FRIENDS OF BUCHAN CAVES GROUP?
Why do the Buchan DC&E staff tolerate the Friends of Buchan Caves Group? The Friends of Buchan Caves is an informal collection of cavers, DC&E staff and sundry other individuals with the common goal of restoring and improving the tourist caves in the Buchan Caves Reserve.
Formed in 1987 by members of the Victorian Speleological Association (VSA) and the then Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (CF&L), The Friends wanted to try to 'undo' some of the impact of 80 or so years of what they felt were inappropriate management practices in the reserve, especially in the caves themselves. Inappropriate, in that the show caves were in a state that did not allow for as enjoyable and educational visitor experiences as could be achieved. Neither was the welfare of the caves themselves a primary concern of some past managers (presumably, their actions reflected the level of understanding and technology that prevailed, rather than any deliberate act of carelessness).
As a Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) affiliate rather than a VSA sub-group, the group attracts cavers and non-cavers alike along with their respective skills and points of view.
Today, a typical Friends weekend would see between 12 and 40 people travel from as far away as Melbourne to work on projects that have been devised by ranger staff in consultation with the group 'leaders' (although it is fair to say that the group is fairly anarchic, and this is one of its greatest strengths, a sort of Darwinian effect evolves with long-term, committed Friends throwing their hat into the ring more and more often). These projects are often quite diverse in nature and call upon the varying skills of Friends members.
They include:
MOONS HILL TRACK
An early project for the Friends was to cut a walking track over a prominent hill in the reserve.
TELEPHONE/INTERCOM SYSTEM
The two show cave entrances are situated about one kilometre from the reserve office and ticket sales complex and a five minute walk from the tour guide office, providing no small communications problem; especially over the Christmas-Easter period when around 37,000 people visit the caves. A Friend with expertise in electronics designed and installed a closed-circuit FM intercom between both cave entrances and the offices to be expanded to various points in the show caves.
EASTERN CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT
Although this part of Fairy Cave had been open to the public from circa 1908 up until the 1940s (the exact date of its closure is unknown, but it is believed to be during the Second World War), developing it for tours was akin to what would be required for an undeveloped cave. Pathways, lighting and effective drainage had to be implemented. One member, a civil engineer, laid the formations for a concrete pathway that incorporated drains and electrical conduits. The next Friends meeting was devoted to mixing, carrying and laying concrete for a 37 metre pathway. Since then, Friends have helped with other aspects of its development, including lighting, cleaning and removal of debris to produce a cave show-case.
GENERAL RESTORATION
The tourist caves at Buchan (and the enjoyment of same) have suffered a great deal from past management techniques and the Friends are prominent in undoing many of their effects. A constant stream of wire netting, pipe and concrete gushes from the caves on most Friends weekends, along with overkill light fittings, rubbish and sediments excavated in past construction. Several gour pools and many other formations have surfaced that an early-1980s visitor would not have experienced. A walk through Federal Cave will convince the cynical of this! The netting tunnels that once defined the path through the caves are being replaced where possible with structures that allow a fuller appreciation of the cave while retaining their speleo-protective properties.
WILD/ADVENTURE CAVE RESTORATION
Some 100 wild caves frequented by cavers at Buchan are in reserves controlled by the DC&E. This year, the Friends started a program of restoration in M41 (Honeycomb) cave on the 'Potholes' Reserve. The task was allocated to Friends members from one of the largest user groups of this cave, the Scouts. It is hoped that this will increase (at least some members') awareness of the scale of impact that visitation has had on this cave.
This and a lot of other fine work is done on a completely voluntary and unpaid basis (if you ignore the occasional barbecue put on for the Friends by Graham and Diane Parkes, which are truly exceptional), however all of it could have been done by anyone (even the controlling government department) if they had a will to do so; and this in itself is a sad statement on the value that society places on irreplaceable resources.
The longer term benefits of an organisation such as the Friends are less tangible, but possibly more valuable than the work done to rehabilitate the karst resource. Because of its informality and the relationships it fosters, the Friends group provides a good opportunity for DC&E staff to consult with and gauge reaction from the major users of the resource on matters of policy or implementation. In this way, the management process engages the managed (people) and runs more smoothly as a result.
Recreational caving has a major impact on the karst resource. The Friends group provides a sterling opportunity for people who otherwise may not have been aware to find out first-hand, the impact of humans on caves, and also to play a part in rehabilitation projects. The Scout's project in M41 will, hopefully, give that group a more intimate feel for the cave/caver relationship.
Often, DC&E guides will incorporate the work of The Friends into their show cave presentations. Although this becomes more than just a tad embarrassing at times, it plays a part in the interpretative process and reinforces in the mind of the visitor the concept that these things are worth conserving; that people (The Friends) are prepared to work hard for no tangible return in an area that is traditionally the responsibility of government must suggest that this is an important part of our environment.
The Friends are currently forming a legal constitution to become an incorporated entity. This is aimed at addressing issues of public liability and the like as well as perhaps attracting funding for our activities in addition to the somewhat meagre government funds apportioned from the DC&E budget. It's not in any way intended to formalise our structure or break the successful formula that has allowed the Friends of Buchan Caves to continue for so long. A typical Friends weekend would see between 12 and 40 people travel from as far away as Melbourne.