2016-04-12
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — I rise to speak about the rediscovery of the Leadbeater’s possum. A significant date has passed since we last sat in the Parliament — and that is 3 April. It was 55 years ago that Eric Wilkinson and other botanists rediscovered the Leadbeater’s possum after it was thought that it was extinct. I am delighted that I could attend the picnic organised by the Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum up in Cambarville and listen to Eric Wilkinson talk about that rediscovery 55 years ago. So significant was that rediscovery that the Leadbeater’s was subsequently named as Victoria’s faunal emblem.
The day included many talks from many learned people. It is worth noting that representatives from the Australian National University (ANU) were there, who have in fact researched the Leadbeater’s possum for more than 30 years now. We did visit an ANU research site as part of the day, and what is critical in that is the importance of what is known as 1939 regrowth. Currently logged and woodchipped to make copy paper, it is important that this stand of forest remain intact and standing because the 1939 regrowth forest is in fact the future home of Leadbeater’s when the trees mature and develop hollows. Sadly, if the regrowth gets chipped to make paper, they simply will not be doing that. What else is critical is the importance of the understorey and an intact forest. I was delighted to be able to attend, and I thank the Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum.