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Book
Author Noble, W. S., author

Title The Strzeleckis : a new future for the heart-break hills / text: W. S. Noble
Published Melbourne : Forests Commission, 1976

Copies

Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 ADPML SPC  634.9099456 For/San  LIB USE ONLY
Description 70 pages : illustrations (chiefly colour), map ; 24 cm
Contents Foreword -- Introduction -- The explorers : Strzelecki, McMillan -- The first settlers -- Mud and fire -- The losing battle -- The derelict ranges -- Reforestation begins -- Plantations expand -- Forests fill many needs -- Fire defences stand alert -- Prisoners help reforestation -- Pests are destructive -- A new future -- Appendix -- The wildlife of the ranges -- Ranges feed many streams -- Geology
Summary "The Strzelecki Ranges occupy a special place in the history of land-use in Victoria. They were originally clothed with magnificent forests of mountain ash and other eucalypts, blackwood and treeferns. Much of this forest was cleared during the latter part of last century and the early 1900s by people seeking land for agriculture. Agriculture was successful on the low and gentle slopes at the western end of the Ranges but it failed in the eastern Strzeleckis. The story of that failure is a story of heartbreak and suffering as men and women toiled the best years of their lives for nothing. Governments of the day encouraged their efforts because the community needed land on which people could grow food. We know now, with the benefit of hindsight, that it was the wrong thing to do with this part of the Strzeleckis. The land was just not suitable for farming. Forty years ago, the government embarked on a program to reverse the land-use pattern over much of the Strzeleckis. It involves reforestation of cleared land not suitable to agriculture and the encouragement of local industries processing and using products of the forest such as wood, water and scenic attractions. It is an exciting and ambitious program. But it is a program which must be implemented with care and proper consideration of the needs of the community - particularly the local community. That so much has been achieved without individuals being disadvantaged or communities being disrupted is a credit to both the government and private organizations involved. This booklet describes the saga of past land-use in the Strzeleckis and the plans for the future. It is a human interest story and I am particularly pleased that the text is written in that vein. It is a tribute to all those people who toiled valiantly in the past and those now working for a better future for the Strzelecki Ranges. F.R. Moulds" -- foreword, page 5
Notes "The Forests Commission also pays tribute to the professionalism of Mr. W. S. Noble, who researched this project and wrote the text." -- page 70
Subject Forests and forestry -- Australia -- Victoria -- Strzeleckis Ranges
Forests and forestry -- Australia -- Victoria.
Land use -- Australia -- Victoria -- Strzelecki Ranges
Land use -- Australia -- Victoria -- Strzeleckis Ranges
Reclamation of land.
Reforestation -- Australia -- Victoria -- Strzelecki Ranges
Reforestation -- Australia -- Victoria.
SUBJECT Gippsland (Vic.) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh98005937
Strzelecki Ranges (Vic.) -- History
Strzeleckis Ranges (Vic.)
Strzeleckis Ranges (Vic.) -- History
Author Victoria. Forests Commission, author
LC no. pld00000474