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July 2010 |
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Carmel and Brendan would like to thank
their family and friends and all their customers who have supported
them during the recent stressful periods - while Skytrek was closed
due to negotiations with the Conservation Reserve (and still an
ongoing commitment) and after Brendan's heart attack.
Good rains have continued with
recordings of over 11 inches (275mm) up to now. The Flinders
Ranges should be a spectacular site this spring.
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March 2010 |
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It's ironic that 6 months ago we were
battling dust storms and lack of water, but up to now we have had 5"
of rain - all the tanks, dams and springs are full and after 8 or 9
years we have summer grasses making the countryside look
spectacular. There was also quite a lot of flood damage done to the
road through the gorge on Willow Springs but that has been rectified.
We are anticipating another great year
and look forward to sharing this land with many visitors.
As our business is growing we feel the
need for support and we are trialing, from end March, our first 'Grey
Nomads' as staff.
We have enjoyed time with our
grandchildren - Caleb and Maddison, over the summer months while it
was quieter and are looking forward to the arrival of our 3rd
grandchild in August this year (trouble is our daughter lives at Cooya
Beach).
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November 7 2009 |
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Congratulations to our
second daughter, Naomi who today married Tim Arthurson at Newell Beach
in Qld and then celebrated (with the many family and friends who
travelled to join them) at Sea Temple Golf and Country Club Port
Douglas. Naomi and Tim live at Cooya Beach. |
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August 22 2009
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Brendan and Carmel
Reynolds have taken a bold new approach to "Station" signage in the
commissioning of an "entrance sculpture/gateway" to their tourist
operation at Willow Springs, accommodation and 4WD track "Skytrek".
George Aldridge, South Australian
artist was commissioned to design, source local material, fabricate and
install a sculptured "signpost" for Willow Springs. The completed
artwork, unveiled on this day has attracted much interest from visitors
to the region and we believe will become an iconic symbol of this
landscape and its relationship with the wedge-tailed eagle "WILDU" and
secondly to introduce sculpture/artworks as an integral part of the
Flinders Ranges tourism identity and an exciting new dynamic in the
regions tourism experience.
George’s Wing is testimony to the magic
of eagles and their ability to inspire us.
The Wing in the Willow is an
imposing gateway to a fantastic experience on Willow Springs Station,
which has become a Flinders Ranges ‘Must-Do’. It shows us how powerfully
art and tourism can work together to capture the essence of our
landscape, its spirit and the authentic experiences we can offer our
visitors. |
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February 2009 |
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Funding was received
under the 2008/2009 Tourism Development Fund to upgrade ‘The
Homestead’ originally known as ‘The Manager’s Residence’. A new
kitchen and inside bathroom are a couple of the alterations made which
make this home more serviceable and comfortable for our visitors.
A Camp Kitchen has also been built for the
convenience of our campers. |
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August 16 2008 |
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On 16th August 2008 Environment
Minister, Jay Wetherill launched the ‘Gecko Fire Logs’ for Flinders
Management Services. Carmel and Brendan Reynolds are partners in this
business with Bill and Jane McIntosh from Gum Creek Station near Blinman.
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Open
Gecko Fire logs PDF file (2.6mb) |
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During the summer break of 2008/2009 an
upgrade (including new kitchen and inside bathroom) will happen to the
former Manager’s Residence now known as The Homestead.
A Camp Kitchen will be built for the
comfort and convenience of campers. |
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March 7 2008 |
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We have pleasure in announcing the
engagement of our second daughter Naomi to Tim Arthurson of Cooya Beach
Qld. Tim surprised Naomi by taking her to Stokes Hill
Lookout (a place that all our guests are encouraged to visit)
for sunset with a bottle of red and nibbles and in a
romantic style and atmosphere presented her with an engagement ring. The
wedding is planned for Dec 2009. |
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September 2007 |
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The Reynolds Family would like to
congratulate 4 couples who have just stayed in our Manager’s Residence
on celebrating their 52nd Wedding Anniversaries. (208 years
of wedded bliss in paradise!). They took part in each others weddings.
Congratulations Carlene & Neville Schulz of Karoonda, Helen & Tom Hogan
of Murray Bridge, Don & Val Carmichael of Maitland and Nathalie & Dene
Polkinghorne of Maitland. Thank you all for choosing Willow Springs to
help you celebrate. Best Wishes for the future. |
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August 2007 |
- We are proud to be part of the new "Flinders By Bike" Mountain
Bike Trail now established. Flinders By Bike trail follows a 200km
circuit from Rawnsley Park Station, Willow Springs Station, Gum Creek
Station near Blinman in the North and returns to Rawnsley Park via
Mawson Trail and Wilpena. Modeled on New Zealand’s Banks Peninsula
Track, the trail will link parts of the Mawson Trail with an existing
network of old pastoral trails on each property.
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- Thanks to the assistance of University Students and Conservation
Volunteers Australia we now have 3 marked walking trails on our
property.
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Yacca Lookout Trail – ‘Living in
the Outback’ Experience life in the
Outback. This 4.4km return trail walks you through various practices
such as solar energy, natures ecosystem and fantastic views of the
Station. |
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Reedy Creek Trail – ‘Nature’s
Corridor’ Wonder at the natural beauty
of the Flinders Ranges. This 8km return trail passes through different
vegetation communities, aboriginal petroglyphs, vital water springs and
spectacular scenery |
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Combined Interpretative Loop Trail
Combine the above 2 walks for a 12km one way walk. |
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Stokes Hill Lookout Trail
An alternative 5.5km one way walk to experience the
fantastic views from such a great advantage point. |
- We have had a visit from WA Hyfield Jaloran
Stud Master with the new WA sales rep along with SA rep
- Filled in all the old wells on the property
for Public Liability purposes.
- Major culls of stock have been carried out
and we have started on a precision breeding program
- Watch for articles in October issue of
Australian Geographic and mid September BMW Magazine New Zealand. See
page 2 of the latest SA Flinders Ranges and Outback Guide for a
fantastic view of the scenery on Mt Caernarvon and on Page 81the
Outback Jackaroo - our son, Christopher.
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November 2006 |
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South Australian Tourism Award
Skytrek Willow Springs Station is a proud
Silver Medal recipient in the 2006 SA Tourism Awards in the "Adventure
Tourism" category.
The SA Tourism Awards are presented
annually to recognise and promote excellence in the tourism industry.
Silver medals are presented to entries of a high standard. |
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| April 2006 |
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Shearer's Quarters renovations completed
The 1940’s and 1960’s buildings are now
renovated to accommodate up to 32 persons following 12 weeks of
intensive work by builders, electricians and painters.
For those having stayed at the
Shearer’s Quarters before the two buildings are now joined together and
have 11 bedrooms, 6 showers, a laundry, an extended kitchen and a new
common room that opens out onto a decked pergola. These buildings are a
wonderful place for families, specialty groups, schools, colleges or
just a group of friends to base themselves to visit the spectacular
Flinders Ranges or simply to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings
of Willow Springs Station.
Our grateful thanks to South Australian
Tourism Commission for their Tourism Development Grant that supported
this project. |
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July 2005 |
- Willow Springs has been successful
in receiving funding through SA Tourism Development Fund to upgrade
their Shearers Quarters to accommodate larger groups. This work
will hopefully commence in November this year.
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Wood Supply in the Flinders
Ranges
- Are you burning their homes to warm
yours?
- Evidence suggests that at least 20
bird species are threatened by firewood collection and other species
are affected by the removal of dead wood, including mammals, reptiles,
invertebrates and amphibians.
- Firewood collection impacts on soil
by removing the nutrients that keep it healthy - many species of
invertebrates and fungi live on dead wood and help turn it into these
nutrients.
Willow Springs discourages the
collection of wood and has bags of wood for sale at $10 per bag. This
is a fundraiser for the local Area School.
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30 May - 3 June 2005 |
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Shearing at Willow
Springs gave these shearers, including 2 who were Blade Shearing,
the opportunity to practice, acclimatize and meet the locals. They
found that shearing merinos is very different from Welsh crossbred,
which only carry a third as much wool on the same size sheep. The
Welsh wool is very coarse so they were very impressed with the
softer, finer wool.
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April 2005 |
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Deepest Sympathy to Tim Creasy and
family, regular customers to the Overseer's Cottage, on the recent
death of his father, Max. This family are great lovers of the
Flinders Ranges.
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July 2004
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Completion of "Campsite and Amenities Block" project funded by South
Australian Tourism Development Fund
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Congratulations to Elizabeth and Ian Moody from Maitland who were
married at Willow Springs on 8 May 2004. The ceremony was held at The
Spring and the reception held in the woolshed. All catering was
capably provided by members of the Hawker Community
Sports Centre catering staff and helpers.
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Best wishes to Callum and his new wife for the future. Callum
celebrated his "buck's party" at Willow Springs on the May long
weekend. Two of the guests arrived by helicopter.
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50
years celebration! Congratulations to Rick Burge of Gawler who
celebrated with guests at Willow Springs.
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Solar pump for domestic water complements solar power at Willow
Springs
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