Hunter Wetlands Centre

Annual Report 2013

C O N S E RV E DISCOVER E D U C AT E

Hunter Wetlands Centre1 Wetlands Place

Shortland NSW 2307AUSTRALIA

Telephone: 61 2 4951 6466Facsimile: 61 2 4950 1875

Email: hwca@wetlands.org.auWeb: www.wetlands.org.au

ISSN 1449 - 4736

The Hunter Wetlands Centre is a

not-for-profit community

organisation established in 1985 as

Australia’s first Wetlands Centre.

Contents

Organisational Profile

Executive Reports

Conservation & Management

Education

Ecotourism

Our Team

Partners

Members & Sponsors

Financial Report

Grants

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Organisational ProfileGuiding PrinciplesCommitment to wise use of wetlandsCommitment to ecological sustainabilityRespect diversityMake decisions based on scientific researchRespect and value peopleAct with integrityProtect our credibilityProvide a safe environment for staff, volunteers and visitorsAchieve financial sustainability

Hunter Wetlands Centre’s Strategic Plan (2004-2009) outlines the

organisation’s strategic direction and focuses on four key operational areas:

1. Wetlands Conservation and Management promoting and demonstrating

sustainable conservation and management of wetlands through community

participation.

2. Education – Increasing and sharing our knowledge and understanding of

wetlands and promoting the Ramsar Convention.

3. Tourism and Recreation – Providing services and facilities for visitors to

create a high quality and enjoyable experience that showcases wetland values.

4. Governance – Meeting business requirements using ethical practice;

achieving financial stability, and fostering community involvement.

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Board of Directors

Joe Bidwell Chair of the Environmental Science Department, University of Newcastle Representative

Jenny Castles Hunter Landcare Representative

Ben Chard (Chairman) Community Representative

David Crofts Community Representative

Carolyn Gillard Department of Education and Training

Mary Greenwood Community Representative

Nicole Holmes Hunter Water Representative

Christine Prietto Community Representative

John Stewart Community Representative Deon Van Rensburg Area Manager, National Parks & Wildlife Service Representative

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Hunter Wetlands Staff

Chief Executive Officer Ken Conway

Site Manager & Biodiversity Officer Paul Trute (resigned Oct 2013)

Biodiversity Officer Matt Stow

Project Officer Will McCaffrey

Spoonbill Cafe Chef Peter Halse (resigned Oct 2013)

Spoonbill Cafe Manager Jenny Aitcheson

Nursery Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Ken Bayliss

Volunteer Coordinator Grant Morgan (resigned Feb 2014)

Ecotourism & Marketing Manager Anna Ryan

IT & Events Jake Relf (resigned March 2014)

Visitor Centre Information Officers Kim John & Mel Latos

Activities & Birthday Party Hosts Sue Smith, Alexis Ting

Administration Manager Michelle Strathmore

Wetlands Education Centre

Principal Peter Jones

Teacher Carolyn Gillard

School Administration Manager Rhonda Atkins

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Chairman’s Report - Ben Chard

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governments tightening their belts, the grants available in 2013 were substantially lower. Staff who had been employed to manage these grants needed to be made redundant adding to the short term costs for the centre. This was disappointing because the staff were committed to the growth and development of the Centre.

The general population is still not spending which means visitation, while increasing, does not cover costs. The Board has reduced entry fees to encourage more visitors and these fees are more in line with fees charged by competitors. In spite of all this gloom there are some positive signs for the future:• ThebequestlefttotheWetlandsCentrefromShirleyMillarwillbeavailableinMarch/April2014.WhiletheBoardwaskeentoallocatethesefundstowardscapitalimprovements,theimme-diate use of the funds will assist in cash flow problems.• Thechangeinmanagementinthecafeandthereforetheimprovementinqualityoffoodisstartingtogenerategreatervisitation.However,thisprocesstakestimeasthepoorreputationofthe previous cafe is still affecting throughput.• Thenurseryandthecontractsbeingwonforthesupplyofplantswillgenerateahealthyreturn.

TheBoardandManagementwillcontinuetokeepacloseeyeonincomeandexpenditureandmakechangestoouroperatingprocedurestoturntheselossesaround.ItmustbefrustratingforallstaffwhoworksohardtokeeptheCentreviabletoseethesedisappointingfigures.Thetremendous efforts by the CEO and staff have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated. Iwouldalsoliketothankallthevolunteerswhoputinthousandsofhoursinallfacetsofthebusiness because without their efforts the Centre would surely be closed.IwouldaskvolunteersandstafftonotloseheartastheBoardisconfidentwecanturntheselossesaround.

Ben ChardChairman

Thecalendaryear2013representedanextremelydifficultyearforManagementandtheBoardoftheWetlandsCentre.Anoperatinglossofover$300,000 is unsustainable. ForthelastfewyearstheWetlandsCentrehassurvivedbecauseofthegenerousgrants provided by the Federal and State Governments. However, due to both

CEO’S Report - Ken Conway

to close the cafe for several months along with a decline in visitor numbers all contributed to the poor result.

Wearenowrunningthecaféourselvesfollowingitsclosureforrepairs.Wetookadecisionthatweneededtoregainareputationforqualityserviceandfood.Ithasbeenastruggletoregain lost reputation but I am happy to say that complaints now are now very rare and financialresultsfromthecaféaretrendingintherightdirectionasarefunctionbookings.IwouldliketothankPeterHalseandJenniferAitchesonfortheirhardworktogetthecaféestablishedundertheSpoonbillCaféBrand.PeterwasengagedasHeadChefandconsultantthroughthestartupperiodandhassincedeparted.Jenniferisnowmanagingthecaféandalongwithherteam is rebuilding our reputation and trade.

Inresponsetothelosseswehaverestructuredtheoperationandreducedstaffinglevelsinotherar-eas.PaulTrute,whowasourveryskilfulSiteManager,tookavoluntaryredundancy.HiscompanyandskillisbeingmissedalthoughhestillvisitsregularlyandiscurrentlyinvolvedinguidedSegwayToursofthesite.Heisalsohappytoassistwithadviceandhelpwhenheisavailable.JakeRelfourpopularEventsandITManagersoughtemploymentelsewhere.JakehoweverisstillinvolvedwiththeCentreasheremainsinvolvedasavolunteerassistingwiththeorganisationoftheHunterPaddleChallengewhichisinitsthirdyear.Hecanrightfullybeproudofhisachievementswiththisevent.GrantMor-ganunfortunatelyhadhishoursreducedasamatteroffinancialnecessityandsoughtemployment elsewhere. He was heavily engaged in our volunteer program.MattStowhastakenontheroleofSiteManager-BiodiversityandWillMcCaffreytheroleofSiteMangerFauna;MichelleStrathmorehastakenonthenewroleofAdministrationManagerandislookingafterITandonsiteeventorganisation.KenBayliss,theNurseryManagerhastakenonprimaryresponsibilityforvolunteerinductionsandWHS.AlongwithAnnaRyanourEcotourismManagertheyareallworkingveryhardwithlessresourcestoachieveasustainablefinancialfuturefortheWetlandCentre.

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Asyoucanseefromthefinancialresultsithasbeenanextremelydifficultyearfinancially.AsaresultofthisIhavehadtorestructuretheorganisationextensivelytostemtheunsustainablelosses.Contractionoftheeconomy,areduction in available grant funding, loss of sponsorship and the need

MattStowandWillMcAffrey

CEO’S Report - Continued

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InJanuarytheBoardheldastrategydaywhichalsoinvolvedseniorstaffandwearenowworkingthrougharangeofpotentialincomeproducingideasthatweresuggestedatthatmeetingaswellascontinuallyreviewingallareasofthebusinessoperationseekingimprovements. Our pricing structure has been revisited and we have reduced admission priceswhichmayseemparadoxicalbutwearehopingthatincreasedvisitationandthere-fore higher income levels will result. The new pricing structure was reached after some experimentationwithpricesinJanuaryandFebruaryfollowedbyavisitorsurveyandsomefocusgroupworkconductedbyAnnaRyan.Thenewstructurewillremainunderreviewbutappearstobebeneficialatthisstage.Wearealsoincreasingourrelianceonvolunteers.

OneareaofgrowingsuccesshasbeenourNursery.Itwasestablishedin2008byBoydCarneytoproduceplantsforourrevegetationefforts.In2010KenBayliss,amanwithapassionfornativeplantscameonboardasavolunteerandquicklyestablishedcredentialswhichhaveallowedhimtotaketheroleofNurseryManager.Thenurserynowhastheca-pacitytoproducearound100,000plantsperyear,hasanexcellentenvironmentalmanage-mentsystemthankstoKenandhisdedicatedteamofaround17nativeplantenthusiastsandvolunteers.IthasalsobecomeamajornewsourceofrevenuefillingarangeofordersforcommercialclientsincludingNationalParksandWildlifeService,WetlandCareAustraliaandNewcastleCoalInfrastructureGroupwhoareundertakingaGreenandGoldenBellFrogprogramonKooragangIsland.

WehavealsobeenfortunatetoreceiveamajorbequestfromtheestateofShirleyMillarwhowasaWetlandsAdministrationvolunteeruntilherretirementanumberofyearsago.IftheBoardandmanagementhadnottakenthenecessarystepstorestructure,thatmoneywouldhavebeenquicklyeatenup.Ithasbeenplacedoninvestmentatthisstage.

PartnershipsformavaluablepartofourbusinessandweareworkingincloseconjunctionwithWetlandCareAustraliaonvariousprojectsandwithNationalParksandWildlifeServiceonanexcitingprojecttoremovemangrovesfromsaltmarshareasaroundWindeyer’sReachontheHunterRiveraswellasourtraditionalpartnerslikeHunterBirdObserversClub,AustralianPlantSociety,HunterNativeFish,NativeAnimalTrustFund,theHunterVolunteersCentre,NewcastleUniversityandtheWetlandEnvironmentalEducation

SomeofourNurseryteamatwork

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Centre.Theyallformavaluablepartofouroperation.Wehavealsoestablishedimportantpart-nershipswithNSWCommunityServiceandanumberofemployment/jobsearchagenciesfortheplacement of people wishing to meet their government obligations through providing valuable communityservice.OurvolunteercohorthoweverisstillthemainstayoftheWetlandCentre.TheBoardallvolunteertheirserviceandvolunteersworkinallareasincludingmanagement.Withoutthem we would not survive.

InlateAprilwewillbehonouringaformerCEOGeoffWinningCEOwholeftin1995andthenbe-camealongstandingvolunteer.Wearenaminganewbridgeinhishonour.Geoffpassedawayin2010afterashortillness.Hewasresponsiblefordevelopingmanyofthepondsandtracksonthesite.Whenhebecameillhewasworkingonaprojecttofixanumberofhydrologyproblemswehad on site. He devoted many hours of his time to the design of the project and the Environmental ImpactStatementweneededforapprovals.Theworkwascompletedthisyearwiththeinstallationof a series of new flow control gates and Channels. The new bridge uses one of those new channels as its foundation.

Wewillbeinvolvedintwofundmajorfundraisersthisyear.ThefirstbeingthethirdannualHunterPaddleChallengeinAugustfollowedbyaneweventcalledMudSweatandTearswhichisanad-ventureracebeingruninconjunctionwithBelmontWetlandsStateParkandanadventureracingcompanyfromCanadacalledMudSweatandTears.WealsohaveaFundRaisingCommitteeledbyCathKingwhowillberunninganumberofsmallereventsandrafflesovertheyear.While2013wasadifficultyearfinanciallyitwasaprivilegetoworkwithadedicatedstaffandvolun-teercohortwhoarecomittedtothesustainabilityoftheWetlandCentre.

KenConwayCEO

GeoffWinning

Site Managers Report - Matt Stow

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2013 saw the continuation of the Environmental Trust grant that outlines project objectives andactivitysummaryfortheSiteManagerPosition.Thisgrantalsoprovidesuswithafund-edSiteManagerpositionforthreeyears(2012–2015).Withoutthisfunding,manyoftheprojects we are currently managing would not be possible.Thegrantcanbebrokendowninto5mainobjectives,whichinclude:• Hydrology:FocusingonimprovingthewaterqualityofMelaleucaSwamptoimprovethe

failing health of swamp trees and manage high nutrient loads associated with Egret and Ibis nesting.

• Fauna:ImprovinghuntingandfeedinghabitatforendangeredspeciesAustralasianBit-tern,GreenandGoldBellFrogsandFreckledDucksofupto18hawithinthesitethroughongroundregenerationworks.

• Biodiversity and Vegetation: Increase biodiversity on site through breeding and release programs;increasenumberoffaunaandavi-faunapresentonsite.Continuingactivepestmanagement,weedcontrolandbushregenerationworkstoprotectbiodiversityvalues.

• Fisheries:FacilitateresilienceoffisheriesandripariancorridoralongIronbarkCreek.Weaim to do this by improving 2ha of riparian habitat area through managing access and monitoring vegetation changes along with the control of priority weed species and planting appropriate species.

• Community:IncreaseawarenessoftheimportanceofwetlandsandpromoteRamsarvaluesforHunterWetlandsCentre.

Wehaverecentlycompletedsomeoftheactivitiesoutlinedinthegrant,includingthecom-pletionofthe2013-2023SiteManagementPlan,installationofhydrologygatesanddevel-opment of a monitoring plan for several activities on site.Wehavefinallyhadour3hydrologygatesinstalledinlateOctober/earlyNovemberinMela-leucaSwamp,MiddletonSwampandReedmarsh.Waterandvegetationmonitoringplanshavenowbeendeveloped,allowingourdedicateduniversityvolunteerstoadequatelymon-itorandmanagewaterlevels,nutrientlevelsandvegetationhealthinMelaleucaSwamp.Thesemonitoringactivities,includingourWaterWatchsampling,willbecomeevenmoreimportant when we begin to actively manage the water levels of our ponds. The hydrology gateswillallowustoholdwaterinMelaleucaSwampforlongeratkeytimesoftheyear,mainly during Egret and Ibis breeding season.

ContinuingwithourworkontheBiodiversityFundProjecthasbeenourhighestprior-ity in 2013. The aims of the project are: • RemovalandcontrolofWeedsOfNationalSignificanceandLocalLandsService

PriorityWeeds

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• Revegetateapproximately8haofthesitewith120,000plants,usingastagedmo-saic pattern and biodiverse plant species to minimise disturbance to native fauna and avi-fauna.

• Install80nestboxesacrossthesitetoboostthehabitatandbreedingcapacity of selected species.

• Creation of habitat piles within Biodiversity project areas to provide shelter for reptiles and small birds.

• Ongoing maintenance of the sites, including follow up planting and weed control.

• Monitoringandevaluationoftheprojectat6monthintervals.

In2013,wehavebeenworkingon7BiodiversityFundProjectsites,coveringap-proximately1.5ha.Thesiteswerepreparedusingweedcontrolandsuppressiontechniquesbeforeplanting26,568plants.Thisbringsourprojecttotaltoover35,000sofar.Wehavealsobeenworkingonmappingsuitablelocationsfornestboxinstal-lationandundertakingappropriateWorkplaceHealthandSafetytrainingtoinstallthem safely.

AssistingwithachievingourbushregenerationtargetsTheThursdayMob,ledbyPaddyLightfoothavebeenworkinginvariousareasacrossthesiteandhaveplanted3,886plantsduring2013,aswellasmaintainingseveraloftheareasthattheyhaveworkedinthepast.Thursday’sLandCareteamledbyJennyCastles,haverecentlycompletedaHunterCentralRiversCatchmentManagementAuthority(nowLocalLandsService)projecttoplantriparianvegetationaroundtheperimeterofFarmDam,planting5,891plantsacross5sites,aswellasmaintainingprevioussitesandcarryingouttargetweedingprojects.BushTuckerGarden,GGBFPondmaintenanceandFriday’sBiodiversityteam,ledbyJohnKerr,haveplanted5,127plantsacrossthethreesites,whilemaintainingeachofthesites.PlantingdaysandworkingbeeshavebeenheldwithUniversityofNewcastleLanguageCentrestudents.Asaresultofthetirelesseffortsofallofthesegroups,35,779plantswereplantedin2013.Congratulations to all of the teams involved with the project on reaching our targets. Wewouldalsoliketothankallofourcorporatevolunteers,school,andcommunityservicevolunteersfortheirassistancewithplantingdaysandworkexperienceprograms.

Site Managers Report continued

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WehaverecentlybegunbuildingapartnershipwithHunterTAFE,whichwillallowclassesstudyingConservationandLandManagementtohavehandsonexperienceusingfaunamonitoringtechniques.Thedatathatiscollectedcanbeusedasarecordtoidentifyrep-tilesandaborealfaunathathavenotbeenpreviouslyrecordedonsite;identifywhattypesofhabitatspeciespreferandestimatepopulationnumbers.WehavealsohadaworkplacementstudentfromCharlesSturtUniversityworkingonanimalprocedures,displaytanksandfreckledduckprogramdetails.HunterWetlandsCentrestaffalsocompletedsomeworkaroundWaterRibbonPondforWetlandCareAustraliatoimprovehuntingandfeedinghabitatfortheLathamSnipewithmaintenancetobecarriedoutbyHunterWetlandsstaffandvolunteersthroughout2014.AlthoughNativeAnimalTrustFundhadlimited releases on our site in 2013, they still maintain a strong presence on site and assist HWCAstaffwhenrequired.SomeverytimelyrainfallandinstallationoftheMelaleucahydrology gates helped to boost Egret nesting numbers at the end of 2013, with 340 egrets countedatthestartofthenestingperiod.ThankyoutoGeoffNicholls,PaddyLightfootand Hunter Bird Observers Club for organizing and conducting the Egret and Ibis counts for us again during the 2013-2014 breeding season.

TherehasbeenalotofworkputintotheFreckledDuckbreedingprograminrecentmonths.Aworkshopwasheldtodiscussthefuturedirectionoftheprogramandaddressissueswehavebeenfacingoverthepastfewyears.DavidRushton,formerCSIROFreckledDuckResearcher,wasbroughtinasaconsultanttoassiststaffandvolunteerswithenclo-suremaintenanceandhusbandryoftheresidentducksandnewducklings.Asaresultoftheirefforts,wehad11healthyducklingsbornin2013,withmoreexpectedinthecomingweeks.

Attheendof2013,ourlongtimevolunteerBobKingretiredfromhisroleasmaintenanceteam leader. Tony Townsend has stepped into the maintenance team leader role and will beavaluableteamleader.Whilewewouldliketohavethetimetomanageallaspectsofthe site, the role that our volunteer teams and team leaders play in the day to day opera-tionofthecentreisimportant.Thisallowsus,assitemanagers,toworkonEnvironmentalTrusttargets,BiodiversityFundtargets,faunamanagement,WorkplaceHealthandSafetyissuesandoffsitecontracts.WillandIhavebeenadjustingtoournewrolesoverthepastsixmonthsandwouldliketothankstaffandvolunteersfortheirsupport,assistanceandpatience during this time.

Atthistimeweareworkingthroughthreelargejobsonsite,numerousoffsiteandcontrac-torjobsandtheregularoperationalrequirements.Withouttheassistanceofourvolunteerteams,wewouldnothavethetimetomanageallofthiswork.

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Thursday Mob Report

Ourmottosare‘ItneverrainsonThursdays’and‘Youcanworkandtalkatthesametime’.

However,duetothevagariesoftheHunter’sweather,sometimesitdoesrainonThursdays.ThisdoesnotdeterMobstersfromarrivingintheirraincoats.

Weenjoyworkingandtalkingatthesametime.Asvolunteerswesharetheinterestofpre-servingandenhancingourenvironmenthereinNewcastle.Weenjoychattingtoothervol-unteers and especially we enjoy this chat over a well earned cuppa after a couple of hours steadywork.

TheThursdayMobisbasicallydividedintotwogroupswhocometogetheratmorningtea.

ThepropagatorsaremembersoftheNewcastleGroupoftheAustralianPlantsSociety.TheyproduceavarietyofAustraliannativeplantsforNovocastrianstopurchasetoenhancetheirgardens.Fundsareraisedbysellingtheseplants,astubestock,tothepubliconThursdaymornings(mentionattheVisitorsCentredeskyouarepurchasingplantsandtherewillbenoentryfee)and,aswell,atvariousshowssuchasTocalSmallFarmFieldDays.ThemoniesearnedarethendistributedtotheWetlands,HunterRegionBotanicGardensandtheAustralianFloraFoundationaswellasbeingusedtofinancetheirclub.

Thesecondgroupareinvolvedinbushregeneration–weedingandplantingoverour45hectaresite,aswellasmaintaininggardensaroundthebuildingsandadjacentconstructedponds.

Thislastyearhasseenamakeoveroftheoverflowcarparkaswellasthere-vegetationofanareawecallWallabyFlat.OriginallycoveredinBlackberryandKikuyuGrass,WallabyFlatisnow home to a variety of wetter soil loving shrubs, grasses and sedges.

TheThursdayMobareindeedconfidentthat,asenvironmentalvolunteers,,wehavecontributedtotheHunterWetlandsCentre,NewcastleandtheHunterValleyinmanyways.

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Nursery Report - Ken Bayliss

TheHunterWetlandsnativeplantnurseryhashadaverysuccessfulyearsupplying24,000local provenance plants to be planted on site as part of the biodiversity grant. There are 176localnativeplantspeciesthatwegrowwithallseedcollectedonsite.Furthertothiswehavehadseveralotherprojectsincludingseveral1000plantordersfortheNationalParks&WildlifeServicesforplantingatseveraloftheirsites;infillplantsforourbushtuckergarden and also several 1000 plant orders for our very own Thursday group that continually improvetheoutlookofthesitewithplannedplantingsthroughoutthewholesiteincludingplants for the rainforest area.

Anotherimportantprojectthenurseryhasobtainedisonethatisverypleasing,arepeatorderfromNewcastleCoalInfrastructureGroup(NCIG)for45,000plants.Thesearefores-tablishing a habitat around their soon to be constructed Green and Golden Bell Frog ponds. These16pondswillbelocatedatAshIsland.Thereisastrongpossibilityofafurther45,000plantsafterthisinitialorder.BHParealsoenquiringaboutgrowingapprox20,000plantsfortheiryettobeconstructedGreenandGoldenBellFrogpondsalsoatAshisland.ThisispartoftheirresponsibilitytoestablishpondstoreplaceGreen&GoldenBellFroghabitatdestroyedonKooragangIslandwhentheylandfarmedcontaminatedsoilfromtheformerBHPsite.

ThenurserynowhaveaverydedicatedbandofvolunteersworkingMonday,Tuesday,WednesdayandFridaymornings.Thepotting-on-ladiesareparticularlyskilledintheirtasks.Theyhaveachieveda90%to95%survivalratewhichtomymindisanexceptionaleffort.Imustalsosaythatthemenwhohelpwiththisactivityarealsoveryskilled,howevertheladiessticktothetasklonger.

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OtheractivitiesattheNurseryincludemowingandwhippersnippingtheareawithongoingworktokeeptheweedmatsandhothousefreefromweedsetc.Ithinkmostwillagreethatthenurseryareaisnowaverypleasantareatoworkin.Theef-fort carried out to uplift the environmental aspect of the nursery area has been very successful with ongoing 3 monthly audits conducted by nursery staff to ensure we donotslidebacktooldhabits.WhileMondays,TuesdayandWednesdaymorningsaremainlyforactivitiesinandaroundthenursery,Fridaysmorningsarekeptforseed collecting around the site. It is pleasing that we have a dedicated band of seed collectors that are becoming very familiar with different plant seeds and when they are ready for harvesting. These are then prepared to ensure best possible germina-tionresults.IhaveovertimedevelopedapaperonAustraliannativeplantspeciesgerminatingtriggersthatcoverall176localprovidenceplants.

Ishouldalsomentiontheeffortsoftheteamtoundertakewillinglyvariousdutieswhentheyareaskedevenwhenthesedutiesareabitonerousallinallitisapleasure to lead such a great bunch of volunteers.

Education Report - Peter Jones

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2013wasanotherbusyandexcitingyearforWetlandsEnvironmentalEducationCentre.Onceagaintheschoolprovedtobeextremelypopularwithlargegroupsofstudentsfromlocal schools attending throughout the year.

PeterJonesandCarolynGillardthepermanentteachingstaff;andRhondaAtkinsistheSchoolAdministrationManager.WEECwasalsosupportedbyasmallteamofcasualteach-erswithawiderangeofskillsenablingthemtoteachacrossvariouscurriculumareasandages. This support is particularly necessary with large groups of students in order to comply withDECrequirementsforstaff/studentratiosonexcursions,particularlyinproximitytowater.

WEECstaffhavecontinuedtomanagethedesignanddeliveryofourcoreexcursionpro-gramsforvisitingstudentsfromKindergartentoYear12.Studentsparticipatedinawiderangeofinvestigationswiththeintegrationoftechnologyagreatdrawcard.AllprogramssupportNSWDECsyllabusrequirementsandenhancelearning.

2014willseetheprogressiverolloutofthenewNationalCurriculuminNSWschools.WEECstaffhavebeenworkinghardduring2013toreviewcurrenteducationalprogramsanddevelop new programs to support the new syllabus documents as they are introduced in NSW.

Visiting schools predominantly come from the Hunter region, but also from Sydney and otherareasofthestate. 7708studentsvisitedWEECin2013.Thisincluded63%primarystudents,37%highschoolstudents.95%ofschoolswerefromtheHunterRegion.Ofthe23EnvironmentalEducationCentresinthestate,WEEChasoneofthehighestvisitationrates.

WEECstaffalsocoordinated:EnvironmentalSustainabilityForum,whichisaonedaynetworkingforumforteacherstokeepuptodatewithenvironmentalinitiativesacrossthestateandprogramsofferedacrosstheregion.Over60teachersparticipatedin2013.

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Education Report - Peter Jones

PreandpostexcursionvideoconferenceopportunitiesDuring2013theopportunitiesforvisitingschoolstoparticipateinapreorpostvideoconferencewereexpandedandpromoted.TakeupbyschoolsforVC’shasbeen slow at this stage but should grow as awareness of this opportunity increases. Byprovidingopportunitiesforvideoconferencesbeforeandafterexcursionsweareabletopreparestudentsforthefieldworktheywillundertakeonthedayandcon-solidatethelearningbystudentsfromtheirfieldwork.EcoNewsisaquarterlynewsletterWEECsendstoallschoolsthroughouttheHunterRegion.Thiskeepsteachersuptodatewithourexcursionprograms,regionalenvi-ronmentalevents,grantopportunities,andcontacts.AcopyisalsopublishedontheWEECwebsite.EcoYouthSummitprovidedenvironmentalworkshopsandspeakersforover2,000studentsatNewingtonArmoury,Sydney.WEECstaffaccompaniedabusloadofHunter students to the event for one of the days. WetlandsEECstaffarerepresentedonanumberofHWCAmanagementcommitteesincluding,BoardofDirectors,SiteManagementCommitteeandOH&SCommittee.TechnologyIntegrationoftechnologyremainsafocusinallaspectsoftheoperationofWetlandsEEC.Opportunitiestofurtherintegratetechnologyintoexcursionprogramsweresought and implemented where possible. AlargenumberofGPSunitswerepurchasedwiththeintentionoframpinguptheuse of these at each site. Staff also received professional learning from another EEC in their integration of such units.StudentResponseKeypadsweretrialedandintegratedintoexcursionprogramsin2013asawaytoengagestudents,ascertainknowledgeandgatherdata.Theuseofthese will be further developed in 2014.

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Education Report continued

Climate Clever Energy Savers is a state wide project for schools, encouraging student leadership in themanagementofenergyinschools.Initsfourthandfinalyear,WetlandsEECsupported10localschoolsand29teachersfortheClimateCleverEnergySaversprogram.ThisstateprogramprovidesfundedprofessionallearningforteachersandguidesstudentsthroughthefivestepSustainabilityActionProcesswhendevisinganenergysavingactiontoimplementintheirschool.Thestudentdesigned projects are then funded and implemented as part of the program. The local primary and highschoolsinvolvedimplementedprojectsrangingfromskylights,blinds,powertimers,lightingtimers to promotional resources and events.StafffromWetlandsEECalsovisitedschoolsparticipatingintheprogramtoprovidesupportforteachers and engage students in energy sustainability activities.EvaluationEachschoolparticipatinginanexcursionprogramatWetlandsEECisaskedtocompleteanevaluation.Theseevaluationsallowforimprovementstobemadeinlinewithschoolexpectations.In2013aNetPromoterScorewasincludedontheevaluation.Thetotal2013NetPromoterScoreforWetlandsEECwas:PROMOTERS: 58 (86.5%)PASSIVE: 9 (13.5%)DETRACTORS: 0ANetPromoterScoreabove80isconsideredanexcellentresult.

Ecotourism & Marketing -Anna Ryan

Thereisnodenyingthepast18monthshavebeenarealtrialfortheHunterWetlandsCentre.Withayearofrainyweatherin2012,wehavealsohadtoendurebeingshroudedinroadworkswithacompletiondatethatkeptmovingfurtheraway.Withouttheroadsideexposureandwithpeopleavoidingtheroadworks,itputabigdentinourvisitation.Ourmainsourceofvisitorsisbywordofmouthsoifthatdropsitcanbealongroadtorecovery.Thankfullythebeginningof2014isstartingtoshowsolidimprovementandwewillhaveamuchbetteroutlookin12months.

2013 was a challenge to start rebuilding our reputation and to get the news out that our new SpoonbillCafewasopenforbusinessandworthvisiting.MarketingeffortswerefocusedonadvertisingthroughTheHerald,NBNTV,HunteriMagandvariousotherpublicationsthroughouttheyear.ThefirstmonthsoftheyearwerespentwithoutacafeuntilwefinallylaunchedSpoonbillCafeinMarch.TheeveningwasagreatsuccessandwastestamenttoPeterHalse’sculinaryandJennyAitcheson’smanagementskills.Peopleate,drank,enjoyedmusicandgenerallyhadagreatevening.

WehadbigideasforSpoonbillCafewithSaturdaydinnersandlaterFridayArvo’sbutunfortunatelyweunderestimatedhowlongitwouldtaketore-establishregularpatronageandbuildafollowing,particularlywithlowroadsidevisibilityandnopassingfoottraffic.Openingtheseeveningswasnotfinanciallysustainable.Withadedicatedfocusonsimpleandfreshfoodandgoodservicethebusiness has come a long way in re-establishing a regular clientele.

WiththeopeningofthelongawaitedbypassImadethedecisiontoofferanentryspecialoversummertoincreaseourvisitationandwordofmouth.Withover4500visitorswewereveryhappywiththeresults.Afterconductingsurveysandafewfocusgroupsoverthisperiodtheboardagreedtolower the entry price, the idea being that more people would visit and still have money to spend on ourotheractivitiessuchascanoeingandeatingatthecafe.Sofar,thisapproachisworkingwell.

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21 Fish Fry band

Ecotourism & Marketing Continued

OtherareasIhavebeenworkingtoincreaseourvisitationhavebeeninthedirectdomesticandinternationaltourismmarkets.Withtheseveredropinsponsorshipsandgrantsavailable,increasingourincomefromthismarketisimperative.Establishingagoodfootholdindomesticandinternationaltourismmarketsisnotaquickfixsolutionanditmaybeafewyearsbeforeweseebignumberscomingthrough.IhavebeenworkingwithDestinationNSWtoincreasemyknowledgeofhowtobecome‘marketready’andtopresentourselvestoInboundTourOperators.WithDestinationNSWmentoringwearenow ready to start attending trade shows to sell our attraction to wholesale and retail travel agents.Partofthisapproachisto‘bundle’ouractivitiestogetherwithotheroperatorsintheareaandwehavedonewiththisNovaCruisesandMoonshadowCruiseswithmorecollaborations in the wings.

WehavebegunsomesimpleimprovementstoourVisitorsCentretoensureourfirstimpressionsaredesirableandreflectthemessageswewantpeopletotakeaway.Overtheyears with renovations to our reception area and the cafe, has also come a slight sterilisation ofthecentre.WithfresheyesandtheassistanceofvolunteersValNoakeandPeterWoods,wemadesomesmallbutsignificantimprovementsthathavemadeadifferencetothevisitorexperience.Obsoleteandunecessarysignagewasremoved,atelevisioninstalledabovethereceptiondesktoshowaslideshowofthesite,theblackboardrepositioned,theentrythoroughlycleanedandcobwebsremoved(obviouslyanongoingjob!).Soonhistoricalphotoswillbeinstalled.Aprojecttocreatesomesimplebuteffectiveartworkandbanners that will carry a range of messages for our visitors to consider is underway.

Iwouldliketothankoursmallbutdedicatedteamofadministrationvolunteerswithout whom we not be able to continue to grow, to improve our services, to get the wordoutaboutthiswonderfulcentreandbasicallyfunctiononthelevelwedo.Youareworthyourweightingold!Thankyousomuchforyoureffortsanddedication,itissoverymuchappreciated!

Birdlands by Tanrum TheatreTocalFieldDays

EasterAdventures2013

• WecelebratedEasterwithEasterBunnyAdventuresonEasterSaturdaywitharound250inattendance-itwasafunday;thecarrottrailthatledtothebunnywaseagerlyfollowed(andthebunnycertainlyhadit’sfillofcarrotsontheday!

• WeswappedgolfforBarefootBowlsandraisedjustover$2000forthecente.

• WeattendedTocalFieldDaysinMay.• TheHunterWetlandsCentrewereofficiallypartoftheWUPAAboriginal

ArtexhibitionthisyearwhichisheldatvariouslocationsacrosstheHunterValley.Welookforwardtohostingandparticipatingin2014.

• WewelcomedtheMaitlandGilbert&SullivanSocietywhohadaweekendseason of Sweeny Todd in the breezeway of the school building. They had a bumper season with over 300 people in attendance over the two shows.

• WeranschoolholidayprogramsandintroducedtheverypopularBushAdventureDaywithbushshelteranddampermaking.WealsocollaboratedwithTantrumYouthTheatrewhoofferedadramaworkshopfollowedbytheshow‘Birdlands’intheOctoberschoolholidays.

• ThelegendaryNewcastleswingband,FishFryentertainedanaudienceofabout130withsomegroovingtunes.Theboysarekeentoreturnandwe’llseethemagainnextNovemberandgrowtheevent.

Events & Activities - Anna Ryan

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Ourmajorfundraiser,theHunterPaddleChallengewasheld again this year and has begun to cement itself into a significantannualpaddleeventfortheregion.Wedoubledourparticipationwithpaddlersofallpersuasions,tojustover80competitors,includinga20strongdragonboatcrewwhosangalmostthefull30kmsfromRaymondTerrace!Thesupport,knowledgeandexperienceourdedicatedincludedPeterFreemanfromDive,Skate&Ski,DaveWoodsfromNewcastleKayakTours,RichardFinlayJonesfromBaySup.Theyhavebeenintegralintheevents’burgoiningsuccess.Ahugethankyoutoallourvolunteercrewwhoassistedintheleadupandtheeventontheday.The2014HPCislistedasaPaddleNSWendoresedevent-greatnewsforusaswecontinuetogrowwiththeChallengebeingsetdownforthe24thAugustthisyear.WearecurrentlyworkingtowardssecuringsponsorshiptoassistwiththepromotionandrunningcostsoftheHPC.Pleaseletusknowifyouknowofanyonewishing to throw their support behind this great event for a great cause.

hunter paddle challenge

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Volunteer Coordinator - Ken Bayliss

WiththeresignationofthepreviousvolunteercoordinatormyselfandourCEOMrKenCon-wayundertooktocarryonthisrole.SincestartingwehavechangedafewoftheoperationalaspectsoftheWetlandCentre’sinductionsbeingthatwenownotonlyhavethenewpotentialvolunteersfilloutanapplicationformwealsogothroughseveralstandardoperationprocedures(SOP)thesebeingManualHandling,PersonalProtectionEquipmentandHarassmentthesethreeSOP’srelatetoallnewvolunteersnomatterwheretheywillbeworkingsoifwehavethemcompletethesetheyarereadytogoandtheirassignedteamleadercanthenfollowupwithSOP’sthatpertaintotheirdutiesthischangeseemstobeworkingandpositivefeedbackfrominducteesispleasing.

Weareconductinginductionsessionsmonthlyon2ndThursdayat11.00amduringtheinduction each positional volunteer is interviewed to assist with placing these people to thebestareabutwearehappytomovethemtoadifferentworkareaifrequiredwealsoinvite team leaders to meet the new volunteers at the conclusion of the induction session to ensurethatvolunteerontheirfirstarrivaltheyarenothangingaroundwaitingforsomeonetonoticethem.Wearealsoabouttoinstigateasystemwherebyifavolunteersdoesnotshowupforafewweekswewillemailthemtoenquireiftherecircumstanceshavechangedor they have some problem with associated with the centre as there seem to be a drop off from the time of induction to when they start volunteering.

Sponsors & Supporters

TheHunterValleyPrivateHospitalcontinuestosupporttheHunterWetlandsCen-tre and helps to promote the centre to all who visit their hospital and we would liketothankthemfortheircontinuedassistance. OursponsorshipfromHunterWatercametoanendinJune2013.Theyhavesincereplaced their community sponsorship program with a new grant based system. WewouldliketothankHunterWaterfortheiryearsofinvaluablesupport.

WehavealongstandingrelationshipwithTheNewcastleHeraldandmorerecentlywithNBNtelevisionwhoprovideuswithgooddealsonouradvertising.WewouldliketoespeciallythankTheHeraldfortheirongoingsupportandsponsorshipofourannualevents,TheWetlandsAnnualPhotoCompetitionandtheirmediapart-nershipfortheHunterPaddleChallenge.

WecontinuetoseekmajorsponsorshipfortheHunterWetlandstoassurethefinancialandsecurefutureofthecentre.

ThankstoourSupportersNewcastleHeraldNBNHunterRegionSchoolofPhotography

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HunterWetlandsCentreAerialShot

HunterPaddleChallenge2013

Financial Report 2013

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Notes

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C O N S E RV E DISCOVER E D U C AT E

www.wetlands.org.au