FRIENDS OF COBBLER CREEK
DISCUSSION PAPER

WHAT DO WE WANT FROM FOCC AND WHAT CAN WE CONTRIBUTE?

I won't bore you with a long paper and this is not meant to be an exercise in bureaucratic planning. Rather it is an attempt to stimulate a bit of a chat about where FOCC is going, why we do what we do and what we are able to contribute. It's not a new subject for Friends groups but I think it beats sitting listening to me rave on about battles with National Parks, the Council or Delfin. This is meant to be fun and with some recent additions to membership it seems to me particularly timely to review our role.

Please feel free to comment and challenge. FOCC can have a powerful voice in the community and as volunteers we presumably believe in something. This is a chance to articulate what that really is and to formulate some ways of achieving it.

As a registered Association we have a requirement to behave responsibly and orderly and with due fiduciary etc, etc. Can we take it as read that we do that ? I sincerely believe we can although I must sharpen my act up with regard to PINK FORMS and related matters for Dene Cordes in the Dept. This is not meant to be flippant with regard to these responsibilities but they mustn't become a distraction from the MAIN GAME.

So what is the MAIN GAME ? Why did you join FOCC ?  To save the environment, to make a difference (?), to enjoy the occasional walk in the park, for some friendship, for the Christmas sundowner (!!!), to protect the value of your property or all or none of the above?

Under the National Parks and Wildlife legislation Friends groups are incorporated to assist the ranger staff in the management and care of the park; my words but they're close enough. Some cynics say we're merely a source of free labour but I believe it is actually a partnership where we can help shape the future of the park and influence priorities. FOCC has and continues to enjoy excellent relations with our designated ranger. Nevertheless a major problem for all concerned is the continuing reduction in the resources available on the ground. We have to be smart and creative about ways to remedy the resulting shortage because it is likely to continue into the forseeable future.

The management planning process will continue to grind on but for Cobbler Creek there needs to be an increased local council involvement in the day to day management of the park. Salisbury has recognised this for some time and TTG are beginning to realise the value of the amenity to the city. Naturally both are concerned about accepting more responsibility without  appropriate funding. FOCC can play a responsible and honest role in the process of devolution and also in suggesting alternative sources of funding. The Stakeholder Management Group is currently considering how to persuade the corporate sector to sponsor aspects of the park. Any suggestions in this regard will be gratefully accepted. Many of us have contacts that we haven't previously thought of in this context, so please dredge your minds , address books and networks.

At the more detailed level here is a list of tasks, areas of involvement and out standing issues that might strike a chord or turn you on. Steve Taylor and I have had a chat about most of them and have agreed that in many cases there is a level of expertise and / or supervision required which may inhibit some folk getting involved. To that end both he and I are prepared to assist as required and will prepare a bit of a "road map" for some of the more technical tasks. Can I say, however, that an ounce of enthusiasm will overcome a ton of ignorance?  And, hey, it's meant to be fun so what if you make the odd mistake on the way through - most bushcarers have mistaken a bursaria seedling for an olive at some time or another (please don't report this to my TFL colleagues) !!

Working Bees: currently held on  the first Saturday morning of the month. Variable turn out, mainly same faces. Is the time convenient, too strenuous, boring? Do we need more training, how about a picnic after? W.B's are what the business analysts call "core business".
Specific Site Adoption: seemed like a good idea at the time and probably still is. John Mellor provides the benchmark in the Para Trig paddock where his efforts with olives, coolatie, horehound, artichokes and nightshade make this the most weed free part of the park. Steve and I will help with basic management plans for people putting up their hands to adopt a specific site. A bit of proprietary pride never did any harm. You may find it easier and safer to work in pairs in which case please do so.
Social Events: we have an excellent sundowner each year which is well patronised and in 2002 especially so. Apart from that we don't do too much nowadays although I understand in the past that we did. It could provide a chance for partners to become more involved but for other it may be perceived as a gathering of old farts. Any views, suggestions, volunteers for organising something.
Pioneer Heritage: this is a `biggie' and could be divided into sub groups. There is a wealth of written material on the area, the buildings are deteriorating rapidly and we risk losing some of the valuable history of the area. Schools, relatives of the pioneer families and local history groups need to be encouraged to start codifying available material and developing a strategy. This could be a coordinating role and the subject of grant applications a la the excellent restoration work done b at Anstey Hill.
Aboriginal Heritage: this is Kaurna land and apart from the faltering Mai Tappa Trail there doesn't appear to be much recognition of this and no involvement of the Aboriginal community. The Visitor Facilities Plan if implemented will require greater participation which may necessitate assistance from the appropriate government agency.
Photo points: we have the basis of a good collection and some 26 established points some of which need remarking ( I still have the pineapple tint paint in my shed !!). I'm looking for a curator of photos and an organiser of shoots on a regular basis rather than our current ad hoc approach when I think of it.
Herbarium: similar to the above. Curator of the collection is required to mount the specimens, label and maintain the albums. Plant identification will come from the more expert among particularly Steve Taylor and his colleagues.
Education and School Adoption: some of us assist students with projects and assignments and take the occasional school group around the park. In many instances the level of knowledge required is less important than common sense, enthusiasm and a sense of humour. It's amazing how much you learn from a group of curious youngsters. This educational aspect could be widened to embrace the Adopt a School strategy encouraged by the Department if three or four Friends chose a local school that we knew to be actively interested in the environment, eg Golden Grove HS, Salisbury East HS, Golden Grove Primary and Para Hills West Primary. As a member of the Kids For Landcare Outdoor Classroom Group at Greenwith I know that the Education Department needs a real shake to get interested but at the school and individual teacher level there is both a need and an interest.

All of the above take time, energy and a sense of humour. Are they the sort of things FOCC should be interested and active in. If the answer is "YES" how do we go about it? At present we dabble here and there but, just maybe, we could be more effective for CCRP, the community and ourselves. What do you think?