History Project Stories BICENTENNIAL PARK
In 2018 Helen Hadobas detailed the diversity and touched on the story of Bicentennial Park. Acknowledgements to Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare group with their assistance in making this video possible.
What is now designated as Bicentennial Park is a valued part of the city’s scenic backdrop, well-used by walkers and families every day, a refuge for wildlife, and a site that displays native plant species. But it wasn’t always like that. Go back in time and the large, open central area was a ragged piece of waste land, regularly used for dumping rubbish and car burnouts. It was choked with weeds, with no conservation or recreational value. Why the land had remained undeveloped is unclear, with one recollection being that it had been resumed by the local council because of long-unpaid rates, another because any buildings would impair the view from Parliament House.
The formal park with some facilities was opened by then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, on 7 April 1988. But the conservation and recreational potential of the area remained unfulfilled. The area came to the attention of Trees for Queanbeyan in 1992 as some locals were looking for help with planting on the reserve fronting Lanyon Drive. Between 1992 and 1995 activities by Trees for Queanbeyan, Monaro Conservation Society, and then by Queanbeyan Landcare included ripping, rubbish and stump removal, weeding and some planting. In 1993 over 220 trees were planted in just 3 hours by a team of volunteers.
Queanbeyan City Council instigated several public works projects including the provision of a bike path, playground equipment and woody weed removal. A mowing regime that benefitted the reestablishment of understorey shrubs and grassland species was developed in collaboration with Queanbeyan Landcare.
The Park features local native tree species, mainly Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, E. polyanthemos, E. mannifera and Acacia pycnantha (its green seed pods pictured right), shrubs including Bursaria spinosa, Acacia genistifolia, Kunzea ericoides and various peas, and ground layer plants including Rytidosperma pallidum (Red-anther Wallaby grass) in the woodland areas and Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass), Austrostipa (Spear Grasses) and Bothriochloa (Redleg Grass) in the grassland areas, as well as swathes of Leucochrysum albicans subsp. tricolor (Hoary Sunray) and other wildflowers including orchids throughout. Wildlife observed includes Grey Kangaroos, Bearded Dragons, Eastern Bluetongues, Copper Skinks and birds including Magpies, Kookaburras, Tawny Frogmouths, Wattle Birds, Friar Birds, Noisy Miners, Rosellas, King Parrots, Galahs, Koels, Fairy Wrens, Scarlet Robins, Pardalotes and Thornbills.
Image above: Acacia pycnantha © Helen Hadobas
Newspaper clipping circa 01/03/1999
In 1996 a proliferation of native herbaceous perennials was noted and the proposal was made to raise the awareness of local wild flowers in the Community. It was decided that a flowering calendar would be developed and interpretive signage designed. The idea for an orchid and wildflower walk emerged in 1997 and the planning started. In 1998 a grant of $7,400 was received from the Natural Heritage Trust for the establishment of a wildflower and orchid walk in Bicentennial Park.
The main aims and outcomes were to:
“raise public awareness of sustainable land management and the importance of biodiversity through community consultation
focus attention on the grassland and wildflower community, promoting their presence by preparing a flowering calendar and establishing a natural heritage walk/trail.''
A species list including a description of the flowering characteristics was compiled with the help of the Society for Growing Australian Plants. A subcommittee of Queanbeyan Landcare was formed – Friends of Bicentennial Park. Plant lists were developed, plans discussed, residents surveyed, and brochure boxes were designed and costed. A draft copy of the brochure was available by February 2001, however it was not until November that the final version was printed. Issues unconnected to Queanbeyan Landcare delayed the official opening but in November 2003 the Orchid and Wildflower Walk was launched on site, with some thirty people attending.
In 2004 the Queanbeyan Landcare Chair’s report indicated that the project was over. Disappointingly, it was reported that the Brochure boxes had been vandalised and the brochure was only available at the Queanbeyan Tourist Centre or the Council offices.
In 2014 a new ‘Friends of Bicentennial Park’ emerged. This group has concentrated on weeding, rubbish removal and letting natural plant regeneration take place. The group has actively collaborated with Council on erosion control, mowing and spraying regimes, path construction and maintenance and landscaping. The main weeds targeted are African Lovegrass and St John's Wort as well as woody weeds. There has been extensive rehabilitation of the lookout in collaboration with QPRC.
Brochure Front and Back
An extensive plant and animal list was created by Helen and Paul Hadobas who both have extensive knowledge of the area and of local ecology.
Bicentennial Park has been transformed from a rubbish-strewn wasteland to a valuable recreational, scenic and conservation asset for the people of the city over the space of three decades. As ever, progress has not been always smooth, but Queanbeyan Landcare and the dedicated Friends group can be proud of the role they have played in this transformation. With such volunteer efforts, and continued contributions from Council and the community, there is no reason that this asset cannot be just as treasured in decades to come.
Download the full story with supporting documents
Sandra’s Reflections
“In 2019 I moved to a house that backs onto the park. One day I met Helen and her husband Paul when I spotted them on the other side of my fence removing Pattersons Curse. It felt right that I should help and from there I joined Friends of Bicentennial Park. Helen and I became good friends and she became a great mentor and taught me about caring for the park. I fell in love with the trees, nature and being outside. Everyday I find something beautiful and interesting. I continue to be a guardian of the park so that the present and new generations can also enjoy its beauty.”
Sandra has been reporting on the work she and the other volunteers undertake at the park every month. This is recorded in the Minutes. Her emails are often accompanied by some interesting observations about the plants and animals that she finds in the park.
Helen’s Reflections
What got you involved?
In 2014 I had been walking our dog in Bicentennial Park for some years. I was attached to the park. I had retired from the Botanic Gardens in 2008 and was a member of their Friends Group. Through that Paul and I joined the group weeding woody weeds on Black Mountain, and I was also interested in weeding along the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers in Oaks Estate. The latter encouraged me to join QLc for the insurance, so I did. Then I realised BcP was infested with woody weeds and asked QLc for backup in doing this. That idea was welcomed by QLc. I then found out there had been a previous BcP Friends Group. On a walk through the park that Tom led (which I could not attend), several people expressed interest joining a new Friends group. Tom gave me their contact details. I contacted these people and the group started late that year. QLc informed Council of the new Friends Group and I was then liaising with Sean Kaden.
What was your motivation?
I was attached to the park. I wanted to keep it clean of woody weeds and rubbish. I had also been weeding the hill, following the example of another nearby resident, and wanted the park to be attractive, and a pleasant place to visit, and to be appreciated as a bit of quite good quality bush right in Queanbeyan suburbia.
What has kept you involved?
I have continued to walk in the park as it is a pleasant place to exercise, and of course I see jobs that need to be done. I enjoy working outdoors and am gratified to see the results I and my group colleagues accomplish. Of late, Sandra has also kept me motivated – she is so practical and can-do, and so interested in the wildlife, and so curious about natural history. She is inspiring in the way her curiosity has meant she has learnt an enormous amount about natural history since she has been involved, growing from a person who hadn’t thought much about natural history before she lived alongside the park.
What are your hopes for the future of this site?
I hope the site stays much the same as it is – i.e. doesn’t get “developed” except in a subtle way, and continues to be a bit of good-quality bushland in Queanbeyan suburbia, with woodland and open grassland. I would like the path to be improved. I hope that the African Lovegrass will be outcompeted or at least kept in check by other species, and that the St John’s Wort will continue to be controlled. I also hope that woody weeds continue to be removed. I hope the hill garden will continue to be looked after and to look as good as it does now, or better. I hope it continues to give pleasure to the locals, and provide opportunities for education about the natural environment of our area.
Gallery Then & Now
Gallery of Flourishing Fauna & Flora
Images this page: Header and Footer © Ian Johnsson | Helen and QLc members working on the Hill 2021 © Helen Hadobas | Gallery images © Helen Hadobas, Ian Johnsson, Sandra and Paul.