This was a great event attended by 18 volunteers. A range of weed species including Perennial Veldt Grass, Wild Oats, Annual Rye Grass, Blowfly Grass, Rigid Fescue Grass and Hare’s Tail were removed from the garden beds near the communication towers in the Park.
On Sunday 6th September 2020, the Friends of Wireless Hill with the WA Wildflower Society (Murdoch Branch) held our annual guided Wildflower walk. It was a successful event with about 90 people turning up. The array of wildflowers including several species of native orchids was spectacular.
FoWH member Alison Crofts at the registration table
Attendees registering for the Wildflower Walk
Carousel Spider Orchids
Dancing Spider Orchid
On the 24th May, the Friends of Wireless Hill (FoWH) organised a planting day. Despite the COVID restrictions, several members, their family and friends turned up. Everybody observed the social distancing guidelines with family members and individuals working in different areas. The seedlings were provided by the City of Melville. They were raised with seeds collected within the Park. The South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL) provided a watering trailer, which was a great contribution. It was a productive day, with 366 seedlings ranging from ground cover to shrubs and trees being planted!
FoWH member, Aruni Jayasekera shows the planting sites
Katarina and James Turner, Jane and Collin Lorrimar observing social distancing
Community member Sunil Jayasekera helping out
Wireless Hill is an extremely valuable Banksia Woodland reserve with high biodiversity including large numbers of orchids. The Friends of Wireless Hill work in partnership with the City of Melville to preserve this precious asset. The Friends are extremely pleased to have received two grants to continue our work at Wireless Hill. We have received a SALP (Swan River Trust and Alcoa Landcare Program) grant, and we were also successful in obtaining a State NRM Community Action grant.
The Friends are very grateful for this funding which will enable us to continue to employ experienced bush care workers to manually control weeds in the park. Wireless Hill was cleared in 1912 for a telegraph station and South African perennial veldt grass was planted to stabilise the soil. The bush regenerated but weeds remain, contributing to the fuel load and competing with native grasses and other plants. Other major weeds in the park include Gladioli and Freesia, bulbous weeds well adapted to our dry environment. We have been fortunate to have Alcoa staff from the local office volunteer in Gladi pulls over several seasons. The photo shows their yield after the last Gladi pull.
We have found that removing weeds by hand, rather than chemically, facilitates a much quicker and more diverse recovery of native vegetation. We are currently applying for Landcare funding for training to allow safe work along roadsides in the park.
The Friends of Wireless Hill with the WA Wildflower Society will hold our annual guided Wildflower Walk on Sunday 13th September at 9 am. We will meet at the main car park on Almondbury Road. Bring your hat, water and your camera! Gold coin donation please. No bookings required.
The Friends of Wireless Hill are holding our annual Wildflower Walk for the public on 7th September. The Walk will be led by guides from the Friends and from the Murdoch branch of the Wildflower Society of Western Australia.
Meet just before 9am at the main car park at Wireless Hill (Almondbury Road) and we will start the walks at 9 in groups of about ten people so everyone can hear and see what the guides are presenting. The walk is on a path suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The walk usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour but you are welcome to leave whenever it suits you.
There is no need to book. A gold coin donation is appreciated.
Bring your camera, a hat and a bottle of water. If rain is forecast wet weather gear will come in handy.
