MINUTES OF THE 15th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF Friends of Parks Inc.
HELD AT FARRELL FLAT,
ON MONDAY, 3rd MAY, 2008, AT 11.00 am

PRESENT - see attendance list at rear of minutes.

Following morning tea, courtesy of Friends of Parks Inc, (and funded by a Friends of Parks Grant), the Annual General Meeting commenced at 11.35am.

Brian asked each person present to introduce themselves, stating their name and group.

Leslie Hunkin moved “that the minutes of 14th A.G.M. be confirmed”, seconded by Barbara Hardy. All in favour. Brian then signed the original set of minutes.

The number of days of volunteer labour for the year equates to 80 full time staff.

Rosalie Brown moved “that the Board’s report be accepted”, seconded by Lesley Hunkin (copy at rear of minutes), All in favour.

Lesley also thanked Brian DuBois, Dene Cordes, and Pam Smith, for their friendship and support over the years. Lesley indicated that the responsibilities of Treasurer now required someone with professional qualifications and experience.

John Fuller moved “that the Gift Fund Report be accepted”, seconded by Cathy Potts Connolly (copy at rear of minutes). All in favour.

Display Co-ordinator - Brian DuBois

Grants Facilitator - Mandy Carter

Public Officer – Cathy Potts

Cathy Potts advised that Friends of Parks Inc had gross receipts in excess of $200,000 for the year ended December 2007 which makes it a Prescribed Association under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1985. As required the Committee Report and Statement of Committee were approved at the Board meeting of 3rd April 2008 and now laid before the AGM. The Board intends to lodge the audited financial accounts and a completed schedule 9 form with the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) before 30 June 2008 as required under the Act.

It is also intended to lodge the necessary paperwork with (OCBA) for the years ending 31 December 2002 and 2003 when the gross receipts were also over $200,000.

Cathy Potts moved “that the AGM endorses and approves the courses of action described above”, seconded by John Fuller. All in favour.

ELECTIONS

Before moving to the elections Brian DuBois said that he was not standing as President again and paid tribute to all who had supported him over the years. In particular he expressed thanks to Dene Cordes, Pam Smith, his Board colleagues, and made special mention of Graham Henley and Annette McLean. He than thanked retiring Treasurer, Lesley Hunkin, for her support both as Treasurer and Board member, and presented Lesley with a certificate of appreciation and a gift.

Brian DuBois explained the procedures for voting (5 votes for member groups delegate; and 1 vote for affiliated groups delegate). Brian DuBois declared all positions vacant. Trevor Naismith, Director, Regional Operations, chaired the elections.

Positions of appointment only:

ELECTIONS:

Trevor advised that one nomination only had been received for each of the Office Holder positions (none received for Secretary) and seven for the general member vacancies (no more than 10 permitted). All nominees were duly elected.

John Fuller (Gift Fund Treasurer)

Mandy Carter (Grants Facilitator)

Charles Connelly (General)

Brian DuBois (General)

Graham Henley (General)

Vince Monterola (General)

Andrew Winkler (General)

SECRETARIAT

Ex-Officio Kosette Lambert and Pam Smith (Volunteer Support Unit)

David Mitchell took the Chair and thanked the meeting for their support and endorsement (copy attached). He thanked Brian DuBois for his commitment and service in his time as President and also made special mention of the work done by retiring Treasurer, Lesley Hunkin and also Graham Henley and Annette McLean.

David indicated that he was committed to a process of continuous improvement and would work hard to improve the service to member groups. Improving the partnership with DEH remains a key objective. David believes that Friends of Parks Inc as the umbrella organisation has a serious role to play in advocating the volunteer cause, ensuring by a range of strategies that resource levels are improved and guaranteeing a fair deal for all member groups.

The Board is committed to developing a true partnership with DEH; a partnership that is mature enough to withstand vigorous debate and even disagreement and that works collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for the State’s environmental and heritage assets.

Full Friends Member Groups - $10.00 per Friends Group per year.

Affiliate Groups - $15.00 per Group per year.

Individual Subscribers - $10.00 per year.

Other venues to consider for future years include - Stangate House, Aldgate; Riverland; Karka Pavilion; Belair National Park - Main Oval Pavilion; Port Broughton; Urrbrae House, Fullarton; Yorke Peninsula; Victor Harbor, and other regional venues.

2009 - Adelaide area (Sunnybrae Farm, Regency Park) (30/10-1/11)

2010 - Roxby Downs/Woomera

2011 – Eastern Hills

Groups were asked to prepare their comments in writing for the minutes (copy at rear of minutes). This year it had been decided not to have verbal reports from the floor.

David Mitchell thanked:

The Annual General Meeting closed at 12.35 p.m.

Following lunch attendees were taken on a guided tour of nearby Martindale Hall.

Confirmed:

President ............................................................. Date .........................................

ATTENDEES

Friends of Aldinga Scrub – Joy Forrest
Friends of Belair – Michael & Peggy Cerchez, Brian & Noeline DuBois, Barry & Ruth Palmer, Jill Salvi
Friends of Burra - Chris Brinkworth, Ally Fricker, Heidi & Chloe Hodge, Bob Lamb, Harvey Neal, Garry & Sally Fieldhouse, Maureen Wright
Campground Hosts – Rosalie Brown, Rob Letcher
Friends of Cleland – John & Mandy Carter
Friends of Cobbler Creek – David Mitchell
Friends of Deep Creek – Peter & Val Collins
Friends of Fort Glanville – Bill Heycox, Leith McGair, Robert McLean
Friends of Flinders Ranges – Vince & Helen Moterola
Friends of Great Victoria Desert – Bill Dowling
Friends of Gulf St Vincent – Andrew Winkler
Friends of Kaiser Stuhl – Cathy Potts
Friends of K.I. Parks, Western Districts– Andy Young
Friends of Little Dip – Daphne Johncock
National Parks Heritage Committee – Dene & Dianne Cordes, Fred & Barbara Groom
Nature Foundation – Barbara Hardy
Friends of Old Government House –Rob & Annette McLean, Heather Olorenshaw
Friends of Onkaparinga – Tony & Judy Dowling, Andy & Lesley McKinnon
Friends of Para Wirra – John & Anthea Fuller,
Friends of Shepherds Hill – Margo Carmichael, Charles Connelly
Friends of Simpson Desert – Alan & Lorraine Hancox, Lesley Hunkin, Kay Hunkin
Friends of Spring Gully – Kate Greenhill, Pam O’Malley
Volunteer Support Unit – Kosette Lambert, Pam Smith
Friends of Volunteer Support Unit (Friends) – Jennifer Dalwood, Maureen Thompson, Colin Leek
Walking Trails Support Group – Hugh Lambert
District Ranger Mid North - Ian Falkenberg
Director, Regional Operations - Trevor Naismith
Auditor - Kevin Osborn

APOLOGIES

David Wotton, Patron and Life Member
Rob Marshall & Sue Barker, Walking Trails Support Group
Jean & Verne McLaren, Patron/Life Members
Colin & Joan Beer, Field Naturalists Society
Val & Ian Kenny, Friends of Mount Gambier Area Parks
Geoffrey Bishop, Friends of Ferguson
Alex McLeod, Friends of Moana Sands
Melinda Broadhurst, Friends of Shepherds Hill
Clint & Marg Garrett, Friends of Whyalla Conservation Park
Maureen Christie, Friends of Shorebirds SE
Robyn Guy, Friends of Shepherds Hill
Shirley Benlow, Friends of Mark Oliphant Conservation Park
Friends of Moana Sands
Susan Linnell, Friends of Brookfield Conservation Park
Bruce Evans, Hon Auditor
Don Webster, Friends of O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park
Arlene Dowling, Friends of Great Victoria Desert
Graham Henley, Sporting Shooters Association, Hunting and Conservation Branch
Brian Telford, Friends of Volunteer Support Unit
Maureen Caudle, Friends of Spring Gully
Barry Wright, Friends of Burra Parks
Phil Brown, Campground Hosts
Elizabeth Connolly, Hon Solicitor
Anne & James McLean, Friends of Old Government House

Friends of Parks Inc. - Annual Report - 2008

Presented by the President, Brian DuBois

This has very much been a transitional year. Shortly before the last AGM Dene Cordes effectively retired and we have been working through a range of new arrangements, different communication mechanisms, and establishing a range of different governance protocols.

Meetings

Early in the year it was decided to have meetings bi-monthly instead of monthly and as a consequence there have been six meetings for the year. Furthermore, DEH reps from the Volunteer Support Unit have not attended the whole meeting as previously the case, but have made reports at the start of the meeting and have then left. This reflects the fact that Friends of Parks is an Incorporated Association and departmental officers are perceived as having a potential conflict of interest in respect of some discussions that take place at Board meetings. On the other hand their absence has made the communications with the VSU in its role as the Secretariat rather more difficult than hitherto.

There have been no meetings with the Minister this year, but it is envisaged that we will be seeking to meet in the future. The Board is of the view that its role as the representative body for member groups dictates that it should be able to raise issues of special concern directly with the Minister. Although the relationship with the department is of paramount importance we have a responsibility to our membership to ensure that their reasonable concerns are communicated at the highest level.

As part of our clear intent to foster a good working relationship with DEH we have continued to invite senior officers to attend some of our meetings. Two important guests were Greg Leaman, (Director, Natural and Cultural Heritage) representing Allan Holmes (CE), and John Schutz (Director, Regional Conservation).

Some of the key points raised in the meeting with Greg were:-

There was considerable positive discussion about the role of Friends of Parks Inc and how it needed to value-add. Depending on the nature and extent of the value there could well be some sort of resource commitment from DEH (the Nature Foundation SA model was quoted). Greg indicated that DEH is keen to forge a stronger relationship that would mean a renegotiated MOU or some similar partnership arrangement. When asked what he saw as the role of FOPInc Greg declined to be more specific beyond indicating that there was value in having a single point of reference rather than dealing with individual groups. Other activities discussed included grants, training, health and safety, Forums, communications and the Gift Fund.

There was also discussion about the diversity of volunteers represented by FOPInc and the need for a strong working partnership that ought to be capable of withstanding the occasional difference of opinion. At the meeting with John Schutz the view was expressed that there was a need to work together to continue to improve the partnership plus the capacity to manage both relationships and expectations. As part of that process he undertook to arrange regional meetings with representatives from Friends groups at least once a year and on an ongoing basis. The importance of a regular dialogue with DEH officers and the Friends was acknowledged and the significance of the annual Friends Forum in that process was commented upon. The discussion concluded with some observations on the value of the Senior Rangers, Volunteer Support, which was initiated in the Adelaide region. John signalled the intention as soon as practicable to extend the initiative across all regions and ways in which the service could be improved.

In addition to discussion at our general meetings there have been several meetings by David and myself with Peter Croft, Trevor Naismith, Kosette Lambert and others from time to time. These meetings have been a useful forum for raising issues of current concern and developing ways of improving communications between the two organisations. Specific items discussed included the DEH corporate plan which was under review and appeared to have a distinct lack of consultation with stakeholders external to DEH. As a result there was a meeting with the officers responsible who acknowledged there was possibly insufficient emphasis in the draft upon external relationships and NGOs in particular. Some adjustment to the plan followed. Other key issues discussed have been:-

DEH Corporate Plan - a meeting was held with reps from DEH to discuss the corporate planning process and the perceived lack of consultation with stakeholders external to DEH. A draft of the revised DEH Corporate Plan was tabled and showed a significant change from the current version and focuses much more on the core business of delivering environment and heritage services and programs. Partnerships and community engagement (including the use of volunteers) are key strategies in implementing the plan. The DEH officers acknowledged that there was possibly insufficient emphasis in the draft upon external relationships and NGOs in particular and indicated that this would be rectified.

Friends of Parks forums

Involvement in policies, strategies etc.

DEH Volunteer Support Grants

Separation of roles and responsibilities

Department of Education and Children Services opportunities for cross promotion

DEH approach to NRM

Governance training

Cycling in parks

Volunteer manual

Memorandum of understanding

Communications

In addition to our regular general board meetings we have had several working party meetings to handle how we operate as a board. In particular we have been developing new processes and protocols in respect of governance training and communications. After much work by the board the following documents were produced:

Vision statement

Friends of Parks Inc mission statement

Board priorities

Board Goals

Board Strategies which include:-

Communications

Advocacy

Training

Resourcing

Volunteer Support

Meetings have also been held with our Honorary Solicitor, Elizabeth Connolly, both in a one on one situation with the president and attendance at general meetings.

New Members

Only one new member group this year and it was the Friends of Blue Lake, Cactus Beach and Surrounds.

Newsletters

As you know the Chain was discontinued and DEH replaced it with the Link, an internet based publication. Because we felt we needed a publication of our own to directly communicate with our member groups we are producing our own internet based E News. In future printed copies will be available by subscription only. To date Geoffrey Bishop has done a great job as editor putting it together but if there is anyone out there who has a flair for sorting and editing contributed material and likes writing - and is perhaps not rapt pulling weeds - we would like to hear from you. It's not an arduous job, but it does require some time and dedication.
Our thanks also to Hugh Lambert who manages the Website and has handled the design and electronic distribution of FOP e-News.

Actions on behalf of individual groups

Because the board is the body, legally responsible for contracts and general responsibilities for the groups, except where the groups are independently incorporated, then the Board acts on their behalf in legal matters. We have had two contracts with outside organisations requiring legal advice and signing on behalf of Friends groups.

The Friends of the Riverland have a MOU with Banrock Station and the Friends of Belair with the Australian Rail Track Corporation for weeding on railway property. We are in the process of investigating a MOU between the Friends of Arid Recovery at Roxby Downs and a trust set up by BHP Billiton.

As mentioned below, a letter of support was written for the Friends of Althorpe Islands’ submission on that park’s draft management plan.

Built Heritage

Built heritage is an area which needs a lot of work. It appears that when DEH can't afford to maintain some piece of heritage it often gets bulldozed, sold or forgotten. In some cases the money to be spent is relatively small and it is a pity DEH can't adopt a policy whereby if they can't afford it, money can be obtained from outside sources to carry out the necessary work to maintain the site without future commitment to the site. It seems they are using policies developed overseas where there is an over abundance of historic sites from thousands of years’ history to a state with less than 200 years. If this policy is followed to the full we will have little or no heritage.

Submissions

Where resources allowed, the Board made submissions on some DEH draft plans, policies and strategies. Submissions or letters of support to member group submissions are confined to those plans that involve a Park or Parks of member groups or where a proposed policy or strategy is likely to impact on a number of Parks cared for by our member groups or on our members’ volunteer work. Our member groups are contacted for their views for individual park plans.

During the past year submissions were made on the draft fire management plans for:- Marino, Deep Creek etc Conservation Parks; the Hills Face Zone and MLR; and Reserves of the Southern Foothills, MLR and the South-Western Fleurieu Peninsula. In addition a letter of support was written for the Friends of Althorpe Islands’ submission on that park’s draft management plan, which covered both the natural and built heritage issues.

The Board spent considerable time providing DEH with detailed written and verbal comments on the DEH draft cycling and rock climbing policies, standards and procedures, as well as the draft DEH Trails Strategy. Liaison with CCSA and the Nature Conservation Society of SA on their submissions also occurred. Thank you to those Friends groups, such as Aldinga Scrub, Blackhill/Morialta and Hallett Cove who also put in submissions or gave valuable input to the Board’s submission. Follow up meetings with DEH staff were also involved with still some disagreement, unfortunately, on key aspects relating to cycling in Parks.

Through our membership with the Conservation Council of SA we also provided input into some of its submissions on broader plans, such as the recent draft AMLR Management Plan.

GST

Following on a written ruling from the Australian Tax Office regarding GST on Envirofund grants where they spelt out that Friends of Parks had to pay the GST added by the Envirofund and administer the fund. Our initial summation of the situation looked as if we owed the ATO over $19,000. Not a comforting outlook, which would have taken most of our operating funds.

All unspent grants were immediately recalled from the groups and we managed to get the apparent debt down to about $7000. In the final analysis, verbal advice by the ATO only, they owe us $150. A big thank you to Lesley our outgoing Treasurer for her work in sorting this out to a very satisfying ending.

Membership of External Organisations.

The Board continued its membership of the CCSA to represent all our member groups on the peak conservation body in SA.

The Board decided to resign from the Trails Alliance of SA as there seemed to have been little progress made in coming to agreement on the thorny issue of their desire for more access to parks. CCSA is still represented on that Alliance and we will continue to liaise with their representative on this issue.

Grants

The Board sponsored the grants for nine of our member groups’ successful applications for funding in Envirofund Rounds nine and ten. The total grant money was for $139,526. Congratulations to those groups who have value added to their work in this way and to those who have got grants through other bodies such as NRM Boards, local councils, etc. A number of our affiliated member groups were also successful in obtaining grants.

Forums

Over the last twelve months we have established with DEH that the forums are our responsibility. As a consequence we have passed a motion for this year’s forum authorising the organising committee to run it on our behalf. In addition a risk management assessment was required by DEH as the forum is covered by the government through SAICORP.

Sponsorship is a necessary integral part of a forum. Unfortunately this year a sponsorship was received but due to unfavourable and unforeseen circumstances the monies had to be returned to the sponsoring organisation.

Next year’s forum will be at Sunnybrae Farm, Regency Park on October 30th – November 1st.

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank the Volunteer Support Staff and our volunteers who help them.

Brian DuBois
PRESIDENT
FRIENDS OF PARKS INC

FRIENDS OF PARKS INC AGM 5TH MAY 2008

REPORT FROM THE RETIRING TREASURER....
[Note: this report presented at the AGM, but not embodied in the printed reports distributed prior to that meeting]

When I took over as Treasurer in January 2000 I knew nothing about finances except balancing my own cheque book. Friends of Parks Inc had a balance of $2,960.00.

Since then the balance has risen upwards and over $300,000 in some years. 95% of that money has been grants that Friends Groups have successfully applied for through Friends of Parks Inc.

It has been a learning experience, which has included the many headaches over GST.
Last year after been giving conflicting information from different sources, we went to the ATO for one on one and have finally got the correct ruling. Because of that ruling there was a lot of extra work, but at last everything is now correct.

Working with such large sums of money, it is getting to be almost a full time job and after eight and half years, it is time to hand the reins over to someone who is better qualified to do the job and I wish the new Treasurer all the best.

I have made some friends, while doing the job and lots of us have talked and pulled out our hair trying to work out the GST. I have thanked the board for their cooperation, but I would single out three people for special mention. Dene you started a unique scheme so people, who were interested in Conservation of parks and places, could get together as a team and make sure those unique places could be preserved for future generations. You also gave your time and knowledge, and it has been greatly appreciated by all Friends groups. Thank you for your support and friendship. You know you have my support. Brian sometimes I thought the dreaded GST problem would never get resolved, but thankfully it has and I would like to thank you for your guidance, support and friendship, especially during the last few months of last year. Last but by no means least someone we all look to for help with anything to do with the Friends. Pam - thank you on behalf of all the Friends Groups for the work you do on their behalf. Your help and friendship since we met in 1994 has been invaluable to me and I look forward more of both in the future.

Lesley Hunkin
Retiring Treasurer

PUBLIC OFFICER’S REPORT

Friends of Parks Inc had gross receipts over $200,000 for the year ended 31st December 2007, which makes it a Prescribed Association under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1985. As part of the requirements under the Act, the Committee Report and Statement of Committee were agreed to at the Board meeting of 3rd April 2008 and these are now laid before this AGM. The Board intends to lodge the audited financial accounts and a completed Schedule 9 form with the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs before the end June 2008 as required under the Act.

The Board has also recently become aware that in 2002 and 2003 the gross receipts were also over $200,000 and that the appropriate papers were not lodged at that time. The Board has decided to also lodge the paperwork and fee with the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs for those years.

There are no changes proposed to the Friends of Parks Inc constitution.

Catherine Potts
Public Officer

* * * * * * *

GRANTS FACILITATOR – 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

My congratulations to all the Friends Groups that received grants this year.

With the GST issue and the unspent grant monies for training, Friends of Parks deferred from applying for more training monies during the year. Fortunately we should be in a position to seek more funds during 2008. The GVEHO monies have been exhausted and soon the same should be true for the Envirofund grant.

A requirement of the grants was an assessment of the training results. To assist in this we asked those who undertook the training courses to complete some questionnaires. Many thanks to those who sent in their completed questionnaires, the response was terrific. The frankness and honesty is also very much appreciated and will be a useful guide in arranging future courses. My thanks also to the VSU and Pam Smith in particular, for her efforts in organising the courses.

The Directors Grants were renamed this year to DEH Volunteer Support Grants and as Grants Facilitator I represented Friends of Parks on the selection panel. My congratulations to those who were successful. For the record Friends of Parks has subsequently tried for some of the unsuccessful ones to be funded, but to no avail.

Mandy Carter
Grants Facilitator

FRIENDS OF PARKS INC - Annual General Meeting – 5/5/2008
- GROUP REPORTS

FRIENDS OF COBBLER CREEK (FOCC)

This has been another successful year for the Friends with a considerable amount being achieved in the park and also within the wider community. The three footbridges completed and commissioned last year have been enhanced with improved approaches and some trail realignment. Departmental staff have realigned and resurfaced the Porosa Walkabout Trail and a refencing program has continued throughout the park.

The Friends won a local community promotional award and decided to purchase materials and equipment to manufacture additional picnic settings and seats for the park and as additional amenities for the local communities of Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury. Utilising some recycled Karri timber from the Port Adelaide woolsheds the group spent several hundred hours making, polishing and painting and finally installing the furniture. One of the seats overlooking the main Cobbler Creek valley is dedicated to Jennifer Rankine, MP, a long-standing member of the FOCC.

The Stakeholder Management Group (SMG) continues to search for a new chairperson following the resignation of David Plumridge, AM, who had served so effectively for the past five years. Notwithstanding, the SMG remains an important mechanism between the two local councils, DEH and the Friends, ensuring a joint approach is maintained in the management of the park and its assets. The Friends continue to receive great support and cooperation from the staff of the Northern Lofty District and has expanded its membership in the local community by adopting a higher public profile with displays and regular articles in the local media.

David Mitchell
President

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF THE GREAT VICTORIA DESERT PARKS

Working Bee – 29 May to 8 June 2007. As usual, the working bee was our main activity for the year. 18 members and 3 rangers travelled west from Coober Pedy, carrying out vegetation surveys, authorized plant sample collection, bird surveys, rubbish collection, future work planning and the ‘planting’ of several new numbered vegetation markers for tourists. The first stop was the Tallaringa Conservation Park and this was the group’s first venture there. Eight members then continued west through the Maralinga lands to the Mamungari (formerly the ‘Unnamed’) Conservation Park and the WA border, returning via Oak Valley.

New Website – www.fgvd.org.au – This brand new site may be visited for great photos and more detail on our working bees, other activities, and the Great Victoria Desert itself.

Plans for 2008 – This year’s working bee will be held in August, focusing on vegetation survey work using a much improved methodology to ensure that the data we collect is of the highest quality and compatible with the DEH biodiversity database. In parallel with this, invertebrate survey work will be undertaken by Friends member Jan Forrest of the SA Museum. Publication activity this year will include a new information sheet on the Friends and a reprint of our popular little field guide, Shrubs and Trees of the Great Victoria Desert, as our original 2005 print run of 1000 copies has now sold out

Bill Dowling
President

* * * * * * *

FORT GLANVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

The Fort Glanville Historical Association has over the past year continued its monthly program of open days, mostly well attended. The site is also opened on Tuesdays for casual visitors and pre-booked tour groups. The Fort has proven popular as an unusual wedding venue, the Fort Glanville Historical Association ‘military’ providing a guard of honour and celebratory cannon shots. Ceremonial activities and presentations conducted away from the Fort are still useful fund raisers and publicity tools.

The long term restoration of the Fort’s big cannon and its loading system is now almost complete, with the ammunition hoists commissioned in March. At today’s prices the 20 year plus project has cost in excess of a quarter of a million dollars, over 90% of this raised by the efforts of our volunteers. Life member Frank Garie has over this time, been solely responsible for research, plan drafting, some manufacture and installation, and overall project management. Frank is one of South Australia’s unsung, unrecognized and totally dedicated volunteers, donating many thousands of volunteer hours to the success of the project. Fort Glanville is Australia’s most complete and original fort, one of very few worldwide in such condition.

Like most volunteer groups, attracting new members, particularly younger ones, is proving difficult. Age, which is gradually diminishing our numbers, may well prove to limit the life of the Fort Glanville Historical Association, now in its 28th year.

Mike Lockley
Treasurer

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF MOANA SANDS CONSERVATION PARK

Our small group has enjoyed the contribution of outside assistance, with cooperation from the Onkaparinga Council and their employment of contractors (in parts), the involvement of McLaren Vale Primary School in propagation, Moana Primary School for planting, and Seaford High School students in Active-8 programme, planting, weeding and rubbish removal. Green Corps have focused a project in the Park from October to April and have done fencing repairs, weeding and some rabbit management. Planet Ark Tree Day was a great success for involving locals in getting many plants in.

We have approximately 2,000 own propagated plants and expect another 1,000-2,000 from support groups. A pest animal survey was volunteered by Ern Murray, indicating a rising rabbit problem. Its management is hampered by dense habitat of Ac.Cyclpos and Olives, also stacks of dead prunings and mulch. Here we wrestle with the issue of ‘slow replacement for habitat’ or ‘rapid removal for control’.

A couple of awards have been an encouragement; the DEH recognizing our Archaelogical Educational work, and Coastcare have promoted our local contribution.

Moana is undergoing a municipal facelift which emphasizes the coastal and inland paths and aboriginal heritage. What pressures this brings upon the Park, and the adjoining private landholding, will be evident in time; but it should draw recognition to the significant aboriginal heritage and the integrity of the whole dune system, once described by Howchin in 1893, as “The greatest development of sand dunes that occur within Gulf St Vincent”.

Alex McLeod
President

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF SHOREBIRDS SE

2007 was a busy and successful year. Achievements were recognised with winning an SA Great Regional Award in the Science and Sustainability Category.

Most of our work is involved with long term projects. Monitoring and organising protection for nesting Little Tern, Hooded Plover and Red-capped Plover, population monitoring, banding and flagging waders, collection of re-sighting data, all continues.

Members endeavour to raise the profile of Shorebirds and the issues effecting them by being involved in forums, education, and public consultation whenever possible.

Maureen Christie
Secretary

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF THE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT UNIT

Over the past 12 months the Friends of the Volunteer Support Unit have continued to support the Friends of Parks Inc. Board and the many Friends Groups throughout the State. We have assisted them with many administrative duties. Some of these duties have included photocopying, distributing information, helping in the production and mail out brochures, coordination of grants and training courses, supporting the Campground Hosts scheme, and maintaining a photo library.

A group of about 10 volunteers are rostered each week to work together with the staff in the operation of the Volunteer Support Unit and the statewide network. We have also assisted other branches at Keswick, on call. In March 2007, we farewelled the Manager, Dene Cordes, who retired. In April we welcomed Kosette Lambert as the new Manager of the Volunteer Support Unit. The group held its annual end of year function at the Rex Hotel where the volunteers were acknowledged for their efforts throughout the year.

David Waniarcha
President

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF GULF ST VINCENT

We see ourselves as primarily an educational body, but in the past year we have also been prominent in public discussion of water management for Adelaide. We justify this because freshwaters carrying contaminants off the Adelaide plains have the greatest impact on the Gulf environment. Fixing that environmental problem would also provide significant quantities of good quality water for use across Adelaide.

We provided technical and community representatives to the River Torrens Task Force, and made representations to the hearings by the Development Policy Advisory Committee on the Cheltenham (racecourse) site.

Our case was boosted in the last few months by release of the report on Coastal Development by the Environment Resources and Development Committee of the SA Parliament and the results of the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study by State agencies and CSIRO, which confirmed the link between runoff and damage to metropolitan coastal waters.

This year we will release the ‘Natural History of Gulf St Vincent’. Compiled with the Royal Society of South Australia, at just over 500 pages, this will be a major contribution to education by the ‘Friends’ and 45 authors. It will be followed by the update of the 25 page ‘Protecting Gulf St Vincent’, a community information booklet which will draw on the ‘Natural History’.

With support from sponsors (State and Local Government, Natural Resource Boards, and private donors) we have continued our public forums, with full day presentations to 50-70 people on the ERDC report at West Beach, on the ‘Natural History’ at Henley Beach and on the Dolphin Sanctuary at Semaphore.

Proceedings are reported in our newsletter ‘Blue Swimmer’. We circulate four editions of Blue Swimmer a year, to several hundred people electronically, and an unknown number in print copies which go to libraries. See it at; www.chariot.net.au/~littoral/fogsv/index.htm

Having discovered that we reach a much wider audience through art, we maintain involvement with SALA Festival in August each year. Last year the ‘Friends’ were involved in a project with the Lyn Wright Supported Learning Centre at Henley High, guided by the Henley Woodworkers. Members also contributed to painting and photographic displays, and the marine theme mosaics along the Henley Esplanade. More recently the pelican sculptures were mounted on reclaimed wharf timbers at the mouth of the Torrens.

Having the lands around the Gulf divided into three NRM Boards meant that the boundaries of those boards divided the Gulf. The ‘Friends’ have sought to re-integrate management of the Gulf’s natural resources, and commend the NRM Boards on their commitment to a Memorandum of Understanding to achieve this.

This year we enrolled 100 members, and we have welcomed several new members to our Committee. People on Eyre Peninsula have approached us to help foster a ‘Friends of Spencer Gulf’. We hope to be able to help, starting with a public forum, but must remain conscious that there is much to do, still, for the external and internal management of the existing ‘Friends of Gulf St Vincent’.

Ian Kirkegaard
Secretary

* * * * * * *

FRIENDS OF THE SIMPSON DESERT PARKS

The Friends have completed another successful year contributing the development and maintenance of park facilities, and to the scientific knowledge of the parks.

2007 WORKING BEE – Twenty-three members took part in our annual working bee contributing 1935 hours of voluntary labour, supported by four staff members and two Arid Lands NRM members in May. This was our second year of surveying for evidence of Marsupial Moles and other native fauna in the desert, as well as the usual revegetation, bush-care and park maintenance work in Witjira National Park. Interpretive signage was installed at Purni Bore.

OHS&W – Formal risk assessment is now playing and increasing role in our working bee planning. As a group travelling and working in a remote area we recognise the need to formally complete these risk analyses and welcome the VSU’s initiative in introducing the “In Safe Hands” procedure. We plan to have each project covered for our 2008 working bee.

SOCIAL EVENTS – The year’s social events included a visit to Mali Dunes, the restored bushland property of two Victorian members just east of the SA and Victoria Border. While there we toured along the Border Fence in Ngarkat Conservation Park learning about the disputed border alignment and later, participated in a Mallee Fowl survey. In early March we toured the arid land plants section of the Botanical Gardens, guided by one of our members.

GUEST SPEAKER MEETINGS – Our General meetings are held every two months with guest speakers covering a wide range of topics of general interest.

MEMBERSHIP – Our membership consisting of families from all Australian states and several from overseas is being maintained at a constant level of around 130 families.

Alan Hancox

President

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FRIENDS OF THE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE

The past year has been a most important one for our group. On 2 March, 2008, we celebrated the group’s 25th birthday. This took the format of a three course hot luncheon, held in the historic (1912) Karka Pavilion in the Belair National Park. Sixty people enjoyed the programme which included the launch of a new booklet about OGH; a handover of a heritage sewing table as a gift to the Department; the presentation of Life Memberships to seven of the founding members who are still actively supporting the Friends; and special welcomes to local Members of Parliament Andrew Southcott – (Federal), Iain Evans (State), and to the Mayor of Mitcham, Ivan Brooks. Brian DuBois, President of Friends of Parks Inc, accompanied by my wife Noeline, was an important guest. The round tables were decorated in the group’s colours with placemats and a List of Achievements, and colourful floral arrangements. The Silver Jubilee Newsletter was handed out.

During the past year our group has continued its successful roster of guiding at the complex, heritage gardening, hosting many weddings, the sales of merchandise and crafts, a social trip to Poltallock Station at Narrung, and our usual Christmas Brunch. A full inventory of the contents in the historic premises has been completed, along with records of donors. Weekday Tours by appointment have been a growth activity conducted by the Friends.

A highlight, after much hard work, was the completion of a new audio visual documentary about the former Vice Regal Residence, its occupants, and its history between 1848 and 2008. This, too, was launched at the 25th year celebrations.

My thanks go to the excellent group of Volunteers who consistently worked for the good of the complex, and to support the Department, over a quarter of a century.

Annette McLean
President

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FRIENDS OF BELAIR NATIONAL PARK

This has been a year of continued achievement for the Friends. There have not been special events or the start of major new projects, however, the group has continued to successfully contribute to Belair National Park.

I’m sure there are many things I should have mentioned. In closing, my concerns for the future are not for the weeds of Belair National Park, there’ll always be plenty of these, but for the number of Friends in the group and the number of Friends on the committee. The number of these seem to be getting less. Recruitment of new members is an urgent concern.

Michael Cerchez
President

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NATIONAL PARKS HERITAGE COMMITTEE

The highlight of this Committee’s year was the celebration of our 25th birthday on 24th February 2008. About 25 people attended a day of celebrations including a luncheon and a visit to the historic Blue Cottage in Belair Park, which had been restored and managed to a high standard.

In July 2007 a public ceremony was well attended at Angaston, when the restored grave site of Catherine and Nicholas Foott, along with a new interpretive memorial, was unveiled. Foott descendants travelled from Melbourne, Wodonga, and towns in South Australia. Nicholas Foott had a colourful history with Belair National Park before he moved to Geelong where he entered Parliament and served for many years.

The Committee had much heartache and was involved in protracted negotiations with DEH when our two cottages that had been managed and restored for many years were recalled by the department at very short notice. Two others at Belair were also recalled.

A tribute is paid to Merilyn Probert who decided to retire after eight years as President. We thank her for outstanding leadership and her caring for the built heritage in parks.

The Heritage Committee is concerned that the numerous heritage sites in parks are not able to be maintained or restored by DEH and feels that, if the department turned to and accepted more help from Friends of Parks groups, a combined effort would achieve a great deal and would prevent the loss of sites across the state.

NATIONAL PARKS HERITAGE COMMITTEE

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CAMPGROUND HOSTS

The last twelve months have past so quickly. Looking back, receiving the award as the group of the decade has been the major highlight. It recognises the efforts made by the people involved especially the committee for the ten years. The award has enabled the group to set its finances up in a much better way ensuring stability for the future.

Our Annual Gathering was held this year at Murray Bridge with 30 hosts attending the day long session. The morning was taken up with the AGM, followed by lunch and then tours around the town. The day was organised by our Murray Bridge members.

We now have our Operating Handbook which is given to all new members. It describes the Campground Hosts Scheme, what members need to know and duties they are likely to have to do in each Park. This has been a while in compiling but will benefit all.

I suppose the downside of our group is the slight decrease in numbers and the slight decrease in times Parks are hosted. This is because some of us are older, not as healthy and although we have younger members there is some reluctance to host in the changing environment.

Finally, a thank you to the Volunteer Support Unit for their never-ending assistance. A special thanks to Stephen Henshaw, a volunteer in that unit, for his work, that he does for the Campgound Hosts.

Rob and Di Letcher
Co Presidents

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FRIENDS OF PARA WIRRA
Our year commenced with a thank you celebration for Ted and Molly Hughes. Ted’s retirement from the Presidency of Friends of Para Wirra was accepted with regret, and we remain grateful for his and Molly’s tireless and outstanding service to the community.

During the year we have participated in a number of diverse activities.
Julie Williams, our Publicity Officer, (with help from her attendants) handed out over 2,000 park brochures at NRM celebrations, the One Tree Hill Markets, the Williamstown sesquicentenary celebration, the Munno Para Shopping Centre, the Munno Para Christmas Pageant, and the Rotary Village Fair. We w

	Friends of Parks Inc.
	Volunteers working for Conservation


	c/-GPO Box 1047, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001
	Email: smith.pamela@saugov.sa.gov.au
	Telephone: (08) 8124 4784 Fax: (08) 8124 4850
	www.communitywebs.org/FriendsofParks
	ABN 32 457 858 155

Year	people	days	REGISTRATIONS	projects
2007	5812	18980	389	820

Patrons	Mr. C. Warren Bonython, A.O.	Dr. Barbara Hardy, A.O.
	Mr. Verne McLaren, A.M.	The Hon. David Wotton

POSITION	NOMINATED

President	David Mitchell
Vice President	Dr Geoffrey Bishop (Historian)
Public Officer	Cathy Potts (and CCSA rep)
Secretary
Treasurer	Kevin Osborn

Committee:	above officers plus general members:

Patrons:	Mr. C. Warren Bonython, A.O, Dr. Barbara Hardy, A.O.
	Mr. Verne McLaren, A.M., Hon. David Wotton

Hon. Solicitor	Elizabeth Connolly
Hon. Auditor	Bruce Evans
Webmaster	Hugh Lambert