Environment Matters Spring/Summer 2019

Arnold Rieck walk For 20 years, this corner of central Rosewood known as Masons Gully has been close to Arnold Rieck’s heart. Now, with the completion of a public walkway in his honour, this dedicated volunteer hopes that it will inspire others to care about the rare and highly-valued species of his precious Rosewood Scrub. Only the species that would have been found in the dry vine forest, that once stretched from Rosewood to Fernvale, were given a home in this patch of regenerated scrub – not a eucalypt, not a melaleuca, not a callistemon in sight. Instead, Arnold points out numerous species along ‘his’ walk, all hand-planted by himself or the volunteers who have helped over the years, such as brigalow, crows ash, rare Bailey’s cypress, red cedar and hoop pine. “It’s doing pretty well,” he said with pride. His personal favourite is the ‘original rosewood’, a long-lived weeping wattle that has masses of beautiful white blossoms. “I would regard that as one of the best wattles we have in Australia,” he said. There is so little of the Rosewood Scrub left – much of the original ecosystem was cleared with settlement – but Masons Gully provides a glimpse to the area’s unique floral diversity. “That’s the whole aim of this (walk),” Arnold said, “to get people walking through.” The Arnold Rieck Walk is part of John Street Reserve (Masons Gully), Rosewood.

Share your environmental and sustainability knowledge with others by volunteering with Ipswich City Council.

Passionate about the environment?

Christina McInally

Volunteers provide a valuable service to the community and Ipswich is proud to have many wonderful volunteers. Opportunities to volunteer with council exist at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre and at multiple community events and activities such as a Waste Warrior. Come and join the team, sharing your passion for all things environmental. You can see all available volunteer roles at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/volunteering

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