The 2014 Photography Competition was again hugely successful with over 200 entries across the 6 categories.
The Supreme Exhibit prize was won by Tony Watts with his photo of a Green tree Snake, which also won the “Native Animals” category.
Over 450 people voted for the people’s choice prize which was won by Brian Krieger’s picture of a wallaby entitled “Hobbies”
Martin Fingland (the Geckoes Man) and Dr John Stanisic (‘the snail whisperer’) presented a night out with a variety of native nocturnal fauna at the Brookfield Hall in an event hosted by the Moggill Creek Catchment Group.
An audience of close to 100 were entertained by Martin’s entourage of night animals consisting of a croaking frog, a silent native gecko, a brown tree snake doing a herpetological version of the Indian rope trick, a host of furries and a range of local night birds (owls and a tawny frogmouth). As usual Martin’s collection of furry, feathered and scaly creatures were the hit of the night, especially with the younger brigade. However, just to redress the biodiversity balance in favour of the other 99% (invertebrates), ‘the snail whisperer’ brought along a range of native banded snails collected in the Childers-Biggenden-Maryborough region. These silent invertebrates slimed their way through the evening whilst munching on a combination of commercial mushrooms and cucumber peelings. A rare night indeed and an event thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended including the presenters. Thanks Dale
Another successful Kids’ Day at the Cottage was enjoyed by an attendance of around 300. This included equally interested adults who came with enthusiastic youngsters.
Many a mum was seen carefully following Carolyn Parson’s directions for making a dragonfly to help a youngster when there were so many eager fingers trying to make one to take home. The platypus papering had plenty of parent help too. The very popular jewellery making activity had Dale’s daughters, Deborah Craig and Julie Borgelt, and granddaughter, Rebecca Craig, always busy helping more than 100 children make creations to proudly wear home. At the very busiest times there was even a dad or two seen helping their child thread a bead, a seed, or a disc of leather.
There was plenty to see, do, and talk about in the marquees on the hill, too. This was where kids could meet living examples of nature’s wonderful biodiversity. The Snail Whisperer had added live snails. Geoff Monteith had wonderfully camouflaged insects on eucalypt branches, and the much more obvious giant burrowing cockroach to hold. Tony Goodrich had a working hive of native stingless bees (that turned out to be a bit more active than polite at one stage). Potting a seedling was another popular activity. Children happily took home some 300 native plants which they had potted with guidance from Andrew Wilson. I know that one little boy, Angus, was so enthusiastic he spent the afternoon planting and working in their own garden when he got home. The hope is that all the young visitors took home something special, be it knowledge, experience, or just happy memories, so that they take an interest in their environment and the natural world. Kids’ Day at the Cottage would not be complete without the Wildlife Show. He photo on p.1 shows children admiring a python. The highlight of highlights was when Martin Fingland brought out Bumpy the beautiful 5 year old female wombat at the end of his wonderful Geckoes Wildlife Presentation. Our 96 year-old oldest kid, Graeme Wilson, loved it. So did Cr Margaret de Wit, also in the photo, who is a supporter of Kids’ Day especially via the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiatives Fund in the Pullenvale Ward. MCCG is very grateful for this support which helps us make Kids’ Day at the Cottage a FREE event for children.
On Sunday May 26th, perfect day weatherwise, the 2013 Kids’ day at the Cottage was again a most enjoyable day for all involved.
Each presenter had an activity for young people that engaged, entertained and informed on some aspect of our biodiversity. The adults with them also found out more about the Cottage, the MCCG and its activities.
