President's Report 2008

I acknowledge the Limilngan-Wulna people, the traditional owners of this land, especially Joan and Graham Kenyon.   In a month’s time FOFD will be two years old.   During this time we can be proud both of our consolidation as a group and of our achievements.   Membership increased from 33 to 37 as at 30 June 2008 and has grown more since then.  There are also a number of people who have asked to be included on our email list.     Our achievements and positive image has attracted $345.00 in donations to 30 June. During the past 12 months our energies have achieved the following. A FOFD ‘welcome’ sign to Fogg Dam in the car park entrance of the Reserve.   Thanks to Parks & Wildlife for producing this for us. The most significant achievement was successfully lobbying the NT Government to provide funding to rebuild the damaged Monsoon Forest Boardwalk.    Considerable effort went into this including letters to Ministers, inviting the Hon. Marion Scrymgour, Minister for the Environment to Fogg Dam; a petition, letter to the editor of the NT News, ABC radio interviews and talkback radio discussion.  Our then local member and FOFD, Ted Warren was enormously helpful with support and advice to achieve the positive outcome.   When the funding announcement was made, FOFD invited the then Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Len Kiely to Fogg Dam to show our appreciation.  We are thrilled that replacement of the boardwalk is to commence next month.   During the year we met with Prue Adamson, the officer coordinating the Parks & Wildlife Review of Adelaide River Parks.   Considerable time and effort was put into expressing our vision for the future of the Reserve into our submission.  We keenly await the draft Report for discussion due to be released later this year. Once again FOFD were represented with a stall at World Environment Day Expo in June. Through our link with Landcare we were able to obtain a Wollemi Pine for the Middle Point School where it has been a focus over the most recent term Staff at the Sydney University Tropical Ecology Research Centre have given regular briefings on their research work which is most informative and we really appreciate these updates. Fogg Dam Field Day was held just a week ago today on 21st September.   What a great success it was with at least 400 people attending.   It links perfectly with our vision, ‘to put Fogg Dam on the map and in the hearts and minds of people. ‘ The return of surveys was disappointingly poor but feedback very positive.   82% of respondents said that the Field Day made a difference to their appreciation of Fogg Dam.  Additional emails of thanks have also been received.   The success is due to the outstanding effort of members.   The idea and proposal for such a day was Jenny’s.  Jenny and Leisa were a fantastic organising committee.   Jenny sourced generous sponsors. Jenny Jo and Leisa were brilliant promoting the day through media and leaflet drops in strategic locations; throughout the whole process, Alan and Gemina  were continually following up issues to ensure plans transformed into actions.  Colin did so much printing for us through the generosity of ConocoPhillips.  Niven’s Fogg Dam Bird Brochure has been a great bonus, and popularly taken up.  Presenters were all excellent and Jo’s suggestions ensured the program was rich and balanced. Phillip provided valuable traffic advice at the trial day.   Harry made the day work by giving so much more than a courier service across the causeway.  Harry and everyone in the welcoming crews were the real stars of the day.    This was clearly reflected in survey comments and feedback generally.  It was a real team effort and that’s why it was so successful.  Parks & Wildlife both at Fogg Dam and in the Palmerston Office have been enormously supportive and helpful, for which we’re most grateful.   The success of the day has led to a number of people assuming the Field Day is to become an annual event!   If we took this on, we would achieve little else but we need to carefully consider the issues and options. On 15 September FOFD submitted an application to Australia Post and Landcare, that Cynthia worked on, for funding to purchase tools and safety equipment for weeding and fire prevention as well as an information sign on Anzac Parade about Fogg Dam.  Receipt has been acknowledged and we have been told the outcome will be advised by late October. Thanks to:  Parks & Wildlife for their support throughout the year and for allowing us to use their facilities for meetings; Ted Warren and Gerry Wood for allowing us to use their meeting rooms; Peter Foster and Landcare for ongoing support throughout the year;  and Peter Walker of Imagineer, for our website and its hosting.  This is a huge benefit to our group for which we’re most grateful. My congratulations to all Friends of Fogg Dam Inc. for such an outstanding year of achievement.   It’s been a privilege for me to be in the chair.    Leisa, Vice President, Jeremy, Secretary, Michael, Treasurer, Alan and Gemina, committee members have been great to work with.  It was hard to say farewell to Jenny and Colin Rivers who returned to the UK just days after the Field Day.   They have been such active members and will be sadly missed.   We wish them the very best for their retirement. Heather Boulden September 2008.