What's On Tablelands April 2019 | Page 6

Peiican in Flight at Lake Barrine Photo: Rod Payne matter what your running ability is – from those annoyingly fast speed-demon runners, all the way back to the “sweepers” – it will never be too long before you are seeing a smiling face trotting back towards you or hearing a cheery “on your right” approaching from behind. Sound enticing? All of the Red Earth Running training sessions have been designed with these three elements in mind: safe yet beautiful running locations, accessibility for a wide range of runners and joggers, and keeping it as social as possible. Jenny McLean, director of Tolga Bat Rescue and Research, has worked with bats since 1990, full time since 2005. With the help of hundreds of volunteers over the years, she has guided Tolga Bat Hospital into #1 on Trip Advisor for attractions in this area, and #1 in Australia for bat rehabilitation. As we finish up after our respective one, two, three or (for those gung-ho ultramarathon types) four laps of the lake at our own paces, the pack reconvenes at the Lake Barrine Teahouse pontoon’s edge for a post-run dip in the clear, invigorating water, before bounding upstairs for a coffee and breakfast with a view. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, and with a huge sunken fireplace-cum-children’s play and reading area, it’s hard to resist lingering here at the teahouse catching up with old running mates and getting to know new faces. The next three long runs will see us travel all around the Tablelands, before returning here as we do every fourth week. As we watch the rising sun slowly disentangle the water-bound mist, revealing the lake in all of its hues of green under a dazzling blue sky, it becomes apparent that the next long run is now less than seven days away; I can’t wait... Red Earth Running meets three times a week to train together at various locations around the Atherton Tablelands. The group welcomes runners and joggers of all abilities from ages 10 and up (parental supervision required if 11 and under). If you want to get out onto the roads, athletics track, and trails with Red Earth Running, join their Facebook Group,, check out their Instagram account or email the club at redearthrunning@ admin.com.au. Flying foxes have been called ‘flying foresters.’ Without them our forests would be much the poorer. No other animal can arrive in large numbers and pollinate on such a broad landscape scale, and then move on. We’ll talk about the two main species in this area, the Little Reds and the Spectacled Flying Foxes, and debunk a lot of media-evil and medieval myths about them. • Flying Fox Talk • 12 noon Sunday 28th April 2019 42 Bischoff Mill Rd, Watsonville Botanical Garden Open: 10am – 4pm, Sunday 28 April Explore the garden using the interpretive guide book. Smoko provided. Donations welcome. Back to the Bone Botanical Garden is for sale, and will also be open for inspection by appointment. Red Earth Running Training Session 6 What’s On & Where To Go April 2019 Further information: Steve and Marijke Hancock p. (07) 4096 2089 e. [email protected]