and Sam Stewart conducting ‘Welcome to Country’.

Tookies, braceletmaking and face pain$ngwith the Peramangk, dress ups andstories with the Nylon Zoo. Animal Reloca$on and Educa$on had a veryinteres$ng displaywith presenta$ons of dangerous snakes and other creatureswhich thrilled the public. DEWNR had a display which featured some of theamazing parks and ac$vi$es across South Australia. Back at the Ranger Sta$onwasourownFOPWdisplayandtouchtable,andaBuTerflypresenta$onbyGillHollamby.Another highlight was the Camp Cooking stall, hosted by DEWNR staff. Thisac$vity was much enjoyed and children were able to make and cook damper

All Photos: Darren Williams

9cont…

Cindy Stoddard helping some children with camp cooking. (Parental consent granted for photo)

crea$ons or stuff icecream cones with chocoalate and marshmallows. Onceroastedonthefire,thes$ckymessthatresultedwasdelicious.ThefirstFOPWguidedwalkwentverywellwithmanyflowersandotherplantsofsignificancebeingpointedouttothepar$cipantsbyKymSmithandotherFriends.

TheweatherwasaliTlecoolbutquitepleasantandawarmfamilyatmospheresurroundedthesite.However, it hadearlierbeendecided thattheaoernoonFOPWwalkwouldtake inHisseyTrail to the lake as the Lizard Rock trail was

overused.Thiswalkturnedintoapleasantstroll,asthosewhocamealongwereable toviewvastamountsofwildflowers includingmanyorchids.An inpromptuphotography lesson occured on how to use your mobile phone to take macrophotos.

Stick humpy construction was popular

Left: Ranger Janine Kraehenbuehl having some facial art applied by Ivy Campbell. Below: Jesse

10 cont…

Family Fun Day Collage(Photos with permission).

11

Barossa Goldfields Historic Society Reenactment Day 25th September 2016-Darren WilliamsThisyear,around200adultsandchildrenenjoyed our annual open day. Theweatherwasquitemild thisyear, whichmay have lead to lower gate number.However, people commented on thelovely pleasant atmosphere of our event.Itwas great to see children enjoying theoutdoors with gold panning, water play,sawing, and thaumatrope making(Obelia). Danielle Grguric and MandiWormaldcamedressed in theirVictorianbest with Danielle holding new babyAmelia,alsosuitablyattired. Peoplewerethrilled by the ‘Adelaide Regiment ofVolunteer RiQles 1860-1865’, with drillpresentationsandliveQiringdisplays.The ‘Regiment’ also brought their newcanon to put on display, but unfortunately no live Qiring this year (nextyear?) The ‘Dis-Chords Ukulele Duet’ were brilliant, as were the ‘SingAustralia’GawlerGroup.The‘GawlerTractorandEngineAssociation’alsohadthereusualwonderfuldisplayofmachinery.Wecooked20dampersandsoldover$300ofvarioustypesofjam.TheeveningQinishedwithalovelygroupcampQireroast.ThankstoallwhohelpedoutonthedayandextrathankstoTrudiGaylerfromFOPWforanextrahand.

12

12 of 20

cont…

Top Left, clockwise: Two girls finding some ‘real’ gold (Anonymous,with permission), Mandi Wormald looking her Victorian best, Sing Australia, the canon, Adelaide Regiment, Goldfields Crew, Danielle and Amelia playing ‘McCubbin’ All Photos: D Williams

13MACKCREEKWORKINGBEE,SEPT7TH2016-MichaelJohnson

ThefirstWednesday in themonthis dedicated to a working beesomewhere in the Park. This firstWednesday in September was aglorious early spring day and theschedulewastotakeoutfreesiasfromthepark,withtheMackCreekareaasthetargetsite.Thisisasitethathasbeenworkedonnowforseveralyearsandthelargenumbersthatwereprevalenttherehavebeengreatlyreduced.

The four volunteers, Michael Slocombe, Tom and Anne Stone andBruceThorogood,plusmyself,armedwith"TongsofDeath"setouttothesiteoftheoldYHAhutinMackCreek.Thatsiteiss$llclearedandhasnotregenerated;thepicnictablesandvarioussignsmakeiteasytorecogniseeventhoughtheoldNissenhuthasbeenremoved.TheNissenhutwasputtheresome$meinthepast,whenthefirmthathadmining rightswereconsidering re-opening theareaof theLadyAlicemine.AssuchitwaspartofthemininghistoryofthePark,butwas removed because ofwhite ant infesta$on. A pity in someways,asnotonlywasitpartofthemininghistorybutoneofthefew

Michael Slocombe

hutsofitstypeleos$llinuseofthemanyhundredsinthestateduringtheSecondWorldWar.

The track leading down fromthehut sitewas the sameonewe visited with Ann PrescoT,author of "It's Blue With FivePetals", in Spring a few yearsago. It is a lovely area forflowers and as we walked wepassed a flowering grass tree,

14 cont…

lots of bright yellow hibber$a and goodenia, blue grass lilies justbreaking intoflower, yellowbulbine lilies, thebrilliantwhite of theclimbingsundewswiththelastbloomsclingingtothetopofthethinstems, several different waTles, s$cky hop bush just star$ng tochangecolourfromdarkgreentofaintyellow,acoupleofbushesofshrubviolet,brightlycolouredbluesquills,afewdonkeyorchidsand

just one purple cockatoo, nodoubt to be followed by manymoreshortly.

It was very wet underfoot andwaterwastrickling intothedamand then running out the othersideasitwasasfullascouldbe,the s$ll water acted as amirrorfor the trees and shrubs around

the edge. It is many years sincethisdamhasoverflowedlikethis.Furtheralongthetrackweturnedoffdownhill,followingthestreamof water from the dam, watchingwhere we trod, keeping to thekangaroo tracks as best we couldasthegroundwassprou$nglotsofdifferent leaves, mainly of bulbousplants, and then we came to wherewebegantoseeafewfreesiasfloweringamongbluegrasslilyclumps.

Theideanowistogetasmanyofthesurvivorsofpreviousworkingbeesaswecould,takingcarenottogetoff-targetdamage.Nolongeringreatmassedclumps,someinfragrantflower,otherss$lltobloom,butbytheendofthesessiontherewillbefewertoregeneratenextyeartocompetewith the na$ves that are so prevalent in this peaceful part of ourConserva$onPark.

MichaelJohnson.

Above Left, Tom Stone. Center, Anne Stone. Photos: Mike Johnson

15Wet Wet Wet, Para Wirra Gets a Soaking-Darren Williams

A fewmonths ago,wewerewitnessing treedeathdue todroughtcond$ons. The last week in September changed the gameconsiderably. Whilst there had been big downpours earlier in themonth(44mmrecordedbetween15-18th),theweathereventfromWednesdayun$lSunday30thdumped100mmofrainintoaalreadywatersoakedsystemcausing localisedfloodingandtheSouthParato become a raging torrent. A $me lapse camera I had installedshowsWildDogcreekpeakingat11:00pmonThursday29th,aoer89mmofrain.

Photos: South Para River in full flow and little side waterfall.

The ‘event’,which also caused the now infamous SouthAustralianBlackout,providedfantas$cphotooportuni$esforperhapsaonceinadecadewatermovement inthepark. I trekeddowntotheSouthParaGorgeandwascompletelyoverwhelmedbythesightoftensofthousands of litres a minute of water crashing down through therocksonitswaytowardsGawler.Ialwaysfoundthisatame,gentleplacebuttosee itflowing inall itsglory (seefrontcover)wasaweinspiring.However,justassplendidweresomeofthesmallercreeks

withseldomseenfallsandbeau$fulrock pools. I have photographedmuchmaterialforfuturereference.

DarrenWilliams

16

Spring in Para Wirra is for the Birds-Danny McCreadie

Grey Fan tail finishing off the nest.

Spring has certainlyarrived in the parkw i th b i rd s bus i l ybuilding nests in avariety of loca$ons.Somebuildtheirnestshigh in the outerbranches of trees,some close to theground and others inthe hollows of trees.T h i s v a r i e t y o floca$ons stresses the importance of preserving different habitatsthroughout the park. Compe$$on for nest sites can be fierce.Recently in the park I observed Musk Lorikeets, Pardalotes, Red-rumpedParrots andTreeMar$nsall surveyinghollows in the sametree. The TreeMartenswere buzzing any other birdwhowas neartheirchosensite.Therewerefrequentsquabblesamongsttheotherstoo. All themore reason to prevent the removal of dead trees forfirewood.

White Winged Choughs mating on top of a mud nest

17

GreyFantailfinishingoffthenest.PICWhiteWingedChoughsma$ngontopofamudnest.PICStriatedThornbillcollec$nggrassfornestbuilding.PICMuskLorikeetsatnesthollow.

B i rds a l so use avariety of nes$ngmaterials, fromgrass,s$cks, mud and evenspiderwebs.Somedov e r y l i T l e n e s tbuilding, like doves,who build a flat s$ckplavorm. Others, likethe $ny Grey Fantailbuild a cup of finegrass woven with

spiderweb and completewith awine glass stem for drainage. Thephotographs accompanying this ar$clewere all taken in ParaWirraConserva$onParkinthelastfewweeks.DannyMcCreadie

Striated Thornbill collecting grass for nestbuilding.

MuskLorikeetsatnesthollow.

All Photographs: Danny McCreadie

Kids’ Page18

CalytrixHibbertiaThelymitraGoodeniaCaladeniaGlossodiaGrevilleaDiurisBurchardia

EutaxiaPultenaeaDodoneaDianellaAstrolomaEriostemonDillwyniaProstantheraOlearia

Wildflower Species in Para Wirra

BAROSSAGOLDFIELDSHISTORICALSOCIETYPROGRAMME2016

NextMeetingSunday16thofNovember@1:00pm

CottagealsoopeneveryTuesday10:00am-1:00pmMeetingsareheldon3rdSundayofeveryoddmonth*

1:00pm-3:00pmOtherVisistsbyAppointment

Contact:SecretaryLyntonCarle0421421793

Chairperson:AnthonyJaenschbgoldhs@gmail.com

19

THE FRIENDS OF PARA WIRRA Meet on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of every month

starting at 9.00 am. For more information please contact

Patsy Johnson 08 8280 7279 Or see our web page:

www.communitywebs.org/parawirrafriends

THE BAROSSA GOLDFIELDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Tuesday morning 10.00 am to 1.00 pm

and Every third Sunday of the month 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm

(Cottage open for visitors at these times) For more information contact:

Anthony Jaensch bgoldhs@gmail.com Website: www.communitywebs.org/BarossaGoldfiendsHistoric

See overleaf for program

FRIENDS OF PARA WIRRA PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME 2016

Friday Oct 14 to Sunday Oct 16 FRIENDS OF PARKS FORUM, HALLETT COVESaturday October 15 Goldfields, meet at Cottage. Boneseed, Star of Africa,

Bridal Creeper as required, 2 teams.

Wednesday November 2 Tangier pea, Olives, Watsonia as required. (Check CFS website)

SaturdayNovember 5 VILLAGE FAIR STALL, volunteers needed. SaturdayNovember 19 Weed control, Seed collection as required.Wednesday December 7 South Para NurserySaturdayDecember 17 Christmas Party. Please bring a plate to share.

Family and friends welcome. (Subject to fire bans check CFS website)

Articles and Correspondence WelcomedEmail: Darren Williams, dgwillsguitar@hotmail.com