An Eastern Pygmy Possum in an installed possum tube (Photo: Andrew Lothian)
Story by Tracie McMahon
The Black Summer bushfires were devastating in Lithgow. Where once there was birdsong and rustling eucalypts there was silence and sticks. Many asked, “What can we do to help?” Lithgow Environment Group was listening, and together with Lithgow Area Women’s Shed, they did something: they created habitat for endangered Eastern Pygmy Possums.
Key Points:
The Black Summer bushfire devastated nesting habitat in Lithgow and surrounds, impacting the future survival of species such as the endangered Eastern Pygmy Possum.
The destruction also left a shadow with many in the community feeling helpless and overwhelmed.
Community action which began in response to a desire to ‘do something’ has created other benefits: fostering connections, healing locals, providing homes for Eastern Pygmy Possums and educating the wider community.
In the summer of 2019/20, Leanne Hopkins and her family watched in horror as the mountains surrounding Lithgow were engulfed in flames. When the ground cooled, they surveyed the damage. All that remained on the once-forested mountains were thin sticks and charcoal. The chatter and shuffle of wildlife was replaced with absolute silence.
Leanne says, “It was overwhelming. I understood what people meant when they said, ‘climate anxiety’. There was no life: I felt like I was in Z for Zachariah,” a novel and film in which a woman believes she is the last known survivor of a nuclear apocalypse.
She felt she had to ‘do something’. She and her daughters, Catherine and Nikita, began taking food and water for native animals to the outskirts of Lithgow.
Leanne and her family were not alone. Julie Favell, Project Officer with Lithgow Environment Group, says they were fielding calls from everywhere. Everyone was asking what they could do.
Eastern Pygmy Possums (Photos: Andrew Lothian)
Julie contacted Hugh Evans from Local Land Services, who suggested creating artificial tree hollows. The fires had devastated the forest surrounding Lithgow and with it, the natural tree hollows vital for nesting marsupials and birds. Julie was aware of Andrew Lothian’s work monitoring native fauna on the Newnes Plateau and gave him a call.
Andrew and his company Biodiversity Monitoring Services had installed artificial nesting hollows or ‘possum tubes’ prior to the 2013 State Mine Gully fire to support the endangered Eastern Pygmy Possum. The tubes were destroyed by the 2013 fire, replaced and had been wiped out again.
Andrew’s surveys immediately after the 2019/20 fire had found two live Pygmy Possums, as well as evidence of Sugar and Greater Gliders in the area, providing a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, house mice had also begun invading the bushland and were now competing for scarce resources. There was a desperate need for replacement habitat to provide a safe place for the marsupials to nest. If Julie could find someone with the time to make the tubes, he would donate his own time to teaching them how.
Making Connections
Aware that many of the phone calls she had taken were from women, Julie approached Lithgow Area Women’s Shed to see if they could help. Leanne and her daughters are members of the Shed. They, and their fellow members, were delighted to get involved. In March 2020, a training and education program began as Julie and Andrew explained the importance of the project and how to make effective possum tubes to entice and protect this beautiful little marsupial for the future.
Andrew Lothian demonstrating how to manufacture a possum tube at the Lithgow Area Women’s Shed as Allyn Jory and Leanne Hopkins look on. (Photo: Lithgow Environment Group Inc.)
Like everything that began in 2020, the possum tube manufacturing plan was disrupted by COVID lockdowns. But the women of the Shed were not deterred. Leanne’s house became one part of a manufacturing base for Eastern Pygmy Possum tubes.
Over the next three months she and her daughters made over fifty tubes, and the production line didn’t stop with them. Local artist and fellow ‘women’s shedder’, Allyn Jory, designed a camouflage stencil to ensure the tubes would not be discovered by predators. The women of the shed organised a manufacturing process involving cutting, assembling, and disguising the tubes. While others binged Netflix, together this small group of women built 100 tiny possum houses : COVID safe and connected to each other.
Left: Leanne showing the materials used to create a snug home inside the tube. Right: A finished tube sits alongside a bee hotel on the shelves at Lithgow Area Women’s Shed (Photo: Tracie McMahon)
In June 2020 Leanne accompanied Andrew and Julie to install fifteen of the tubes on the Newnes Plateau. Leanne says, “it was the best day of the whole COVID lockdown.” The remainder of the tubes were given to Andrew for later installation.
Has it worked?
Eastern Pygmy Possums have two nesting seasons in Autumn and Spring, and it can take several seasons for a population to breed post-fire. Andrew Lothian’s surveys in September and December of 2021 found two young possums, and the 2022-2023 survey sighted ten mostly male young possums.
The gorgeous little pygmy possums are not the only ones who have benefited from this project. Leanne, her daughters, and all those involved felt they were not alone, and could do something.
She says she doesn’t feel so despondent about the future.
“There are things you can do, and things people are doing. Just because you don’t see it on TV, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.” – Leanne Hopkins
Catherine Emblen and Leanne Hopkins outside the Women’s Shed proudly displaying a finished possum tube in May 2023. They were already planning their next project. (Photo: Tracie McMahon)
Spreading the word
As Lithgow Environment Group began publicising the project, Julie began fielding calls from others keen to find out more or get involved. The possum tube project inspired Lawson Public School for their entry in the Gamechangers competition, and was also successful in a funding application under the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage Save our Species program.
In November 2022, the funding allowed for a new group of possum tube manufacturers to install fifteen tubes on the eastern edge of the Gardens of Stone National Park, learning about Lithgow’s diverse and unique environs in the process.
The new tubes were inspected as part of a Lithgow Environment Group nature journalling event in January 2023, and while they did not find pygmy possums, Andrew Lothian indicated the tubes had been used by a yellow-footed antechinus, another tiny native marsupial.
In November 2023, 25 students studying Environmental Science at the Canberra Institute of Technology also came to inspect. The possum tube project is being used as a case study in their course, demonstrating the impacts of bushfire, and potential actions to help and heal.
Students from Canberra Institute of Technology inspecting the Possum Tubes as part of an environmental science field trip led by Lithgow Environment Group Inc. (Photo: Blake Canackle, CIT)
What began as locals connecting to ‘do something’ has created a ripple that benefits not only the Eastern Pygmy Possum, but all those involved. The tubes are inspected regularly by Andrew Lothian and Lithgow Environment Group Inc., and we look forward to hearing more about their inhabitants in the seasons to come.
Take Action:
Plant habitat to assist native species recovery. Banksia, eucalypts and bottlebrush provide nectar which is a key food source for the Eastern Pygmy Possum as well as honeyeaters and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Lithgow & District Community Nursery can provide advice on native planting for fauna in the local area.
Join the Lithgow Area Women’s Shed. The group meet on Thursdays 10-1 pm at the Lithgow Greyhound Track. They offer construction skills and tool-based workshops, connection and community for women. Contact Leanne 0438766891 or Pam 0428633953 or e: lithgowwomensshed2018@gmail.com.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Tracie lives, writes and walks on the unceded lands of the Dharug, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri people. Born in Lithgow, she and her family have spent most of their lives living and working with the people and places of the Lithgow area. Her passions are nature and community, which she pursues through story, art, and volunteering in Lithgow and the Blue Mountains.
The concept of planetary health is rapidly gaining attention globally, as the world increasingly confronts the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health crises. But what does the term 'planetary health' really mean, and why does it matter?
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