Memorial Tree for Bill Mollison

11th November 2016

The Friends of the Highfields Library organized a ceremony and tree planting memorial for Bill Mollison (4 May 1928 – 24 September 2016) who was an noted Australian researcher, author, scientist, teacher and biologist. He is referred to as the "father of permaculture.

The family of Bill Mollison publicly stated that 'He wanted everyone to plant a tree when he passed.'

Samantha from the Highfields Library organized the tree and purchased it from the Crows Nest Community Nursery which is staffed by volunteers under supervision of the Toowoomba Regional Council.  The tree chosen was a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) under advice from the nursery staff. It is a perfect tree for the reserve being a Koala feed and habitat tree. The tree was planted in the front section of the reserve just off the path from the Community Court entrance. A tree bag was placed around the tree to protect it.

Samantha and the friends of the Highfields Library will continue to water the tree regularly to ensure it survives.  May it grow well and be a wonderful tribute to Bil Mollison.

J.G.

Friends of the Highfields Library at the tribute and tree planting for Bill Mollison at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields. 11.11.2016

Library Story Walk at Rogers Reserve

4 July 2016

HIGHFIELDS LIBRARY STORY WALK AT CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE

The staff at Highfields Library organized a second walk for children and parents through the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve today.  Sixteen children and their parents attended the guided tour, lead by Judi Gray from the Friends of Rogers Reserve Group.  Many interesting discoveries were made and despite it being winter, there was still plenty to see.  Children learnt about the history of the bushland reserve, the importance of tree hollows and what wildlife uses them, how to recognize signs of different noctural species, including bandicoots, echidnas, gliders and red-triangle slugs.  The children spotted plenty of interesting things themselves including some fungi, vines and different types of moss.

The walk concluded with Samantha from the Highfields Library inspiring the children to create artistic collages with leaves, rocks, flower and sticks found in the reserve, and they did a wonderful job using their creativity to create a variety of different designs and art.

Plenty of positive feedback from the walk was received from the children and parents, and hopefully everyone went away learning something new and had an enjoyable experience and a left with a new appreciation for the inner suburban bushland reserve in Highfields. 

J.G.

Judi & Samantha with some of the children attending the walk through Charles & Motee Rogers Reserve

An Australian Magpie looks on at the walkers below.

Checking out a large tree hollow in the reserve.

The children loved seeing the huge tree hollow.

Looking in the large tree hollow.

Finding feathers on the forest floor.

Learning about the huge fallen tree within the reserve, thought to be hundreds of years old.

Learning about the native Fig Trees growing within the reserve.

These little brown fungi were discovered by one of the children on the walking track - a great find!

Some of the wattle in flower within the reserve

Miss Samantha, inspiring the children with ideas on how to create beautiful art from forest floor finds.

Leaf Art

There were some great creations made from leaves, rocks, branches etc.

Highfields Library- Family Discovery Walk Rogers Reserve

Tuesday 12th January 2016

FAMILY DISCOVERY WALK AT CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE

Each school holidays, the Highfields Library staff host a variety of interactive children's programs and events. This year organiser, Wendy Ellem was inspired to organise a 'Family Discovery Walk' as part of the season's 'Lost Worlds Program' at the Library, and chose the close-by Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve as the location.

Judi Gray from the Friends of Rogers Reserve Group, conducted the 1.5km walk through the dry rainforest.  On the day the weather was very hot, and we had some last minute cancellations due to the heat, but despite this 16 people, parents and kids turned up to do the walk and learn more about the flora and fauna in our local area.  The attendees learnt about the history of the reserve and it's previous owners Charles & Motee Rogers and their vision for the bushland, they learnt about various native plants, including plenty in flower or with fruit, the importance of dead trees and hollows and were able to see plenty of butterflies and a few birds.

Thank you Highfields Library for organizing such a wonderful event, to all those who attended and asked questions, and to Kirra taking the photographs during the walk. 

J.G.

Some of the people attending the Family Discovery Walk from the Highfields Library at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve Highfields 12/01/16

Learning how to identify wildlife scratches on the gum trees

One large gum tree in the reserve

Appreciating the beauty it the orange fruits of the Tuckeroo Tree

Viewing pretty purple Dianella Berries

Family Discovery Walk

Big old hollow tree in the reserve

Viewing inside the large old hollow tree

One large dead tree with plenty of hollows for wildlife

Beautiful Ferns

Berries of the Native Tape Vine

Family Discovery Walk at Rogers Reserve

The Toowoomba Regional Libraries - Highfields Library is hosting a Family Discovery Walk as part of their Lost Worlds Holiday Programme at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve this coming Tuesday the 12th of January at 10.30am.  This is a free event, however, Bookings are essential and can be made at the library.

More information here: https://toowoomba.spydus.com/Events/Events/EventDetail?PgmId=39&RceId=0&RealStartDate=01/12/2016%2010:30:00