Geelong Field Naturalists Club

Last updated
The Geelong Field Naturalists' Club Excursion to Dog Rocks, 12 August 1911 The Geelong Field Naturalists' Club Excursion to Dog Rocks, 12 August 1911.jpg
The Geelong Field Naturalists' Club Excursion to Dog Rocks, 12 August 1911

The Geelong Field Naturalists Club (GFNC) is an Australian regional amateur scientific natural history and conservation society which was originally founded in the 1890s and re-established in 1961 in its present form. [1] It is based in Geelong, Victoria, with the aims of preserving and protecting native flora and fauna, promoting the conservation of natural resources and the protection of endangered species and habitats, and recording information and knowledge about the flora and fauna of the Geelong region. [2] [3]

Contents

The logo of the club features the small ant-blue butterfly ( Acrodipsas myrmecophila , syn Pseudodipsas myrmecophila), an endangered myrmecophilous species once found in the reserve. [4]

Current activities

The GFNC holds monthly face-to-face and online meetings from February to December. In these meetings, the club invites a guest speaker to present on a topic related to natural history or conservation. [5] Field trips are held at least once a month and are regularly hosted by experts in the local area. During these excursions, club members observe and record details of flora, fauna, geology and history of various locations in the Geelong region. [6] Many of these excursions are attended by members of other local field naturalists' clubs, as well as conservationist community groups, including Geelong Sustainability. [7]

The club has a long history of lobbying against government bodies and legislation that threaten native species and negatively impact Australian biodiversity. This is exemplified by the club's 2020 submission to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Review, in which they request mechanisms are put in place to better use citizen scientific knowledge and reach out to community organisations when investigating changes to biodiverse regions. [8]

The GFNC sponsors The Margery Rix Environment Scholarship to Gordon Institute of TAFE conservation and land management students, with the aim of encouraging students to pursue a career in conservation and land management in the Geelong region. [9]

The club is a member of the South East Australian Naturalists Association, [10] and has previously hosted several of the association's biyearly naturalist club camps. The GFNC is also a member of the Australian Naturalists' Network. [11]

History

The title page of The Wombat: Journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club Vols. I to IV, August 1895 to July 1899 Wombat153geel 0005.jpg
The title page of The Wombat: Journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club Vols. I to IV, August 1895 to July 1899

The Geelong region has a long history of amateur naturalist history and conservation work. An initial field naturalist club, which was also named the Geelong Field Naturalists Club, was begun in 1880 and finalised proceedings in 1932. [12] This club was the second field naturalist club founded in Victoria. [13] In this time, the predecessor club produced two serial publications, The Geelong Naturalist: The Journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club (18911931) [14] and The Wombat: Journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club (18951902). [15] The initial club was also responsible for the first Nature Study Exhibition of the Gordon Technical College in 1884, awarding school students with scholarships to undertake education in horticulture. [16] [17]

The modern Geelong Field Naturalists Club was founded in 1961 by Australian naturalist Trevor Pescott and several other Geelong locals. Prescott served as president for three years and edited the Geelong Naturalist. He still leads the club's Fauna Group, which regularly undertakes animal surveys of the region. [18]

The GFNC and president at the time, Jack Wheeler, were instrumental in the early 1960s in establishing the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. [19]

Publications

The first page of the first issue of The Geelong Naturalist, published in July 1891 Geelongnaturali15geel 0011.jpg
The first page of the first issue of The Geelong Naturalist, published in July 1891

The first issue of The Geelong Naturalist [14] was published in July 1891, and began with the following introduction:

We send out this, the first issue of our quarterly journal, in the hope that it may be the means of bringing the objects of our Association under the notice of our readers, and inducing them — especially the young — to devote some of their leisure to the study of one of the branches of Science. The pleasure derived will more than repay any trouble caused...” [20]

The GFNC has published several serial publications, including the monthly Geelong Naturalist: Journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists' Club [21] (19641995), and the, now quarterly, Geelong Naturalist: monthly magazine of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club [22] (1994). The GFNC publishes the serial Geelong Bird Report (19912016) [23] [24] and books on the natural history of the Geelong region, including:

Related Research Articles

The Morwell National Park is a national park located in the western Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. The 565-hectare (1,400-acre) national park is situated approximately 164 kilometres (102 mi) east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south of Morwell in the Strzelecki Ranges. The park preserves a remnant of previously widespread wet sclerophyll forests and some rainforest remnants restricted to deep creek gullies. 320 plant species have been recorded for this park, including five rare or threatened species and 44 orchid species. 129 native fauna species have been recorded, including 19 mammals, 96 birds, 11 reptiles and three amphibians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossy black cockatoo</span> Species of cockatoo from Australia

The glossy black cockatoo, is the smallest member of the subfamily Calyptorhynchinae found in eastern Australia. Adult glossy black cockatoos may reach 50 cm (19.5 in) in length. They are sexually dimorphic. Males are blackish brown, except for their prominent sub-terminal red tail bands; the females are dark brownish with idiosyncratic yellow marking around the neck and prominent sub-terminal tail band of red with black bars. Three subspecies have been recognised, although this has been recently challenged, with a detailed morphological analysis by Saunders and Pickup 2023 finding there is cline in body dimensions over the latitudinal range of the species, with the birds from the north of the range smaller than the birds in the south. Saunders and Pickup argued that with no differentiation in bill morphology, little difference in genetic makeup, no differences in plumage pattern or colour, and no differences in diet, there is no justification in subdividing the species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Field Naturalists Club of Victoria</span> Organization in Victoria, Australia

The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria (FNCV) is an Australian natural history and conservation organisation. The club is the oldest of its kind in Australia and is unique in having existed continuously since its foundation. Since its founding, the club has drawn its membership from the ranks of both amateur naturalists and professional scientists. This dual stream of members has continued into the 21st century, in which the club is well known for not only its scientific research output, but also numerous ongoing citizen science projects.

Graham Martin Pizzey was a noted Australian author, photographer and ornithologist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey falcon</span> Species of bird

The grey falcon is a medium-sized falcon native to Australia, possibly the rarest. It is uncommon throughout its range and is currently classified as Vulnerable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serendip Sanctuary</span>

Serendip Sanctuary is a 250 ha protected area in Victoria, Australia, near the You Yangs and the town of Lara, some 22 km (14 mi) north of Geelong and 60 km (37 mi) south-west of Melbourne. Originally used for farming and other purposes, it was purchased in 1959 by the State Government of Victoria for wildlife research and the captive management and breeding of species threatened in Victoria, such as the brolga, magpie goose, Australian bustard, and bush stone-curlew. The sanctuary contains many different types of wetland and is home to many plant species as well, such as river red gums, tall spikerush, and tussock grass. Serendip now focuses more on environmental education about the flora and fauna of the wetlands and open grassy woodlands of the Volcanic Western Plains of Victoria. It was opened to the public in 1991 and is now managed by Parks Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lewin's rail</span> Species of bird

Lewin's rail is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is also known as the water rail, Lewin's water rail, Lewin's grind rail, slate-breasted rail, slate-breasted water rail, pectoral rail, pectoral water rail, short-toed rail and short-toed water rail.

Trevor William Pescott is an Australian naturalist, conservationist and writer, based in Geelong, Victoria. He was born in Ballarat and educated in Geelong, qualifying with a Diploma of Civil Engineering from the Gordon Institute of Technology. He was subsequently employed as a municipal engineer with the Shire of Corio until his retirement.

<i>Acrodipsas myrmecophila</i> Species of butterfly

Acrodipsas myrmecophila, the small ant-blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in the south-east of Australia.

The Western Australian Naturalists' Club (WANC), founded in Perth, Western Australia, in 1924, is one of the oldest conservation groups in Australia. It caters for those interested in all areas of natural history and conservation in Western Australia through a program of excursions, meetings, workshops and social events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lindenmayer</span> Australian scientist

Distinguished Professor David Lindenmayer,, is an Australian scientist and academic. His research focuses on the adoption of nature conservation practices in agricultural production areas, developing ways to improve integration of native forest harvesting and biodiversity conservation, new approaches to enhance biodiversity conservation in plantations, and improved fire management practices in Australia. He specialises in large-scale, long-term research monitoring programs in south-eastern Australia, primarily in forests, reserves, national parks, plantations, and on farm land.

Wendlandia psychotrioides is a species of shrubs or small trees, constituting part of the plant family Rubiaceae.

Hollandaea is a small genus of plants in the family Proteaceae containing four species of Australian rainforest trees. All four species are endemic to restricted areas of the Wet Tropics of northeast Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Menkhorst</span> Australian ecologist

Peter Menkhorst is an Australian ecologist and an authority on Australian mammals and birds. He is experienced in wildlife management, including management of over-abundant Koalas, and in threatened species recovery; he has developed recovery plans and led recovery teams for a number of species including the Orange-bellied Parrot; Helmeted Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, Mountain Pygmy Possum and Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Menkhorst is also a natural history author and recently co-authored The Australian Bird Guide.

The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc. was founded in Queensland as the Queensland Field Naturalists Club in 1906 to encourage the study, appreciation and preservation of Queensland’s flora and fauna and its environments. It has been known as the Queensland Naturalists Club from 1922. The Queensland Gould League of Bird Lovers joined the club in 1922. It organises field trips and excursions. The club is a member of the Australian Naturalists' Network.

The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC) is an Australian regional natural history society dedicated to the study, appreciation and conservation of the natural environment in the Castlemaine region of Victoria. Founded in 1976, the CFNC has played a pivotal role in promoting environmental awareness and scientific enquiry within the Castlemaine community.

The Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists Club is an Australian regional scientific natural history and conservation society. It is based in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria and draws members from across western, central and southern Gippsland.

The Field Naturalists' Club of Ballarat (FNCB) is an Australian regional scientific natural history and conservation society. The club was founded in 1952 (a continuation of the Field Club and Science Society) and is located in Ballarat, Victoria.

The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club (BFNC) is an Australian regional scientific natural history society, dedicated to the study, appreciation and conservation of the natural environment. It is located in Bendigo, in central Victoria and focuses on the native biodiversity of the Bendigo Valley.

References

  1. "Home". Geelong Field Naturalists Club. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  2. "Geelong Field Naturalists Club". Sustainable Directory. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. "Geelong Field Naturalists' Club". Environment Victoria. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  4. "About our Logo". www.gfnc.org.au. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  5. "GFNC - Bellarine and Geelong ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERING CALENDAR- Community Events Portal" . Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  6. "Geelong Field Naturalists Club Inc". City of Greater Geelong. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. "Family excursion with Field Nats to Pt Henry". Geelong Sustainability. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  8. Geelong Field Naturalists Club. "Geelong Field Naturalists Club Submission in response to discussion paper". Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  9. "The Margery Rix Environment Scholarship as awarded by Geelong Field Naturalists Club". The Gordon Institute of TAFE. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. "Members Clubs - SEANA". South East Australian Naturalists Association. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  11. "Register of Clubs". Australian Naturalists Network. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  12. "The Geelong naturalist - Catalogue | National Library of Australia". nla.gov.au. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  13. Presland, Gary (2010). "The role of naturalists in environmental conservation". Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria. 122 (2): xci–xcv via CSIRO Publishing.
  14. 1 2 https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/103411
  15. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/59810
  16. "NATURE STUDY". Age. 20 October 1905. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  17. Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria.; Victoria, Field Naturalists' Club of; Barnard, F. G. A.; Lucas, A. H. S.; Victoria, Field Naturalists' Club of; Victoria, Field Naturalists' Club of (1884). The Victorian Naturalist. Vol. v.21 (1904-1905). [Melbourne]: Field Naturalists Club of Victoria.
  18. "Fauna Group". www.gfnc.org.au. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  19. Hart, Brian; McCarthy, Gordon; Lingham, Barry; Mackenzie, Rob; Hewish, Marilyn. (2005). "The birds of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve". Geelong Bird Report 2004: 71–101. ISSN   1323-2681.
  20. "Ourselves". The Geelong Naturalist. 1 (1): 1. July 1891 via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  21. Geelong naturalist : journal of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club. Vol. 1-31 (1964-1995). [Geelong]: Geelong Field Naturalists Club. 1964.
  22. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/172985
  23. "Geelong Bird Report : A publication of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club Inc - Catalogue | National Library of Australia". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  24. Geelong Naturalist : monthly magazine of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club. [Geelong]: Geelong Field Naturalists Club.
  25. "Publications". www.gfnc.org.au. Retrieved 25 January 2024.

Further reading