We are a lively, modern, inter-generational club which fosters a love, understanding and protection of the nature and wildlife of the Perth Hills. We are the one-stop shop for natural history, with experts and talks covering birds, flowers, fungi, geology, insects, trees, reptiles, mammals, nature photography, and more. We aim to inspire people of all ages in a love of the native flora and fauna of the Perth Hills and beyond, and to help people understand and learn more about it.
We have monthly meetings. These include a main talk, sometimes with live demonstrations, plus a talk for kids by kids, a short boffins talk, door prizes, raffle prizes, and great camaraderie and refreshments (including gluten free). Our members range in age from 6 to 92+.
We lead regular excursions into the bush to identify flowers, spot birds, find reptiles, look for fungi or simply to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the nature around us. We also run regular workshops, e.g on “The Birds in your garden, park and reserve”, and on other topics. In 2018, this included one by Dr Terry Houston on native bees and in 2019 on bird photography with Georgina Steytler. Our excursions are usually in the Perth Hills but also go beyond them. In 2017, for instance, we visited the Porongurups; and in 2018 we went to Kulin, in the Wheatbelt. In 2019 we went to Yalgorup national Park and back to Kulin again and in 2020 Covid shutdowns prevented a Dwellingup visit, with a return to Dryandra Forest in 2022.
Our members come from many of the areas of the Darling Scarp including Darlington, Glen Forrest, Gooseberry Hill, Helena Valley, Hovea, Kalamunda, Lesmurdie, Mundaring, Parkerville, Roleystone, Sawyers Valley, Swan View, Stoneville, Mundijong and beyond. We draw people from the City of Armadale, the Shire of Kalamunda, the Shire of Mundaring, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Swan in particular, but not exclusively. We have members who travel to our monthly meetings from as far away as Toodyay, Kulin, Wandering, East Fremantle, Joondalup and Yanchep. All are welcome.
Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held the second Friday of the month (except January) starting at 7:30 pm. Please arrive for 7.15pm. Note that the June 14th date has been moved to June 21st due to venue unavailability.
Our monthly meetings are held in Kalamunda the Kalamunda Community Centre in Jorgenson Park.
Our excursions or workshops are held throughout the Perth Hills and beyond on Fridays or weekends.
All ages and families and visitors are welcome: from age 6 yrs to 96 and beyond.
Tea/coffee, biscuits and home-made cake provided after the meeting (including gluten free options). Plus there is an opportunity to win a door prize at each meeting for both visitors and members alike.
A donation towards the running of the club is invited from members of $3.00 and from visitors of $5.00 (children free). In some instances a minimum of a gold coin donation is encouraged from visitors for excursions. These are usually free for members. Longer excursions members pay for accommodation and activities where a fee is charged.
Meeting and excursion details are posted monthly in The Naturalist News, in a special bulletin to members, on our Facebook page and on this website in the Event Calendar.
Visitors are welcome at any meetings or excursions for a maximum of three times, following which they are asked to join the club.
Darling Range Branch Committee 2023-24
- Chairperson: Arlene Quinn
- Minutes Secretary: Vacant ( Natasha Porter)
- Deputy Chairperson: Shelley Campbell
- Treasurer: Bradley Cox
- Excursions Co-ordinator: Vacant
- Social media and marketing co-ordinator: Vacant
- Speaker co-ordinator: Bradley Cox
- General Members: Eric McCrum
- All DRB public enquiries please send to: DRBspeakers@wanaturalists.org.au