Eleven people set out, led by John Petheram with Margaret Rich assisting.
We drove in convoy through Creswick State Forest to our first stop at 600m on the Great Divide, to talk about water catchments, forest management and the importance of water to gold mining. There was a large patch of bird orchids flowering where we stopped.
Water continued to be the theme of the next stop at Russell’s Dam. We followed Robertson’s Water Race for about 500 metres and spoke of the history and business of water races and their necessity for gold mining in the Creswick area.
Morning tea at St George’s Lake was enlivened by the sight of a Musk Duck floating by.
We then drove to La Gerche Gully. Near his statue, John P talked about the work of John La Gerche, the pioneer Crown Lands Bailiff and Forester. Some of the group walked the whole trail. Others walked part of it, then returned to St George’s Lake for lunch.
On re-gathering, the group drove to Slatey Creek in Creswick Regional Park. Parking near the Drift over Petticoat Rd, the group was delighted to see a number of families earnestly panning for gold.
We walked to an Aboriginal ceremonial site and explored it thoroughly, before walking from there to Ah Young’s unusual Chinese Market Garden site.
These last two sites had the best display of wildflowers -18 species including three orchids, though we felt the main season was yet to come.
We ended the excursion at Slatey Creek and as this was the end of the SEANA Camp, our participants departed to their various home ‘countries’.
ABN 23 918 778 150
Incorporation No A0044963D