Parent Record for Archive collection of photographs, documents, minutes etc relating to the Nature Notes and Probe magazines published by the Ringwood Electorate State/Primary Schools

From “The History of Ringwood East Primary School 1924-1990” 'Nature Notes' was a children's nature magazine, produced at Ringwood East Primary School for approximately 10 years. It came to us from Blackburn Lake Primary School and before that Blackburn South Primary School. It was originally developed by Harry Hopkins in 1964. He was a District Inspector of schools and also President of the Gould League at the time. Fred Rodgers and Len Delacca were original contributors, Fred writing on native flora and Len writing on native flora [fauna]. It came to Ringwood East in 1975 with Keith Dyer, a teacher on the staff, as editor. The magazine had a large circulation, supplying to schools, private subscribers and societies as well as sending many complimentary copies to libraries, and museums; distribution was throughout Australia. The Magazine continued to grow under consequent editors, Anne Gibson (who also developed 'Probe' a junior version of 'Nature Notes' designed for grades 2 and 4), Barry Archibald, Colin Bull, Russell Hall, Deborah Brydon and Mandy Charmichael. The editors would research, compile, edit and print the magazine which was a monthly issue. The parents would then come in on a Monday to collate, fold and staple. This usually was a morning’s work but this depended on how many helping hands there were. The Wednesday was packing and posting day and in the early days the parents used to deliver the local orders to save costs. Subscribers were sought through advertisements in various school literature and material. The Parents Club received an annual remuneration for their hard work and in turn were able to help purchase many items needed throughout the school. These magazines were packed with really good nature information and taught children how to look after their environment using articles, puzzles, riddles, questions and quizzes. There were special characters as well like 'Wally the Wombat' and 'Ernie the Echidna' for the children to follow on various adventures every month. Children would enjoy watching them crop up in each edition. The magazine stayed with us at Ringwood East until 1986, when due to restructuring and various other things was moved to Healesville Sanctuary where it adopted a new format and name. From here it has since folded and so the end of 'Nature Notes'. 'Nature Notes' was a very successful magazine. Many people through the years devoted a lot of time and energy to its production and readers throughout Australia, as well as its many creators and producers during its 20-year existence, mourn its passing. Written from material supplied by Barry Archibald (editor 'Nature Notes' 1977-78) Margaret Preece & Lois Aders (parents in charge of collating and packaging during its last years of existence.

Printed magazines

From “The History of Ringwood East Primary School 1924-1990” 'Nature Notes' was a children's nature magazine, produced at Ringwood East Primary School for approximately 10 years. It came to us from Blackburn Lake Primary School and before that Blackburn South Primary School. It was originally developed by Harry Hopkins in 1964. He was a District Inspector of schools and also President of the Gould League at the time. Fred Rodgers and Len Delacca were original contributors, Fred writing on native flora and Len writing on native flora [fauna]. It came to Ringwood East in 1975 with Keith Dyer, a teacher on the staff, as editor. The magazine had a large circulation, supplying to schools, private subscribers and societies as well as sending many complimentary copies to libraries, and museums; distribution was throughout Australia. The Magazine continued to grow under consequent editors, Anne Gibson (who also developed 'Probe' a junior version of 'Nature Notes' designed for grades 2 and 4), Barry Archibald, Colin Bull, Russell Hall, Deborah Brydon and Mandy Charmichael. The editors would research, compile, edit and print the magazine which was a monthly issue. The parents would then come in on a Monday to collate, fold and staple. This usually was a morning’s work but this depended on how many helping hands there were. The Wednesday was packing and posting day and in the early days the parents used to deliver the local orders to save costs. Subscribers were sought through advertisements in various school literature and material. The Parents Club received an annual remuneration for their hard work and in turn were able to help purchase many items needed throughout the school. These magazines were packed with really good nature information and taught children how to look after their environment using articles, puzzles, riddles, questions and quizzes. There were special characters as well like 'Wally the Wombat' and 'Ernie the Echidna' for the children to follow on various adventures every month. Children would enjoy watching them crop up in each edition. The magazine stayed with us at Ringwood East until 1986, when due to restructuring and various other things was moved to Healesville Sanctuary where it adopted a new format and name. From here it has since folded and so the end of 'Nature Notes'. 'Nature Notes' was a very successful magazine. Many people through the years devoted a lot of time and energy to its production and readers throughout Australia, as well as its many creators and producers during its 20-year existence, mourn its passing. Written from material supplied by Barry Archibald (editor 'Nature Notes' 1977-78) Margaret Preece & Lois Aders (parents in charge of collating and packaging during its last years of existence.

Printed magazines

From “The History of Ringwood East Primary School 1924-1990” 'Nature Notes' was a children's nature magazine, produced at Ringwood East Primary School for approximately 10 years. It came to us from Blackburn Lake Primary School and before that Blackburn South Primary School. It was originally developed by Harry Hopkins in 1964. He was a District Inspector of schools and also President of the Gould League at the time. Fred Rodgers and Len Delacca were original contributors, Fred writing on native flora and Len writing on native flora [fauna]. It came to Ringwood East in 1975 with Keith Dyer, a teacher on the staff, as editor. The magazine had a large circulation, supplying to schools, private subscribers and societies as well as sending many complimentary copies to libraries, and museums; distribution was throughout Australia. The Magazine continued to grow under consequent editors, Anne Gibson (who also developed 'Probe' a junior version of 'Nature Notes' designed for grades 2 and 4), Barry Archibald, Colin Bull, Russell Hall, Deborah Brydon and Mandy Charmichael. The editors would research, compile, edit and print the magazine which was a monthly issue. The parents would then come in on a Monday to collate, fold and staple. This usually was a morning’s work but this depended on how many helping hands there were. The Wednesday was packing and posting day and in the early days the parents used to deliver the local orders to save costs. Subscribers were sought through advertisements in various school literature and material. The Parents Club received an annual remuneration for their hard work and in turn were able to help purchase many items needed throughout the school. These magazines were packed with really good nature information and taught children how to look after their environment using articles, puzzles, riddles, questions and quizzes. There were special characters as well like 'Wally the Wombat' and 'Ernie the Echidna' for the children to follow on various adventures every month. Children would enjoy watching them crop up in each edition. The magazine stayed with us at Ringwood East until 1986, when due to restructuring and various other things was moved to Healesville Sanctuary where it adopted a new format and name. From here it has since folded and so the end of 'Nature Notes'. 'Nature Notes' was a very successful magazine. Many people through the years devoted a lot of time and energy to its production and readers throughout Australia, as well as its many creators and producers during its 20-year existence, mourn its passing. Written from material supplied by Barry Archibald (editor 'Nature Notes' 1977-78) Margaret Preece & Lois Aders (parents in charge of collating and packaging during its last years of existence.

Printed magazines

From “The History of Ringwood East Primary School 1924-1990” 'Nature Notes' was a children's nature magazine, produced at Ringwood East Primary School for approximately 10 years. It came to us from Blackburn Lake Primary School and before that Blackburn South Primary School. It was originally developed by Harry Hopkins in 1964. He was a District Inspector of schools and also President of the Gould League at the time. Fred Rodgers and Len Delacca were original contributors, Fred writing on native flora and Len writing on native flora [fauna]. It came to Ringwood East in 1975 with Keith Dyer, a teacher on the staff, as editor. The magazine had a large circulation, supplying to schools, private subscribers and societies as well as sending many complimentary copies to libraries, and museums; distribution was throughout Australia. The Magazine continued to grow under consequent editors, Anne Gibson (who also developed 'Probe' a junior version of 'Nature Notes' designed for grades 2 and 4), Barry Archibald, Colin Bull, Russell Hall, Deborah Brydon and Mandy Charmichael. The editors would research, compile, edit and print the magazine which was a monthly issue. The parents would then come in on a Monday to collate, fold and staple. This usually was a morning’s work but this depended on how many helping hands there were. The Wednesday was packing and posting day and in the early days the parents used to deliver the local orders to save costs. Subscribers were sought through advertisements in various school literature and material. The Parents Club received an annual remuneration for their hard work and in turn were able to help purchase many items needed throughout the school. These magazines were packed with really good nature information and taught children how to look after their environment using articles, puzzles, riddles, questions and quizzes. There were special characters as well like 'Wally the Wombat' and 'Ernie the Echidna' for the children to follow on various adventures every month. Children would enjoy watching them crop up in each edition. The magazine stayed with us at Ringwood East until 1986, when due to restructuring and various other things was moved to Healesville Sanctuary where it adopted a new format and name. From here it has since folded and so the end of 'Nature Notes'. 'Nature Notes' was a very successful magazine. Many people through the years devoted a lot of time and energy to its production and readers throughout Australia, as well as its many creators and producers during its 20-year existence, mourn its passing. Written from material supplied by Barry Archibald (editor 'Nature Notes' 1977-78) Margaret Preece & Lois Aders (parents in charge of collating and packaging during its last years of existence.

Printed magazines

From “The History of Ringwood East Primary School 1924-1990” 'Nature Notes' was a children's nature magazine, produced at Ringwood East Primary School for approximately 10 years. It came to us from Blackburn Lake Primary School and before that Blackburn South Primary School. It was originally developed by Harry Hopkins in 1964. He was a District Inspector of schools and also President of the Gould League at the time. Fred Rodgers and Len Delacca were original contributors, Fred writing on native flora and Len writing on native flora [fauna]. It came to Ringwood East in 1975 with Keith Dyer, a teacher on the staff, as editor. The magazine had a large circulation, supplying to schools, private subscribers and societies as well as sending many complimentary copies to libraries, and museums; distribution was throughout Australia. The Magazine continued to grow under consequent editors, Anne Gibson (who also developed 'Probe' a junior version of 'Nature Notes' designed for grades 2 and 4), Barry Archibald, Colin Bull, Russell Hall, Deborah Brydon and Mandy Charmichael. The editors would research, compile, edit and print the magazine which was a monthly issue. The parents would then come in on a Monday to collate, fold and staple. This usually was a morning’s work but this depended on how many helping hands there were. The Wednesday was packing and posting day and in the early days the parents used to deliver the local orders to save costs. Subscribers were sought through advertisements in various school literature and material. The Parents Club received an annual remuneration for their hard work and in turn were able to help purchase many items needed throughout the school. These magazines were packed with really good nature information and taught children how to look after their environment using articles, puzzles, riddles, questions and quizzes. There were special characters as well like 'Wally the Wombat' and 'Ernie the Echidna' for the children to follow on various adventures every month. Children would enjoy watching them crop up in each edition. The magazine stayed with us at Ringwood East until 1986, when due to restructuring and various other things was moved to Healesville Sanctuary where it adopted a new format and name. From here it has since folded and so the end of 'Nature Notes'. 'Nature Notes' was a very successful magazine. Many people through the years devoted a lot of time and energy to its production and readers throughout Australia, as well as its many creators and producers during its 20-year existence, mourn its passing. Written from material supplied by Barry Archibald (editor 'Nature Notes' 1977-78) Margaret Preece & Lois Aders (parents in charge of collating and packaging during its last years of existence.