Presidents Report - November

This month, I'm writing from the heart of the Gawler Ranges, stationed at the Paney Shearers Quarters with a stunning view of our beautiful outback. I’m here serving in my role as a National Parks and Wildlife Volunteer Ranger, alongside one other volunteer, for a 15-night stint. Together, we’re assisting the ecologists with a significant project: the reintroduction of Phascogales, small, carnivorous marsupials that are about the size of a mouse. This species has been extinct in this area for 150 years due to threats from wild cats, foxes, and other predators. Bred at Cleland National Park, these Phascogales, weighing between 30 and 50 grams, are now ready to be released into the Gawler Ranges.

Before their reintroduction, extensive efforts have gone into feral cat trapping, monitoring, and baiting to give these creatures a fighting chance. Our daily responsibilities include checking and rebaiting feral cat traps, monitoring predator and nest box cameras, feeding the Phascogales, painting nest boxes, and managing a range of other tasks. Although we’ve mostly caught sleepy lizards, sand goannas, and an echidna so far, every day offers new insights into the local wildlife. The workday often lasting 7–8 hours and involves plenty of dust, but it’s incredibly rewarding. The experience has been an excellent learning opportunity, working closely with National Parks staff and exploring the outback.

Due to park closures for wild goat eradication and two days with 38-degree temperatures and extreme fire warnings, which included a large grass fire on the neighbouring Pinkaillinnie Conservation Park, I was required to do a day trip to Port Augusta. As such I haven’t yet had much chance to explore the area fully. Now that things have settled, and the workload is easing (or we’re just more organised), I’m eager to explore more of this beautiful country. Our daily drives checking feral cat traps and cameras take us through a variety of landscapes, though the abundance of red dirt, sand, and bulldust is a common theme here!

Thanks to a provided 4WD and a park access key, I’m looking forward to exploring even more of the park in the coming days.

Female-Friendly 4WD Day

For our female members, this is the final call to sign up for the Female-Friendly 4WD Day at Adelaide Hills 4WD Park on November 17, 2024. There’s still time to get involved, so if you’re interested, head to the website to reserve your spot and stay updated as we finalize details in the coming weeks. Feel free to share a vehicle or invite a female friend or family member to join and enjoy the day together!

I look forward to seeing everyone on November 26th for our final social meeting for 2024 or at the Club’s Christmas party!

Best regards,
Andrew Gay