July 1957 School Magazine

l'lrisbane . Girls' Grammar School Macrazine

July, 1957

July, 1957

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

THE "AVOCA" FORESTRY The "Avoca" forestry covers several thousand acres· of fer- tile land. Varieties of pines such as hoop and Norfolk have been planted as well as silky oaks, in the rich red or loamy scil. The country is mountainous with dense scrub covering the uncleared areas; not far distant the Brisbane River winds :through steep, rough gorges. At the nursery, the tiny seedlings are carefully tended until they are of sufficient size to be planted. Lattice enclosures cover the seedlings at the nursery. Each tree in the forestry is carefully watched and at various times the crooked and thin trees are cut down, having previously been marged with a painted ring. These are called thinnings. Low branches are pruned to allow the trees to grow without touching each other. . With the thinnings, these branches are sent to the mills and are usually made into packing cases. Draught horses are kept for hauling the thinnings from between the rows. As yet no trees· have been cut down for timber. Many years mus·t elapse before the trees are of sufficient size. Still the work of planting goes on and ec:ich year more scrub is burnt, cleared and planted with trees. A ·network of roads covers the area. They serve the double function of being fire breaks. At intervals along the roads are little shelter sheds, each with a water tank for the fores'try workers. Two look-out towers have been built on the two highest points of the range. They are fifty feet and seventy feet high. During the bush fire seasons a man is stationed there every minute of the time so that an outbreak of fire can be pinpointed immediately. Fire is an ever-present fear. The towers have telephones so word can soon be spread of the danger. · From the towers magnificent panoramas are obtained of the· country for miles around-hill upon hill-mountain upon mountain, fading into the distance-here and there the shining roof of a house on a cultivated paddock. The rows and rows of stately trees with the roads· between them stretch down and up on.every side, lik~ <::r patch-work quilt. In the scrub soil of the area plants grow profusely. The thick foliage is dark green with creeping vines, and wild goose- : J Hl

berries, purple inkweed, stinging nettles, red berries and yel- low daisies grow at random. It is a haven for wild life-scrub turkeys, pheasants, whip birds, dingoes, wallabies and even porcupines. However, no flora or fauna is allowed to be touched, and so the beauty of the forestry region is preserved. The forestry provides work for great numbers of men, but the amount varies with the season. Tourists find ceaseless plea- sure in driving through the winding roadways. In the years to come Avoca will yield valuable timber to replenish Queenslands' diminishing supply. - BETH LEE. VI A.

SCHOOLWORK

WENDY PHILBRICK, IV E.

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