Discoveries on our Doorstep

“The parks up around Scone are just amazing Towarri, Scone Mountain and Burning Mountain there are just some great places and we’d love to get the discovery rangers out there more and show the public,” said Shani Milgate, discovery coordinator for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Six year old Elsie Kennedy was a ranger for a day during the school holidays at the Washpools and said she’d like to grow up to be a ranger all the time.

Elsie Kennedy trying out her special ranger magnifying glass.

“We saw bugs and my favourite part was seeing wombat poo and there was also rabbit poo which is as big as a foxes eye,” said Miss Kennedy.

“We saw a wombat hole and we saw a kookaburra, but it was very quiet and we saw wild dog footprints,” she said.

Local ranger Sherie Kennedy said children love being a ranger for a day and they enjoy showing people of all ages through the local parks, going to schools and scout halls and will even do birthday parties.

“We will run another program in the next school holidays, we do in-school programs, scout bookings and they can earn a badge, we tailor discovery tours, Probus groups, children’s birthday parties, bird observer groups, art groups, Aboriginal culture, from 8 year olds to 80 year olds we have something interesting to share,” said Ms Kennedy.

Ranger Sherrie Kennedy taking the special rangers thorugh their paces at the washpools.

“We can go to a park, or a local hall, whatever the venue there are things we can explore and learn about,” she said.

“We also have a great taxidermy display which the kids really get into they like looking at the wildlife up close and we take them into schools and children haven’t seen many of these animals up close before and there’s no risk assessment for us to take those animals into a school,” Sherie Kennedy.

For more information on the discovery program contact: Shani Milgate, discovery coordinator for the National Parks and Wildlife Service: T: 02 4946 4112.

Eden Kennedy looking for bugs at the Washpools.