Barmah Muster
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (10:32): The Barmah forest is a special place. In addition to recreation, for over 100 years it has been, until recently, used as a productive forest, the home of brumbies and a place of cattle grazing. On a visit to this special place 80-year-old river red gum sleeper cutter Doug Rosenow shared with me his long history in this space. He shared with me how cattle, horse and harvesting had not ruined the forest up until now but it is now under threat from invasive weeds. This government has closed down the Barmah forest muster yards, which had been in continuous operation and use since the late 1800s. Now the three-day Barmah Muster is held outside the forest in a paddock on a racetrack, lacking that wonderful ambience. The muster showcases life in country, including campdrafting, dog trials and woodchopping.
Last year I attended the muster with the local member and my friend Peter Walsh and caught up with Doug again. Doug is concerned that the Barmah woodchop is under threat because of this government’s decision to close down the sustainable native timber industry. For more than 150 years we have seen competitive woodchopping in Victoria as an amazing sport. I congratulate all of the members who continue to keep this historical event, the Barmah Muster, alive. I wish them all well in a couple of weeks when they are holding their next one and call on the government to reopen those yards.