I hope, long, and ache to see one … though in a lifetime of hoping, longing, and aching, I have yet to experience that joy.<\/p>\n
I sometimes think that the Spotted-tailed Quoll [Dasyurus maculatus<\/em>] \u2026 commonly called the Tiger Quoll \u2026 might be a figment of the imagination\u2014like the elusive, mystical, and realistically make-believe Otway Panther.\u00a0 But unlike the panthers, Quolls are<\/u> out there!<\/p>\n Indeed, Tiger Quolls\u2014known to the Aboriginals as bindulung<\/em>\u2014do<\/u> exist right here in the Otways, though their numbers are decreasing.\u00a0 They are officially \u2018endangered\u2019 in mainland Australia and are graded as \u2018vulnerable\u2019 in Tasmania … see https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mr48pyh8<\/a><\/p>\n Sadly, the closest I have come to seeing a real live Quoll\u2014apart from a few sad captives hiding away in hollow logs at the Healesville Sanctuary\u2014is the beautiful, small-sculpture Tiger Quoll [sculptor: Simon Normand] that I was lucky enough to purchase at the last Lorne Sculpture Biennale [see pictured].<\/p>\n Though my grandchildren don\u2019t seem to like it … \u2018his teeth are too fearsome, Grandad\u2019<\/em> … no matter, say I … suck it up, \u2018cos I love it.<\/p>\n An excellent place to learn more about Tiger Quolls is the Nature Glenelg Trust website: https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3vuwz4em.<\/a>\u00a0 Much of the following is a synthesis of [or quotes from] this site.<\/p>\n Male Tiger Quolls average ~3kg in weight,though some can weigh more than 8kg.\u00a0 Females are smaller and have one litter of about five pups each year. \u00a0Of some interest, multiple paternity is common for pups born within the same<\/u> litter, meaning the female may mate with and be successfully fertilised by several different males in the one oestrous cycle! \u00a0While we might think that suggests that they are rather \u2018promiscuous\u2019, Quolls would likely disagree as their multi-paternity program has proven a helpful ploy to broaden and sustain the gene pool.<\/p>\n Tiger Quolls, solitary and nocturnal, prefer the dense eucalypt forests high in the Otways, and especially along Riley\u2019s Ridge in the upper reaches of the Barham River beyond Paradise [btw: what an apt name].\u00a0 Since humans rarely travel the back roads of their Otway range at night, this may partly explain the rarity of sightings … \u00a0\u00a0moreover, if the glimpse is fleeting, a Quoll may be mistaken for a feral ginger cat unless the spots are clearly seen.<\/p>\n Quolls have quite an extensive range for a small animal\u2014about 800ha for males and about half that for females.\u00a0 Tiger Quolls are adept at climbing and commonly use trees or fallen logs as Quoll thoroughfares to move quickly and silently through the undergrowth.\u00a0 In addition, a hollow log happily doubles as a warm and cosy den.<\/p>\n To adapt Mark Bachmann\u2019s excellent article in Nature Glenelg Trust [see reference above] … \u2018as communication within a population of solitary, wide-ranging animals can be difficult, Tiger Quolls use \u2018latrines\u2019\u2014communal areas where scat (poo) and scent marks can be left [these \u2018markers\u2019 act just like a social media page]\u2014that enable local area Quolls to keep contact with individuals, maintain social cohesion, and benefit reproduction by advertising female sexual receptivity and male presence or dominance\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n A truly remarkable and innovative program has been developed in the Otways [https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ypd792t2 <\/a>] that deserves the support of all who value the unique Tiger Quoll.\u00a0 Again, to quote Mark Bachmann, the Conservation Dogs program trains dogs and their handlers to search large areas of bush and detect evidence of Quolls without tracking or disturbing the animal itself.\u00a0 These highly trained conservation dogs and their handlers demand our greatest respect, and funding support!<\/p>\n Tiger Quolls are high-level bush predators. They prey on small, broad-foot marsupial mice, native rats, possums, birds, reptiles, a bunch of invertebrates, and European rabbits.\u00a0 The latter have proven a new and exotic fare since the importation and widespread release of bunnies by Thomas Austin in 1859 at nearby Barwon Park, Winchelsea.\u00a0 Perhaps we should wish all strength to the Quoll\u2019s jaw, as a rabbit plague has beset Australia ever since … the epitome of a native \u2018catch and munch\u2019 program.<\/p>\n Although Austin is widely held to have introduced rabbits to this previously rabbit-free land, this is not entirely true.\u00a0 Caged rabbits were brought to New South Wales for food by the First Fleet in 1788 … see https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/36drr5w4<\/a> … but were well-contained.\u00a0 However, a similar Tasmanian \u2018bunnies for consumption\u2019 program was not as well managed and by 1827, Tasmanian newspapers were reporting that \u2018rabbits had escaped into the wild and were running amok\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 As a result, Tassie Quolls were able to develop their taste for bunny stew well before their Otway cousins, who were denied the novelle cuisine for a further three decades.<\/p>\n As Tiger Quolls like to nibble on carrion\u2014as do Tasmanian Devils, those other fierce bush predators\u2014one of the surest ways to bump into one in the wild is to catch it in the headlights as it snacks on road-kill beside a bush road.\u00a0 But unlike the Devils in Tasmania, Quolls are nimble and quick and thus generally escape the roadside slaughter meted out to the Devils.<\/p>\n As with so many of our native animals in the Otways\u2014perhaps especially the koala and platypus\u2014 habitat loss and fragmentation is the most serious threat to their survival, and this, of course, means us, humans!\u00a0 Though feral cats and foxes pose another risk, especially to young Quolls, as they leave their dens to fend for themselves.<\/p>\n The Nature Glenelg Trust website concludes with a few excellent \u2018things to look for\u2019 dot points:<\/p>\n By far the most comprehensive description of our Otway Quolls can be found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4p9cndpd<\/a> a site I would highly recommend to any who might want to learn more about these most fascinating and beautiful deep-forest animals … animals so unknown to many, but that live in the unique deep forest at our very back door.<\/p>\n John Agar<\/p>\n Feature Writer<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hello<\/p>\n I recently read an interview with a young man (26 years old) who suffered severe facial injuries as a result of a freak football accident. \u00a0He was in an induced coma for 17 days and has lost sight in one eye. \u00a0The overwhelming sentiment that flowed through the interview was one of gratitude, to the first responders, to the doctors, surgeons and nurses who \u201crescued\u201d him from his life-threatening injuries, and the extraordinary response of the community that came together to raise over $330,000 to cover his medical bills and ongoing care. \u00a0He said \u201cOne of the themes of my recovery has been gratitude because if I dwelled on it, it would be no good for me\u201d. \u00a0What a profound attitude in such devastating circumstances!<\/p>\n So much of the unacceptable behaviour we see in society today is based on entitlement rather than gratitude. \u00a0While as parents we try to teach our children (and grandchildren) to be confident and self-assured, are we developing in them a sense of self-entitlement? \u00a0This is not helped by the media bombardment of what we can and must have.<\/p>\n Does this lead to an entitlement, a right, to have what others have, and if you can\u2019t afford it to take it, whether it be personal property, liberty or security? \u00a0The values we as a community should reinforce are courtesy, respect and gratitude. \u00a0It is just as easy to say \u201cplease\u201d and \u201cthank you\u201d as it is to say \u201cI want\u201d or \u201cwe demand\u201d.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Once again Lorne comes alive for the Cup \u201clong\u201d weekend. \u00a0There are lots of activities for those not heading to Flemington, kicking off with the Foreshore Market on Saturday morning. \u00a0The market is full of artisan goods, fresh foods and refreshments, and is an important fundraiser for our local school, so please come along and support. \u00a0Our cricketers head to Apollo Bay on Saturday afternoon, hungry for a game and a win after a washout and a forfeit. \u00a0On Sunday the Aquatic Club will come alive with the sound of the McNaMarr Project, an exciting 6 piece blues and soul band from 4-7pm. \u00a0On Monday, the Country Club will host its traditional Cup Eve Dinner, and just to finish it off, head to the Aquatic Club on Tuesday for lunch and a quiet punt. \u00a0Bookings are required for the Cup Eve dinner and the Cup Day lunch but the other events are open and free. \u00a0No reason to stay home, the garden can wait!<\/p>\n By the way, it was great to see our King and Queen visiting Australia, but someone should have told them that you don\u2019t barbeque in a suit!<\/p>\n Cheers (and good luck if you are having a punt)<\/p>\n November<\/strong><\/p>\n 1-10 – Karren Stoneham Art Exhibition<\/strong>, at Lorne Community Connect from 10.30am daily<\/p>\n 2 – Lorne Market,<\/strong> 9-3pm https:\/\/www.lornemarkets.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n
A word from the chairman<\/strong><\/h1>\n
Lorne Ward Events Calendar<\/strong><\/h1>\n