Blackbutt Reserve

Since I was unable to visit Gap Creek Falls the other day, I decided I might pop in to have a look at the new animal enclosures at Blackbutt Reserve near Newcastle. I will say straight off the bat that I do have something of a prejudice against Blackbutt Reserve, as I see the place as nothing like a natural bush setting, it being far too ‘corrupted’ by human activity, weeds and the like. Having said that it is a good place for a family or group outing/event. It certainly has its place, but it is not a true nature reserve (in my opinion).

ABOVE: Visitor Centre

I do think that some well designed animal and bird enclosures at Blackbutt could lift the value of the reserve dramatically and make it a really great place for families, especially young families. There are opportunities for educational visits for kids, possible environmental activities and the like there. So the potential is certainly there for Blackbutt.

The enclosures of my youth are giving way to those that are much better and up to a more modern standard, which is great to see. Certainly the improvements I saw are great and some of them are outstanding. The Quoll enclosure, with nocturnal habitat viewing was brilliant. Some of the other enclosures are getting there also, though I was disappointed with the size of some of the aviaries and poor vegetation choices they appeared to have. They didn’t look to great for the birds, which I think is not a good look. Still, they are a major improvement on what had been there before.

Some of the other enclosures for snakes and amphibians were really good also I have to say and overall the place is going ahead and improving all of the time. So I think it has a place into the future, if it can continue to improve along the way. Just some thoughts…

ABOVE LEFT: Modern Enclosures  ABOVE RIGHT: Koala BELOW: Nocturnal Quoll Enclosure

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MY MONDAY MORNING – ONCE EVERY THREE WEEKS

 

OK – so this Blog is about posting a photo every day and the photo is to capture some aspect of my life/experience that I can share with others. Well, today’s photo provides something of an insight into what I do on a Monday morning at work, once every three weeks. 

I guess the task that has been photographed can be seen to be something terribly mundane and monotonous. However, it is part of my job and something that is essential in the operation of the retirement village in which I work. It is also plays an important part in providing (granted it is a small part, yet essential part) the overall experience that is living in the over 55s retirement resort at Tea Gardens Grange. It is another task that is taken care of for the people living in the village and adds to that terrific retirement experience that is Grange living at Tea Gardens.

 Is it mundane and boring? I guess it is a mundane task – it certainly isn’t a romantic task. Is it boring – not really. I have the opportunity of interacting with many of the residents as I go about my task, as well as interacting with other staff both involved in the same task or otherwise. Also, the surroundings in which I work are hardly oppressive in any sense whatsoever. So in short, it is a part of my job that needs to be done and is not a task I would describe as particularly burdensome. Sure, you can make it that way if you wish – but I do not find it that way at all.

So what is the task – collecting the garbage bins and delivering them to the garbage pick up location and then cleaning the bins afterwards.