Stories from Kosci
Reclaim Kosci represents a diverse group of voices specifically interested in addressing the growing impacts from introduced horses. These are their firsthand stories.
Kiandra Mining Heritage: a personal reflection
Ken Barnett reflects on the connection of his father and grandfather to mining in the Kiandra area, and explores the concept of heritage in Kosciuszko by asking could we mount an argument that mining is our Heritage and that we are entitled to lodge, once again, the claims our grandfathers made?
An ex-ranger’s experience
Having retired from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2014, Ross Constable is free to speak candidly of his experiences with wild horses, and of his conviction that culling the horses will prevent suffering.
A view from the air
Col de Pagter, helicopter pilot, feels that the privilege of flying over the Snowy Mountains brings with it an obligation to report on the increasing effects of wild horses on the Park’s environment. Read his story.
A view from the ACT
Brett McNamara, Manager of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, looks over the border into NSW, and writes of his concerns about the potential effects on the ACT’s water supply, if feral horses cross the border.
Brumby running in the 1970’s
Paul Hardey has ridden horses since he was a boy. As a Kosciuszko National Park ranger he monitored brumby running in the 1970s. Read his views on brumby running, and the effectiveness of re-homing and lethal culling as methods to manage horse numbers today.
A fisherman’s tale
Ian Dunn, a long time member of Friends of Currango, reflects on his memories of the property’s owners and his experiences of trout fishing in clear streams and ‘secret holes’ in the Currango area. Read Ian’s story
A hut’s maintainer’s story
Paul Jennings, a member of the Nordic Ski Club, writes of the changes that increasing horse numbers have brought to the area around Four Mile Hut. The Nordic Ski Club maintains the hut, and its work parties now include the new task of shovelling manure. Read Paul’s story.
Forty years later
Dr Ken Green, a retired National Parks and Wildlife Service principal research scientist, has an intimate acquaintance with the creatures who live in the forest and meadows above Dead Horse Gap. Over forty years, he’s noticed some changes. Read his story.
A biologist’s story
Karen Watson writes from her twenty years experience in alpine research. During some of her research she was a common sight on cross-country skis in the Guthega area, electronically tracking feral cats under the snow pack. She has also worked with Mountain Pygmy Possums and written an unusual poem. Read her story.
Reclaim Kosci represents a broad consortium of individuals and organisations that love Kosciuszko National Park and seek to protect it from the impacts of feral horses.
Reclaim Kosci respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and learn. We pay respect to elders past, present and future, and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land, water and culture.