Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Incorporated

Main page

The parks:
Black Hill

Horsnell Gully

Morialta

Project Sites:

Young Friends
Common Bird List
Diary Dates
Track Maps
Contact the Friends
Join the Friends
20 years in the Parks
Links

Horsnell Gully Project Site

Project Report 2007

One of the revegetation areas
Cleared of Blackberry

The Horsnell Gully Project has continued from strength to strength this year with the addition of several new regular members attending our Saturday working bees. At times we have had as many as 9 volunteers working on our area!

Altogether this year we have put in some 188 hours of effort and planted another 130 endemic plants.

Thanks go especially to the co coordinators of the group Caroline and Dennis for collecting and propagating the plant stocks and for being there when we take off on our travels. Our regeneration areas which have been expanded this year are now very obvious to the public walking in the Park and we regularly receive acknowledgement of the work we are doing from passing walkers.

We also thank John Fleming, our President for his support over the year and to Elaine or providing 2 unused microscopes to the Young Friends. We welcome our new support Ranger, Chris and look forward to working with him in the future.

Thank you all for your efforts during 2007. We feel we are making a difference for all Park users!

Bruce and Joy - Project Coordinators

Top of the page

Project Report 2006

Working on the track
December 2007

The team made progress during the year with more clearing at the Rockdale Track section and along the park creek entry. The planting of Themeda has been a successful first attempt with grasses. All this thanks to Carolyn and Dennis who propagate our plants and look after the project while Joy and I are travelling.

The team also acknowledge the support from Ranger Eric from DEH in keeping the park clean and tidy and a pleasant place to visit.

A lot of work by our band of happy volunteers continues to be mundane, but important, with the thrust of weed control throughout the year. Dennis routinely works on Watsonia with obvious improvement. Thanks Carolyn, Dennis, Claire, Elspeth, Joy and Lee and the Pembroke Scouts for your continued support. Altogether some 200 hours of work, 120+ plants have been provided to this area this year, making it far more attractive for the general public.

Bruce - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project Report 2005

The planted area at the Rockdale Track

Another year passes and more inroads have been made in the patch of blackberries on the Rockdale Corner. This year has seen more clearing of the area and planting of some 150 seedlings in our attempt to restore the area. Thanks to Lola who helped us identify plants in our park and Dennis and Carolyn who have collected the seed and propagated it for us.

We also acknowledge the support from Eric in getting a work crew from Correctional Services to attack the elms, broom and blackberry along the creek entry to the park and this has made a terrific improvement to the parks appearance. It is hoped that at planting time next year we will be able to revegetate this area and so extend our project area.

The cleared out creek entry

Once again our band of happy volunteers continues to work patiently at the mundane, but vitally important task of weed control throughout the year. Thanks Claire, Elaine, Dennis, Carolyn, Joy and Lee and the Pembroke Scouts for your continued support. Altogether some 213 hours of work, 150 plants and 300 pamphlets have been provided to the area this year making it far more attractive for the general public.

Bruce - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project Report 2004

Working bee 20 May 2006

The year has see quite a change in our work area! With Bruce and Joy returning and now retired and spending more time in the park and with the great propagating skills of Dennis and Carolyn we have managed to clear substantial areas of blackberries on the Rockdale Hull corner and remove exotics from the side of the track.

This has let us plant and protect some 266 new trees and shrubs, all of which have been grown from seed collected within the park. The use of plant guards was necessary due to an increased rabbit population which in the early stages decided that the new trees were tasty!

Altogether with the help of our regular volunteers Dennis, Carolyn, Lee, Claire and Elaine as well as the periodic visit from some Pembroke Scouts and parents we managed to put in a total of 283 hours of voluntary work during the year. The comments from walkers within the park make it all seem worthwhile!

Inspecting site
11 December 2004

We also acknowledge the great support for Horsnell Gully from Parks staff, due mainly to our new Ranger, Eric. He has made sure that the picnic area has been slashed regularly, located a box of pamphlets that are put our for the public, erected a new "no bikes" sign at the entrance to the walking track, coordinated a bandicoot survey, provided a Correctional Services work team to revegetate the old Rockdale Hill Ridge track that has now been closed due to mountain bike damage and released a biological control to help remove the bridal creeper.

Once again thanks to all who have come and helped during the year and especially Dennis and Carolyn for making us feel that we are actually making a difference with all the trees we had available for planting.

Bruce - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project Report 2003

Marianthus bignoniaceus
The Orange Bell Creeper

In 2003, Joy and Bruce took a year off, (as coordinators) to go travelling around Australia and so we (Dennis and Carolyn) agreed to take on the task of coordinating the Working Bees for Horsnell Gully Conservation Park. Now at the end of the year, we appreciate how hard many people have worked over the years in helping to restore the natural native vegetation and what a daunting task it must have been in the beginning. However we have enjoyed our year and are pleased to report that our efforts and the consistent efforts of the few dedicated helpers, have made a difference.

Many thanks to Claire and Kate, for their regular attendance at working bees.

The Monthly Working Bees were mainly used to assist in stopping the spread of woody weeds, such as olives, broom, blackberry etc. and these have been kept under control in designated areas along the Nature and walking tracks, the car park and the hill behind the dairy ruins.

Seed was collected at the end of last year and this year 60 seedlings were propagated and planted in July, to extend last year's plantings, adjacent to the dairy ruins and at various spots along the Nature and walking tracks. The plants, Acacia paradoxa, Acacia rupicola, Dodoneae revoluta and Leptospermum sp are all doing well.

About 30 seedlings, Hakea (2 species) and Bursaria spinosa were seeded in August and are doing well and will be planted this year.

We are looking forward to the removal of olives as planned by Parks, which will be an extra incentive to continue efforts to stop flowering and spread of major weeds. Then to aid the revegetation process more seedlings need to be propagated from the local species.

Dennis and Carolyn - Project Co-ordinators

Top of the page

Project Report 2002

Looking from the carpark
6 April 2002

This year has seen continued progress in the area with main developments on the car park hill, the dairy area and further clearing of the hill above the dairy, as well as some work maintaining the edges of the Nature Track.

The progress has been helped significantly by Carolyn and Dennis who collected seed in December and then propagated some 80 plants. These were placed in the ground around the dairy and up the hill above it during July. To date, despite the rabbits having a nibble at them, some 68 have still survived. This is the first time for a number of years that replanting has taken place and we have been encouraged by our efforts.

Some clearing of broom and blackberries has occurred around the edges of the Nature Track in an effort to keep the track accessible and pleasant but much more work needs to be done.

It is exciting when clearly blackberries at the southern end to find native species still surviving amongst the invading weeds!

The dairy area as been cleared and cut using our whipper snipper on a regular basis and this has opened up the area. The viewing of heritage buildings from the picnic area has been greatly enhanced by this work.

All the work has been made possible by the regular attendance of Caroline, Dennis, Claire, Bruce and Joy and with much appreciated support from the Pembroke Scouts and a visit by some members of the Bahai Community, Campbelltown. Thank you all.

All told over the year, some 164 hours of voluntary labour has been supplied to this area with an average of 6 regulars for each working bee. Of course, the days when more attend a larger progression is seen than on the days when only 2 or 3 arrive, but we are still appreciative of any help we get. We feel that we are still continuing to make a difference to the area and enhancing it for the general public to enjoy a tranquil park setting close to the city.

Bruce - Project Coordinator.

Visit the Horsnell Gully page for photos and more information about this park.

Top of the page

Project report 2001

New Interpretive Signs
February 2001

The small group that works in Horsnell Gully has concentrated this year on maintaining the car park and dairy area. To this end much progress has been made as most of the working bees have concentrated on this area. It has been pleasing to see, once again the involvement, on a couple of occasions of the Pembroke Scout Troop who worked on cutting and swabbing olives at the top of this area. This has resulted in containing and thinning out the growth in this area.

Approximately 111 hours of work has been seen during the last 12 months and the area above the picnic ground has been cleared of fresh blackberry growth. It is now at the stage where we can cut and swab it to remove it entirely. The area is certainly looking better for the attention it has received. Thanks go to the Stewart family, Claire and the Pembroke Scouts for all their efforts in 2001.

Bruce Stewart - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project report 2000

Working in the elm forest
17 July 1999

The work at Horsnell Gully this year has mainly been concentrated around the car park and dairy and has consisted of continuous weeding to keep the areas clean and tidy as well as the ever present tasks of exotic removal/containment and controlling the blackberries. Some removal of broom in the Southern end of the Nature Trail was also undertaken.

The summer season saw more helpers with the tasks but as the winter days rolled in, it was left to the Stewart's and Claire to keep the project on task. A pleasing aspect at the end of the year has seen the reinvolvement of the Pembroke Scouts who have been encouraged by Lee who has taken up a role there as an Assistant Scout Leader. We anticipate that this will again continue next year. Over the year we have achieved some 90 hours of service over the 9 working bees and I thank the 12 or so helpers who have been able to attend. The area is certainly showing signs that you have been working and caring for the area.

On a sad note, this year saw the passing of the founder and driving force of this project area, John Mugford. He was an inspiration for what could be achieved by a small volunteer force who regularly work in a park for a limited time and we thank him for his vision and energy over the years. John's illness did not allow him to spend as much time as he would have liked in the park during the past year but his optimism and love for the area was still evident, especially when he asked me at our last meeting "to rev up" the people on the helping list. Our condolences to Julie, Alex and the Mugford family on their sad loss of John. He will always be remembered every time we work in Horsnell Gully.

Thanks to all our helpers who come along and help keep the area usable by the public and give the impression that the park is being cared for. The trees above the car park that we planted a year ago are beginning to grow and now can be clearly seen above the weeds. May the area continue to be made more pleasant by the removal of the weeds and exotics and I encourage all members to come for a stroll in this beautiful park.

Bruce - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project report 1999

Track from the picnic area
20 February 1999

This is the first full year that I have acted as Project Coordinator of this area having worked in conjunction with John Mugford for the last seven years. Previously the Pembroke Scouts have also worked on the area as a Service project but with John no longer their leader this has not come to fruition in 1999. It is hoped that they will once again follow up on this area in 2000 when they gain a new leader and they will be approached at the start of the year with this in mind.

This has primarily left Joy and I as the only regular members working in the area, with occasional help from Claire and more recently two new volunteers. As a result of this we have concentrated on removing weeds on the slope above the car park and replanting this bank. Approximately 80 plants have been placed in this area and maintained to ensure they have a fighting chance to survive the summer.

Some clearing of elms and blackberries has also been attempted along the eastern side of the nature track and removal of broom at the post 7 viewing point to allow the ant hill to be seen from the main track. Some light spraying of the weeds around the old dairy has also been undertaken to try to restrict growth in that area. The Rangers have erected a new sign board at the entrance to the park detailing the history of the area and replaced the old bridge with a new permapine structure,thus enhancing visitors enjoyment of the picnic area. The information contained on the signage is first rate and they are to be congratulated for their research about the area. With their constant mowing in the picnic ground it really is becoming a very pleasant place to visit.

Bruce - Project Coordinator

Top of the page

Project report 1998

Surveying the plants
17 July 1999

The Horsnell Gully Project first began in 1993 and is run in conjuction with the Pembroke Scouts as a service project under the direction of John Mugford. At the beginning of the year the work concentrated on completing the placement of numbered posts indicating points of interest on the short walking trail. Further work was also done on maintaining the trail and keeping the blackberries under control.

The latter part of the year was spent clearing the carpark, picnic and dairy areas of imported exotics, blackberries and controlling the spread of the cork elms. The major working bee of the Friends group helped weed the trees we planted several years ago.

We thank the DEHAA staff for the continual spraying of the weeds, mowing the grass and for ever removing the heaps of rubbish we leave behind in our efforts to clean the area.

Although the numbers attending the working sessions has decreased over the year, we can still see the product of our labours. The area is certainly tidier and more attractive than is was at the start of the year.

Bruce - Acting Coordinator for John Mugford.

Top of the page

Project report 1997

Joy, Ann and Claire
Cork Elm, Olive and Blackberry removal

Our band of volunteers has been working monthly on the maintenance of the two tracks from the car park and containing the Cork Elms. A brush cutter has been regularly used to clear the encroaching Blackberries and Broom along he Rockdale and Main Velley tracks. Constant work behind the Cork Elms has been to limit their spread around the Park. Originally their were 7 trees planted, now they are huge and the forest surrounding them, and spreading up the hillside requires a lot of work. A path hidden by this undergrowth has been found and is partly cleared at the western boundary of the elms. Several times the process has been assisted by a chain saw.

Visitors to the Park have often spoken about their enjoyment of the facility and they speak of their appreciation of the brochures prepared by the group. The supply of brochures is irregular however and we need to improve this. One member recently overheard a park user complain about the cutting down of trees and the noise heard on Saturday. You cannot please everyone.

We feel that we are having a significant impact on the conservation in Horsnell Gully.

John - Project Coordinator.

Top of the page

Project report 1996

Andrew staking seedlings
April 1996

Scouts and the Community

One of the aims of Scouting is to prepare people for citizenship. At Pembroke we have several activities which help other people and can be fun at the same time. Frequently childre ask "What is in it for me?", wanting instant satisfaction or tangible reward. I believe that the world as enough selfish and mercenary activities that we need to be deliberately atruistic at times. However, children should learn to work for money too, particularly when wanting to go on a trip or such.

Our Scout group has been recognised by the Scout Association and KESAB for its work in environment at Horsnell Gully Conservation Park. For two hours a month, throughout the year, we work on track maintenance, removal of pest plants and planting seedlings grown from seed collected in the Park. Since we started in 1991 people who walk through the Park have commented on the improvement in access to the falls and the trail signs in place.

National Parks and Wildlife Service has also recognised the Group for producing two brochures for the Park. Lee, a Year 9 student made an informative interpretative walking tour of the area near the car park. A second brochure is a compilation of environmental notes and trail information for the Park. Many Scouts have helped in its production. These brochures are available from the Park information board.

Slashing growth from the tracks
Working bee May 1996

A new local Rotary Club is interested in helping us occassionally with a project which may be too big for our members. Their offer is most welcome and also is an outreach into the community, broadening the contact our scouts have with others who help.

We gave recently been nominated for a Service to the Community Award from KESAB for our work and want us now to justify the award with a presentation in October.

I think Pembroke Scouts can be happy that its programme is gaining attention and that the small numbers of scouts and parents who help are doing something that is valued by the community.

John Mugford, Project Coordinator, Scout Leader

Top of the page

Report for the Friends Group March 1995

Lee and John
placing Nature Trail brochure May 1996

Horsnell Gully now has signed walking trails thanks to the National Parks rangers who planted them in February. In January 1994 Pembroke Scouts walked a trundle wheel around the paths and timed the walks. Route plans were then made for a variey of walks so notices could be posted in the car park and at significant corners and so that a brochure could be prepared giving some detail on the trails. The brochure is now nearly complete thanks to Michael who has done most of the typing and setting out.

There are two main walks from the car park, one follows the main valley, up via the waterfalls to the top gate of the park. At the entrance of the second valley on the left 700 metres from the carpark, there is a fainter trail up the left hand valley and a harder waterfall. This trail is not marked at either end.

The second trail, via Rockdale Hill, leaves the car park and proceeds up the eastern ridge where another notice informs the walker of the choice of the fire-track and a longer walk, or then fainter one up the spur.

National Parks keep the grass in the carpark area mowed and, a new gate has been mounted near the carpark to replace the one destroyed by a falling tree. The rangers have been notified each month of the activity of the group in clearing the path of blackberries and broom, the removal of the small amount of litter left in the carpark occasionally, and the inaccuracy of the tracks marked on the G.I.S. maps supplied to us.

Nick and Bruce
removing Cork Elm May 1996

For our February working bee we made a video of these two walks showing the new signs and the need to cut back blackberries soon. Later in the year we plan to plant trees from seed collected in the park. This will be in the main valley near the join of the two paths where we will clear blackberries first.

Horsnell Gully 1995 Plans

Through the Friends of Black Hill and Morialta we have the responsibility for the maintenance of Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, the Scout Parent committee is part of the group through the Scouts. Here are our plans for this year.

1. Track Maintenance

Main Track and Rockdale Track

using the new brush-cutter
placing pine logs where the track is worn
levelling parts of the track with steep slope
place several arrow marks at the fork near the main waterfall

Joy and Kerry 1996

2. Blackberries

in the main creek upstream from the Rockdale junction...

every second month slash and spray to keep them down
plant after the first rains start, the seedlings Scouts are growing.

3. Map

the outer boundary of weeds

mark with posts visible to us to gauge the spread of the weeds
plan for control measures

4. Attack

some area of olives

5. Plant

the 180 seedlings we have grown.

John - Project Coordinator.

Top of the page

Working bee May 1996

A review of the activities of the Friends Group in Horsnell Gully 1994

On a Saturday, about the 20th of the month, one patrol of scouts from Pembroke with an occasional parent and several members of "the Friends Group", from 2 - 4pm, at Horsnell Guly Conservation Park. Attendance this year has not been as good as in the past, however significant work has been done.

1994 Activities

Map checking giving distances and time to walk the various routes was completed in January. The information given to the National Park people in February to include sign boards.

A parent of one of the Scouts, Michael and I drove around the internal roads one weekday with the ranger, Colin noting where the signboards should go for the public to see.

A team cleared the first part of the Rockdale track which had been neglected for some time. There were parts which needed to be made less slippery too.

Several times during the year the main valey track had work done on it; removing overhanging blackberries, gorse and broom.

John Mugford 1996

Five sign posts were planted at ends of the tracks, early on. The topsoilis only 5cm deep in places and there is weathered rock which took some digging into.

With Bill, seeds of several plantes were collected and prepared for the next planting season. Scouts will take care f the boxes and planting.

On a walk one day we found the second waterfall which we will mark on the map of trails but not on the ground to leave something for the intrepid walker who can read a map.

A track around the western valley which was said to be a route out of the valley was cleared enough to show it so be only a service track to the orchards above and west of the house.

The interpretive brochure is well on the way.

John Mugford 1996

Plans for 1995

The brochure will be completed and photocopied to sit in a box on a post in the carpark.

Sign posts which should be ready by now will be planted. Track maintenance will continue. Five boxes of seedlings will be grown and planted, Approaches to several locals will be made to find out more of the place-names and early history.

Some interest from the public is suggesting that a sub-group of the Friends Group could be a benefit to planning and work in the Park. Names are being collected of interested people.

John - Project Coordinator.

Top of the page

Nick at the Working bee 1996

From the archives: Horsnell Gully

1991-1993 What has been achieved so far

We started, feeling our way, from our first day in the park in May 1991. At the ned of 1993 we have grown beyond the first tentative aims of keeping the track up the Main Valley clear for walkers and collecting rubbish, to a more comprehensive management activity.

The main track has been kept fairly clear f broom and Blackberries
One heap of gravel (5t) was laid on the upper track and the other (10t) was removed by National Parks.
Posts and rails were placed around the car park by NPWS after we offered to repace the old rusty cable with a new one.
NPWS removed the rubbish bins which had become a burden to empty regularly, and since they have gone there has been only a minimal litter problem.
Six grader tyres were found in the scub below the tallest pylon on the cliffs. These were moved to the car park and taken away by NPWS.
NPWS has mowed the grass around the car park regularly, keeping the front area looking inviting.

Overgrown Broom March 1991

A review of the Friends archives shows
1993:

70 Volunteer Hours
6 Working Bees

1992:

218 Volunteer Hours
9 Working Bees

1991:

63 Volunteer Hours
2 Working Bees

small error corrected 22 January 2008

Top of the page