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.
Caulfield first home in half marathon
Stuart Caulï¬eld bolted home in one hour, 19 minutes, 12 seconds to win the Denmark Half Marathon in drizzly weather on Sunday morning. About 200 runners and walkers registered in the three events which included the 21km and 10km, and 2km for children.
Lending a helping hand a way of life for Roger
A helping hand: Former Denmark Citizen of the Year Roger Seeney is a strong believer in helping others and contributes to his community in many ways, including as an organiser of the annual Black Dog Ride, a national charity that raises awareness of depression and suicide prevention. He recently spoke to Serena Kirby about his life and the struggles which have shaped him.
Fire protection: ‘Past no guide’
Patricia Gill. Noongar cultural burning may offer historical cues for contemporary ï¬re protection but these cannot be relied on to produce a ï¬re resilient landscape. So said environmental historian Professor Andrea Gaynor at the Royal WA Historical Society Conference ... Prof. Gaynor said Noongar burning practices belonged to a mobile culture and were never intended to protect a sedentary society in a landscape which had been subjected to logging, farming and urban development.
