Wirrimbirra Sanctuary

Land on which the sanctuary is situated was acquired in a number of ways. In 1962, a Sydney accountant, Carmen Coleman, discovered this interesting area of remnant bush where Europeans at Bargo made the first sightings of koala and lyrebird. Carmen Coleman donated the parcel of land at Bargo to the David G. Stead Memorial Wildlife Research Foundation, which was established in 1963 to perpetuate the memory of David Stead who was a pioneer of nature conservation in Australia. The National Trust began its association with the Stead Foundation and the Sanctuary in 1963. Wirrimbirra was gifted to the National Trust (NSW) by the David G. Stead Memorial Wildlife Research Foundation in 1965. The property was leased to the Foundation for several terms up to the present time. Recently a small portion was separately leased to the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society. A comprehensive Conservation Agreement with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has been developed for the Wirrimburra Sanctuary to ensure that the native vegetation is managed and conserved in perpetuity. In late 2015 the National Trust of Australia (NSW) classified the Bargo Gorge Landscape Conservation Area. == Description ==

Wirrimbirra Sanctuary covers is an area of about . Located about halfway between the Bargo River Crossing and the village of Bargo on the Hume Highway, approximately south of Sydney. Wirrimbirra preserves a part of the original "Bargo Brush" which was of considerable historical importance in the problems which faced the settlement of the Argyle or Southern Tablelands during the early half of the 1800s. One of the few forested areas remaining on the flat plateau of the Bargo area. • November 2008 – January 2009: National Trust Magazine NSW: Wirrimbirra: $15,281 was allocated to assist with the pathways, services and routine maintenance of the site. == Heritage listing ==

As at 30 June 2000, Wirrimbirra is significant for its role in the development of the conservation movement in NSW; its association with key persons who pioneered the conservation debate; as a natural area with a rich and diverse flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species; as a recreation and social area; as a historic site containing relics and cultural items, as well as being associated with the pioneering expeditions to the Southern Highlands; as an area containing extensive plantings of native plants including rare and endangered species, and as an area which encouraged investigations into the growing and propagation of native plants. == See also ==