JULY 2026 Activity Details - Friday meeting, and the Sunday outing to a property at Bell

Bottle trees
Brachychiton rupestris

CLUB MEETING: 

Date & Time: 7 pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Speaker:  John Feehan 

Title: Dung Beetles: Past, Present and Future

Summary: John Feehan is an entomologist who worked on the CSIRO dung beetle program for 28 years from 1965. Through his harvesting and redistribution of dung beetles, as well as his public relations activities, John has almost single-handedly maintained the high profile of the benefits of dung beetles in the Australian landscape. 

He maintains an informative website about dung beetles which attracts worldwide interest:   www.dungbeetleexpert.com.au.

Venue: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba. The speaker's presentation is followed by official business and supper. 

CLUB OUTING: 

Date: Sunday  5 July 2026

Meeting Time & Place:  This will be one of our longer outings with an approx. 250km round trip, therefore car pooling is suggested with reimbursement to the driver.

Meet 8.00am in the Council car park in Neil Street (between Bourke and Wills Hotel and the Empire Theatre, Toowoomba) and drive via Bowenville and Kaimkillenbun to Bell, arriving by 9.30 at Ensor Park in Cassidy Street. For more precise directions to the property email this address.

View from front of house

Description: Majestic Narrow-leaved Bottle trees Brachychiton rupestris dominate this Land for Wildlife property north of Bell which the owners bought two years ago, valuing it for the softwood scrub and dry rainforest covering much of the area. The ground layer comprises soil and leaf litter with areas of sedimentary rock exposed. Run-off water eventually finds its way into Jimbour Creek and the Condamine River. (Plant list available on request.) 

Activities: Exploring the property. Before returning to Toowoomba a stroll through the Biblical Garden at the Catholic Church(also in Cassidy Street) in Bell is highly recommended .  

Level of Fitness: Cattle intermittently are grazed on this property and have formed cattle tracks which are the tracks we will walk on. Level 2, with gentle inclines and some rocky areas, a walking pole is suggested if uncertain.

Facilities: Toilet facilities available at Ensor Park and the property.

What to Bring: Bring morning smoko, lunch, a chair, covered footwear and sun protection.