Chilling Out

“Did you know huntsman loose their skin?” Connie said to me as she was watering the various small native plants under the little shade cloth tables as I sat drinking my flat white inside the Drake Resource Centre yesterday. “They need to do this to grow.  I love all animals, especially carpet snakes” she said.  “Snakes are fine if you don’t corner them.  If they come inside my home, I leave them alone and when they are ready they will eventually go outside again”.  These words are reassuring to a Kiwi visiting the land of the deadliest snakes and spiders in the world.

Connie is five foot nothing, slightly built – quite petite.  She must be in her 60’s, her skin has that soft light tanned look, not from the sun, she’s just blessed to have that type of skin, few blemishes or wrinkles, a picture of health and happiness. She has a couple of bottom front teeth missing, which she doesn’t appear self-conscious about!  Her soft grey hair is tied up into a bun on the top of her head, with little wisps of grey hair softly falling down each side or her face.  Her voice tone matches her size, quiet and slightly pitched. She’s somewhat a funky dresser, wearing ankle high black Dr Martin boots; black knee length linen tailored shorts and a white blouse with small blue flowers printed on it.  Her blouse has ¾ length sleeves, small stand up collar with 4 buttons down the front.  Her blouse falls lousy over her shorts enabling a good air flow.

Connie is one of several volunteers working at the Drake Village Resource Centre, which is the hub of this small settlement called Drake.  The Resource Centre is open seven days a week, mainly from 9 am – 5 pm.   Drake is approximately 2.5 hrs drive inland from Byron Bay, with a population of 345 (2016 census).  I’m visiting Drake to catch up with my daughter Tracy, her husband Phil and babysit my granddaughters Delilah and Poppy while their parents have a couple of nights away.

Back to Connie, she loves her three days working at the Resource Centre which involves many different tasks: making coffee and tea; sorting mail for the local residents; manning the library; supervising computer and Internet access: photocopying; providing tourist information; and general goto person for the local community.  I even noticed a sign on one of the door’s “Shower available, $4 for four people, 15 minutes time limit”.  Recent fires and continuing drought have left this community and surrounding areas very short of water.

Tracy and Phil live at the top of a steep hill with fabulous views over surrounding hills, now covered in scorched ground, burnt and partly burnt eucalyptus trees.  Bush fires went through their valley in September leaving much destruction and damage to property and bush, including the much treasured ‘rain forest’ down the road.  Fortunately for them their home was spared, mainly because they do not have trees up close to their home.  Others were not so lucky some of their neighbours and residents along Long Gully Road lost everything.  Wayne and Jennifer their closest neighbours (part way down the hill) lost everything. What a heart-breaking sight to see their mangled corrugated iron home, years of memories and hard work all gone up in smoke as the fire ripped up the valley destroying virtually everything in its path.  Some say the bush fires are random in their burning, and sure enough not 5 ft from their destroyed home stood their compost toilet completely untouched and further along the section their covered shade houses still in tack and untouched.  Tracy & Phil had one of their retaining walls burnt but the building on top of the wall untouched – hard to fathom.

Seeing the destruction of these fires and experiencing the severe water shortage has been an unforgettable experience for me.  Fortunately for all Drake Village residents fresh drinking water is available the Resource Centre for free.  Can you imagine saving every drop of water that comes from your taps?

Seeing the results of the bush-fires has encouraged me to research and seek further information about the regeneration of some of the burnt species.  Eucalyptus are expected to regenerate in time as they have evolved adaptions to withstand bush-fires.  What has been remarkable is how some of the burnt and blackened eucalyptus trees are already sprouting new green leaves which are known as juvenile leaves and will soon be replaced by adult leaves which are larger.  How they sprout depends on the type of eucalyptus they are, for example, the Red Stringy Bark and Messmate eucalyptus have dormant growth buds deep beneath the bark which are protected from the fire.  When the tree is burnt, and the outer foliage destroyed these buds are triggered into life and start to grow.

Lignotubers:  Never heard that word before, this type of eucalyptus regenerate from underground lignotubers which are large roots from which the tree can sprout new growth.  Although the above-ground part of the tree may not survive being burnt, the lignotuber and root-system remains alive.  In time these trees will often develop multi-stem trunks and provide important habitat for local wildlife.

Regrowth:  Many of the indigenous plants, including Grass Trees reply on fire to remove the build up of leaves and dead material.  Once burnt, the flower-spikes development numerous seeds and is often the first sign that the Grass Tree is alive.

Seed storage:  Other plants may not survive bush-fires but have developed ways to ensure that their species will still persist into the future.  A number of smooth barked eucalyptus species, such as Mountain Ash rarely survive bush-fires and have instead evolved other ways to regenerate following fire.  These seeds are stored in capsules (gum-nuts) in the tree canopy and are released following fire, to germinate en-masse once conditions become favourable, ensuring the survival of the species.

It has been a learning experience seeing the results of bush-fires and drought-stricken country side; highlights the harshness of the Australian landscape and what a tough environment to be a farmer.  When I went to stay in Byron Bay it seemed another world, no bush fire destruction and no saving every drop of water.  It felt a very privileged life style.  Returning to NZ is always appreciated and welcomed.  Till next time, Goldcard Gal.

PS:  The purpose of describing Connie in such detail was to “show” her to you as opposed to ‘telling’ you about her.  Has it worked, would appreciate your feedback.  🙂