Scattered in our bushland are tributes to our hard working naturalists and volunteers, such as Harry Kiekebosch. By Terri Allen
SOUTH and west Wonthaggi – what a wonderland of natural bush, revegetated sites, roadside bush and wildlife corridors – all praise to those hard working naturalists and volunteers who monitor, map, weed, plant …
As a child I tramped through and explored these areas, following in the footsteps of my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. That's how we learnt to identify and appreciate. I remember a letter from my mother, who was thrilled at last to identify a particular flower – she had watched the rounded leaves for years and at last found one in flower, a Redbeak. Some of her ashes are now in this patch, as will be mine one day.
SOUTH and west Wonthaggi – what a wonderland of natural bush, revegetated sites, roadside bush and wildlife corridors – all praise to those hard working naturalists and volunteers who monitor, map, weed, plant …
As a child I tramped through and explored these areas, following in the footsteps of my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. That's how we learnt to identify and appreciate. I remember a letter from my mother, who was thrilled at last to identify a particular flower – she had watched the rounded leaves for years and at last found one in flower, a Redbeak. Some of her ashes are now in this patch, as will be mine one day.
Apart from the information boards and leaflets for some sites such as Tank Hill, Tent Town, Five Brace, Wonthaggi Wetlands, Rifle Range and Wonthaggi Heathland, you may have observed a few name plates and place names which acknowledge some of our past volunteers.
Sherry Collins, locally born to our premier photographer, became a school principal and on retirement returned to Wonthaggi. He seemed to spend half his time at the heathlands, photographing, monitoring and talking to visitors. A member of the Friends of Wonthaggi Heathlands and Reserve, he now has the Sherry Collins track named after him.
Sherry Collins, locally born to our premier photographer, became a school principal and on retirement returned to Wonthaggi. He seemed to spend half his time at the heathlands, photographing, monitoring and talking to visitors. A member of the Friends of Wonthaggi Heathlands and Reserve, he now has the Sherry Collins track named after him.
Planting the Rifle Range wetlands was a massive community effort.
Harry Kiekebosch, who lived at Pommy Town, brought clients from The Garage in White Road (a mental health group) to help with the mass planting at Wonthaggi Wetlands and Baxters Wetlands. Harry was tragically killed while on holiday up north. His funeral wake was a mass planting at Wonthaggi Heathland attended by hundreds of people from sporting clubs and naturalist groups. It was called Harry's Patch. There is also Harry’s seat at Baxters Wetlands.
A seat in the Rifle Range Wetlands remembers four dedicated people of this area:
A seat in the Rifle Range Wetlands remembers four dedicated people of this area:
Bill was a dedicated Parks Victoria ranger who was killed by a falling tree while fighting the East Gippsland bushfires. Bill played a part in the establishment of the Rifle Range Wetlands with the Parks Victoria team.
Bill's property adjoined the Rifle Range. He was a member of Cape Paterson Coastal Plains Landcare, part of the revegetation team advocating different direct seeding methods for the Rifle Range.
Kathy Maffett (6/11/39 – 5/6/21) was the inaugural seed mistress for the Wonthaggi Seed Bank, cleaning and storing the seeds at both the converted cowshed on White Road and at her home. She was essential to the Rifle Range project.
Gary was a life member of Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland and its treasurer. He played an important part in gaining grants for many projects and worked with Landcare on the Rifle Range project.
Another seat is dedicated to that hard working group, the Wonthaggi Seed Collectors, who tour the area each Monday morning, weeding, collecting seeds, monitoring, and mapping sites.
As you enjoy our beautiful bushland, think of these great people and their contribution.
- Dulcie Hender (23/3/36 – 1/10/05) worked with husband Bill and the dedicated group which collected 40 kilograms of indigenous seed to direct seed at the Rifle Range.
- Marcia Brown (28/2/42-6/5/15), a retiree living in Cape Paterson, belonged to the Friends of Wonthaggi Heathlands and the seed bank. She enthusiastically gathered seed and monitored sites and direct seeding. She walked the Rifle Range weekly to note emerging seedlings, natural regrowth and fauna and insect life.
- Jean Cargill (26/10/34-23/1/21), a Wonthaggi local and a dedicated seed collector from the group’s inception. Jean helped greatly with the Rifle Range project.
- Helen Hollole (9/7/29-26/8/22), another local, a prolific seed collector and a valued member of the team.
As you enjoy our beautiful bushland, think of these great people and their contribution.