Stanley's new walking trails

WALKERS will have a soon–to–be opportunity to explore the rich diversity of the Stanley Plateau environment and farming culture when new walking trails are opened. Stanley's Landcare secretary Dr Tony McDonald delivered an informative talk as a guest speaker about the project to Beechworth Rotary members at recent club dinner meeting held at the club's hall in Queen Victoria Park. With the near–finished project developed over five years but hindered with COVID–19 restrictions over the last 20 odd months, Dr McDonald said volunteers kept working when permitted which has meant a the walking track project launch can be planned in around two month's time following signage installation. People can enjoy the walks which take in five themes – birds, ecology – with Stanley's unique characteristics, mining – which took place during gold rush days, fire – with the story of the fire on the Plateau, and people and place – with rich layers of Stanley's social history. "Planning began with community consultation with a concept for the initiated around 12 years ago by a number of Stanley Landcare group members with artist Peter Caddy who was chair at the time and Genevieve Milham among them who saw an opportunity for visitors coming to the region to enjoy the special character of Stanley," Dr McDonald said. The Stanley Landcare driven project received support from Indigo Shire Council and other Stanley family groups as well as the project being auspiced by Quercus Beechworth. The longest walk of 20 kilometres takes five and a half hours with shorter ones including ambles around the village. Dr McDonald said Beechworth's local ecologist Richard Loyn made a significant contribution to birdlife information. "Dr Loyn is considered a world authority on birds and he has identified 25 of the most common species where information is on our signage boards with additional natural history information available in a DELWP brochure," he said. Funded with $49,000 from the Victorian Government Bushfire Recovery Fund, Dr McDonald said in–kind support had been received from Indigo Shire Council. Although not on the walk, walkers can also visit the Magic Forest with its magnificent trees of Californian Redwoods. "They are of spectacular dimensions and create a very charming experience for visitors," Dr McDonald said. A descriptive brochure has also been published for the walks. Beechworth Rotary's successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) candidate for this year Laura Bell who works at Beechworth Bakery, enjoyed the talk as well. With the RYLA program delayed through COVID–19 lockdowns and restrictions, Laura will embark on a week–long leadership program to be held on the outskirts of Melbourne early next year.

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