2005 PROJECT AWARDS

Nature Foundation SA Inc’s Best Biodiversity Project
Awarded to the Threatened Plant Action Group

Heritage Branch’s Award for Best Heritage Project
Awarded to National Parks Heritage Committee - Blue Cottage

Most Supportive Staff Member – sponsored by Nature Foundation SA Inc
Awarded to Volker Scholz, Senior Ranger, Deep Creek Conservation Park

Friends Group of the Year 2008 – sponsored by Nature Foundation SA Inc
Awarded to Friends of Naracoorte Caves

Friends Group of the Decade 2008
Awarded to Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia - Hunting and Conservation Branch (SA) Inc

Best Friends Medallists 2008
Awarded to Tom Hands and Sue Braddock-Smith, Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park

Nature Foundation SA Inc Best Biodiversity Project
Awarded to THREATENED PLANT ACTION GROUP

This Group has been chosen as they have improved the biodiversity in some areas of the Belair National Park with the help of the Friends of Belair NP, the Native Orchid Society of SA and the Lofty Block Threatened Recovery Project.

At the commencement of the project, woody weeds such as Bone seed, bulbs such as Freesias, vines such as ivy, and herbaceous weeds such as St Johns Wort needed to be controlled by removal or spraying. They have been measuring the effect of their restoration and management efforts by visual observation and vegetation monitoring quadrats.

Improved biodiversity in the Manna Gum (Eucalptus viminalis ssp viminalis) woodland which is a threatened ecosystem in SA and the Messmate Stringbark (E. oblique) association has occurred; with native species beginning to proliferate including the Leafy Greenhood Orchid. The improved habitat has resulted in the native fauna such as the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot and Scarlet Robin returning to the area.

Heritage Branch Award for the Best Heritage Project

Awarded to the
NATIONAL PARKS HERITAGE COMMITTEE - BLUE COTTAGE

The Blue Cottage has had an impressive amount of restoration and conservation works carried out since the early 1980s. For the past 24 years, the National Parks Heritage Committee has been in charge of the works, liaising with the Adelaide Region and the Heritage Branch.

The Heritage Committee has received advice with regards to the reconstruction of the veranda, restoration of the underground rooms, and reinstating of the original colour scheme. The Committee has taken the professional advice and showed their commitment to good conservation practice and heritage awareness.

The Committee has proven to have a long standing program of maintenance and conservation works to the Blue Cottage, and is the deserving recipient for the 2008 Friends of Parks Heritage Award.

MOST SUPPORTIVE STAFF MEMBER
to the Friends of Parks Network

Sponsored by The Nature Foundation SA Inc
awarded to VOLKER SCHOLZ, SENIOR RANGER, Deep Creek Conservation Park, Fleurieu District, Adelaide Region

The Friends of Deep Creek believe they would have to be one of the luckiest groups in the state to have Volker. He has been the group’s ranger since they started over 15 years ago, and has always been very supportive of their activities.

Volker has a great disposition, a fantastic sense of humour, and is always calm in some very stressful situations. He discusses with the group the plans for the Park. He suggests but doesn’t order. He guides but doesn’t dictate.

Volker is highly regarded in the local community and is often referred to for local environmental issues in and out of the park. He is always available for a good chat and a catch up, and is very accommodating in times of need. A friend you can rely on.

The Friends cannot speak highly enough of their respect and admiration for Volker. The Friends of Deep Creek are not hot on awards. However, if someone should receive an award no one is more deserving than Volker. He is as passionate about his park as he is compassionate about his friends group. They love him to bits.

The Nature Foundation SA Inc. AWARD TO
THE FRIENDS GROUP OF THE YEAR 2008

Awarded to the FRIENDS OF NARACOORTE CAVES

The Friends of Naracoorte Caves group formed in 2002, participating in many and varied activities both on and off the park.

A major project for 2008 was the restoration of William Reddan's grave. Reddan was the second caretaker at Naracoorte Caves, and was responsible for the discovery of several caves and the establishment of the park as a significant tourism destination. Reddan has no surviving relative so the group took on the restoration, receiving a community chest grant from the Naracoorte Lucindale Council.

The group continues work hard to help conserve the critically endangered Southern Bentwing bat, through ongoing maintenance of an important wintering cave on private land, and supporting bat researchers.

Many members have also been active supporting fossil researchers retrieving fossil material from a cave exposed in a quarry.

One of the group’s favourite activities is lighting fires; burning felled feral pines. This valuable conservation work is usually accompanied by a lengthy social activity supervising the fire!

The group’s involvement is much appreciated by Caves Manager, Steve Bourne.

The McLaren Shield Awarded to the
FRIENDS GROUP OF THE DECADE, 2008

Awarded to the Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia - Hunting and Conservation Branch (SA)

The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia - Hunting and Conservation Branch is a ‘roving Friend of Parks Group’ working in parks across the state. The aim of the group is to assist in the conservation of Australia’s unique wildlife and habitat.

After around 16 years of working in DEH managed parks, feral pest species densities are now generally at ‘maintenance’ levels. The Branch is of critical importance to the ongoing success of the Bounceback Program. The numbers of feral goats in central parts of Gawler and Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges, and Bimbowrie are very low.

Other activities of the group include the maintenance of the Bunkers Conservation Park; assisting with environmental research and educate the community about conservation and land management.

They are a dedicated bunch, often facing extreme weather to undertake their activities; be it walking through the ranges in 40oC plus temperatures on the trail of goats, or -5oC when out spotlighting for cats. Their enthusiasm, commitment and goodwill allows for an easy relationships with rangers, where all are working towards the same long-term goal.

THE 2008 BEST FRIENDS MEDALlistS

Awarded to TOM HANDS AND SUE Braddock-SMITH
FRIENDS OF SCOTT CREEK Conservation Park

Tom has been President of the Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park for most of its history and one of its founding members. He has shown himself to be well fitted for this task, with his multiskilling in botany, ornithology, mammalogy and assorted other –ologies.

His encyclopaedic knowledge of the park has helped guide efforts in weeding and rehabilitation. His botanical expertise is very relevant to the Adelaide Hills, and his ornithological knowledge has also been put to good use, with his involvement with bird banding in Scott Creek CP.

He is also a handyman. He has been able to develop several improvements in the bird banding and plant control areas, besides giving a lot of good advice to members concerning their household repairs and problems.

Sue was also a founding member of FOSCCP and its Secretary for it first years. She has quietly, but ably, abetted Tom in his various pursuits and has maintained an active membership in the Friends group. Together, Tom and Sue make up a dedicated and powerful twosome.

The Department appreciates Tom and Sue's efforts in the park. The Southern Lofty District has excellent communication with them and they always make themselves available for on site meetings with staff and contractors. Senior Ranger, Leah Egan says that she personally always look forward to catching up with them and the group.