While it would be wonderful if Tidbinbilla entry was free, as with the
National Botanic Gardens, though it's not national in the same sense
as the gardens, I don't think $20 is unreasonable for an annual fee. I
wouldn't bother with $10 for a once off visit - just buy the annual
ticket and make sure to go again. It's a lovely place, and really not
far.
It's worth noting that the NGA, for example, charges locals more for
membership on the grounds that they use it more than interstate
visitors.
The per person charge for coaches and school groups will be
insignificant in the context of to total cost of a coach excursion,
but over a year shoulod bring in a fair bit.
More sinister, if that's the right word, to my mind is the notice in
today's CT, Fridge Door, that an ACT Volunteer Grants Program is
offering up to $5000 to not-for-profit groups working in the ACT with
volunteers. It is for reimbursement of volunteers' out of pocket
expenses, like fuel, bus fares and parking. I have not been aware of
this before and it concerns me that it could become the thin end of a
wedge for organisations that depend on volunteers, like COG and others
that I belong to.
How long will it be before we start to get demands for reimbursement
before anyone will do anything? And how will we dispense the grant if
we do apply for it successfully. Or will it be just more time
consuming grant writing with little or no chance of success? Maybe I'm
being unfair to the vast bulk of volunteers, but it does seem to me to
change the notion of volunteering somewhat.
Ian Hodgson
*******************************************************************************************************
This is the email announcement and discussion list of the Canberra
Ornithologists Group.
List-Post: <>
List-Help: <>
List-Unsubscribe: <>
List-Subscribe: <>
List archive: <http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/canberrabirds>
List manager: David McDonald, email
<>
|
