By BEN CAMERON
IMMERSING yourself with nature is like a religious experience for Pakenham conservationalist Elizabeth Fraser.
President of the Cardinia Environment Coalition, which manages five parcels of public land within the Cardinia Shire through the help of nine Friends Groups, is heavily involved in the “balancing act” of ensuring the reserves are preserved and enjoyed by current and future generations.
“It sounds simplistic to say I have always been fascinated by the Australian bush having lived in this area most of my life,” she said.
“To me being in the bush provides the relaxation and spiritual uplift of a cathedral, the scents of aromatherapy, the beauty of an art gallery, socialisation in a relaxed atmosphere and the outdoor exercise of going to the gym.
“So a complete fix for physical and mental health! That is why I recommend joining a Friends Group and becoming interested in public land.”
She said her affinity for the bush was born when her father took her camping from a young age.
“It had the effect of exciting me to the sounds and smells of the bush,” she said.
“His sister, my aunt, lived in Melbourne but it was wonderful to go for a walk with her because she not only had a passion for the bush but knew so many interesting things about it.
Elizabeth has been caring for a specific property, a “beautiful damp gully bushland” called Harbury, since 1979, with several other dedicated bush lovers.
“What I love most in Harbury is the unexpected sighting of a lyrebird with its silvery tail feathers swaying among the ferns as it dances and performs its repertoire of other bird calls on its mound,” she said.
“Or the magic of an orange and yellow toadstool emerging from the side of a moss covered log on the forest floor.”
She said the shire is lucky to have many public bushland properties, which will be “increasingly treasured” as the area become urbanised.
“They all need good management and Friends Groups to nurture them because with so many introduced weeds and animals the indigenous bush is under threat at times,” she said.
“There is very little money available for management of public land but with increasing responsibilities relating to volunteer registration, supervision, training and risk management, organisations are having to provide a lot of support to Friends.
“I think it is time the state community recognised that management of public bushland is an investment in the future.”
She said the CEC’s goals for 2015 were to provide a haven for a biodiversity of species.
“The Beaconsfield Nature Reserve lends itself to enjoyment by groups interested in flora, fauna, history of gold diggings and aquatic life,” she said.
“In the big picture, bushland is the lungs of the community too.”
