Dear NRPG members and interested,

30 years ago, Vicki Laurie and Tony Fowler waged a fierce campaign on behalf of NRPG that succeeded in saving one third of the 37 hectares that ACTIV Foundation planned to bulldoze – located NW corner of Roe Highway and Kalamunda Rd.

As it is a significant anniversary, it’s worth sharing this story of some success! 😊

Vicki kindly sent this reminder (edited for flow):

Andy and I have just visited Hawkevale bushland reserve and marvelled at the incredible diversity of flowers, shrubs and majestic trees… I realised that it’s 30 years this year since we had our partial victory, and I found a speech that Tony and Vicki gave (written by Vicki) to the Urban Bushland Council.

The long and short of it is that I came home very proud that I was part of something 30 years ago that, under NRPG’s banner, saved around 10 hectares of the most biodiverse, exquisitely beautiful bushland, which remains intact for any visitor – free to enjoy. Walking through the reserve this afternoon made me happy and sad – to think that twenty more hectares could still be standing if government had been prepared to compensate ACTIV. 

And finally, a small flock of Carnaby White-tailed Black Cockatoos greeted us as we walked in. I like to think they were thanking us all for saving a precious part of their foraging range.  And they are also thanking Tony Fowler, who has contributed so much to our environment over many years.

I urge anyone interested in local native plant life to go visit Hawkevale, down the end of Hawkevale Road, off Kalamunda Rd, right now!!

The Hawkevale story and Vicki’s full speech: https://www.bushlandperth.org.au/treasures/hawkevale-bushland/

Read the complete talk here.

Cheers,

Vicki L

VICTORIA LAURIE

Journalist and Author

WA Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee

Kind regards,
Steve Gates

Secretary, NRPG Bushcarers