Successful move for NPA

The NPA Head Office did indeed move to new premises in mid-December. As can be imagined, it was a mammoth effort (NPA is forty years old, after all, so just think of all the STUFF that can accumulate in that time!). Numerous people spent days of their lives sorting, chucking out, packing. And of course there was the process of finding a suitable place. Then came the makeover of the new premises to provide suitable spaces for the many workers who use the office. One bonus of the new place is that it actually has a small kitchen within it; no more traipsing down the hall to fill the kettle. Of the many people who helped make all this possible, noteworthy of particular attention and thanks are:

• Kristi MacDonald was chief engineer of the sorting/ chucking etc, furniture selection and the actual move (all those boxes, all that equipment!);
• Noel Plumb negotiated the lease and directed the fit out;
• Michelle Johnston assisted Kristi and, I gather, helped choose the gorgeous new couch;
• Alex Tucker, Peter James, Peter Caldwell and Alan Catford lent their hands to numerous carpentry jobs, large and small;
• Ian Michie did all the kilometres of cabling and electrical work;
• Michael Rolfe managed to work out a layout for the furniture so that the office will actually function.

Green Games Watch has moved in with us and have their own smallish cubicle within the larger space. No doubt this will lead to some interesting interaction in the future!

You can find us at:
Level 9, 91 York St, Sydney.

Contact us on:
phone 02 9299 0000
fax 02 9290 2525
Some things remain the same:

E-mail: npansw@bigpond.com
website: http://NPANSW.cjb.net
mailing address: PO Box A96, Sydney South 1235.

Staff changes

In keeping with the new premises, there have been various rearrangements within the staff working out of Head Office – some losses, some gains.

Kristi MacDonald, after nearly four years as Administrative Officer, has left for other pastures. "Administrative Officer" gives a rather limited idea of the vast range of tasks that Kristi actually did. "Computer systems manager", "Moral support worker" and "Chief problem solver" are some things that come to mind. Not to mention occasional articles in this Journal. Those in the office, and no doubt many out in the Branches, will sorely miss her. In the meantime, Vivien Clayphan-Dunne and Michelle Johnston are filling in until a new Administrator is found.

Cath Webb, who has acquired the new title of Western Wetlands Officer, has for some reason decided to head off to Canberra (why, one might ask?). She will continue to work on western issues for NPA and World Wide Fund for Nature and can be contacted at the new WWF office in Canberra. You can ring the NPA Office on 9299 0000 for contact details (at the time of going to press the WWF office was not yet set up).

Andrew Cox has joined the NPA staff as a Western Woodlands Project Officer, initially focusing on the South Brigalow Bioregion stretching north of Dubbo where Government plans to complete a Regional Forest Agreement. Immediate threats are plans for charcoal production and biomass energy sourced from Goonoo and Pilliga State Forest, woodland areas proposed for parks by NPA. Broader aims are to raise awareness of woodland protection and significantly expand conservation reserves on public lands with woodland remnants.

Andrew comes to us after a four and a half year period working for the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Wilderness Conservation Unit. He has a keen interest in bushwalking and birdwatching, and believes that conservation issues west of the divide desperately need attention and support. He has contributed many stunning photos to this Journal in the past, so here's hoping the new position will provide even more opportunities.

Anita Sundstrom has been employed as the new Western Project Officer. Anita will be working with NPA and WWF to promote nature conservation in western NSW. She will also be working with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW on the native vegetation planning process. Anita has recently moved to Sydney after finishing a degree in Geography and Environmental Law in Canberra, where she was involved with various community environmental organisations. She is happy to join the Western Project team, and become involved in such important, necessary and challenging work.

Miriam Vandenberg recently began work for NPA part-time as a Marine Project Officer. The position represents a renewal of effort by NPA on marine conservation, and a major focus will be working towards the gazettal of new marine national parks. Miriam has a BSc in biology and is a keen scuba diver. She has worked with NSW Fisheries and NPWS.

Profile Roger Lembit, NPA President

I have known Roger since I first joined Sydney University Bushwalkers in 1986. Then, he busied himself exploring the furthest corners of rough and scrubby country while attempting to finish a postgraduate degree. I envied him since I discovered he wrote for Wild magazine, and even was a co-author of a book Bushwalking, part of the Leisure Time Series. I later found this book for sale for fifty cents. I may have been impressed by those with small fame then, but Roger continued to influence and support my own and others' environment endeavours.

His detailed knowledge of plants and passion for wild country saw him working on many environment causes, including with The Wilderness Society, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW. What made Roger different from many environmental campaigners was that he was out there seeing the issues that others only heard about in protest slogans.

His lobbying for more and better protected areas drew him to NPA in 1980. There he has been a ‘behind the scenes’ supporter for many of its activities. Roger has been a driving force behind the success of the NPA Biodiversity Committee and has strongly pursued western NSW issues long before the recent interest in them. Since 1995 he has been a member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Advisory Council and has been active on its Planning Sub-Committee.

Suddenly, Roger’s bull strength came under attack. What started as a suspected cold on a summer walk to the Coxs River in late 1996 was diagnosed as leukaemia the following day. He immediately underwent chemotherapy treatment. With his bushwalker strength in his favour, and the support of friends and family, Roger thankfully pulled through.

From his recovery later in 1997, Roger has refocused his work. He now combines his successful environmental consulting business with his many voluntary environmental roles. From 1997 to 1999 he was President of the Australian Committee for IUCN, and since August 1999 has been the elected NPA President.

Andrew Cox
Western Woodlands Project Officer

Lynne Hosking (Armidale Branch), Roger Lembit (NPA President) and Peter Monley (Dumaresq Shire Mayor)
at NPA State Council meeting

Armidale Branch celebrates Silver Anniversary

In 1974, Armidale, Tamworth and Walcha established branches of NPA. The Armidale Branch was formed when the late Peter Wright (for many years Chairman of the New England National Park Trust) joined with Ian Johnstone, Colin Mason and Beth Williams to call a foundation meeting. The meeting attracted 87 people, including students and lecturers from the newly created Natural Resources Department at the University of New England.

Many foundation or long-term members are still actively participating in the Armidale Branch and deserve acknowledgment for their wonderful contribution over the years: Beth and John Williams, Peter Metcalfe, Joan and Robert Boyd, Ian Johnstone, June Currey, Alan Jackson, Brian Hardaker, Frank Low, Shirley Cook, Madeleine Robins, Grainger Morris, Judy Grieve, John Davidson, Ruth Trémont and Bob Shepherd.

We also have the welcome enthusiasm of younger committee members:

Zibet Szacsvay, Anita Trendle, Mathew Gray, Jonathon Smith,
Andrew Logan, Janene Marum, Rosie Arnold and Paul McCann.

Armidale Branch has 105 members and each month organises an excursion, which is publicised through a monthly newsletter. Throughout the year several social gatherings, general meetings and fo- rums are held with guest speakers.

Recently we were involved with the Regional Forest Assessment Process and submitted seven proposals for areas to be reserved. From Boonoo Boonoo near Tenterfield to Panhandle and Mummel Gulf near Walcha, new lands have been added to the national park estate within all of our proposed areas.

The closest to our hearts as well as geographically is the new Cunnawarra NP that links Oxley Wild Rivers and New England national parks. We were pleased with the community support for our proposal, including from the Thaingutti Aboriginal people, local government, other environment groups, local business and tourism.

Current concerns for our Branch include the fate of remnant temperate woodlands of the Tablelands, slopes and plains with the proposed logging for charcoal production; and the restructuring of the NPWS.

Two special events were held in 1999 to celebrate our silver anniversary.

In October, Senator Bob Brown was guest speaker at a fundraising dinner. Over 100 people enjoyed his inspirational address, Green versus Greed in the New Millennium, accompanied by slides of Tasmania and Tibet.

In November we hosted the NPA State Council meeting, which was attended by 30 members from 8 different branches. Peter Monley, Dumaresq Shire President, welcomed the visitors to Armidale and gave an address about the Shire’s environmental initiatives. A talk and magnificent slides of New England by Frank Low enhanced the evening meal. The following day a choice of excursions allowed members to view Dangar’s Gorge, Wollomombi Falls (Oxley Wild Rivers NP); Yaraandoo Ecology Centre (Dumaresq Shire); and Cunnawarra NP.

Armidale Branch members have appreciated the visits by other branch members and visitors – such as Bob Brown and Paul Thomas, a Greens local government councillor from Tasmania – in helping to celebrate our anniversary. Their input has helped inspire us to look forward to the next 25 years of environmental endeavours.

Lynne Hosking
President, Armidale Branch