Flora at Silver Wattle

The climate at Silver Wattle via Bungendore is less extreme than that experienced at Canberra. As a sojourner during the week of the Quaker tapestry gathering I had been concerned about heatwave conditions, but was pleasantly surprised to discover summery days and cool nights in mid November.

The surface of Lake George is dry and deeply cracked at some points. It is covered by low growing plants with thick leaved succulents predominating. However the deep alluvial layers hold a massive body of water.

A copy of a flora survey carried out in 2006 is available to visitors along with a number of helpful books. What would be useful for the general observer is a field guide with scanned or photocopied specimens and accompanying notes. This type of teaching tool has been used most successfully by MIPC (Moreton Island Protection Committee) and I would be more than happy to assist with this work.

The iconic silver wattle grows by the fence on the lake side of the roadway, but it is not as common as black wattle. The red ironbark was flowering and its gorgeous blossoms graced the meeting for worship table, alternating with pink roses from the garden. Fifty eight bird species have been recorded here September to November 2009. Records taken over 25 years include 135 species, 40 of which are waders or waterfowl.

There are some ancient apple box trees by the lake shore. A huge specimen growing by the old shearing shed has a GBH (girth at breast height) of approximately 8.4 m. I would surmise its age to be around 500 years.

On the hill to the west the grass trees are flowering profusely. Even after the early dew has gone, noisy friar birds continue to feed late into the morning. From the top there is a panoramic view of the 150 square kilometre lake bed and on the eastern hills 63 new wind turbines gracefully usher in new ways of living and being.

Silver Wattle is a place of peace, its quietude infused with birdsong. The buildings are well planned but unpretentious. Living in community among likeminded people gives us an opportunity to be energised and strengthened so we can return to our other tasks. I look forward to future opportunities for refreshment and renewal.

Dawn Joyce
November 2009