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Bob’s birthday cake came after a slithering snake

December 5, 2025
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By Greg Warburton

The Toodyay Naturalist Club’s (TNC) final meeting for the year last month was a special gathering in more ways than one.

It was not only a chance to look back on the year’s activities and events but also an opportunity to celebrate former president Bob Frayne’s 90th Birthday. Being held at Bideford House, we were able to enjoy wandering around Bob and Beth’s extraordinary native garden and admire the many plants in flower. With bird species flittering among the foliage and a delightful view from the garden, the meeting started a little later than planned.

With our unstoppable secretary Desraé taking minutes, the meeting progressed through a range of agenda items.

Sharon from the Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance (a subgroup of TNC) gave a comprehensive report on progress with the campaign. This included some startling data about Carnaby Cockatoo nesting in the Julimar Forest.

There was an abundance of reported interesting sightings, including a Southern Blind Snake found slithering on a member’s veranda. These harmless, nocturnal reptiles live mostly underground and feed on termites and ants. They can be up to 35 cm in length. The sighting was unusual as they normally only come out after heavy rain.

Southern Blind Snake

A Blind Snake.

After the meeting, we all enjoyed a piece of Bob’s birthday cake. During the evening, Bob was heard to make a thought-provoking comment. “My parents would be very surprised that I made it to 90 as I was a sickly child,” he said. Bob’s lifelong interest in outdoor activities, especially bush walking, has doubtless been a big factor in his longevity. I remember well seeing Bob with a rucksack and gaiters striding up to Pelham Reserve for his regular walks.

A recent survey I did along the walk tracks in the reserve shows a desperate need for maintenance, with some parts of the path impassable. This is a sad situation as many visitors explore Pelham, especially when the everlastings are in flower. Members intend to get out with whipper snippers as soon as they can.

November 12 saw the Toodyay Naturalist Club join with the Toodyay Friends of the River for a Senior’s Week showcase event at the recreation centre. It was an excellent way to network with other local groups while promoting the opportunities for seniors to keep active, while helping the natural environment. Thank you to the Shire team for organising the event.

This article was published in the December 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.