La Gerche Trail signage project 2014-16
Naturalists and historians in Victoria have always had a strong interest in John La Gerche, the forest bailiff credited with starting the restoration of the forest between Ballarat and Creswick, after it had been largely denuded in the Gold Rush of the 1850s to 1880s. While many other bailiffs and foresters played a part in 130 years of forest management, La Gerche’s detailed diaries and work books have made him a legend in the history of land care and revegetation in the state. In 1998 a 2.2 km walking trail was established near Creswick to commemorate La Gerche’s life, his example in Landcare and the establishment of Creswick as a Centre for forestry training.
In 2014-16 the Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat took on a project to ‘enhance the interpretation and signage’ on the La Gerche trail, so as ‘to improve information available’ to the public and school groups, on the history of mining and forest conservation in Victoria. Work started with mapping and the listing the mixture of native species and towering exotic trees in this historic plantation. A grant was procured for signage to update and replace many old signs on the Trail that had become faded since 1998. This involved working closely with community groups, with Parks Victoria staff who manage the Sawpit Gully site. Workshops were held by club members to plan the logic of the information on signs on the Trail, with involvement of experts in forestry, biology and history.
Main outcomes
– A map of La Gerche Trail and surrounding Sawpit Gully Plantations was produced for display on Parks Victoria signs
Old and new maps
– 10 Interpretive signs in anodised aluminium were produced and erected to replace outdated or worn signs
Old signage from 1998
New signage on La Gerche Trail
– 60 botanical labels produced and mounted on trees along the trail, in a manner to minimise damage to trees
Club members clearing branches and labelling trees
Example of a plant label
– historical and heritage information on signs updated by experts in history, biology and forest science
– improved signage makes the site much more accessible and useful for a wider range of public visitors
A visiting group from Melbourne picnic under 100 year old plantings
– QR codes on signs enable walkers to link to maps and extra information on La Gerche, biology, history of mining and forest restoration
– web information to be improved and updated, available at https://fieldnatballarat.wordpress.com/la-gerche-trail/
– Members of Field Naturalist Club of Ballarat and Creswick community have strengthened interest in the La Gerche Trail and its future.
Intended benefits of project
– New signs include updated information on history and also on biology, flora and fauna associated with the area.
– Improved signage enables public, schools, tourists to understand and enjoy the landscape, and historical and botanical features of Creswick-Ballarat and the whole Goldfields region.
– New map of Trail enables public to select and locate routes appropriate to their access and other needs.
-The new maps and signs have improved the ease and benefits of use of the La Gerche Trail, and make the site attractive to a wider range of the public, educational groups and local, national and international tourism enterprises.
– The website information (and QR Cod linkage) improves access to information through social media on the La Gerche and the Creswick area.
Acknowledgements
Many people assisted with this project, and our gratitude is due to all members of the Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat who helped. Parks Victoria staff took a major part especially Kyra Wynduss, and Interpretation Officer David Newton who coordinated the signage contributions from Field Naturalists Club and community groups including Business and Tourism Creswick, and the work of graphic artist Liz Skrokov of Cressaid Logic.
The contribution of specialists to the project was valuable, including forest scientist Professor Kevin Tolhurst and Rosemary Tolhurst, Parks Victoria Thanks also to Gerry Fahey, Librarian at University of Melbourne’s Creswick Campus, and to Margaret Fullwood of Creswick Historical Society and DSE historian Daniel Catrice.
Funding
The major part of the funding for this project was provided through a Local Landscape Enhancement Grant from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
More images from the signage project
The Field Naturalist Ballarat 
