By Greg Warburton
A big part of my Toodyay community life seems to be spent writing. There is an endless stream of emails, text messages, social media posts, letters, meeting minutes and reports that need to be sent or responded to.
The Herald deadline seems to come around very quickly, as do the Toodyay Naturalists’ Club and Toodyay Friends of the River newsletters. Although there is certainly pressure to get these articles submitted on time, it is at least an opportunity for contributors to write an interesting and creative narrative rather than a perfunctory email.
It also shows a special quality to the writing when the author is reporting on something of particular personal interest. That was demonstrated when our newsletter editor, Desrae, sent out an urgent call for contributions for issue number 47. The result was an extraordinary collection of articles by members covering varied subjects from Rain Moths to Flooded Gums and even an Antarctic voyage.
The writing was enhanced by stunning photographs and expert formatting, and is available in electronic and printed versions.
Reading the newsletter was good therapy for me, as at the time I was in a hospital bed, feeling pretty sorry for myself. Apart from an enjoyable and informative read, these newsletters provide a valuable historical record for the state as they are lodged with the Battye Library.
Many of the ‘Nats’ back issue newsletters can be found on our website.
Our September meeting was held at the Ray Paynter Reserve on Forrest Road. Named after the botanist and founding Club member, this shire-managed reserve is triangular in shape and adjoins the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Wongamine Reserve. Ray and other early club members successfully campaigned to extend Wongamine Reserve to its current 330 hectares.
It was a perfect spring day with plenty of wildflowers and many members of the general public enjoying these reserves. After the meeting, members enjoyed a wildflower walk and also looked for evidence of “Wongamine Spirals”, a native snail unique to the reserve, for which the WA Museum is seeking records.
Bob Frayne at Ray Paynter Reserve.
It was a pleasure to have former club president and Bibbulmun Track pioneer, Bob Frayne, join us for the first time in a while. Bob is a well-known and treasured local who will celebrate his 90th birthday next month. Coincidentally, his birthday lines up nicely with the club’s end-of-year celebration.
It should be quite a party.
Our club will once again be present at the Agricultural Show on October 11. Please come and see us in the ‘environment matters’ marquee. Members are asked to help out on the day.
On the last weekend of October, an overnight excursion to Wongan Hills and the famed Reynoldson Verticordia Reserve is proposed. Standby for confirmation and information from our secretary.
This article was published in the October 2025 edition of the Toodyay Herald, p. 32.
The Toodyay Naturalists’ Club welcomes sightings and observations of flora, fauna and all areas of natural history. To add your sightings, email secretary@toodyaynats.org.au or submit a sighting via our online form.
