Pine-scented job on a recreational rollercoaster
From the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Grahame North happily posing with supermodel Jennifer Hawkins. Reproduced with permission Channel 7/Make me a Supermodel. Above: Huskies racing in Wingello State Forest. Photo by Andrew Peterson
Grahame Norths pine-scented workplace covers 10 400 hectares and his workload is growing.
During the past few years, recreation in the Moss Vale area has developed rapidly as Sydney expands and people discover the wonders of State forests.
Now Grahames work takes in a huge number of recreational pursuits - everything from mountain bike riding, dog sled races, horseriding, orienteering and scout events (with up to 1 500 scouts) to mushrooming and medieval battles.
Grahame, better known as Tangles, has worked for Forests NSW at Moss Vale for 27 years and was born and bred in the area.
Though most of his territory is in native forest, the bulk of his work relates to 3 500 hectares of pine plantation, where he is kept busy supervising harvesting contractors, maintaining roads, replanting pine and fighting fires.
Tangles job is far from dull. For example, last year he was called upon to organise a photo shoot for Channel 7s Make Me a Supermodel.
They may not have turned Tangles into a supermodel, but he had a great deal of fun entertaining Jennifer Hawkins for the day. As he says What more could you ask for in a job?
One of the more colourful events he supervises is the annual dog sled championships in Wingello State Forest.
It is incredibly noisy and they take it very seriously. It is like rally driving on a sled and they have the odd pile up, Tangles says.
The annual Highland Fling mountain bike race also runs in the area, attracting 1 500 riders through Penrose and Wingello State Forests last year.
It is a massive event that showcases our working forests to people who often have little appreciation of the timber industry, Tangles says.
Tangles was around at the time of the Belanglo back packer murders.
It is amazing how many people want to visit the monument to the backpackers in Belanglo State Forest. People tell me its eerie, but I like to think of it as a peaceful place dedicated to those seven people who lost their lives, he says.
His busiest day is Sunday as he needs to be out and about keeping an eye on things and ensuring the safety of forest visitors and workers.
What really annoys me is people who drive or ride unregistered vehicles, as all forest roads and tracks are open to the public, and people need to be registered and licensed to use them.
People need to stay on these roads and tracks as when they go bush they do a lot of damage. Recreation gone wrong can really impact on the environment and ruin the forests for other users.
It is amazing how a lot of people dont read signs and put themselves in danger. They often dont take notice of signs about harvesting, fire bans and warnings in general.
If they did it would make my job a lot easier. The other big problem is rubbish. People constantly leave rubbish everywhere, especially campers, plus people come to the forest to dump rubbish.
I love my job and want people to look after the forests because we want them to remain commercially viable, as well as being a fabulous place for people to visit for years to come, Tangles says.
Top spots to visit
- Kingsbury VC - Hume Highway (Penrose State Forest), a shady stop for commuters on a hot day.
- Dalys Clearing - Belanglo State Forest, a picturesque spot for picnickers and campers.
- Wingello Headquarters - Wingello State Forest - where the mountain bike tracks start (it backs onto Morton National Park).
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
