IMAGES OF MOUNT RAE FOREST

Mark Selmes from Mount Rae, near Taralga and Crookwell (north of Goulburn, NSW) convened a fund-raising exhibition today in Crookwell. It was really well attended, with people from as far away as Sydney, and Nowra and Canberra and central western NSW.
I have previously written about visiting Mark's property at Mt Rae, and of course, I wrote about the Orchids I saw there. That is relevant to today's event, because Alan Stephenson, the Conservation Officer of the Australasian Native Orchid Society had some of his photos on exhibition - of rare Orchids found at Mark's property.

Mark sent me the following comments:
IMAGES OF MOUNT RAE FOREST

• "This exhibition of photos and artworks was inspired by the forest and its unique plants and animals. It will be on public display at Catherine's Cafe, Crookwell, from the 1st June until the 31st of July.
• "All artworks are for sale, with proceeds going towards Roslyn Landcare Group's proposal for land purchase or threatened species projects within this forest. Roslyn Landcare has just been announced as the recipient of the 2009 Regional landcare community group award for the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment area."
• "Internationally renown wildlife artist Humphrey Price-Jones has donated an original painting - Gang Gang Cockatoos. Another Price-Jones work-a print of the forests Powerful Owl is also for sale."
• Mr Price-Jones states "in depicting 2 of the threatened bird species of this forest I hope to raise awareness of their plight and raise funds for their protection. The significance of Mount Rae forest cannot be overestimated, as it is a reservoir of great importance for this areas biodiversity"
• "Professional photographer Andy Stavert, has donated 4 panoramic photos, reproduced on canvas by Arthead of Goulburn, of this forest, taken in winter 2008."
• "Donations have already been received in support of this landcare effort. The Goulburn Field Naturalist Society, the Wilderness Society and the Goulburn branch of the Society for growing Australian plants have already made generous contributions. Combined with individual and landcare member contributions the total already raised stands at over $44,000."
  

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The event was held at Catherine's Cafe, Bakery and Deli, in the main street of Crookwell (not in the back lane as Google Maps shows it to be.)

Here are two images of the crowd assembled to support the bid to protect the forests at Mt Rae.

Rodney Falconer of the Goulburn Field Naturalists Society
The artist Humphrey Price-Jones speaking passionately about the Mt Rae forests.His original painting of the Gang Gang Cockatoos.

The print of the Powerful Owl - by Humphrey Price-Jones.
Framed photo of a stem of Stegostylis Orchids, by Alan Stephenson.
Panoramic photos by Andy Stavert
I have bought one of these photographic prints.
A junior supporter of the Mt Rae forest
dressed in the iconic "Koala suit"
made famous by the Wilderness Society fundraisers.