In June, FINIA members headed off to K’gari for their annual field trip and on-island meeting. The annual field trips have become a highlight in the FINIA calendar and are an opportunity for partnering organisations to network, share information and learn more about K’gari.

This year the field trip attracted a massive group of people with over thirty registered participants with representatives from: ABC Radio Wide Bay, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, Eurong Community Association, FIDO, Fraser Island Association, 4WD Queensland, Giffith University, Happy Valley Community Association,  K’gari Research Station, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, University of the Sunshine Coast, and the Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council.

Following a welcome to Country by Butchulla songman, Travis Page (Dinka Dinka) at the Wongari Den at Kingfisher Bay Resort, the large vehicle convoy ‘shipped out.’ The first stop on the itinerary included meeting with members of Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute to learn about the post-bushfire monitoring of K’gari and the aquatic health impacts that it had on the island’s creeks and wetlands. Participants were able to observe members of the Griffith University team (Prof. Mark Kennard, Dr Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo and researcher, Josh Whiley) sampling in action as they monitored Rocky Creek – learning about the Endangered Australian brook lamprey (Mordacia praecox) that was recently discovered on K’gari.

Following the Rocky Creek stop, field trip participants stayed on the west coast with a stop at Ungowa to see the site of the old jetty and ranger station before driving into a restricted area via Garry’s Anchorage at the invitation of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation (BAC). Here they were able to observe the work that has been undertaken at Oysterman’s Lease (Aboriginal Freehold Land). 

FINIA members were fascinated to hear how the Butchulla community have been manually removing broad-leafed wattle and casuarina and using cultural burning to open up the vegetation understory and support elder trees to thrive. ‘Opening up’ Country increases wildlife habitat and reduces future fire risk. Members joined the BAC’s Conway Burns and Darren Blake for a hands-on activity, removing casuarina plants on-site.

The final stop for the day was Dilli Village, where Dr Kim Walker provided an update on the onsite interpretation upgrade and renaming the Research and Education Centre as the K’gari Research Station. After dinner, members then joined FIDO’s President, Zela Bissett for a Paper to Weeds workshop, learning about the opportunity to turn fibrous weed waste into a valuable resource – art paper.

Day two commenced with the regular FINIA meeting, where Charlene Brown provided an update on 4WD Queensland’s most recent cleanup. Highlights of the 2024 event were:

• Twenty-one clubs participated from Rockhampton to the Gold Coast.
• 758 people were registered – 659 adults and 99 children.
• The teams covered 112 Km of the beach from Ngkala Rocks to Hook Point.
• On Saturday teams focused on the northern section (Burad) and Sunday on the southern section (Cornwall’s) to ease potential congestion.
• 6,545.11Kg of debris was collected including four sharps, foreign bottles, loads of rope, IV bags, a full port-a-potty, a BoM weather monitor, a Sydney fish market crate, a tent – complete with pillow, a light buoy with GPS locator (which is being restored by Tangaroa Blue with a value of $4-5K), a winch motor and part of a surfboard.

FINIA extends our thanks to all the 4WD Clubs and members who participated.

Following morning tea, the FINIA members departed to visit weed management sites at Eurong with members commending Su Dawson for the work that FIDO has undertaken on-site.

The final stop on the 2024 itinerary was the new helipad and emergency services precinct at Happy Valley, where there was an interesting discussion about biosecurity and turf brought onto the island to stabilise exposed sand on-site. Happy Valley’s turf was purchased from a reputable retailer (who guaranteed that it was weed and pest-free) is buffered from the adjacent vegetation and will be carefully monitored for weeds and pests. The new helipad will enhance visitor and resident safety on K’gari.

Field trip participants then made their way back to Kingfisher Bay via Cornwall’s Break Road before boarding the barge back to the mainland.

Like any major event, the FINIA Field Trip would not be possible without coordination and support. FINIA would like to thank FINIA’s Deputy Chair, David Anderson and organising committee members FIDO’s Charmaine Foley and Peter Shooter, BAC’s Chantel Van Wamelen, Dilli Village’s Leesa Downey and the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Dr Kim Walker. FINIA’s gratitude is also extended to Field Trip sponsors Sealink K’gari, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and field trip caterers Auntie Suzie Gala and her daughter Cassandra from the BAC.

Next year’s event has already been booked in with Dilli Village so watch this space for more information on the 2025 FINIA Field Trip.

Article contributed by Sue Sargent, FINIA