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This book is useful as a general guide to explore a chosen area, or to find where to go to see specific geological features, or to determine where to look for and observe various species of flora, or perhaps fauna.
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Tom Sault is a name that has become synonymous with the Mornington Peninsula’s natural features. As someone who had spent over forty years exploring the area, the depth and detail of Tom’s knowledge had become extensive. Unfortunately Tom passed away in 2008, leaving a great sadness for anyone who got to meet him. We are lucky that he had the foresight to create a written record of his ecological knowledge of the place he called home for so long.
The book is durable and designed to be manipulated into backpacks or the pockets of anyone embarking on a trip along the Mornington Peninsula. It can be used as a ield guide with its easy-to-ind contents sections or read as an in-depth detailed story covering the natural wonders of the area.
The maps are easy to use for bushwalking and also point out some areas of interest to look for while travelling. The text covers many topics from the relationships between geology, lora and fauna to sites to visit while in certain areas.
The detail of the book is aimed to inform naturalists looking to expand their knowledge of the area as well as visitors looking for a natural features travel guide. This expanse of information is made easy to understand by the bright colourful pictures and detailed illustrations which bring to life the many descriptions.
History is also a key concern of the book — it is not often we are able to ind detailed descriptions of land use over time and the changes that occur, but Tom has managed to provide details of areas that no longer remain or have changed substantially in the last fifty years. These records provide a glimpse into the everfragmented local bushlands past. There are even some researched accounts of the Indigenous peoples’ land use and details of what species they considered to be highly prized.
In his book, Tom deines a naturalist as being “anyone with an afinity with and affection for the natural world, and a desire to understand it”. This book will surely help many a “naturalist” to increase their knowledge and discover the hidden natural features that are often right in front of our eyes, and waiting to be discovered
By Ben Cullen
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