High Country Herald's Opinion Piece on the Petition to relocate the Proposed Reserve Footpath 28th January 2014

The High Country Herald published an article by Journalist Miles Noller on the 28th of January that stated that "The Council wants to save the trees. It seems that 583 Highfields people are prepared to have them bulldozed for the sake of some higher biodiversity, conservation value".    This article caused much discussion amongst locals and much controversy.  Mr Nollar went on to state that all of the facts he listed in his article had been obtained from the recent Toowoomba Regional Council Meeting regarding the reserve.  Read full article online here: http://highfieldsvillage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/HighCountryHerald280114.pdf

High Country Herald Article by Journalist Miles Noller published on the 28th January 2014.

Letters to the Editor of High Country Herald in response to Journalist Miles Noller's article of 28th of January that stated that the reserve petition was a dispute that centered on 15 trees published in the 4th of February 2014 Issue.  Link Here: http://highfieldsvillage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Herald140204.pdf

And the response from Miles Noller to only one of the letters to the editor published in the next issue of the High Country Herald in the issue of 11th February 2014. See article here: http://highfieldsvillage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/HighCountryHerald140211.pdf

Australia Day at the Rogers Bushland Reserve 26th January 2014

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY! Why not experience this iconic day in the Australian Bush! Stop by the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on your way to the Highfields Pioneer Village for the Australia Day Celebrations. Find our why the local's want to Preserve Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields by experiencing it yourself.

The Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve getting into the Australia Day Spirit 26/01/2014

The Chronicle announces that the Petition has saved Endangered Bushland from Pathway 22/01/2014

The Toowoomba Chronicle attended and reported on the decision made by Toowoomba Regional Council about the submitted petition to save the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve.

View the online article here

Screen Capture of The Chronicle online article regarding the petition decision for the Rogers Reserve. 22/02/14

Council announces that it will work with Highfields community to find best footpath option for Rogers Reserve 21/01/2014

Toowoomba Regional Council announces that "Council to work with Highfields community to find best footpath option"

Article Published on the Toowoomba Regional Council Website 21st January 2014.

Read full article here: http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/about-council/newspublications/9992-council-to-work-with-highfields-community-to-find-best-footpath-option

Screen Print of the TRC Announcement on a decision to work with the Highfields Community in regards to the footpath proposal through the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve. 21/01/14

Conservationists Petiiton to save Remnant Bushland 21/01/2014

The Toowoomba Chronicle interviewed Judi Gray about her online petition to save the remnant bushland of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields which had come underthreat due to a proposed 3m wide concrete walkway planned to be put through the reserve by the local Toowoomba Regional Council.

View the online article here

Screen capture of the online article featured in the Toowoomba Chronicle about the Rogers Reserve Petition 21/01/2014

Short bush walks on your doorstep in Highfields

Highfields and the surrounding areas are home to many short bushwalks that take you through pristine untouched environments... the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve is one of these wonderful places right on your doorstep.

The High Country Herald Newspaper featured this article on Short Bushwalks on the 20th January 2014 showcasing in particular the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve.

Front Cover of the High Country Herald for the Bushwalks Article featuring Charles and Motee Rogers Reserve

Feature article on Short Bushwalks in the Highfields Area from the High Country Herald Newspaper 20th January 2014.

Juvenile Dollarbirds at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 17/01/2014

These beautiful Dollarbirds were seen this morning at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields. The bird on the left is a juvenile Dollarbird and the one on the top right is an adult, showing that they have been breeding successfully in the reserve. In Australia, the Dollarbird inhabits open wooded areas, normally with mature, hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting - of which there are plenty in the Rogers Reserve. The Dollarbird arrives in northern and eastern Australia in September each year to breed. In March or April the birds return to New Guinea and adjacent Islands to spend the winter! That is some distance to travel!! 

Help toPreserve Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields by signing the petition online: http://chn.ge/1aiF0az

A Juvenille Dollarbird on the left and a mature Dollarbird on the right.

Devils Needles - Native Red Berries and Spikes 13/01/14

These vibrant red berries caught my eye at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve in January 2014.  I photographed them but required an i.d.  Thanks to Greg Lukes for helping out with an identification of Devils Needles (Solanum stelligerum).  This native shrub is found on rainforest edges and eucalyptus forests.  Stems are prickly and leaves often alternate with spines.  Mauve flowers are present in spring to summer followed by the red fruit (see below).  Devils Needles shrubs are prominent on the southern side of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve along the edges of the Nature Trail.

Devils Needles (Solanum stelligerum) at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 13/01/2014

Beautiful Butterflies at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 13/01/2014

On any visit to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, you are guaranteed to see a wide variety of butterflies.  The reason for this is because of the large amount of important native plant species that are host plants for these beautiful insects. These photos were taken during one short walk through the reserve on the 13th January 2014.  Other small butterflies were also seen on this occasion - but they proved too quick for this amateur photographer!  We would love to see or hear about other butterfly species you may have seen in the reserve.

Female Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields

Blue Tiger Butterfly at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Higfields

Common Crow Butterfly at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields

Grass Yellow Butterfly at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reseve at Highfields.

Grey Ringlet Hypocysta pseudirius

Entrance Signage on Community Court to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields.