FORUM

This is supposed to be a discussion page on bushcare. There will be a serious attempt to keep it up to date. Our feedback page is temporarily out of action (Oct 2019) as we have been hit by a denial of service attack. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. If you wish for John Wamsley to reply to you personally via email, it is necessary for you to give your correct email address.

4th July John replies: G'day Bec, That would be OK. But let me warn you. I have been entered into the Archibald a few times now without success, so my portrait does not have a good record. I sent you an email but it bounced. You will have to try again and make sure you put inn the correct email address. Cheers John

2nd July 2016 Bec asks: Hi John, I would like to introduce myself...My name is Bec & I have a interesting question for you.... I have a friend who is an artist & has always wanted to enter the Enter the Archibald Prize, has been a goal of his for years & as his portrait has always wanted to do a portrait of yourself!.. being a fan of your work & passion for nature & your character,he felt that you would always be great to do a portrait of.....now it's not for the upcoming Archibalds (in October)... but would be next years one for 2017...which brings me to my next question...would you be willing to meet with him? He could come to you? So that he can do a portrait sketch & chat take some photos so that he can probably  portray you in a portrait?
Look forward to hearing from you, kind regards Bec.

30th August John replies: G'day Sally, We would love to. Cheers John

30th August Sally says: Hi John & Proo, I contribute to an online magazine called The Planthunter (www.theplanthunter.com.au) and I'm wondering if you're available/interested in an interview? I think your long history of bushland revegetation work and the creation of Wirrapunga as a private garden would really inspire TPH readers. I'm Adelaide-based. Hope to hear from you. Cheers, Sally

30th August John replies: That is $10.80. But there are two points here. Firstly, the Water Plantains for sale are seedlings and will, within twelve months have flower stalks 1.2 m high. Secondly, there are six of these for sale, by silent auction which concludes at the Wirrapunga Open Garden on the 27th September (4.30pm). If you are amongst the six top bids then I will advise acceptance.

30th August Fred says: I am offering 30 Schekels for a 1.2 my high Water Plantain delivered Please advise acceptance by return.

6th June John replies. G'day Alicia. That would be fine. I have sent you an email.

6th June 2015 Alicia asks: Dear Dr Wamsley, I'm currently writing an article about protected area management for a uni assignment and I wondered whether you would mind me asking you a few questions?
Thanks in advance. Kind regards.

15th May John replies: Dear Timothy, What a nice comment. I am married to a Proo Geddes. Any relative? There is a Timothy, son of David, who I know. Anyway we are all well, still trying to save the world. Have a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95w5k3kz7BE ,Cheers John.

14th May Timothy says: Dear John, I can recall seeing some obscure video on TV a long time ago of yourslf running around with your famous cat skin hat , and references to pine trees - it may have been on the ABC network. I am an australian citizen myself as of 2001, originally from NZ, but have possibly an equal hatred of that exotic "Pinus Radiata", despite the wealth it has added to the NZ economy over the years since it was planted! I have recently been made redundant from the oil industry, where I have been a "resident driller" for some 20 years. My true passion however lies in the natural environment, having started my career with the Dept of Conservation in NZ, back in 1989. I have recently moved to the Perth hills,western australia, on the darling scarp. Interestingly last night we observed a juvenile golden bandicoot -quenda?, foraging on the lawn. Previously I had only seen these creatures on Barrow Island in the late nineties. The Chevron project and massive expansion on that island ,(for Gorgon LNG), has undoubtedly been very destructive on that population. Anyway I hope that all is well with you and family! God Bless. 

8th May John replies: G'day Susan. I have sent you an email. Cheers John.

8th May Susan says: Hi. I am actually attempting to contact Dr Walmsley and hope you may be able to assist by either providing his contact details or forwarding this email to him? Any assistance would be gratefully received. Regards Susan.

6th April John replies: G'day Johan, As suggested by you, I have nominated for the award. I would be happy to furnish you with any other information you require. Cheers John.

26th March 2015 Johan asks:To Whom it may concern, On behalf of the United Nations Association of Australia, I am writing to inform you that the work of John Wamsley has been identified as a potential nominee for the Individual Award category in our upcoming World Environment Day Awards 2015. We believe that your recent work meets the criteria of our prestigious Individual Award, and we urge you to submit an entry before 5pm, Friday 17 April 2015.
Each year, the United Nations Association of Australia Victorian Division (UNAAV) hosts the World Environment Day Awards. This national awards program plays an important role in raising awareness about key environmental issues and challenges, and inspiring and motivating individuals, organisations and businesses to take positive steps towards sustainability and environmental excellence in their homes, schools, communities and workplaces. These awards will be held on Friday 5 June 2015 at the Park Hyatt, Melbourne and will be hosted by Rob Gell.
The Individual Award recognises the invaluable contribution individuals make to the environment through their involvement in a wide range of conservation projects. Individuals who actively work to protect, repair and manage the natural environment play a fundamental role for the achievement of sustainable development goals. The Award seeks to recognise the important contribution of individuals working in the environment arena.
Possible examples include conservation or re-vegetation initiatives, wildlife protection, sustainable development and community education or activism. Nominees may be drawn from the public or private sectors and by association, may represent the organisation they are affiliated with, if applicable. Self-nomination is welcome.
 For information on how to enter, please visit:
http://www.unaavictoria.org.au/awards-programs/world-environment-day-awards/entry-instructions/
To view past winners or to learn more about the presentation dinner, please visit:
http://www.unaavictoria.org.au/awards-programs/world-environment-day-awards/
Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter @unaavic and  Facebook/UNAAVictoria for new developments and further information. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Kind regards, Johan.

17th March 2015: John replies; I do not think it could be. It is too small. It was 35 hectares. It is now just ten. It was all a bit sad. The company that bought it from ESL for $1,000,000  and promised to look after it, sold off 7 titles for $3,500,000 and sold the remainder for $1,000,000 to another developer. The second sold of two more titles for $1,000,000 and sold the remainder to the local aboriginal group for $1,000,000. They leased it to the Zoo and will not break the lease because it is too lucrative. So! There were no winners. I'm afraid I stuffed up big time. By the way there were two baby platypus in the Warrawong Swamp a month ago but I don’t think they would have made it. I understand the Zoo turned the water off.

17th March: Monica asks; What would it take to get Warrawong back as a wildlife sanctuary?  It seems to be currently vacant.  Thanks.

11th February: John replies; That would be fine Charles. I wish you every success.

11th February: Charles says; Dear John, I came to Australia in 1975 and was Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Flinders University. I am now retired from teaching. I have been trapping cats on our property for the past 18 months. Our total is currently 46. I writing a booklet about trapping feral cats to be published as an iBook on the Apple Bookstore. Over the years our family was involved with Earth Sanctuaries and now the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. I would like to dedicate my booklet to you.

17th October: John replies; Looks like I will be on 4BC radio tomorrow morning at 11:05 am.

17th October: Laren says; Hi there my name is Lauren I am a producer with 4BC radio we are trying to get in contact with John for an interview about Greg Hunt's 10 year action plan on feral cats. Please call or email lauren.gillin@fairfaxmedia.com.au or 0433747153

26 September: John replies; G'day Janet. Opening times for Wirrapunga Indigenous Garden this weekend is 10am to 4:30pm Saturday & Sunday. Further information here

26 September 2014: Janet asks; Can you please advise opening times for 27/28 September?

23 September 2014: John replies; G'day Sian, That would be OK but I would have thought everyone was aware of the massive environmental damage they do but no-one cares about biodiversity any more. Anyway! I have sent you an email.

23 September: Sian asks; Dear Dr Wamsley, I am an Australian freelance journalist and I am writing an article for a magazine in Queensland about the ever-increasing threat of the feral cat. It would be wonderful if I could speak to you for a few minute at your convenience? best, Sian.

Sorry! but I have just realised that my junk email filter is eating any correspondence to this page. It was a good idea but the spammers seem to have won.

6th December: John replies; That is fine Ben.

6th December: Ben asks; I am a current PhD student at the University of Wollongong and am currently writing a paper on the effects of invasive plants on the reproduction of a variety of native plant species. I wish to include photos of the reproductive structures of some species in a paper that i am writing. I am writing to request usage of three of your photos in my paper (with full source acknowledgement).

22nd October: John replies; G'day Phillip, good to hear from you. You are absolutely correct. In fact, at this time I am on the Central Coast of NSW at a cousins reunion and my old school's (Ourimbah) 150th. I came through some of the fire devastation. Proo commented that I really should get involved. However! it is a bit more complex than that but basically, that is the story. The main problem is that we are making our bush more flammable in the name of fire management. I think I should, at least, write an article and publish it on this website. I will do that over the next couple of weeks and send you a copy. ps my article is at Wildfire.

22nd October: Phillip says; Dear Prof. Wamsley, as a share holder in Earth Sanctuaries I had the pleasure of meeting both you and Pru on a couple of occasions. Your vision and basic approach to saving Australia's wildlife was and is logical and should be the standard throughout the country. I also vividly remember you mentioning your belief that bushfire intensity and destruction had massively increased due to the demise of native animals which took care of forest litter. If this is true, that would be a great insentive for governments to embark on mass breeding of such native animals and pour money into getting rid of foxes and cats. I would like you to talk on radio with Alan Jones in Sydney and get this discussion happening. Best wishes,

14th October: John replies; Thanks Grahame. You are welcome any time.

14th October: Grahame writes; G'day John, An absolute pleasure to visit today. If only we could have stayed longer to wander further and learn more. Sorry I had to leave before soaking in more (time constraints before leaving SA!) What you and Proo have achieved is not only inspirational, it's largely shaped me. From counting buckheaps and helping map Yooka, to concreting observatories and learning to guide, my philosophy was molded by your work, and my passion hasn't left (even though other passions may have shifted me interstate!) I felt like crying when I peered into a once proud and landmark sanctuary called Warrawong, but know that your legacy is bigger than that piece of land. It continues and it grows. Great to see how it's growing even in your own backyard. Keep up the great work my friend.

22nd August: John replies; G'day Trevor, Thankyou, would love to see you.

22nd August: Trevor says; Hi John , Congratulations on your native garden looks great and I would love to have a look sometime. All the best.

21st July: John replies; Sorry, we don't sell them anymore. The "bush haters" tried to stop us but in the end they threatened our suppliers and frightened them. Do you know we got many hundreds of threats from the "bush haters", but we sold thousands of cat skins. I think we really did something about understanding the problem with our massive wildlife loss in Australia. Yookamurra and Scotia worked. Twelve species of mammal were saved from extinction. However! Fifteen years on and we have forgotten. Not one further kilometre of feral fence has been built. Not one more species as been released into a fox and cat ffree zone. Unfortunately the "bush haters" ave returned. Their cats roam freely again destroying our wildlife. Our memory is very short. Anway Mick, keep up the good work. Every person who doesn't let their moggie roam means thousands of individual native animals and birds saved.

20th July: Mick asks; Hi I would love to bring indivduals, friends n family to the awareness of the feral cat problem buy buying one and wearing it. Where can I get one? Regards.

29th June: John replies; Sorry, I've been away for a week. Good news Jac. I guess I'm getting too old. Yes Peter, I know about Scotia, I built it.

28th June:Peter says; Inresponse to:"27th November: Don asks; Hi, I have a life-long interest in our wildlife, particularly birds. As I approach retirement I would like to devote some of my spare time to feral cat control." and John's comment about feral cats that nothing can be done. We have to do something! A month or so ago I spent a couple of weeks in remote western NSW at Australian Wildlife Conservation's Scotia sanctuary, the largest fox and cat proof area in Australia. I was working with conservation scientists attempting to save some unique fauna from extinction, Mala,Bettong, Bilby to name a couple.
I was working inside and outside the sanctuary, counting prints left on sand smoothed the previous night. This location has no human habitation yet cat prints were clearly obvious just outside the perimeter fence. Scotia protects 12 nationally listed threatened fauna species and 38 species listed as threatened in the state of NSW. These animals have nowhere to go and most no longer exist in the wild. Feral cats eat them.
It is estimated Australia has up to 14 million feral cats, which kill up to four billion small mammals, birds and reptiles each year. Feral cats have been a major contributor to some species becoming threatened or extinct.
These remote cats don't require water, they eat 2 to 3 live animals per day and will not take baits. Reducing their numbers humanely is not easy. I have recently discovered Dr John Dean who works at Adelaide Uni and who is looking closely at this problem.
I've been working on a toxic delivery device to control cat populations.My idea was to hit the cats with something like a low velocity gel ball (as used in paintball games) not with paint but with .7g cat poison. Cats naturally groom their coats and thereby ingest a lethal dose. I have sent a drawing to Adelaide and he's seriously looking at it and has asked me to send him anything else I come up with. We can make toasters than can almost talk to us, we must be able to invent a working automatic cat wacker. Lets stop complaining and work towards a solution.

26th June: Jac says; G'day John, I have some very good news for you. I reported those evil, uncaring people to the Council, which in itself was no easy task as the first contact I made with the Council was with a cat-loving woman who told me over and over again that Council "has no jurisdiction over cats," and "we don't have the resources to deal with cats," and "we can act on dogs, but not cats," and "I've got a cat but he's always inside....most of the time," and unbelievably, "my cat is scared of birds. They attack him when he goes outside." I told her how amazing it was the number of times cat lovers just like her had told me the same stupid, ridiculous story even while watching their cat manouvre itself into the pounce position to attack galahs feeding on grass seed a few metres away. I asked her how to go about making a complaint. She told me I couldn't, that there was nothing I could do, or that Council could do for me. I hung up, rang back and got onto a young man who straight away took all the details, gave me a reference number and told me my complaint would be referred to the Local Laws Dept and someone would respond to me by a set date.
I went into the Council offices and spoke directly to the cat-loving thing that tried to steer me away and quietly but forcefully confronted her and asked her why she told me there was nothing Council could do when the young man had done everything so differently. I refuted every stupid, ignorant claim she made and backed her right into the back corner of her little cubicle, even saying that it was a pretty awful state of affairs that one employed by the Council is so ill-informed, and that a member of the public is the one doing the educating of Council staff. When she realized I wasn't going to give her any escape, she walked over to another woman in another stupid cubicle and told her who I was and what the young man had done. This old woman said, "I'll have to speak to him." Later on I rang the Council. I told a different woman, but old and local-yokel, and sickeningly parochial, just like the other two, and knowing full well that she would gleefully spread the gossip, that I'm writing to the CEO and making a complaint about the old hags on the counter and would also ask the CEO if he condones the bullying of staff by other staff within the Council, as that's exactly what I witnessed before my very own eyes - old hags so used to getting away with their awful, bullying, intimidating behaviour toward every, single other person they ever encounter, until they met me. That really set the cat amongst the pigeons. I rang everyday to check on the progress of my complaint as logged with Local Laws but the first old hag did not ever answer the phone again. She might have been fast-tracked to an oblivious corner in the back of the Council, hopefully for the birdies sake.
Eventually, a Local Laws officer, who had explained to me before I confronted the old hag that cat owners are required by law to keep their cat restrained at all times, contacted the cat owners and informed them of their lawful responsibilities for keeping their ugly killer cat restrained at all times! Yippee for the birdies!
After I spoke to the cat owners, way back before I even rang the Council, and gave them quite a lot of printed information about cats they then let their mauler of defenceless, cute little birdies out to roam day and night as if to say to me, "stick it up your arse bitch," (that was the nature, I encountered, of the aggressive male cat owner) whereas, before I spoke to them, they let the damned thing out only at night. I was going past one night and watched the woman open the door and let it out. The hubby was driving down the road and saw me watching her. I then witnessed them all come outside with torches and call the ugly cat until they found it and took it back inside. You see, I had told them I was well within my rights to hire a trap from Council and trap their ugly cat. But, as they had paid a million bucks for their glass house on the beach (got ripped off stupidly but hey, when you're a nobody in particular, a million dollar house can create the illusion that you are), they are all fluffed up with their own self-importance and believed that their killer, mauler, merciless hunter cat had rights far beyond anyone or anything else.
So, I had a win for the birdies and the reptiles and the... all the wildlife, as the cat IS GONE! I haven't seen it at all! I go down there twice a day and sit opposite their glass house, as I'm well within my rights to do, and make it very obvious that I'm scanning for their cat. A couple of times I've seen them outside, which is very rarely as they spend most of their time inside with all the doors and windows shut. They never walk the beach. On the few occasions I have seen them outside I've thought to myself that I've got another opportunity to speak to them face-to-face but they put their heads down and run away, leaving me deflated from not being able to go into full frontal battle.
Because of you we now have these laws in place that protect defenceless wildlife from ugly cats and their irresponsible owners. Thanks for all your efforts. They're more appreciated than you know, I think. Because I knew these laws existed, it gave me the conviction to persist in the face of ignorance as well as the tactics used by Council designed specifically to put us off persisting.
I reckon the birdies know me and what I've done for them. They've moved back into their territories.
Kind regards,
Never ever give up, and never forget that someone, somewhere is on your side, the side of right.

2nd May: John replies; I understand your problem. There is no answer. These people are just ignorant, selfish, uncaring shits. There are only two options available. The first is to put up with it and understand that because these people are in a majority, the birdlife will all gradually disappear anyway. That we treat the environment as we treat people with terminal illnesses. It is called palliative care. We just let it slowly and gradually die so nobody gets too upset about it. The second way is like an old lady I once knew. She just had a cat trap and a 200 litre drum full of water. Each trespassing cat was buried with a shrub on top. She planted hundreds of shrubs. Everyone knew but nobody could catch her. I used to sit and watch her thousands of birds, it was wonderful. But she passed on. There are no birds in her garden now. Sorry about that but some of us can just do the best we can. Best of luck.

2nd May: Jac says; Hello, I am contacting you as I live in an area unique for it's birdlife in that the numbers and varieties are huge considering the very small area they inhabit. Just under a year ago new people moved in to this area. There are only 4 freehold blocks in this area and these new people are the only permanent residents. They brought a &^*(*&* cat in a few months after moving in and now it's allowed to roam and hunt at will. They never keep it contained and it's a big cat. I've taken information to them to try and encourage them to keep the damn thing constrained but was met with aggression, not thoughtfulness that's for sure. I'm contacting you to find out what the best way to go to war with them is as the Council told me they can't do anything as it's very hard to catch a cat that's been reported as a nuisance an suggested I hire one of their traps, which I have done, but I want to stop everyone from allowing their cats to roam and hunt and will. What are your suggestions, if any, that will help me in launching my local war on those hateful things? I look forward to your reply. Thank you for any assistance you many provide.

30th April: John replies; I am pretty sure it is either a Lobelia or a Pratia.

30th April: Tim says; Plant looks like Scaevola albida.

30th April: Rima says; Forgot to mention, the flower there looks like a sun orchid to me? I wouldn't know the scientific name or the particular species though. I have also photographed this flower and it is actually my desktop background on my phone at the moment.

17th April: John asks; Can anyone please tell me what this flower is. I am having trouble identifying it.

13th March: John reples; That would be fine Katie. I have sent you an email.

13th March: Katie says; I am a year 12 student currently attending ................... As part of the Stage 2 SACE curriculum it is required of me to complete the Research Project. I am currently conducting a Case Study of Warrawong Sanctuary and its association with feral animals causing endangerment. I was hoping to get in contact with you in order to conduct an interview for part of my research. It would be extremely helpful to this project and I would be very grateful of your participation. If you could contact me on my email address I have left that would be great.

3rd November: John replies; Thanks Craig, That's great. Of course you are right. I have fixed it. Cheers. It's good to get constructive feedback.

3rd November: Craig says; johnwamsley.com/july31.html is Pisolithus tinctorus.

31st August: John replies; G'day Clare, I spend most of my efforts saving plants now. I set up a foundation. It is now called the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered (FAME). It's website is fame.org.au

31st August: Clare says; I met you 15 or so years ago when my family visited Yookamurra & stayed there. Mum says I sat on your lap & played with your beard. I don't really recall but I do remember Mum being courted by an Emu there + Joey the baby kangaroo, and a baby hairy nosed wombat your were raising. We also stayed in the shearers sheds at another of you sancuaries - can't remember where. I just wanted to enquiry as to the status of your wildlife mission & whether you have a charity connected to you?

25th February: John replies; Thanks Des.

24th February: Des says; Stumbled upon your site when looking for pics of Melaleuca decusata.So glad John to see that you are still passionate as ever.

27th November: Don replies; Hi John. Much appreciate your response and am a big fan of your work over the years. I will keep trying. I am sure it can be done. If I eventually have any success I will let you know. regards Don.

27th November: John replies; G'day Don, I spent many years of my life trying to find people who train dogs to find ferals. I have had no success. Sorry about that. Maybe someone out there can help.

27th November: Don asks; Hi, I have a life-long interest in our wildlife, particularly birds. As I approach retirement I would like to devote some of my spare time to feral cat control. I understand dogs can be trained to sniff out and flush feral cats up trees where they can be easily and humanely dispatched at close range with a shotgun. I don't want the dog to attack or otherwise interact with the cat. I have approached a few dog trainers who appeared to be concerned at any association with this project. It was suggested I should just approach local councils about cat curfew awareness! Can you put me in touch with appropriate resources, information and/or people who can help me train a dog as desired? regards Don

8th November: John says; You must forgive them for they know not what they do.

8th November: Peter replies; Thanks John for the advice. I managed to cross pollinate about 30 of my King Spiders so I'm a step ahead. In 2003 I lost count of over two hundred of them on my neighbours fence line but he sprayed his fence lines with 'triple strength', his words, herbicide to control blackberry and yesterday I could only count four orchids. I think that Monsanto have a lot to answer for. Cheers Peter.

6th November: John replies; I have no idea Judith. I need a bit more. How big is it?

6th November: Judith asks; This was taken by a flickr contact while visiting the Adelaide Hills ... I thought you might be able to help her with knowing if it is a local or not.

6th November: John replies; G'day Peter, The orchids are probably the King Spider, Caladenia tentaculata. They are supposed to be pollenated by a thynnine wasp. See photo. You can see the column of the orchid just above the back of the wasp. The orchid gives off the scent of a female wasp and the male tries to mate with it. In the excitement the labellum waves about and the back of the wasp comes in contact with the column. Note the yellow bit at the top of the column. That contains the pollen sack. It has a sticky bit sticking out. If you get a bit of dead grass and investigate that yellow bit with the grass you will end up with the pollen sticking to the grass. If you wait awhile the pollen actually matures while you are looking at it. Anyway after a few minutes you go to another spider orchid and rub the pollen on the stigma. The stigma is the sticky bit just under the yellow bit. The pollen sticks quite easily. You then take the pollen from the one you just pollenated and go back to the first one and pollenate it. Unfortunately the Thynnine wasp is getting a bit thin on the ground. I have to pollenate my spider orchids.

6th November: Peter asks; Hi John. Your open garden day was a real eye opener. The spider orchids on my property on Stock Road seem to be getting fewer over the last ten years. Would hand pollinating help. And how do I do it? A camel hair brush or as someone suggested on the web, a pine needle? Can I wash the brush between species or keep one for each type. Regards

6th November: John replies; Sorry Richard, I've been away. Yes! thanks for that.

29th October: Richard says; There's a pink mystery flower at the bottom of the forum page. I think it's a weed called Petrorhagia dubia (Europe).
Regards,

21st October: John replies; G'day Diane, I think you must be talking about Dichondra repens (Tom Thumb).
If not you will have to come and have another look. Cheers.

21st October: Diane asks; I recently visited your amazing garden on one of the Open Days, but failed to get the name of one of the ground covers I am interested in. It was on the right-hand side of your property (when facing the house) and was by far the flattest, most ground-hugging one I have seen, and had a broad leaf. Are you able to give me its name, please? I apologise for the vagueness of the description & realise it is a long-shot to ask you to identify it. Regards

25th September: How's this?

This is an incredible story. I picked a helmet orchid for some-one to photograph. The stem broke off at about ground level. After it was photographed I put it in a bottle of water on the kitchen window sill. Proo felt sorry for it and put a pellet of orchid fertiliser in the bottle. That is the brown lump to the right at the bottom of the bottle. The orchid grew a root from the bottom of the stem directly to and round the pellet. It then grew a bulb at the end of the root. That is the white lump near the pellet. It now seems to be using the nutrient from the pellet to grow the bulb. Can anyone tell me what to do now? Should I plant it or what?

22nd September: John replies: G'day Tristan, We had no difficulty breeding eastern quoll. We bred hundreds of them. We had them living in thehouse as pets and found they make a wonderful pet. The only problem you will have is with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service who feel it is their job to stop anyone from saving wildlife.

21st September: Tristan asks: G'day John, I note that in the late 1990's you were developing a breeding program for quolls, attempting to domesticate them. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am on the Central Coast, near where you were born, and I note that we have eastern quolls here. I would like to know whether you had success in breeding quolls? I am very interested in both the conservation and application for domestic pets. Thanks in advance, Tristan.

19th September: John replies; G'day Karyn, Lepidosperma carphoides grows across Monarto South. It also only grows here, at Wirrapunga, on the sandy section. So! it probably is more suited to sandy conditions. I guess the first question I would ask is "why carphoides? Why not semitres? semitres grows here at Wirrapunga and likes clay soil. They are reasonably similar except for the flower. I understand the easiest way to grow either is by taking a bit of the plant, including the root, and looking after it. I understand it is reasonably easy to grow this way. You are welcome to some from here (with me overseeing the operation). I'm sure we can get it going on your mother's block. Our bearded orchids will be out in about a month. You are welcome to drop in and have a look. Our sun orchids will be out on that first day of real spring when you hear the insects in the air. We have thousands of them. That is probably about the middle of October. I have only seen one so far this year. Anyway let me know. I would be delighted to help. Cheers John.

19th September: Karyn says; Hi john, I came to the Wirrapunga open garden recently. Mum lives in crafers and was quite taken with the Lepidosperma Carphoides. Do you sell plants of this at all? Or seed? Or allow others to collect a small amount of seed? I have recently collected some seed from a ?Lepidosperma that appears quite similar, however it's from Monarto South and would probably do better in sandy soil than Mum's acidic clay. If you have any advice as to whether to scarify, treat with hot water, soak, or smoke the seed for better results, i'd be much appreciative. Also, I have only ever seen one bearded orchid in the wild, and a couple of tall sun orchids (there's one at a reserve near Mum's that we visit each year and secretly weed around..) so it's fantastic to know that you have them on your land! Regards, Karyn.

13th September: John says; A number of people, at the weekend, asked me where I got our greenhouse. Well! you can find them on http://www.greenhousesonline.com.au/home.php they cost about $1100 for the one my size (8ft by 6ft). They are an excellent investment. They have some good stuff.

13th September: John replies; G'day Andreas, I have sent you an email .Sorry about the delay I have been a bit busy clearing up after the weekend. I would be happy to come and look at your place and see what I can do to help. Just reply to this email giving me your address and suitable times. Tuesdays and Saturdays are probably best. Cheers John.

12th September: Adreas says; Hi John, This afternoon while at your place we have briefly discussed the possibility for you to come and have a look at our native vegetation and to see what we can do better. We also briefly discussed that you are trying to get people together really interested in restoring the land to its original beauty. We are both certainly very interested in that. Hope to hear from you soon.

12th September: John replies; G'day Bruce, I got them from Green Harvest Organic Gardening Supplies at https://greenharvest.com.au/Ghost/ES2CheckOut.php The Code is TL121, Description Labels Display Long Face. They have a lot of good stuff.

12th September: Bruce says; Dear John, When we visited your garden last weekend, you had your plants marked with large yellow labels. Where did you get them?

13th August. John says, "what about this?"

12th July: John replies; G'day Jess, My aim is to demonstrate to people that they do not have to destroy the environment to have a beautiful garden. As of this plan I developed Wirrapunga which has been much better than I ever dreamed. Anyway! by invitation, it is now part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme. I think it is probably the first indigenous garden to be part of the scheme. It is open to the public on the 10th and 11th September. Wirrapunga is designed as it may have been 200 years ago. The concept is that you follow a wallsby track and see all of the wonderful plants that grew in the Aldgate Valley 200 years ago. Now! that is all very well but I am a bit terrified that a few hundred people will soon destroy it for the rest. I don't think it will cause any lasting damage. It would have had to handle a mob of grey kangaroos 200 years ago. But! it would look a bit of a mess, so I thought I would have to control the crowds a bit. So! I am going to try to run it all with guided tours. The guides job will be more about crowd control than anything else. All the noticable plants will be tagged etc. I will also be running a few "training" days for the guides, etc. Anyway if you wish to be part of it you are very welcome. I have sent you an email.

12th July: Jess says; I am very intrigued by your website and I feel that it may be my new bible. I heard on the grape vine and not wanting to spread rumours, but you my be looking for a tour guide. I am very interested and would love to hear from you.

22nd June: John replies; G'day Michael, I have sent you an email.

21st June: Michael says; Hi Dr. Wamsley, I'm doing a report on private conservation efforts, and have been looking into your accomplishments. I have many questions about the successes of Earth Sanctuaries, what you're doing now, etc. Is there a way I can contact you? Thank you, Michael.

9th June: John replies; G'day Narelle, I have sent you an email.

9th June: Narelle says; Dear John, At the end of 2010 we bought a property on Aldgate Valley Rd which has not been tended to for many years. It's a mess of watsonia, gorse and pines! We are very keen to restore some of it to "original" bush. We've had a landscape gardener draw up some plans but I'm not convinced his idea of "original" bush is the same as mine! I would love for you to see it and give your opinions about how whether the plans are the best approach.

Thank you very much in advance!

18th March: John replies; Thanks Tamara. I have sent you an email.

18th March: Tamara says; Dear John, I work for the South Australian Tourism Commission and I have a group of interstate journalists that are very keen to come and see your Native Garden mid April. Could you please email myself and collegue Tina your best contact details so we can arrange a time to come and visit you. Many thanks, Tamara

18th January: John replies; Thanks Judith. I am so pleased you contacted me. I probably do know your block but cannot recognise it from your description. I would love to have a look at it. I have sent you an email.

18th January: Judith says; Good Morning Mr Walmsley,

I have recenlty found the Backyard Wildlife website, and from there your own.
I too live in the Aldgate Valley and am making my own attempt to care for the remnant bush there.
Now that I have seen your site I am going to have a few days of dedicated reading (a rest from seed collecting right now).

I began a blog, which would show you where I am, if you are interested.

http://thispatchofremnantscrub.blogspot.com/

I feel sure you would know the block.

I have been here a couple of years now and am attempting to build on the work of previous owners.

I have also just applied to have the bush part gazetted as Heritage Protected".

I would be pleased to show you the block one day, should you be interested.

Mr Bob Bates has made four visits over a year, to record plant species on it.
I will find a way of posting that list to the forum one day.

Thank you for you r site; it will be hugely useful for my own learning and so my patch of remnant scrub.

7th January: John replies; G'day Barbara. Thanks for that. I have already weeded it out. The interesting thing is that I have been working on Wirrapunga for 15 years now and suddenly a small group of them appear in a very conspicuous spot. I am certain they were not there before (for 15 years anyway).

6th January: Barbara says; The pink flower on the forum page is proliferous pink Petrorhagia nanteuilii or a hybrid between P. nanteuilii and P. velutina have been recorded. Anyway I guess you have weeded it out by now.

18th June: John replies; G'day Richard. I did sell hundreds of them, but, no I don't sell any now. I couldn't get a supplier. They couldn't handle the threats. But I still have mine. Cheers.

18th June: Richard says; Dear John. Do you still sell cat hats by any chance? I went to look at your UQ thesis once, I was impressed by the short length of 70 pages.  I decided to make a note of this on your wikipedia page.  My UQ maths PhD thesis was 132 pages, which I thought was pretty short, anyway good paper savings! Regards Richard.

18th March: John replies; G'day Katarina. You fill in the feedback form with your correct email address and John will email you. Cheers.

18th March: Katarina says; Hello, I would like to contact John Wamsley.

1st November: John says; I think the second one is Juncus capitatus - a weed?

21st October: John says; Thanks Steve I will remove it.

21st October: Steve says; The pink flower is Petrorhagia velutina - Proliferous Pink - a weed.

14th October: John replies; The ovary is superior; There are four flowers in the head; Each flower has two styles; There are 5 double petals so it could look like 10; Each flower has two sepals; The plant consists of just one stalk with the flower head on top; The leaves are alternate.

12th October: Bruce says; The second one looks like Carex hebes "knob sedge" but the family really needs to be redone. The third one looks like Cyperus tenellus "tiny flat sedge". It may help if you gave some more info on the first such as: is the ovary inferior or superior, it is hard to see from the photo? Are there other flowers hidden in that head? How many styles? I presume there are 5 double petals. How many sepals?