Students saving endangered forest
Saving critically endangered native flora ( pictured l-r ) field officer Jean-Philippe Kecman , students Ryan Baxter and Declan Gunther , and trainer Deb Rothwell .
Northolm Grammar high school students have pitched in to help save one of Australia ’ s rarest types of forest , clinging to existence in small patches of bushland in the Hornsby Shire .
The 100 or so volunteers from the Arcadia school recently spent two mornings planting 675 native groundcovers , grasses and shrubs in critically endangered Sydney Turpentine- Ironbark Forest at Fagan Park , Galston .
The patch of forest , Carrs Bush , is so rare in the Greater Sydney region that only one-half a per cent of the pre-1788 Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest remains .
Keen to help with this Hornsby Shire Council project were Year 10 students Ryan Baxter and Declan Gunther .
Ryan described the experience as “ overall an incredible day ”.
“ Although I have been to Fagan Park a number of times , it was a truly unique experience to be able to walk through the environment and witness all of the great things that are being done to preserve the Turpentine-Iron Bark Forests and to rehabilitate and replenish the previously cleared areas ,” Ryan said .
As well as planting a number of native species the students were given a listening tour of the park .
For Declan , who regularly visits the park , the experience was especially revealing .
“ Having lived close to Fagan Park , I never expected its vast and unique environments to be so interesting ,” Declan said .
“ Having gone through the bush and learned about the particular and deliberate placement of plants and wildlife , it was a fulfilling experience to plant a few trees myself and become a part of the park ’ s rich history .”
Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest is listed as ‘ critically endangered ’ under NSW ’ s Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Australia ’ s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . “ That is the highest level of threat for any type of forest before extinction ,” explains Petra Holland , an Environmental Scientist with Council ’ s Bushland Programs Team .
“ So , we greatly appreciate the efforts of the Northholm Grammar School students .”
The decline of Sydney-Turpentine Ironbark Forest has endangered plants and animals that need the forest to survive – including microbats and the powerful owl , glossy black cockatoo and koalas .
“ This forest is not just rare locally – it is rare on a worldwide scale . This is because the only place this forest has ever existed is within what is now Greater Sydney ,” Ms Holland said .
“ Each year , council and community volunteers invest funds and time in bushland restoration work at specific locations in Hornsby Shire .
“ The conservation and on-ground restoration of our forests needs to be accelerated and expanded .
“ Critical to the success of this and similar projects is support from people , like these wonderful students , who live , study or work nearby and also those who visit these forests .”
The student planting at Fagan Park is part of a broader council project to restore Sydney Turpentine- Ironbark Forest and another ‘ critically endangered ’ forest type – Blue Gum High Forest .
The plants used in the project were all grown at council ’ s Warada Ngurang Community Nursery in Pennant Hills . This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust .
If you ’ d like to help out or know more , go to Hornsby . nsw . gov . au / threatenedforests .
OUT & ABOUT
The Pavilion Theatre kicks off
an entertaining season 2022
It ’ s a case of third time lucky for Castle Hill Players as they present Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett , directed by Jennifer Willison from Friday 21 January through Saturday 12 February at their theatrical home , the iconic Pavilion Theatre situated within Castle Hill Showground .
The production was preparing to go on stage when COVID-19 hit back in 2020 causing the cancellation of the year ’ s remaining shows . It was a matter of déjà vu in 2021 when the second attempt to stage the show was thwarted with another lockdown , again cancelling the remainder of that season .
British born Director , Jennifer , has that stoic Keep Calm and Carry-On approach which has served her well over this trying period , but she is thrilled , and more than a little relieved , to be in the home stretch .
“ Full marks to the cast – Julie Mathers , Amy Austin , Linda Young , Michelle Masefield and David Schad , for their resilience , patience and commitment . It ’ s been quite a journey for everyone ,” Jennifer said .
Clergy wife , Grace , is facing life as a new widow . In her view she has more than adequately served the parish and should now be enjoying the new-found freedom of doing precisely as she pleases .
Enter her eccentric older sister , Ruth ,
David Schad and Julie Mathers .
back from Africa with an inconceivable revelation , daughter Jo with some life changing issues of her own and the ever-present spirit of her husband , Bardy . These are all presented with plenty of acerbic wit , sharp-edged comedy , thought provoking banter and heartfelt discussion .
Add to the mix the arrival of the new vicar who requires Grace ’ s exit from the vicarage , and we begin to see how complicated things become when a confession and the act of forgiveness meet head on and go toe to toe .
Set in the garden of the vicarage , set design by Maureen Cartledge , this deceptively profound , comic play is thoroughly absorbing and entertaining . It will surprise and delight with its ability to shake preconceptions .
New starting times in 2022 : Wednesday , Friday and Saturday 8.00pm and Sunday 4.00pm
Full details at paviliontheatre . org . au .
An Amateur Production BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH , LTD .
Friday 21 January , 2022 to Saturday 12 February , 2022
NEW STARTING TIMES IN 2022 : 8.00pm on Wed , Fri and Sat , 4.00pm on Sunday
PAVILION THEATRE
IN THE SHOWGROUND SINCE 1966 !
TICKETS
$ 30 /$ 25 Adult / Concession $ 22 Groups of 10 or more
For full details , session times and bookings go to paviliontheatre . org . au
or phone 9634 2929
The Pavilion Theatre is located within the Castle Hill Showground , adjacent to the new Metro Hills Showground Station . The entrance is at the lights located between Gilbert and Carrington Roads , Castle Hill and Doran Drive .
THE
HOME OF THE
CASTLE HILL PLAYERS
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 80 // FEBRUARY 2022 29