South Gippsland Research Articles

Platinum-group-element minerals (‘osmiridium’) from Waratah Bay, Victoria, Australia, and a review of other reported Victorian occurrences

Minerals consisting of the platinum-group elements iridium, osmium and ruthenium (IPGE) are widely dispersed in alluvial deposits derived from ultramafic igneous complexes originating in ophiolite belts. Rock types, such as cumulate dunite–pyroxenite–harzburgite, and their serpentinite derivatives are especially fertile sources of IPGE minerals, which are colloquially termed ‘osmiridium’. IPGE minerals have been recorded from five localities in Victoria—beach sands at Waratah Bay, and stream concentrates from Turtons Creek, Stockyard Creek and Horseshoe Creek in South Gippsland. A grain of IPGE was recently found in a gully near the Dolodrook River further north. These occurrences are all poorly documented by comparison with the northwest Tasmanian deposits, and only Waratah Bay has provided enough material to enable full characterisation. Microprobe data show that all four minerals currently defined in the Os–Ru–Ir system occur at Waratah Bay, including rutheniridosmine. Gold and chromite are also present in the alluvial samples from Waratah Bay and Turtons Creek. Attempts to correlate compositions of alluvial chromite with those from likely proximal serpentinite source rocks proved to be inconclusive due mainly to inadequate representative sampling. However, the chromite compositions are broadly characteristic of those found in the early Paleozoic ultramafic ophiolite complexes in northwestern Tasmania, in which IPGE minerals and chromite are abundant. Regional aeromagnetic trends across Bass Strait suggest that the Victorian IPGE occurrences represent disaggregated and metamorphosed extensions of the Tasmanian sequences.

Employing ‘someone to be your voice’ in an artisanal gastronomic tourism business: Authenticity, cultural capital and human resources

The difficulty of hiring suitable staff in rural areas has been particularly challenging for small gastronomic family businesses involved in tourism. Their human resources needs may include the ability of employees to tell stories about the business, including the family history, and to assist in maintaining its authentic image for visitors. This article explores the experiences of artisanal food or beverage tourism businesses with respect to employment of staff and draws on qualitative data from case studies of South Gippsland, Victoria in Australia and the UK’s Peak District. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders. Findings suggest that familiness played an important role in the way that many of these artisanal gastronomic businesses made their decisions to employ staff, linked to issues of authenticity and cultural capital. While employing non-family members to interact with visitors in public-facing roles was generally not a preferred option, these businesses may need to train and empower non-family staff to tell the family story in a convincing and acceptable way or pursue collaborations with other artisanal businesses to overcome the problem of staff shortages.

Fossil marsh beetle larvae (Scirtidae: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Koonwarra Fossil Bed of Victoria, Australia

The well-preserved fossils of larval Scirtidae (Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous (middle to upper Aptian) Koonwarra Fossil Bed of South Gippsland in Victoria, Australia, were examined and compared with larvae of modern species. The discernible diagnostic features of the fossils conform to the extant genus Nektriscyphon. This is the earliest known evidence for scirtids in the fossil record, and suggests that little morphological change has taken place in these still water-dwelling (lentic) larvae over the last ca 120 million years. Key character states of the fossil Nektriscyphon are compared and the palaeoecological implications discussed. Chris H. S. Watts [chrisw@samuseum.sa.au] and Howard Hamon [howard@hamon.id.au], Entomology Section, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia.

Effect of Dimension Variables on the Behaviour of Slopes Stabilised by an Integrated Method Combining Gabion-Faced Geogrid-Reinforced Retaining Wall with Embedded Piles

Severe slope instability exists in the area of South Gippsland in Victoria state located in south-east Australia. An integrated slope-stabilisation method, which includes a pile-retaining structure installed at toe of the gabion-faced geogrid-reinforced retaining wall, has widely been used in this district. A continuous steel rail wall embedded in the concrete pile then provides lateral support to the retaining wall. The effectiveness of the integrated method is first illustrated by comparing the slope stability evaluated by strength reduction method and behaviours of the slope obtained by elastoplastic analysis. A series of parametric studies are then performed to investigate effects of facing inclinations, embedded geogrid length, and vertical spacing of geogrid layers on the stability and behaviour of the slope and the behaviour of the pile under various uniform surcharge load conditions. The numerical results indicate that additional contribution from piles can increase the stability of the slope up to 42.9%. The dimensional variables of gabion-faced geogrid-reinforced retaining wall also impose significant impact on the behaviour of slopes and piles, and the effect of each variable has also been quantitatively evaluated and qualitatively described. The effect of the geogrid amount on behaviours of slopes and piles has also been investigated through the comparison between two slope configurations with maximum and minimum geogrid amount. The results from the parametric studies can then be used as a design reference for the future applications of this integrated slope-stabilisation method.

Optimisation of a Slope-Stabilisation System Combining Gabion-Faced Geogrid-Reinforced Retaining Wall with Embedded Piles

Slope instability is a common geotechnical issue in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The network of rural roads constructed and maintained by the local authority are greatly affected by the instability. An integrated slope-stabilisation system that combines two well-developed slope stabilisation methods has been used widely in this district. These two methods are gabion-faced geogrid-reinforced retaining wall and pile retaining structures. These two methods are connected by a steel rail that is welded at the top of the piles to buttress the lowest row of the gabion basket wall. In order to reflect the site conditions accurately, a three-dimensional non-linear finite element approach is adopted in this study. The elastic-perfectly plastic constitutive model with the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion is used to describe the behaviour of the soil and the gabion basket. With the assistance of the shear strength reduction technique, the effectiveness of the integrated system is demonstrated through the comparison of the representative indicators of the slope stability among various slope configurations. A series of parametric studies related to the ratio of the embedded length of geogrid to the height of the slope, the ratio of the embedded length of the pile to the thickness of the unstable soil layer, and the ratio of the spacing to the diameter of the pile have also been conducted for the purpose of optimising this slope stabilisation infrastructure. The results from the parametric studies indicate that the optimised and improved integrated infrastructure can stabilise the road and slope economically without the loss of the safety margin.

Option study to remove Mn(2+) by KMnO4 at a water treatment plant

Thermal stratification in reservoirs resuspends manganese (Mn) from the bottom layer to the top layer. When the water from this top layer is taken for the treatment of potable water supply, removal of Mn becomes essential. The Foster Water Treatment Plant (FWTP) situated in South Gippsland, Australia applies KMnO4 to remove Mn. It also uses powdered activated carbon (PAC) remove odour causing compounds such as geosmin and 2-Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB). This study aims to investigate an optimal KMnO4 dosing strategy including (i) optimizing the dosage of KMnO4, (ii) dosing order of PAC and soda ash/KMnO4 and (iii) the retention time required for the oxidation of Mn(2+) by KMnO4 and for the adsorption by PAC. The results showed that (a) the removal rate of [Mn(2+)+Mn(7+)] in the filtered water increased with higher dosage of KMnO4 in both dosing orders; (b) the removal of Mn(2+) neither at the entry point (after adding PAC and KMnO4) nor in the filtered water was impacted significantly by the increase in the dosage of KMnO4 when the dosage was 4 times higher than the concentration of Mn(2+) present in the raw water; (c) for a given KMnO4 dosage, there were no significant changes in the removal of [Mn(2+)+Mn(7+)] and Mn(2+) at the entry point and in the filtered water when the retention times ranged from 5 to 15 min in both order of dosing; (d) for a given KMnO4 dosage, Order 1 had higher removal of total Mn compared to that of Order 2 (Order 1 is the addition of PAC before adding soda ash to increase the alkalinity and then adding KMnO4 and Order 2 is the addition of soda ash and KMnO4 before adding PAC); (e) higher removal of [Mn(2+)+Mn(7+)] was obtained in Order 2 compared to that of Order 1 for a given dosage of KMnO4; (f) for the Mn(2+), the removal did not change with the order of dosing of KMnO4 and PAC. It could be concluded that dosing KMnO4 with four times the concentration of Mn(2+) present in raw water and providing 10 min retention time for the oxidation can be a suitable dosing strategy in FWTP and dosing order has no impact on achieving the Mn removal required.

Clinical findings from 218 downer cow cases in dairy cows from Gippsland, Australia

218 downer dairy cow cases under commercial farming operations in South Gippsland, Australia were investigated. The likely cause of the initial recumbency, evidence of secondary damage and the conditions under which they were cared for were recorded to analyse the relationships between primary cause, secondary damage, nursing care and outcome. 69 (32%) cows eventually recovered and of the 149 (68%) cows that did not recover it was judged by the researcher that 108 (72%) cows did not recover solely from the secondary damage that they sustained after becoming recumbent. ‘Clinically important’ secondary damage was recorded in 173 (79%) cows, which increased the risk of non-recovery by approximately three times (RR=3.33; 95% CI 2.36–4.68). 151 (69%) cows had been nursed ‘satisfactorily’ and 67 (31%) cows were nursed ‘unsatisfactorily’. The relative risk of developing clinically important secondary damage for cows nursed ‘unsatisfactorily’ was 1.23 (95% CI 1.09-1.38) and for non-recovery was approximately sevenfold greater (RR=7.21; 95% CI 2.74–18.98) when compared with those cows nursed ‘satisfactorily’. When veterinarians attend downer cows it is important that they carefully look for secondary damage and actively engage in the cow's nursing care rather than just focusing on the primary cause of the recumbency.

Clinical findings from 104 cases of calving paralysis in dairy cows from Gippsland, Australia

ABSTRACTCase History: Dairy cows recumbent following calving on farms in South Gippsland, Australia were examined during two 3-month seasonal calving periods in 2011 and 2012 as part of a larger study of 218 recumbent cows. A cohort of 104 cows diagnosed with calving paralysis following dystocia was derived from the larger group, which were examined with 3 days of becoming recumbent. A thorough medical and musculoskeletal clinical examination was performed on each cow including flexor-withdrawal and patellar reflex tests, and postural assessment in the lifted position, unless the facilities were not available. Cows were diagnosed with one or more neurological syndromes: sciatic, tibial paresis, obturator or femoral, based on clinical findings consistent with damage to these peripheral nerves or their nerve roots.Clinical Findings: Evidence of sciatic syndrome was found in 100/104 (96.2%) cows and 146/172 (84.9%) affected hind limbs either as the sole neuropathy or in combination with tibial paresis, obturator or femoral syndromes. Pelvic damage was also present in 3/104 (2.8%) cows. Obturator syndrome was diagnosed in 30/104 (29%) cows and 45/172 (26.2%) affected hind limbs but not apparently as the sole reason for the recumbency. Femoral syndrome occurred in 16/104 (15.4%) cows and 21/172 (12.2%) affected hind limbs and was the only syndrome recorded in one cow.Clinical Relevance: Sciatic syndrome was the most common neurological syndrome observed in cows with calving paralysis. The other major nerves arising from the lumbo-sacral plexus were also affected and the various syndromes associated with damage to these nerves or their ventral nerve roots occurred in many combinations. Calving paralysis should be thought of as a paresis or paralysis resulting from damage to the ventral nerve roots of the lumbo-sacral plexus as any of the nerves originating from this plexus can be damaged during dystocia either individually or in combination with other nerves from the plexus.

Managing seasonality in rural destinations: a case study of South Gippsland – Australia

ABSTRACTSeasonality, a distinctive feature of the tourism and hospitality industry, refers to the temporal imbalance in tourism demand at a destination. In order to address this issue, the tourism literature often suggests that tourism operators cooperate with each other to create marketing synergies, and that destinations should develop a variety of products and services to cater for different market segments. However, there are limited studies that examine the practicality of these suggestions in the context of small and medium businesses in rural areas. This study addresses this gap via an investigation of the phenomenon of seasonality and its implications for rural tourism destinations. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 16 local tourism operators and stakeholders in South Gippsland (Victoria, Australia). A key finding revealed in this study is that tourism operators’ views towards seasonality and their own mitigation efforts are not necessarily synonymous; hence, this paper speaks to the challenges rural tourism destinations encounter when attempting to take a collective and collaborative approach to seasonality. The paper concludes with recommendations for rural tourism organisations to assist small and medium operators to manage and mitigate the impacts of seasonality.

Genetic structure and diversity of the koala population in South Gippsland, Victoria: a remnant population of high conservation significance

In the Australian state of Victoria, the history of koalas and their management has resulted in the homogenisation and reduction of genetic diversity in many contemporary populations. Decreased genetic diversity may reduce a species’ ability to adapt to future environmental pressures such as climate change or disease. The South Gippsland koala population is considered to be unique in Victoria, as it is believed to be a remnant population, not originating from managed populations that have low genetic variation. This study investigated genetic structure and diversity of koalas in South Gippsland, with comparison to other populations in Victoria (French Island/Cape Otway, FI and Raymond Island, RI), New South Wales and south east Queensland. Population analyses were undertaken using both microsatellite genotype and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Non-invasive sampling of koala scats was used to source koala DNA, allowing 222 South Gippsland koalas to be genotyped. Using nuclear data the South Gippsland koala population was found to be significantly differentiated (Djost 95% CI SG–RI = 0.03–0.06 and SG–FI = 0.08–012) and more diverse (AR 95% CI SG = 4.7–5.6, RI = 3.1–3.3, FI = 3.0–3.3; p = 0.001) than other Victorian koala populations, supporting the premise that koalas in the South Gippsland region are part of a remnant population, not derived from translocated island stock. These results were also supported by mitochondrial data where eight haplotypes (Pc4, Pc17, Pc26, Pc27, and Pc56–Pc59) were identified in South Gippsland while a single haplotype (Pc27) was found in all island koalas tested. Compared to other Victorian koala populations, greater genetic diversity found in South Gippsland koalas, may provide this population with a greater chance of survival in the face of future environmental pressures. The South Gippsland koala population is, therefore, of high conservation significance, warranting the implementation of strategies to conserve this population and its diversity into the future.

Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance

Context Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent. Aims This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. Methods C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes. Key results C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. Conclusions In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population. Implications Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.

Landscape, koalas and people: A historical account of koala populations and their environment in South Gippsland

ABSTRACT We present an ecological history of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population and its environment in South Gippsland, Victoria, both pre- and post- European settlement. We consider the...

Reappraisal of Mesozoic fishes and associated invertebrates and flora from Talbragar and Koonwarra, eastern Australia

Eastern Australia has two major Mesozoic fossil localities. The Talbragar Fish Bed in central west New South Wales contains an assemblage of Upper Jurassic fishes, plants and insects. The Koonwarra Fossil Bed, in South Gippsland, Victoria, has an assemblage of Lower Cretaceous fishes, plants and insects. The geological settings of these localities are described. Each locality has a common genus of fish that was originally described as Leptolepis. The names of both these fish have been changed, the Talbragar one to Cavenderichthys talbragarensis and the Koonwarra one to Waldmanichthys koonwarri. Both of these fish have been placed into the Family Luisiellidae, together with a Patagonian fish, Luisiella feruglioi. Each locality also has a member of the family Archaeomenidae: Archaeomene tenuis from Talbragar and Wadeichthys oxyops from Koonwarra. The relationships of these and other fish have been discussed by various authors over the last 20 years and a summary of these comments is presented, as well as a brief comparison between the plants of both localities. The localities of Talbragar, Koonwarra and the Argentinian fishes during the Mesozoic appear to have similar palaeo-environmental settings, which may explain the similarities in the assemblages. The Australian localities contain well-preserved specimens which shed light on the diversity and extent of fishes in southern Gondwana, a region otherwise poorly represented in the fossil record.

Obituary: Anthony William English.

The Editors would like to draw the reader's attention to the errors in the following article: The first sentence of the second paragraph should read ‘After marrying in 1966, Tony spent 1 year with his wife Shelley in veterinary practice in Kingaroy before they moved to South Gippsland, Victoria where he joined Korumburra Veterinary Practice.’ 9 The Editors apologise for this error and any confusion it may have caused.

Community gardening and health-related benefits for a rural Victorian town

Community gardens are growing in popularity as a strategy to effectively deal with population health at a local level. There is a need to gather information about the health-related benefits of community gardens for people living in a rural locale. This paper discusses the health-related benefits of rural community gardens. We adopted a qualitative approach to examine these issues. Ten participants, eight females and two males, aged between 50 and 82, who have participated in a community garden located in South Gippsland, Victoria, for a minimum of 12 months, took part in this study. Semi-structured interviews that lasted between 30 and 60 min were conducted to explore the perspectives and lived experiences of the participants. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. We situate our discussion in this paper within the therapeutic landscape theory. Findings indicate that there is a range of health-related benefits associated with participation in rural community gardens, including physical, nutritional, social and psychological. Despite these benefits, the participants wished to see some improvements that could attract more people in rural areas to participate in community gardens. Given the paucity of research available regarding rural community gardens, future research should continue to develop an understanding of these rural sites, especially given the ever-growing popularity of community gardens Australia-wide.

High-quality care improves outcome in recumbent dairy cattle.

To investigate the influence of the quality of care on outcome and occurrence of secondary damage in recumbent dairy cows. Recumbent dairy cows were monitored during their recumbency under field conditions in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The cause of the original recumbency of 218 downer cows was determined and any secondary damage, day 7 status, final outcome and the nursing conditions of the cows were recorded. A four-tiered grading system describing nursing quality was developed to allow analysis of its influence on outcome and on the occurrence of secondary damage. Day 7 outcome, final outcome and occurrence of important secondary damage were very strongly associated with the level of overall care provided to the recumbent cows. There was a decrease in the percentage of cows recovering by day 7 from 33% to 0%, a decrease from 45% to 0% of cows eventually recovering and an increase from 68% to 100% of cows with clinically important secondary damage as overall care decreased. Management of recumbent cattle is potentially a significant animal welfare issue for the dairy industry and their care is a very important but often under-appreciated aspect of their management. Recovery is positively influenced by high-quality care by improving the chances of recovery from the initial cause of recumbency and by reducing the occurrence of secondary damage. Recumbent cows must either be nursed at a high level of care or euthanased promptly.

Importance of secondary damage in downer cows.

To investigate the relative importance in downer cows of the primary cause of recumbency in comparison with secondary complications. Downer dairy cows were monitored during their recumbency under field conditions in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The cause of the original recumbency of the 218 cows was determined and secondary damage, status on day 7 and final outcome were recorded. Some type of secondary damage was found in 183/218 (84%) cows, of which 173/218 (79%) had damage deemed to be clinically important. By day 7, 52 (24%) had recovered and 69 (32%) eventually recovered. Of the 149 (68%) cows that were euthanased or died, 23 (15%) were deemed to have been lost solely from the primary cause, 107 (72%) from secondary damage and 19 (13%) from a combination of both. There was no difference in recovery among the five broad groups of causes of primary recumbency. Secondary damage was very common and presented in a large variety of ways, with many cows having multiple types of secondary damage concurrently. For most cows the secondary damage was more important than the initial primary damage in determining their fate.

Organic geochemistry of a high-latitude Lower Cretaceous lacustrine sediment sample from the Koonwarra Fossil Beds, South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

The Koonwarra Fossil Beds are widely recognized for their high-fidelity preservation of freshwater/terrestrial vertebrate and invertebrate fossils. A preliminary investigation suggests that organic biomarkers are also exceptionally well preserved and could contribute significantly to understanding the ecology of this ancient lake system. Solvent-extractable organic matter was collected from a single feldspathic siltstone/mudstone sample and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The distribution of n-alkanes suggests a significant input of terrestrial plant material into the lake. The very low ratio of eukaryotic steranes to bacterial hopanes may reflect the decomposition of abundant plant material in the lake. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may record wildfire activity in the surrounding watershed.

Taxonomy and redescription of the swamp Antechinus, Antechinus minimus (E. Geoffroy) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)

We provide a taxonomic redescription of the dasyurid marsupial Swamp Antechinus, Antechinus minimus (Geoffroy, 1803). In the past, A. minimus has been classified as two subspecies: the nominate A. minimus minimus (Geoffroy, 1803), which is found throughout much of Tasmania (including southern Bass Strait islands) and A. minimus maritimus (Finlayson, 1958), which is found on mainland Australia (as well as some near-coastal islands) and is patchily distributed in mostly coastal areas between South Gippsland (Victoria) and Robe (South Australia). Based on an assessment of morphology and DNA, we conclude that A. minimus is both distinctly different from all extant congeners and that the two existing subspecies of Swamp Antechinus are appropriately taxonomically characterised. In our genetic phylogenies, the Swamp Antechinus was monophyletic with respect to all 14 known extant congeners; moreover, A. minimus was well-positioned in a large clade, together with all four species in the Dusky Antechinus complex, to the exclusion of all other antechinus. Within A. minimus, between subspecies there were subtle morphological differences (A. m. maritimus skulls tend to be broader, with larger molar teeth, than A. m. minimus, but these differences were not significant); there was distinct, but only moderately deep genetic differences (3.9–4.5% at mtDNA) between A. minimus subspecies. Comparatively, across Bass Strait, the two subspecies of A. minimus are morphologically and genetically markedly less divergent than recently recognised species pairs within the Dusky Antechinus complex, found in Victoria (A. mimetes) and Tasmania (A. swainsonii) (9.4–11.6% divergent at mtDNA)

Tenement controls in the Shire of Yarra Ranges: an assessment of the performance of a land use policy instrument

Whilst a number of statutory instruments have been designed by policy makers to address the problem of unplanned residential development in rural or environmentally sensitive areas, little academic research has been conducted on their performance within the Australian context. One such instrument is the tenement control. Tenement controls were historically used in rural and peri-urban areas of Victoria to minimise development in inappropriately subdivided areas; however, they are now only significantly used within the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Recently, there has been resurgence in interest in the control, as evidenced through its recent inclusion in the South Gippsland Planning Scheme (South Gippsland Shire Council 2010), and as a proposed means of limiting settlement in areas of high bush-fire risk during the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (Teague 2010, 227–228). This paper provides an empirical assessment of the performance of the tenement control in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. A major finding is that the design of the control makes administration and implementation extremely difficult and that it is inequitable in its impact upon individual landowners. It is concluded that these flaws make tenement controls ineffective as anything but a short-term ‘holding’ mechanism, pending the development of more detailed strategies.