Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration¦Darling Range Branch

DRBNats,10 May 2024

Current and past members of the Darling Range Branch and guests gathered at the Kalamunda Community Centre on Friday, 10 May, to celebrate the branch’s 50th anniversary since its founding in 1974 and the 90th birthday of co-founder Eric McCrum OAM. It was a jovial atmosphere as young and old, some who had not seen each other for many years, chatted before the formal proceedings began.

First was a presentation to Eric McCrum for 50 years of service to the community by Shire of Mundaring Councilor Karen Beale, which was followed by some words of appreciation by young naturalist Andrew Wallace, and the singing of Happy Birthday to Eric. Eric accepted his presents and gave a short speech about his life & his time with Darling Range Branch (DRB). All audience members who have served the club or branch were acknowledged from the floor.

Next were short presentations on DRB memories by current and former committee members. Past Branch Presidents Rachel and Mike Green highlighted how they were introduced to the DRB Nats. When Eric invited them to a camp at Dryandra Woodland in 1977, they met Eric and Phil Gray at a TAFE course Eric was running called “Enjoy the Australian Bush” and have remained DRB members ever since. Mike spoke of other DRB excursions they’ve attended, including trips to Bimbiji and Kulin, and showed photographs of beautiful wildflowers there. Mike demonstrated that he is now passing on his knowledge of the Australian bush to other newcomers. They congratulated Eric on his 90th birthday and thanked him for his hugely positive influence on their lives.

Mike Griffiths shared that DRB was a big part of his childhood, starting from the first meeting that his father, Kevin and good friend Eric McCrum held at the drafty Old Weir Hall. He shared he was one of several youngsters who regularly attended, often playing games outside for the “boring” parts of the meetings. He had paid attention to talks by some of the “greats”, like Harry Butler, Dr Stephen Davies and mycologist Roger Hilton. They had wonderful excursions to a huge variety of bush areas across the Perth Hills and well beyond, including wetlands, islands and beaches. Camping trips took them further afield to more fascinating bush areas, with some of his favourite memories being campfire nights at Mt Jackson and Bonnie Rock. Like others on the night, there were vivid memories of wildlife shows. Mike’s favourite was the 1976 show at Mundaring Oval, with members putting on a huge and diverse display to entertain the locals; he summarised what many of us shared in common that night. That of being introduced to many of WA’s most interesting natural areas, developing our interest in nature and meeting many wonderful people.

Acknowledgements to Eric continued throughout the night, with Eddie Dell giving a great account of the work he and Joy had achieved. Shelley Campbell covered her experiences of camps in the 1980s, followed by an extensive slide show of many former and current members looking much younger.

Arlene Quinn, in addition to describing the many achievements DRB has made in the last 50 years, read reminiscences from Past President Diana Papenfus, who wrote, “The club has given me opportunities to learn, to experience, and to interact with people who are intensely connected to the natural world around us.”

After watching a slide presentation of DRB events over the years, the crowd enjoyed chatting, remembering absent friends, viewing the memorabilia table and eating the delicious celebration cake, which had been ceremonially cut by Eric McCrum and Peg Griffiths. All had a good night.

Co-written by the Speaker and Chair, Arlene Quinn