|
| |
To listen to soundfile: click on the headphones icon
To download soundfile: click on the mp3 file name
|
|
| |
Dr Arthur White, from the New South Wales-based Frog and Tadpole Society (FATS), looks back over the history of the organisation, prompted by celebrations for the 100th edition of their bi-monthly magazine Frog Call. |
|
|
|
|
| |
FATS began as a splinter group from the Australian Museum’s Herpetological Society. As an interest group for reptiles and amphibians, the Herpetological Society served the interests of those interested in reptiles, forcing those who had interest in frogs to stay behind to exchange information. |
| Harry Ehman (see left), who was later to become the inaugural president of FATS, suggested forming a new group with a focus on frog conservation. Begun in 1992, meetings were held at the old Sydney Technical College, where Harry worked. Membership slowly grew to 50 and, as threatened species legislation was starting to appear, FATS was asked to provide some credible input on frog data. FATS decided to mount a huge campaign of field surveys with 32 endangered frog species across NSW as targets.
|
|
|
| |
|
| The data were collected for two years and finally collated and published thanks to a Department of Heritage and Arts grant. The book, Enfrogs, was the only material available about threatened and endangered frogs in NSW and reflected the FATS initial directions of combining scientific research and conservation. Over the years, FATS has branched out, providing a frog rescue service and a cane toad alert program.
Right: Lothar Voigt, second president of FATS talking frogs at a regular Frogmobile outing
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Left: Mick Mahony and Frank Lemckert
Sydney Tech soon became too small, so FATS was given facilities at the Australian Museum, including the auditorium. Over time the demand on the museum venue proved too much and FATS accepted Sydney Olympic Parkland Authority's offer for a more permanent base at Homebush.
|
|
|
| |
While they did lose some members from the eastern suburbs, FATS has continued to thrive, with 40 % of its membership based in country NSW. The recent celebrations were of special significance for one member. Monica Wangmann who became the editor of the 27th issue of Frog Call and is still the editor today, transforming it into a professional publication of all things froggy.
FATS good!
Text: V.B. June 2009
All images from Arthur White
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 For more information, please contact us |
)
