A comment on Aust History,
I have often wondered why our convict forebears did not bring the
concept of the "right-of-way" in England and Europe to Australia. Was it that
they had so much open space that they did not think it necessary or were they
just like the Landlords that had sent them packing and didn't want just anybody
wandering across their land. As Paul says it would have been a more pleasant
experience for us if they had bought the "right-of-way" with them.
Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Rose
Sent: Tuesday, 11 November 2003 9:27 AM
To: ;
Subject: Trespassing birders
Good morning all,
I'm going to get somewhat nostalgic here but for the right reasons.
And after that I'll sit down and put together the overdue thanks and
report I owe you for the winning Victoria 24-hour twitchathon (watch
this space).
While I have unequivocal support for the need to respect private
landowners property and seek permission beforehand (it is not this that
I am challenging), isn't it a shame that the same "right-of-way"
prevalent in Britain can't be adopted here in Australia. It's the same
old argument about the majority of people doing the right thing -
respecting the flora and fauna, closing gates, not toileting and the
like ! But the few that don't, coupled with the bloody insurance,
insurance, insurance argument, prevents one from exploring freely. How
absolutely wonderful is it when you're out and about, knowing that the
beautiful world that has been given to us can be grabbed hold of without
worrying about crossing that fence .... of course the good birds are
going to be on the other side, the protected side, the well-forested,
swampy, scrubby, buggy, get your feet dirty side! It's a bit sad that
there will be so many rules when my son wants to go down to the local
creek and look for frogs or run through a field of flowers or sit
quietly under the biggest tree he can find and soak up the sounds of the
woodlot - in Britain and later many years in Canada, that's how I grew
up and I think myself so fortunate. That's where an appreciation of the
things around us is born, my birdwatching from 12 years of age, later
learning about butterflies and wildflowers and herps and mushrooms - you
don't find puffballs (with their brown 'smoke' when you squeeze them)
and red-bellied newts (sorry, reverting to my Canadian side) on the
roadside, or on the private medical insurance side of the fence ! And
don't give me any of this .... in a perfect world stuff. That need for
exploration is in us all, it's so prominent in the poeple chatting here
otherwise we wouldn't be doing all the good that we do. Here's to
freedom and doing the right thing by it !!!
Hey ...... be good and good birding !
That's it.
Cheers,
P.
Paul Rose
Year 9 Purple Team
Department of Biology and Chemistry
Wesley College - Glen Waverley
620 High Street Road
Glen Waverley 3150
(03) 9881 5426
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