James Hackel - Parks Victoria's blog

Deer hunters greatly value their hunting experiences in the Greater Alpine National Parks. Deer are introduced species which are present across the entire planning area. Although fallow deer are present in some locations, sambar are the most abundant and widely distributed species of deer and they have been traditionally hunted in many of these areas since the mid 1900's. Sambar are revered by hunters as one of the most challenging game species to hunt in the world. 

Follow this link to the Recreational Deer Hunting Discussion Paper

Using a wiki is new to both Parks Victoria and our stakeholders. Parks Victoria has invited many stakeholders to attend one of two training sessions where you can learn how to use the wiki to join us in planning for these important parks. The training will be held at Parks Victoria’s office, Level 10, 535 Bourke Street Melbourne:
2:30 – 3:30 Wednesday 2 September 2009
10:30 – 11:30 Monday 7 September 2009

Please contact Louise Rose via email or on 8627 4685 if you'd like to attend one of the above sessions.

The Victorian Alpine Traditional Owner Reference Group (VATORG) has proudly developed a draft statement of ongoing connection and vision for the Greater Alpine National Parks. The Draft Vision by the Victorian Alpine Traditional Owner Reference Group was endorsed by VATORG in July to be shared with the wider community. It expresses many important sentiments for a way toward constructive reconciliation and building stronger relationships between Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria and the wider community.

In the last few weeks, the project team has held face to face discussions with a range of stakeholders and peak bodies. The meetings were aimed at providing an opportunity to provide direct feedback and discuss ways stakeholders can contribute to the development of the draft plan. Further stakeholder meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks. Meetings have so far been held with:

The Heritage Council of Victoria and Heritage Victoria, in conjunction with Australian Alps National Parks, East Gippsland Shire Council and Parks Victoria, presented a Forum on Heritage of the high country on Friday 15th May in Omeo. The Forum hoped to raise awareness of the historic places of the high country and gain broad community acceptance of their heritage values. The Forum identified threats to cultural heritage and saw how management affects the cultural heritage values of alpine parks.

This is the fourth and final blog about the ACMI digital story telling workshop. "Home in the High Country" is a story by Trevor Larner about his connections to the high country and his long time use of huts. It was common then for people to rely on huts for accomodation. Today huts are primarily managed for historic and social value. Parks Victoria encourages people to be self reliant and not to depend on huts for refuge.

This is the second Blog about the ACMI digital story telling workshop in partnership with Parks Victoria. Each of these unique stories tells a short and personal experience in the Victorian Alps and will be released on WePlan over the coming weeks. The Second in this series, "The Honeymoon" is a story told by Laurel (Whitcroft) Allen and her daughter Martine Whitcroft, about their families long and engaging association with the Mt Buffalo Challet.

The Australian Centre for Moving Images (ACMI) and Parks Victoria recently supported a digital storytelling workshop for participants to tell personal stories about the Alpine Country.  Participant learnt how to use photo's, video footage, voice-over and sound to help tell their stories which were produced during the 3 day workshop.  Each of these unique stories tells a short and personal experience in the Victorian Alps and will be released on WePlan over the coming weeks.

Levels of Protection (LoP) is a tool to aid natural area planning and resource allocation by placing individual parks in a state-wide context. LoP groups parks according to biodiversity criteria and allocates broad conservation objectives to each group. Using a state-wide system enables Parks Victoria to focus its limited resources where they are most required. The Fact Sheet: Levels of Protect for Natural Values provides more detail on the LoP Framework.

The Victorian Alpine Aboriginal Reference Group (VAARG) presently represents eight Traditional Owner groups with connections to the alpine area. This reference group is facilitated by Parks Victoria to provide broad strategic advice regarding management of the parks, including relevant cultural issues and Indigenous aspirations for the future of the parks.