I was browsing through an old S.F.N. Newsletter, August 1973 in fact, and came across this delightful article which I felt was worth repeating. The author was Dorothy Wiseman, a lovely, slightly eccentric lady who I am sure many of our long term members will remember. Rob McCosker.

“Random Thoughts on a wet Saturday Afternoon”

Having had the privilege of being a member of the Stanthorpe Field Naturalists Club since its inception, I wish to write about what the S.N.C. had done for me.
It has added to my circle of friends in all age groups, and I have enjoyed many an interesting and instructive outing in their company.
Although I have lived here and at Wallangarra for a quarter of a century, my duties prevented me from seeing much of the countryside, except from the windows of a railway train. Since I joined the S.N.C., really I have been amazed at the great number of beauty spots in this area, their waterfalls, fauna, (birds included) majestic eucalypts, and an infinite variety of beautiful, and sometimes quaint, wildflowers, and queerly shaped rocks.
As we drive along the well kept roads in these areas, and across good bridges, passing towering mountains and well-kept and prosperous looking farms and station properties, I marvel at the courage of the early pioneers who traversed this country in bullock wagons or with horse teams, and waded across the streams. And of their womenfolk who, lacking all modern conveniences, and many miles from towns, exercised their ingenuity, and improvised many things from kerosene tins, wire, sugarbags etc, taught their children, and I should imagine were too busy to have time to waste complaining.
Sometimes we pause beside some lonely graves out in the bush where these brave people who opened up the country, are lying and wish that they could see it as it is today – thanks to them!
To end these thoughts, I send my thanks to all club members, in all age groups, who have, in many ways, helped me to enjoy our outings, and hope that we may have more fun together.
Cheerio,                                      D.Wiseman