The Heights Care community and friends
Situated east of Wallaga Lake road and about 1 kM south of the bridge, Wallaga Lake Heights has about seventy dwellings. Most are permanently occupied; some are second homes, and a few are holiday lets. More than 60% of them subscribe to the Heights Care newsletter.
In addition Heights Care has a wide and active following of like-minded individuals and organisations amongst our neighbours in Beauty Point, Fairhaven and Akolele.
Equally importantly Heights Care has strong connections with dozens of individuals and organisations that provide valuable support and encouragement, including:
- Environmental grants each year since 2020/21
- Support from Environmental, Parks and Recreation and Biosecurity teams
Far South Coast Landcare Association
- Valuable advice on every aspect of out local flora and fauna
- Support with applications for grants
- Plant guards and stakes
- Signs showing that Landcare work is going on
Bermagui Rural Fire Brigade
The Crossing
Mooji Farm
Birdlife Australia
Heights Care steering group
The steering group has adapted to the needs of the task – caring for the people and the environment of Wallaga Lake Heights. All take part in the Wednesday Landcare activities. Members of the group in autumn 2023 are:
- Roz Bannon
- Peter Campbell
- Ivana Gattegno
- Doug Mein
- Olga Nielsen
- Bill Southwood
Timeline, 2019 to now
The history of HeightsCare is documented in the newsletters that have appeared intermittently, usually when there was something to report. Since Newsletter Number 1, headed ‘Residents’ Bushfire Planning’ and dated 20 February 2020, around eight have been published each year.
All od the newsletters are on the web site.
31 December 2019, 6.10 am and frequently over the next weeks
Wallaga Lake Heights residents gather on Lake View Drive, initially under a black sky raining ash
Discussions along the line ‘when we get through this we’ve got to do something’
26 January 2020, 4 pm, drinks and nibbles on a deck overlooking Wallaga Lake
About thirty people gather and decide to form a group to support and speak for the community in protecting the inhabitants and environment of Wallaga Lake Heights
As steering group is nominated
February to March 2020
Small community meetings in homes to discuss fire risk, community safety, environmental protection and supporting one another
First newsletter published on 20 February 2020
COVID 19 starts shutting everything down
Decided to call ourselves ‘Heights Care’ – spoken quickly it could also sound like ‘Height Scare’, a reflection of its origin.
April 2020
First Zoom meeting for Heights Care and the first for many Wallaga Lake residents.
Meetings with Far South Coast Landcare and the Rural Fire Service were discussed
Established a Landcare group as part of Heights Care – around twenty people join from Wallaga Lake Heights
May to July 2020
Landcare members and others start work weeding and planting along the lake side path.
A Landcare arborist says bits of the foreshore path are a text book example of Ipomea infestation’. Many weeks and much effort later the Ipomea is gone, several banksias and Golden Rain are discovered. Success feels sweet!
Applied for a WIRES/Landcare and an Environmental grant from Bega Valley Shire Council to eradicate invasive weeds, plant indigenous fauna and research.
August 2020
Success! We’ve been awarded the BVSC grant. Weeding and planting proceed with a will
Attend meetings of the Bermagui Badja Fire Edge community at The Crossing to compare notes with other groups.
Zoom seminar with RFS Bega
December 2020
A very welcome Corona-compliant community meeting to celebrate the end of a difficult year, and hope for a better 2021.
January to May 2021
Winter, rain, beautiful rain, visit by Landcare, present at Coastal habitats forum with other like-minded local groups. Learn that Wallaga Lake is an ICOLL – Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon.
A comprehensive bird survey, and regular reporting to the Birdlife Australia web site
July 2021 to May 2022
More rain, lots of weeding and planting at the regular Wednesday gathering of Landcare team and guests. Summer sessions take place between 8 and 10 am; winter 2 to 4 pm. All welcome!
Based on our year 1 report, Heights Care is awarded a second environmental grant by BVSC
First web site
Survey and report by top botanist Jackie Miles on indigenous plants and invasive species along the lake foreshore – in Reports section of this site
June 2022
Seminar on the health of Wallaga Lake addressed by staff from the council and consultants Elgin associates. On a cold bright windy morning around thirty residents and friends from Beauty Point, Fairhaven, Akolele and Bermagui attended
September 2022
Participated in the Bioblitz at Montreal Goldfield. Heights Care knowledge in fauna such as insects and rodents complemented the extensive database of plants.
Summer 2022/23
The rain eases, weeds sprout, planting thrives. Heights Care launches its new web site www.heightscare.org.au .
