There’s nothing half as much fun…
Patricia Gill. Denmark's ï¬rst St Ayles Skiff headed through the channel at the Rivermouth on Saturday marking the end of the 10-month community project to build the boat. Organiser David Cliff reflected on the project, quoting Ratty telling Mole in Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s novel, Wind in the Willows: “Believe me my young friend there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much fun as simply messing about in boats”.
Surf club ‘family’ has first day out to start new season
Serena Kirby. The Denmark Surf Club season has officially started and the first day on the beach was held in cold and windy conditions ... “No disrespect to the other clubs but this is the best surf club I’ve been a member of because it’s just like one big family”: Sam Williams.
‘Precious, unlogged, unburnt’
Murdoch University sustainability lecturer Nicole Hodgson describes the central core of Mt Hallowell reserve as precious unlogged, long unburnt forest. This was mostly karri, jarrah, marri, sheoak, and more than 100 other plant species. Home to many animals and more than 70 bird species, some in the reserve were critically endangered like the Carnaby’s and Baudain’s cockatoos.
Gondwana Link sends letter of warning
A Letter from Gondwana Link to Premier Mark McGowan warns of the impact of mountain bike trails on the connectivity and integrity of the bush. It also warns of the increasing fragmentation of ecologically valuable habitat. Mountain bike trails (and other high intensity trail networks) are described as fundamentally incompatible with the aims and goals of conservation.
Lifeline for trails
Patricia Gill. The Denmark Mountain Bike Club intends to negotiate a bigger presence in the long term on Mt Hallowell in keeping with a plan to develop a trails network on 68ha of the reserve ... Denmark Mountain Bike Club president Brad Drummond said it was unfortunate that there was a view in the community that mountain bikers were ‘environmental animals’.
Pratha retires – at 82
Patricia Gill. Dr Pratha Prathalingam shrugs off working until 82 as ‘easy’ because he has loved his job. “It’s never been a burden to me,” says the Sri Lankan born ‘Pratha’ who was recruited from eSwatini (Zwaziland) to come to Australia via the forerunner organisation to the State Government’s Rural Health West.
Naturally smart farming
Kylie Cook. Natural Intelligence Farming improves pasture diversity and productivity, rebuilds soils, repairs landscapes and beneï¬ts human and livestock health. The manager of Prospect Pastoral Co, a Wheatbelt mixed cropping and livestock operation of more than 60,000ha, Di Haggerty, spoke to the Wilson Inlet Growers Group in July ... She said Wheatbelt farmers faced many challenges, a drying climate, ‘gutless’ sandy soils, salinity and erosion of bare ground between cropping seasons.
Local radio making waves
Serena Kirby. Denmark FM has been named as a ï¬nalist in four national community radio awards. The annual Community Broadcasting Association of Australia awards are designed to recognise innovation, programs and initiatives that contribute to the industry and the local community.
