By Kath Gannaway
FOR lovers of local history, and lovers of the bush, Wanderslore Sanctuary at Launching Place has plenty to offer.
On Sunday, 22 October, Wanderslore will be open to the public, its once a year opportunity to reveal the little-known treasure to the world.
The historic 1920s subdivision was saved from development, and from a planned highway, by teacher and artist Constance Coleman.
Miss Coleman inherited a block in the bushland subdivision behind the Home Hotel and over time bought up adjoining blocks, 22 in all, to create a haven for native birds, animals and plants.
As senior mistress at Lilydale High for 25 years, she lived in the cottage that her father William Rowland Coleman built as a holiday house from which to enjoy his fishing expeditions, and painted in her studio, a former railway building.
Miss Coleman gifted the property to Trust for Nature and it is curated by a Trust for Nature committee of management and Friends of Wanderslore who have over the past three decades worked on clearing the bush of weeds and returning it to natural bushland.
The rare patch of bush is very much a hidden treasure with the landscape varying from the drier ridge to the damp, lush fern gullies and, particularly at this time of year, vibrant green mosses.
Ground orchids and other wildflowers come out in spring including spectacular displays of pink heath, the Victorian floral emblem.
There are almost 100 bird species in the reserve along with wallabies, wombats, possums and native rats.
The once a year open day provides an opportunity for locals and visitors to discover, or rediscover, the remarkable remnant of bushland that gives an insight into what much of Launching Place might have been like for the early settlers.
The Friends put on a sausage sizzle and refreshments, there will be a raffle, guided and self-guided walks and an exhibition of artworks by local artists.
Wanderslore, at 2180 Warburton Highway, Launching Place (between the general store and the hotel) will be open from 10am to 4pm.
Phone 5964 5095 for further information or visit vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/yarraranges.
