News Grabs

Woodhen saviours, Peter Fullagar and John Disney delighted to see friendly Woodhens at sea level on Lord Howe Island, after over 100 years of surviving on the cold damp summits of the mountains.

Inspecting the new Woodhen display at the Lord Howe Island Museum, funded by the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

25th Anniversary of LHI Woodhen Rescue

Ian Hutton, Lord Howe Island naturalist

Twenty five years ago the first captive bred Woodhen chick was hatched at what was to be one of the most outstanding endangered bird recovery programs in the world.

In November the Lord Howe Island Historical Society and Museum hosted a celebration at the Lord Howe Island Museum.
The Museum committee arranged for key people involved in the research and captive breeding to attend the function. At the function the story of this highly successful project unfolded through video clips from the time plus anecdotes from the people involved.

The Lord Howe Island school children impressed the researchers with an enthusiastic display of Woodhen artwork, poetry and models.

Today the Woodhen can be seen around the settlement and many areas of the Island. This would not have been the case there not been intensive scientific interest in the bird in the 1970’s and $260,000 in funding by donors of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.

Photos by Ian Hutton

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What’s On in the Gardens?

Sex and Death
Starring Orchids and Carnivorous Plants

Botanic gardens are renowned for their peace and tranquillity but in gardens, beauty is a by-product. The main business is sex and death.

This stimulating new exhibition will tell the story of plant sex by exploring the fascinating pollination mechanisms of orchids. Death is represented by a large display of bizarre-looking carnivorous plants.

On show from December 1 in the Sydney Tropical Centre at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 10am—4pm daily $4.40 adults, $2.20 children Friends of The Gardens free.

Botanic New Year’s Eve

The Friends of The Gardens have exclusive access on New Year’s Eve to the spacious Mare and Foal Lawn in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The lawn is a very pleasant place to picnic and provides a great view of the fireworks at 9 pm and midnight.

Entry by ticket only to Friends members and their family and friends so join the Friends if you are not already a member.

Sat 31 December entry 6pm–7.30pm entry/exit 9.30pm-10pm, exit Sunday 12.15 am–12.45am Cost: Friends $45, Non-members (booked by a Friend) $70, Children (0-15 years) $12 Bookings essential:
Phone 02 9231 8182

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Island New Year

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2005 on Sydney’s Harbour Islands.

New Year's Eve fireworksPhoto Peter Hatherly

Goat, Shark and Clark Islands
BYO picnic and blanket and enjoy the fireworks. Tickets include return ferry transport and live entertainment. Adults $130 Children 5-15yrs $75 Children under 5yrs free

Fort Denison
Front row seats for the fireworks and a fully catered black tie dinner with harbour bridge backdrop, live entertainment and return ferry transport. $560 per person.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
BYO picnic and catch the start of the race from Shark Island this Boxing Day. Tickets include jazz band, children’s entertainment and return ferry transport. Adults $30 Children 5-15yrs $12 Under 5’s free

For tickets and details phone Cadmans Cottage 02 9247 5033

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