The Conondale Range Committee... who?

The Conondale Range Committee was formed in 1976 as a public voice for conservation issues in the Conondale Ranges.

It wasn't the first to speak out.

A decade earlier, local scoutmaster Ross Scott had circulated a petition for a National Park and later a dedicated team of young researchers had added enormously to conservation knowledge of the Conondales. Both these groups echoed and intensified calls for a National Park.

It's been an up and down ride since then.

From despondency at watching intensive logging move into old growth forests, the disappearance of two unique frog species, the establishment of the Agricola open-cut gold mine to welcome relief at the incremental announcements of expanded National Parks and the rehabilitation of the abandoned mine site.

Along the way, we've been involved with various consultative committees and working groups.

The work of the Conondale Range Committee has been recognised at the Sunshine Coast Environment Awards on two occasions. In 1995 we received the Environment Award for Perserverance, and in 1999 the Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in Grassroots Campaigning as a result of work during the South East Queensland Forest Agreement campaign.

Ther are many who, over the years, have been part of that journey. At several celebrations at Charlie Moreland Park, later members have had the privilege of joining with earlier activists. More recent members welcome the solid scientific basis and awareness-raising that is the legacy of earlier members, while they, in turn, are appreciative of those who have carried on the baton for the Conondales.

A clear indication of this link between old and new came when SCEC's Greg Wood managed, at very short notice, to fill a train with around 600 colourful Sunshine Coast greenies to attend a major Brisbane RFA rally calling for conservation of the Conondales and Mapleton forest.

And now, almost 30 years on, the Conondale Range Committee is delighted to have produced a book. Not only does it describe walks and drives in the Conondale / Kenilworth area but adds articles by key researchers and perspectives of aboriginal, white settler and conservation histories. It is our belief that an understanding of all these are an important part of any visit to the Conondales.

The Conondale Range Committee is still "keeping watch over the Conondales."

More detailed information on the trials and tribulations of the CRC, and articles written by long time campaigners, is available in 'Walking on the Wilder Side' - the latest publication by the Conondale Range Committee.