SCENIC RIM'S WILDLIFE EXPO

The Scenic Rim's wonderful and diverse array of wildlife was the focus of the Wildlife Expo held in Beaudesert on Sunday 18th July 2010.

Perfect weather, a good crowd of perhaps 200 visitors and some great displays, including live animals that most people never get to see up close (or at all) made for a really great day. "Meeting the fruitbat and other animals face to face was a real turning point for me" said one visitor, and we were told that shoppers at the local supermarket later that day were excitedly talking about the expo they'd just visited and the animals they met there.

Our sponsors (Logan and Albert Conservations Association), (Scenic Rim Regional Council), (Logan and Beaudesert Bushwalkers),(Caldera Arts) and (Araucaria Ecotours) helped to make the day possible, as did the contribution of time and effort by various WPSQ members and all our presenters and displayers. The Rathdowney and District Historical Association (http://www.rathdowney.org.au) also supplied five gazebos for our use on the day. Deputy Mayor (Scenic Rim Regional Council) Dave Coburn not only arranged for RADHA's gazebos to be available, but provided an extra one from council, and when we could not find a PA system available brought his own personal one for use throughout the day. This was used to play frog, bird and mammal recordings by (Dave Stewart) in between presentations.

The day started at 7.45am with a bird walk by experts Sheena Gilman (Birds Queensland) and Wendy Dunn (Fassifern Naturalists). Sheena had made a massive effort to get there, having been stranded by flood waters out near Birdsville just a few days earlier, and still zooming in from way out west the day before. Wendy agreed to step in for Sheena, and then decided to come along anyway even when we found out that Sheena was now on her way through Roma and intended getting there after all, so attendees were very lucky to have both these ladies interpreting the birdlife of Beaudesert's lagoon and riparian vegetation.

A treasure hunt for children had already been prepared, with each clue leading to a different location and a wildlife question to find the answer to (or in one case the footprint of an echidna to be sketched). Children joining in this popular activity received a paper bag with toy animals, reasonably healthy snacks and vouchers allowing adults to enter Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at children's prices.

Deputy-Mayor Cr. Dave Coburn gave an opening address, saying how much he loved living in this wonderful part of the world and that he hoped the wildlife expo would continue for many years to come. He also mentioned the new, compact little book, book, WIld Scenic Rim which is now available at Information Centres throughout the region.

Michelle Plant was available to discuss the feeding of wildlife (when not to, how to do so responsibly ...), the theme of her doctoral thesis, the results of which are already being well employed in venues such as the O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.

John McCann, a well-published photographer, presented tips for nature photography, and showed some great examples of his own work. John is available for wedding photos as well as nature photography

The two Geckos Wildlife (http://www.geckoeswildlife.com.au) presentations by Martin Fingland were a huge hit with everyone. Animals such as quolls, bettongs, potoroos and flap-footed lizards (a group of reptiles confined to Australasia) are not seen often in the wild and not especially common in captivity, so it was the first time many of our visitors had met these creatures. Other species such as gliders, green tree snakes, a barking owl, a channel-billed cuckoo, freshwater turtles and a large carpet python, were included in the demonstrations, many being brought amongst the audience to be seen up close and gently stroked. Louise Saunders of Bat Conservation and Rescue also brought her friendly fruitbat Gilbert up on stage.

Wildlife south of Bung Bung (Mt Chinghee) was the topic of a short video by Running Creek resident John Flanagan, who attended the Expo in the morning but unfortunately had to leave before his video was viewed (the rest of us enjoyed it)

The need for wildlife to move, the problems they face and ways we can help them was the theme of a presentation by Ronda Green (chair of Scenic Rim branch, WPSQ). This was followed by an example from Logan Shire of problems with highways and wildlife movements, by Anne Paige of the Logan and Albert Conservations Association

Andy Reimanis of Caldera Arts spoke of the value of biodiversity art in environmental education, and then drew the winning raffle ticket for the lovely painting of sugar gliders donated by artist Sandra Temple. There were insufficient entries for the Great Wildlife Discovery Challenge (perhaps it was too challenging) for prizes - a new version of the challenge to be announced soon. The wildlife ohoto competition by LACA is continuing until Threatened Species Day in September.

Various displays were available throughout the day. Troy Cooper promoted a reptile show to be held on the Gold Coat next month. The Logan and Albert Conservations Association displayed local conservation issues and the tracks and scats of local wildlife. The Bearded Dragon Hotel (a sponsor for the Discovery Challenge) promoted their regular reptile shows at Tamborine and their were brochures on display for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, O'Reilly's and Wildife Warriors. Janet Gamble of the RSPCA found at the last moment she was unable to attend, but did manage to drop off some information on their wildlife care. Sheena of Birds Queensland displayed information on birds and birdwatching in our region, and Dave Stewart's CDs of animal recordings. Peter Poropat brought copies of his very useful book on identifying rainforest trees from their bark and trunks - this and related posters are available from the Rainforest Information Centre in Murwillimbah and other outlets, and from Peter himself. Kay Montgomery of Ecological Connections brought a collection of wildlife-attracting plants from her nursery near Boonah. Andrea Hudson displayed a range of nesting boxes for wildlife. Bat Conservation and Rescue displayed many aspects of local bats, accompanied by the ever-popular and very friendly black flying fox Gilbert. WIldlife artists Andy Reimanis of (Caldera Arts) and Graham Abraham had some lovely bird paintings on display. Narelle Beaumont from University of Southern Queensland showed information on her tourism management course which includes ecotourism (http://www.usq.edu.au/business/studyareas/tourhosp/default.htm). A noticeboard also listed various other wildlife-related courses that prospective students can consider in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales contact Ronda for a list. And of course there was a display from Wildlife Preservation Society generally (including the quoll-seekers and the threat to platypus from yabbie nets) and of the Scenic Rim branch (including a request for locals and visitors to tell us where they have seen wildlife in our region).

All in all a very successful day, with bright blue skies and a happy crowd of people.