Reflections on Country

Howdy - I have been a bit quiet with Facebook of late. So this is my third summer I have worked in lutrawita / Tasmania, and great to be involved with the Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association - or TWGA.

Check out the excellent TWGA Summer Newsletter-

https://www.tasmanianguides.org/twga-newsletters/summer-newsletter-2025 Another excellent newsletter - the previous newsletters have so many good stories about Tassie’s wild wonders.

I have a six page write up in it - as I reflect upon an excellent 3 day Palawa cultural awareness training workshop held on North Bruny Island’s Murrayfield Station.

Other great write ups in there, a great write up from Cody McCracken - as he walked with local Jawoyn people on Country near Katherine , NT. To quote from him - ‘Jawoyn people reminded us, time and again, of two simple truths: Country is medicine, and Country needs people. They're not just visiting the land; they're living in relationship with it.’

A shorebird write up from Eric Woehler. Yes ‘shorebirds’ those birds that try to nest at the back of our beaches - at the same time many holiday seekers walk and drive the beaches. Hooded Plovers and Oystercatchers.

PS. so disappointed with the direction Facebook is taking, similar to Elon Musk ditching fact checking of Twitter / X. Might have to leave :( But so many good Facebook groups here

PS2. I do have a website or two that I need to post to - Reflections on Country ( http://www.reflectionsoncountry.com.au/about. html ) and I have Wordpress. org version in the pipeline. This past year I’ve been taking heaps of photos having delved into wildlife photography, yep seems I’m living the dream - Kakadu dry season and Tassie spring / summer

Summer Newsletter 2025 — Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association We have an incredible summer edition of our newsletter to share with you! Don Butcher reflects on our cultural awareness course that was held on lunawanna alonnah / Bruny Island in October, Dr Eric J Woehler explains why beach is more than just a destination from the perspective of shore nesting b

Help chip into this legal fund for these absolute champions standing up to a massive coal miner. David & Goliath story though bigger than that - we need these custodians caring for country to win ❤️🌏

https://chuffed.org/campaign/106614-wangan-and-jagalingou-nagana-yarrbayn-cultural-custodians-legal-defence-fund

PROTECT SACRED WATER Waddamulli

Great initiative from Victorian national parks association -

“It’s time to list feral deer as a pest, invest in effective and science-based control, and where possible, eradicate feral deer populations.”

ttps://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/20/victoria-deer-pest-protections-p

Goose time - Kakadu 👌🏽❤️🦆🦆🦆x 10,000 + in one wetland!!!

We have very few tours running the next 10 days, which is a shame as the geese numbers are impressive. Join Patsy and me on a Animal Tracks Safari Kakadu for a sunset dinner at ‘Goose camp’ local name Ginjala 🌅

Leaving Cooinda at 1pm on 29th August, september 1st & 3rd seats available.

Darwin friends if you can get out here - come visit.

Goose time - Kakadu 👌🏽❤️🦆 We have very few tours running the next 10 days, which is a shame as the geese numbers are impressive. Join Patsy and me on a Kakadu Animal Tracks Safari for a sunset dinner at ‘Goose camp’ local name Ginjala 🌅

Darwin friends if you can get out here - come visit.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-19/northern-territory-water-cotton-mataranka-springs-four-corners/104187666

'We're crying out for help': Pleas to save pristine outback oasis from drying up There are fears that sacred, pristine sites are being put at risk by a government-backed push to grow cotton in the outback.

If travelling out to Katherine gorge Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery, is on your way ❤️👌🏽🌈🪷🐉 Great people supporting local artists

If you are keen for a one week walk in a magical part of Kakadu and you’re free late July I am leading this bushwalk for Willis’s Walkabouts - July 21 - 28 https://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/kh06-2024

Truly special country, an incredible privilege to walk Kakadu’s stone country and drink that clear flowing freshwater, swim in sublime pools, quite the journey. I will post some photos from last year’s walk.

KH06-2024 Pre-trip meeting, 6.30 p.m., Pool Side Bar & Restaurant, Hilton Gardens, 122 The Esplanade. This meeting is important. If you cannot make the meeting, please advise us well in advance.

Thank you David Pocock ❤️🙏🏽

Calling out greenwash from Coles & Woolworths 👊🏽

Folks - don’t buy salmon from Tasmania ❌🐠

We need to say no to the massive gas processing plant proposed for Darwin harbour. The Middle Arm development is very close to the suburb of Palmerston, dangerously close - if it explodes for example. Wrong for so many reasons! Carbon emission disaster.


https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7SvP0aJg7n/?igsh=MTNmcTFqeHJuano4dg==

"Toxic heavy metal levels are on the rise in some of Darwin’s most popular fishing spots. The latest Darwin Harbour Integrated Marine Monitoring and Research Program Pressure Monitoring Report raised concerns for an environmental group, who say water quality indicators are rapidly deteriorating." Z**i Averill | NT News Full article: https://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/fishing/darwin-harbour-monitoring-records-spike-in-toxic-metals-in-popular-fishing-spots/news-story/118a103ad4fb532c2e91004de2fae040 stopmiddlearm.org