THURSDAY TALK - John Blay 'Some Special Places of the South East Forests.’

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Thursday, 18 March 2021 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm

John Blay 'Some Special Places of the South East Forests.’

John will talk about the challenges of conservation in the region’s forests, along with its peoples and natural history, and the rediscovery of an important shared history pathway. The Bundian Way, now Heritage listed, is set to be one of the great Australian walks.  This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette.

After the talk, at 1:30pm, John is willing to sign copies of his book, Wild Nature, published in 2020, as well as copies of his two earlier books. The books are available for sale at the Botanical Bookshop.

You are then invited to walk up to the plantings of Acacia blayana for a short discussion about them. John will lead this walk. Please meet at the clock on Banks Way (near the Cafe Bridge) at 2pm.

Biography
John Blay, writer and naturalist, was born at Parramatta and since moving to the far south coast in 1970 has written extensively about south eastern Australia and its people in prose, drama and poetry. His history and art projects also focus on the region. In 1982, he discovered a new species of wattle in the Brogo wilderness. Growing to over 30 metres, the species was named Acacia blayana in his honour. He has served as a national Arts & Reviews newspaper editor and has published photographs and stories in magazines like Good Weekend. He continues to work in the SE Forests on further projects dealing with the region’s natural history and peoples.

His epic bushwalking trilogy of the south east forests includes Back Country (2017), On Track (2015) and Wild Nature (2020). It traces the region’s forests, peoples, natural history, and the rediscovery of an important shared history pathway. Now heritage-listed – and thanks to the work of Blay, Aboriginal communities and local people – the Bundian Way is set to be one of the great Australian walks. His most recent publication looked at the challenges to conserving the region’s wild nature.

Bookings open the Friday before and close at midnight on Wednesday night.  Bookings can be made at https://register.eventarc.net/e/44982 

Bookings are essential because of the COVID-19 guidelines related to the Thursday Talks and limited seating. (Tickets are Free.)  This talk will be held in the ANBG Theatrette.

Please be aware that COVID-19 outbreaks and isolation requirements are subject to change at short notice.

Please ensure that:
- You have not been in a hotspot or prohibited area before attending Thursday Talks.
- You do not attend if you are feeling unwell.

Tickets are limited, please notify us if you are unable to come on 0437 298 711 or 0407 299 704.