FGASA, Gauteng and 2011

Jan 2011 - 4 th Edition
FGASA, Gauteng
and 2011
2011 is upon us, the region ended off the year with an informative and
relaxing day at The Kromdraai Gold mine which was enjoyed by all who
attended. We look forward to many more presentations and outings in
2011 to improve our knowledge of the area we live and guide in.
We are starting this year with some great presentations and outings in
the first quarter and look forward to seeing you all there. Please note the
change of venue for our regular Thursday night meetings and Gauteng
AGM to be held on 24 th March 2011. We need your Nominations for
the2011/2012 Regional committee sent in as soon as possible.
To all, we trust that 2011 brings you health, wealth and happiness and
many hours of enjoyable guiding providing your guests with that great
South African quality nature experience that will not be easily forgotten.
Look forward to seeing you all out there.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries,
compliments or complaints. Without your input we cannot go forward
The best for 2011
Brian Colling
Gauteng Regional Chairman
In This Edition
1. FGASA ,Gauteng and
2011
2. Kromdraai Gold Mine
visit December 2010
3. Proposed Palaeo and
Cave guiding course
4. “Birding in Gauteng”
lecture 24 Th Feb 2011
5. Whats happening in
Gauteng
6. FGASA Exam Dates
2011
7. Conserv Anti Rhino
Poaching Volunteers
needed
8. Regional Committee
members – Contact
details

Kerry Slater - December 2010

Birding in Gauteng Presentation -- 24th February 2010
Anthony Paton will be giving a talk on Birding in and around Gauteng and the link between bird atlassing and
photography at 19h00 on Thursday 24 th Feb 2010 at The Rivonia Sports and Recreation club in Achter Road, Paulshof.
A not to be missed presentation, if you are a keen birder and / or bird guide.
Anthony, who is a FGASA 3 SKS Birding Specialist Guide, has submitted the longest single list to the SA Bird Atlassing
Project for Gauteng.
Confirm your place- email Anthony on anthony.paton@gauteng.gov.za or SMS him at 0844668341.
Proposed site guiding courses: Palaeo-anthropology and
Commercial Cave
There have been various requests from guides in Gauteng to do basic site guide qualifications, either in Palaeoanthropology
or in commercial cave guiding, in The Cradle of Humankind.
Dr Kerry Slater (FGASA 3 – Palaeo-anthropolgy) is prepared to organise and run courses over weekends during 2011 in
either or both of these qualifications. If there is sufficient interest from the guides in Gauteng the courses will take place
in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site area.
Those FGASA members who are keen to learn more about The Cradle of Humankind and improve their guiding skills and
qualifications should contact me on brian@collingconsulting.co.za .
NB NB --What’s happening in Gauteng!—NB NB
24 th February 2011 - 19H00 (Thursday evening) –
A not to be missed talk on Birding in Gauteng, presented by Anthony Paton.
Venue : RIVONIA SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB, 7 ACHTER ROAD, PAULSHOF, SANDTON.
Confirm your place now --contact Anthony on anthony.paton@gauteng.gov.za .
24 th March 2011 – 19h00 (Thursday evening) Regional AGM and informal get together, a talk on reptiles by
reptile specialist Jens Reissig of Ultimate Creatures, the way forward for 2011 and nominations and election of
2011/12 Regional committee members. Please forward nominations to brian@collingconsulting.co.za .
Be there to make 2011 a great year for FGASA.
Venue - RIVONIA SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB 7 ACHTER ROAD, PAULSHOF, SANDTON.
PLEASE NOTE NEW VENUE ---SEE ATTACHED MAP FOR DIRECTIONS

FGASA EXAM DATES for 2011
26 th March 2011
2 nd July 2011
1 st October 2011
Remember
FGASA recommends that you become a member a few months before you attempt to write an exam given that you will
need time to obtain the required learning material from the FGASA office and have time to adequately prepare (study) for
the theory examination. It is advised that you go through the workbook ensuring that you complete it while studying for the
theory examination. You will in any case need to hand your completed workbook to your assessor before s/he conducts the
practical assessment with you. So it would be worth your while completing the workbook while you are studying the
learner manual in preparation for the theory examination.
Remember to write an examination you will need to have applied for the examination 1 month before the examination date
(Refer to the exam registration closing dates)
If you choose to write an examination soon after joining as a member it is not the responsibility of the FGASA office if you do
not receive the learning materials by post in time to study for the examination. Thus it is a recommendation by FGASA that
you are a member for at least two months before you write a FGASA National sitting examination.
NEW VENUE FOR REGIONAL MEETINGS
RIVONIA SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB
NO 7 ACHTER ROAD PAULSHOF SANDTON
DIRECTIONS

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Volunteers Needed In the Fight
Against Rhino Poaching Nationally – 2011
Conserv has been collating a Rhino Support Group Volunteers Data Base since beginning 2010. The office renders an
ongoing service to all Private Rhino Owner and National/ Provincial parks registered on our network. Tis includes,
administrating and structuring the Rhino Owners fraternity into workable and practical nodes, communication networks,
training of members, putting in proactive and reaction area action plans and the mobilising of members and surrounding
communities/ support groups in the event of a poaching incident going down.
The natural extension to this is to integrate Volunteers.
Conserv have a solid working relationship with members of SANPARKS, NWCRU, DEA, CAA, Private Security Companies,
APU's and NGO's (EWT/ WRSA/ PROA) amongst other, involved with the protection of our wildlife.
We would like to call on you to assist in the fight against poaching by actually putting in time and energy for the cause,
irrespective of where you are resident. A critical success factor regarding this Initiative is coordination. Our ‘one stop’ 24hr
Control Room and supporting systems carries out this function daily. We are often called to duty as an
'Operational Centre' to coordinate and mobilise support groups in response to rhino poaching (or any environmental crimes)
which will be extended to approved volunteers.
In essence, not withstanding that clear guidelines, terms of reference, protocols, SOP's and good security practices be
followed, we encourage any person who can assist on a voluntary basis both proactively and reactively, to contact our office.
We invite trackers, dog handlers, pilots, rangers, lawyers, vehicular patrollers, field guides, 4x4 and Rescue
clubs etc to SMS their details to (modem) 083 272 9718 preceded by the word ‘Rhino’, to include name, province, closest
town and your area of expertise.
Alternatively visit www.stoprhinopoaching.com . In return we will contact all Volunteers and advise on the way forward.
Please feel free to email the writer at info@conservsecurity.com for more info and/or suggestions. Your help and support in
this regard is appreciated,
Trevor Roberts
Conserv Security
Cradle of Humankind
REGIONAL COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS
Brian Colling
brian@collingconsulting.co.za
Anthony Paton
anthony.paton@gauteng.gov.za
Cornelius Grobbelaar
Cornelius.g@vodamail.co.za
Adrie van der Merwe
adrie@guvon.co.za
Kerry Slater
slatek@unisa.ac.za
Andre van Zyl
andre@africanaturetraining.co.za
As a region what do you want to see happening in 2011???? Let us know
What you would like to do??? CONTACT ONE THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Just a reminder
REMEMBER THE REGIONAL AGM AT 19H00 THURDAY 24 TH MARCH AT
RIVONIA SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB NO 7 ACHTER ROAD, PAULSHOF,
SANDTON.
GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN FOR THE 2011/2012 GAUTENG REGIONAL
COMMITTEE.
PLEASE SEND TO brian@collingconsulting.co.za)
News from the Office
BY THE END OF JANUARY 2011, FGASA MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO UPDATE
THEIR OWN PERSONAL DETAILS ON THE FGASA WEBSITE.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP CHECKING THE FGASA WEBSITE TO BE KEPT
UPDATED ON ALL EVENTS QUALIFICATIONS AND CHANGES AT ALL TIMES.
www.fgasa.co.za