About Us
Who are the Friends of Wireless Hill Park?
The Friends of Wireless Hill Park is a community group, made up of volunteers, that is dedicated to conserving and protecting the bushland of Wireless Hill Park. The Friends group was established in 1987.
Rehabilitate
The Friends group aims to rehabilitate the bushland and maintain its biodiversity. The Friends of Wireless Hill work with others including corporate and school groups to plant and weed and monitor the health of the bushland.
Collaborating
he Friends group works with others including the City of Melville and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia to enhance the Park for visitors, for example through the development of a sign-posted Wildflower Walk and through guided walks for the community, held in spring.
About Volunteering
Everyone is welcome to join our volunteer activities.
Most of our volunteers join us for Bushcare activities such as weeding, planting and watering. We work together every Tuesday morning, and on the 2nd and 4th Sunday from 8:30am to 10:30am of each month. We can provide tools and gloves and training. Whether you want to come once a year or once a month or more often, every contribution counts. Bushcare is an opportunity to enjoy being in the bush and to learn about the plants and animals.
There are also opportunities to help in other ways, for example with managing the website, writing grants and submissions, building resources and promoting the group.
Weeding
One of our most important and satisfying activities is weeding. There are several species of weeds in the bush at Wireless Hill which are a threat to the native plants.
The most serious threat is perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina) which was planted for soil stabilization at the time the wireless station was built. It is a plant from southern Africa where the climate is similar. It is perennial so it dies down after summer but grows and spreads from underground roots. It seeds prolifically and competes with native plants. Perennial veldt grass is a significant weed in urban bushland, threatening biodiversity and increasing fire risk.
As well as perennial veldt grass there are many other South African weeds: Gladioli, freesias, Lachenalia, annual veldt grass, wild oats and gazanias. The Friends of Wireless Hill hold two Grab a Gladi days each year to target the pink gladioli which compete for space and pollinators with native plants.
There are also love grass, Geraldton carnation, brassicas and flat weeds and woody weeds such as Geraldton wax and acacias
There are occasional occurrences of black flag which we remove as soon as we see them.
We work to accepted Principles of Bushland Management:
Work from the best areas out towards degraded areas
Focus on weed control as the main priority
Limited plantings due to the drying climate; preferable to control weeds & encourage natural revegetation
We use a serrated kitchen knife to cut under the roots, disturbing the soil as little as possible
Bag & remove weeds to prevent nutrient (Phosphorus) release (JFisher)
Information
Opening Times
The Museum is open by appointment.
To book in for a tour of the site and the museum, please call the City of Melville.
Park Permits
To make enquiries about booking Park facilities please contact the City of Melville’s “Bookings and Events Officer” by email.
Graffiti or Vandalism
To report graffiti or other vandalism anywhere in the Park please contact the City of Melville.
Damages or Dumping
To report damage or illegal dumping at the Park please contact the City of Melville’s Environmental Officer.
Fires
To report a fire in the Park, please call the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and leave the Park for your own safety.
Other Useful Contacts
MelSafe (City of Melville 24/7 community safety service)
CALL 1300 653 643
Ranger (City of Melville)
CALL 9364 0628 during office hours
CALL 0418 943 219 after hours