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2021 AGM at The Kurrajongs

Nov 28 saw the pre Xmas and 2021 AGM meeting of the Friends group held at the Kurrajongs site of the Mt Lawson Park. A more social day, the meeting progressed with a bbq and gathering under the shade of a gazebo while formalities were conducted.
The present office bearers were voted to rollover once again in a year that saw much reduced activity due to the Covid restrictions. 
President: Tony Sullivan
Vice President: Clayton Murphy
Secretary: Andrew Kingerlee
Treasurer: Barbara Williams

Parks Victoria senior ranger Kelton Goyne gave an informative talk on the post bushfire activities in the parks and other Friends related projects.
The group then took a leisurely walk around the reveg works previously undertaken at the Kurrajongs - removing guards as necessary and generally doing a tidy up.
The success of the plantings along the creek environment were particularly pleasing.
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Meeting 25th April 2021- Mt. Lawson summit

On Sunday 25th April the Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be maintaining the walking track around the summit of Mount Lawson (a traditional activity for the group but one that has not been done for several years).

Take the Trestle Bridge turn-off from the Murray Valley Highway - 3km west of Koetong - and meet at the park information board 200m from the turn-off at 2pm. We will set off driving to the summit at about 2:15 but any late (or early) arrivals can make their own way to the summit picnic area.

Please bring gloves, secateurs - anything else that might be useful for clearing an overgrown walking track - plus drinks and food (there will be a barbecue).

Below are images from our previous working-bee at Granya.

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BUSHFIRE DAMAGE JANUARY 2020

Parks Victoria: Bushfire-affected parks and future plans

  • Burrowa-Pine Mountain NP and Mount Mittamatite RP were most affected (see photos).
  • Many areas in both parks were burnt hard including areas of Black Cypress pine. We are hoping to undertake aerial control of feral animals (and deer) in both parks to limit environmental impacts, particularly on regenerating cypress pine and other vulnerable, rare or threatened species.
  • Extensive movements of soil have occurred off Pine Mountain, the Bluff and Mt Mittamatite following recent rain events.
  • Burrowa Pine Mountain NP lost toilets x 3, numerous tables and bollards at Bluff Creek, Blue Gum and Hinces Creek, many signs and the steps on the nature trail and down to the viewing platform (part burnt) at Bluff Falls. We haven’t been able to get into the central parts of the park yet to assess damage.

    Hinces Creek Toilet, Burrowa Pine Mountain NP

Bluff Falls carpark, Burrowa Pine Mountain NP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Mt Mittamatite Regional Park lost most of its signage and the picnic facilities at Emberys Lookout. Unfortunately 3 x feral goats have been sighted since the fire.
  • Both parks are currently closed to the public – recovery works are concentrating on dealing with hazardous trees on tracks and around visitor sites so we can get debris from the facilities (fibreglass, tin etc.) cleaned up and assessments made of rehabilitation/replacement needs. We hope to get Mt Mittamatite Regional Park open soon but Burrowa Pine Mountain NP may be a longer term proposition.
  • John is currently working with neighbours on the re-establishment of boundary fences around the parks.
  • Parts of the Alpine National Park (Pinnibar, Glen Dart etc) were burnt including a lot of signage, and we presume the facilities at Glen Dart (yet to be accessed), but other sites survived including Stony Creek and the Dogmans Hut (note that Wheelers Creek, Gibsons and the Ski Hut in State Forest all burnt). We don’t expect most of the ANP to be open until after winter.
  • Kelton has been working on Harringtons Track to get it open for Rileys Ride as part of the Man From Snowy River Festival given the importance of this festival (now postponed) to community recovery.
  • Most of Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve burnt but not too badly in the Shelley Leek orchid areas. A number of smaller bushland, streamside and river reserves were partly burnt.

Bluff Falls access steps, Burrowa PIne Mountain NP

 

Blue Gum camp toilet, Burrowa Pine Mountain NP

Bluff Creek Visitor Site Toilet, Burrow Pine Mountain NP

Bluff Falls trailhead, Burrowa Pine Mountain NP

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Kurrajongs Picnic Area – 26th May 2019

Sunday 26th May at Kurrajongs picnic area, Mount Lawson State Park

On Sunday 26th May the Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be meeting at the Kurrajongs picnic area, Mount Lawson State Park to plant more trees as part of the ongoing revegetation project, filling some of the gaps that became apparent in February when we removed the guards from the previous planting.

The Parks Victoria stock of tools, gloves, etc. will be available, and meat & drinks will be provided for the BBQ – bring your own salads and other refreshments.

With enough volunteers there should be time after the planting and guarding for a walk to the Valley View lookout.

Meet 11am onward at the Kurrajongs – on the Murray River Road east of Granya.

RSVP for catering, but all welcome on the day.

Andrew Kingerlee [0417 064 060]
Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc

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Pre-Xmas get-together 10th December 2017

The Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be holding a pre-Christmas get-together at Mt Lawson summit on Sunday 10th December.

Meet 2pm at the Trestle Bridge information board near the turning off the Murray Valley Highway to Mount Lawson State Park (there may be an opportunity for car-sharing) or proceed directly to the summit picnic area.

The plan is to have a leisurely walk around the summit track, doing any necessary track clearing on the way, then get together for a barbecue. Please bring chairs, food and drink, plus suitable tools if you have them.

Andrew Kingerlee [0417 064 060]

Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc

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AGM, 12th November, Flaggy Creek

On Sunday 12th November the Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be visiting the historic Flaggy Creek diggings in the Mount Lawson State Park.

Alluvial tin mining occurred periodically around Flaggy Creek and Koetong Creek from 1872 until the early 1980s, and a Parks Victoria ranger will guide us through the park to see the evidence that remains of the mining activity.

Meet at 2pm at the park information board near the Trestle Bridge turnoff on the Murray Valley Highway 3km west of Koetong. 4WD vehicles are advisable for getting to the diggings so we will arrange car-sharing before setting off.

There will be a barbecue – sausages and bread provided – bring anything else you need.

The AGM of the Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be held during the afternoon.

Members may appoint another member as a proxy for the AGM.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend.

 

Andrew Kingerlee [0417 064 060]

Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc

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Next Friends Meeting 17th September 2017

The Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be meeting on Sunday 17th September at Mount Lawson State Park, firstly to visit the rock art site near the river at the northern end of the park, then going on the the Kurrajongs to check on the outcome of the planting project and carry out any maintenance that might be needed.

Meet at 11am at the Kennedy wayside stop near the Murray River access, 2km upstream from the Kurrajongs on the Murray River Road.

Please note that access to the rock art site is a bit of an uphill scramble through undergrowth without a cleared path, and appropriate clothing is advisable, plus a picnic lunch.

Andrew Kingerlee [0417 064 060]
Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc

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Meeting at Mt. Granya 18th June 2017

The Friends of Murray Mountain Parks will be meeting on Sunday 18th June at Mount Granya State Park for a walk down Mt Granya walking track, doing maintenance on the way back to Cotton Tree Creek for works around the visitor area, followed by a BBQ with an opportunity for a social catch-up.

We will meet at the Cotton Tree Creek visitor area at 11am for a quick morning tea and to organize a car shuffle before setting off – please bring appropriate tools if you have them, plus food and drink.

To reach the Cotton Tree Creek visitor area, take the Webb Lane turnoff from Granya Road near the centre of Granya – see the map

Andrew Kingerlee [0417 064 060]

Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc.

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Proposed meeting 18th December 2016

It has been proposed to hold the traditional Friends of Murray Mountain Parks pre-Christmas event at Mt Lawson summit on Sunday 18th December, but as it is following closely on the Mt Granya working party we need to know if there is enough interest to make it worthwhile, when people have so many other commitments.

The plan would be to have a leisurely walk around the summit track, with a bit of track clearing on the way, then get together for a barbecue.
Please let me know if you would be interested in attending.
Andrew Kingerlee
Friends of Murray Mountain Parks Inc