Bird walk with Birdlife Castlemaine at private property in Yapeen – Saturday 7 March 2026

Posted on 26 February, 2026 by Lori

BirdLife Castlemaine District holds monthly bird walks on the first Saturday morning of each month, and all ages and birding abilities are welcome. Walks last for about two hours.

The March bird walk will be on a very special private property belonging to Max Kay in Yapeen (near Guildford). As well as his role as Connecting Country’s Treasurer, Max has a strong commitment to restoring habitat on his historical farm property. With the help of Connecting Country and other groups, he has set aside areas to protect remnant vegetation, restore creekline and reintroduce understorey plants.  Over time these actions have improved habitat for birds and other animals.Private properties often give us a unique experience to see birds in areas that are less disturbed, so we’re hoping for some interesting birds. Possible sightings for the area include honeyeaters (Yellow-faced, White-plumed, Yellow-tufted and New Holland Honeyeater) and raptors (Whistling and Black Kite, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk). Thornbills, Pardalotes and many other local species are also possible.

Your walk leaders are Max Kay, Frances Howe and Bob Dawson.

ALL WELCOME!

Where: Max Kay’s property, 7281 Midland Hwy, Yapeen VIC, is located approx. 9.4 km from Castlemaine along the Midland Hwy (A300). Travel toward Guildford and Max’s driveway is on the right, approximately 260 m past the Vaughan Springs turnoff. There is a large white letterbox and a post with numbers 7281 attached. Drive down to the area in front of the house.   GPS: -37.13206, 144.17318. Google Maps Link is here.

When: Meet at 9:00 am.

Bring / wear: Water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, long trousers and sturdy closed-in shoes (for snake protection).

More info: Jane Rusden 0448 900 896, Bob Dawson 0417 621 691

BirdLife Castlemaine works closely with Connecting Country, including supporting Connecting Country’s long-term woodland bird monitoring. New bird survey volunteers are needed to contribute to this valuable database. Please contact Connecting Country if you’re a birder and interested in helping.

For more information about BirdLife Castlemaine’s activities, please visit the Birdlife Castlemaine District website.

Bird of the month: Swallows and Martins

Posted on 19 February, 2026 by Hadley Cole

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a closer look at a special local bird species . Thanks always to the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly for these wonderful articles and fabulous photos. Photos above (left to right): Fairy Martin and Welcome Swallow. By Damian Kelly.

Swallows and Martins are often observed at high speed, zipping around in summer skies, as they twist and turn in pursuit of flying insects. A delight to watch, but from a distance they are often tricky to differentiate as often more than one species can be seen together. In fact, there are four species in this region: 

All are members of the Hirundinidae family and they exclusively feed on the wing, catching a variety of flying insects. In flight they can be distinguished by their long pointed wings and small bills with wide gapes, to easily catch airborne insects. As aerial specialists they have quite weak feet adapted to perching rather than walking. They tend to be gregarious (hanging out in flocks) and often associate in multi-species groups when prey is abundant, as well as forming breeding colonies in season. Which can add to the complexity of identifying which species are present in a flock. Calls of all species are soft and not distinctive from a distance.  

White-backed Swallow. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Identifying the individual species at a distance relies on colour and feathers, particularly the tail. The White-backed is the easiest as it is the only one with a distinctive white and black pattern. But it is the least common in this region, preferring northern areas. 

Juvenile Welcome Swallow. Photo by Damian Kelly.

The Welcome Swallow is the most common and has a deeply forked tail with a very dark back and is rufous-brown around the throat and face. It is often seen in conjunction with the Fairy Martin. The Fairy Martin can be distinguished from the Welcome Swallow by its white rump and rufous-brown over the head but not the throat.  

 The two swallow species have deeply forked tails, where as the two Martin species have a shallow fork in their tails, which can be hard to see at times. 

Tree Martin. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Unlike the others, the Tree Martin is more often found in more timbered habitats. It lacks the rufous patterning and is pale beneath. As the name implies, it needs trees and other hollows for breeding. Also they mostly migrate north in the cooler months, where as with both Swallow species, some migrate north and some don’t which makes them partial migrants. 

 Welcome Swallows and Fairy Martins build mud nests (see photos), often located around bridges and buildings, unlike Tree Martins which generally nest in tree hollows. White-backed Swallows excavate horizontal tunnels in stream banks and mounds of earth. Needless to say, the species that build mud nests are often to be seen near water, although I have frequently seen them raiding puddles for just the right consistency of mud for their nests. 

Fairy Martin nests made of mud. They have the distinctive slightly drooping tunnel that leads into the nest chamber. Photo by Damian Kelly

Life with Birds: A collaboration with the Newstead Arts Hub and Castlemaine State Festival

Posted on 19 February, 2026 by Hadley Cole

There will be six events conducted in collaboration with the Newstead Arts Hub and the Castlemaine State Festival.

Carrie Tiffany by Eve Owen Jan 2025

Saturday 21 March | 11.00am – 2.00pm| Carrie Tiffany: Mateship with Birds Creative Writing Workshop

Carrie, a former park ranger, has twenty years’ experience as a researcher, writer, editor and teacher of creative writing. Her novel, Mateship with Birds, won the inaugural 2013 Stella Prize. Geoff Park will share an ‘in conversation’ with Carrie, before she leads a bird-themed Creative Writing Workshop. No writing experience is needed.

Workshop ticket: $100

Venue: Newstead Arts Hub

For more information and bookings – click here

Sunday 22 March | 11.00am – 2.00pm | Richard Weatherly: A brush with woodland birds Woskshop

Richard is an iconic Australian artist, conservationist and innovative farmer. With over fifty-five years of professional experience, Richard will draw on his acclaimed illustrated works, such as The Fairy-Wrens and A Brush with Birds, as he leads this workshop. Materials provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own.

Workshop ticket: $100

Venue: Newstead Arts Hub

For more information and bookings – click here

Monday 23 March | 7.30am- 12.30pm |  Lawrie Conole: The ‘Difficult’ Bird Search

The Newstead district is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) with sites identified as being internationally significant for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity. It is home to a suite of ‘difficult’ birds, those that are cryptic, declining and often just plain hard to find species that call our local bush home.

Lawrie will introduce you to some of these characters and their habits, including their distinctive songs. It will then be your mission, should you choose to accept it, to venture to a selection of local sites where, armed with some new skills and information, you’ll hopefully encounter some of them such as Speckled Warbler, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Painted Button-quail, Hooded Robin, Spotted Quail-thrush, or even a Crested Bellbird.

Event ticket: $20

Venue: Newstead Arts Hub

For more information and bookings – click here

Wednesday 25th March | 7.00 – 9.00pm | Andrew Skeoch: The wild bird soundscapes of our woodlands

Learn the songs and calls of some of our rarer bird species! This immersive one-hour presentation will introduce the importance of sound for species ID, monitoring, and assessing the state of our local habitat. This will be followed by a session for those interested to share their observations of local birdlife/wildlife occurrences/movements, and to introduce a future project.

Andrew Skeoch is a professional wildlife sound recordist, acoustic ecologist and author of ‘Deep Listening to Nature’. He has given presentations to audiences ranging from festivals such as WOMADelaide’s Planet Talks to local communities, written for The Conversation, and presented radio features, keynote addresses and a TEDx talk.

Event ticket: Gold Coin Donation

Venue: Newstead Community Centre

For more information – click here

Thursday 26th March | 8am – 12.00pm | Patrick Kavanagh: The art and craft of bird photography

In this workshop, Patrick, an accomplished nature photographer with a special ‘focus’ on woodland birds of the Newstead district and their habitats, will offer personal tuition on photographic techniques and field craft. The workshop starts and ends at Newstead Art Hub and will involve gentle walking in an outdoor environment. BYO Camera.

Workshop Ticket: $100

Venue: Newstead Arts Hub

For more information and bookings – click here

Thursday 26th March | Exhibition opening John Wolseley and Geoff Park | 6.00pm

A joint exhibition of works to celebrate birds and the landscapes they inhabit. Open weekends from Saturday 14 March – Sunday 29 March or by appointment.

Geoff Park

John Wolesley

Friday 27th March | 6.00pm – 7.00pm)  | John Wolseley and Geoff Park in Conversation

Since moving to Australia in 1978, John Wolseley has immersed himself in the landscape, an approach which has given rise to a variety of different ways of collaborating with the land itself. His large scale works on paper, watercolours and installations are often based around scientific themes.

Geoff Park is an ecologist, wildlife photographer and field naturalist with a 60-year obsession with birds. Since 2008, with his Natural Newstead blog, Geoff has been documenting the nature of the Newstead district through writing and photography with a particular focus on birds.

Join them in conversation as they discuss their experiences of engaging with landscapes and the creatures that inhabit these places. An evening of sharing stories, ideas from their lives of observing, documenting and wondering about nature.

Event ticket: SOLD OUT (Join Waitlist)

Venue: Newstead Arts Hub

For more information and waitlist – click here

The proceeds from this diverse and rich program of events will be dedicated to a community designed, citizen science woodland bird conservation project in central Victoria, in partnership with the Wettenhall Environment Trust.

‘Intriguing invertebrates and concerning trends’ with Patrick Kavanagh

Posted on 11 February, 2026 by Lori

Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club are excited to have local entomologist Patrick Kavanagh launch their new “Butterflies of the Mount Alexander Region” brochure at their February Monthly Meeting.

Patrick has lived in a patch of box woodland at Strangways for 30 years. He uses macrophotography to discover the tiny invertebrate life that makes the local ecosystem work.

Following the brochure launch, Patrick will share some of the intriguing discoveries he’s made in his yard with a camera and an internet connection. He will also talk about some concerning trends in our invertebrate populations over the past few years and how these trends affect other species.

Observations. Members and visitors are invited to share their recent interesting observations at the start of the meeting.  Please email any photos as uncropped JPEG file(s) and supporting notes to Jill Williams (jilliwill33@gmail.com) by noon on the day of the meeting.

When: Friday 13 February 7.30pm

Where: Uniting Church Hall, Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine

All welcome.

Following the meeting, the ‘Butterflies of Mount Alexander Region’ will be available to purchase at the Castlemaine Information Centre and the Made in Castlemaine stall at the Vintage Bazaar (Mill Complex).

Photo:  Belid Weevil Photo by Patrick Kavanagh

2025 End of Year Retrospective

Posted on 22 December, 2025 by Hadley Cole

As the year draws to a close we clear our desks, hang up our boots, wash down the big red Connecting Country ute, and take a moment to think about what we have achieved this year. Like many environmental orgnisations 2025 has brought times of financial hardship and sadly the scaling back of staff and projects. Despite this the Connecting Country team, staff and volunteer committee members have rallied together and delivered numerous educational events attracting many community members from across the region, we continue to coordinate and deliver biodiversity monitoring through the engagement of volunteers and we partner with many local and regional organisations to deliver our events and projects.

Throughout the 2024/25 financial year we delivered 6 educational and community engagement events attracting around 350 people, supported 26 Landcare Groups, coordinated 192 bird surveys carried out by our dedicated volunteers and partnered with over 26 non-government and government organisations. For a small community not-for-profit organisation operating with less than a handful of part time staff and a volunteer committee we are proud of our achievements and remain dedicated to the work we do.

Connecting Country staff will be taking a break over the festive season. The office will be closed from Monday 22 December until Thursday 15 January 2026. Any inquiries made during this time will be responded to when we return to the office in January 2026.

We are so grateful to our donors, volunteers, and supporters! We wish you all a happy end of year and relaxing festive season.

Take some time to learn more about our achievements for the 2024/25 financial year in our annual report: 2024-25 Annual Report

Farewell Marie Jones after 17 years!

Posted on 11 December, 2025 by Hadley Cole

At Connecting Country’s 2025 AGM we wiped away a tear or two as we said farewell to Connecting Country stalwart and superstar Marie Jones. Marie has been involved with the organisation since its inception and has at one point or another held every single position on the executive committee, from Treasurer, to President, Secretary and all roles in between.

In 2007, Marie was instrumental in the creation of Connecting Country. Over the last 17 years she has worked tirelessly to ensure that Connecting Country is successful and sustainable. She has been involved in at least four sub-committees of the organisation including the Landcare Steering Group, where she provided hours of support and mentorship to the various staff that took up the role as the local Landcare Facilitator. 

Marie began her volunteer career in the local community over thirty years ago! Throughout this time, she has guided many projects that will have a lasting impact on the local environment, heritage and people across the Chewton, Castlemaine and entire Mount Alexander region.  She has been involved in many local community groups including, Golden Point Landcare, Post Office Hill Action Group, Friends of the Box Iron-bark Forests, just to name a few! 

In 2024 Marie’s dedication to volunteering over the past three decades was recognised when she received the Joan Kirner Victorian Landcare Award. It was no surprise to the Connecting Country team when Marie’s name was called out. We all knew she was deserving of the award, we were thrilled that the rest of Victoria and the statewide Landcare community also recognised her contribution.

Photos above from left to right: The inception of Connecting Country. Fire & Biodiversity event (2014), Landcare Network Award (2017)

Marie is often the thread linking various community members and organisations within the Mount Alexander region together. She has a wonderful ability to bring people together and enable civil and respectful discussions around, what are at times, controversial topics. She is an exceptional grassroots environmental leader.  She is the person people want to talk to about new ideas, about government funding, about issues groups may be having, about issues in the community, about working with other groups, about forming new committees or working on arising issues. 

Perhaps one of Marie’s most outstanding achievements has been the work she put in behind the scenes to establish Connecting Country. Although its creation was a joint effort by many, everyone involved will attest that Marie was a driving force whose skills, knowledge and commitment were critical to its success. She was instrumental in engaging the widest range of stakeholders possible during the establishment process, particularly encouraging Landcare groups and their members to become involved, which they did. One of the defining things about Marie is that she takes a constructive and positive approach to any situation. She treats everyone as a person, with respect, no matter what disagreement or problem there is to work out.   

Marie has a saying “think globally, act locally”, which articulates that the actions we take in our own patch can have a ripple effect across communities at the regional, state, national and even global level. Marie’s ability to keep all the parts of an issue in perspective is a strength that makes her relatable to many people within the community.  

The entire Connecting Country community greatly appreciates Marie’s contribution, and whilst she has stepped down from the Committee, we know she will stay well-connected through Landcare and other local pursuits. We hope that stepping away from the Connecting Country responsibilities will create more time for her and her partner John to spend time with family and friends and enjoy some well-deserved down time.

Words from current Connecting Country staff and committee members about Marie:

I had known Marie for many years but it was after a FOBIF walk on my farm at Yapeen in 2016 that Marie approached me to join the Committee of Connecting Country.  I have always been impressed by Marie’s energy, enthusiasm, excellent communication skills and her involvement in community and environmental matters. She has been an invaluable member of the Connecting Country Committee and a joy to work with. – Max Kay, Connecting Country Treasurer

It has always been a joy to come to work and see Marie. She is always helpful, supportive and knows just how to handle every situation. She has a knack of knowing exactly what is going on and what is needed at the right time. She will be greatly missed.  Thankyou for everything Marie! – Bonnie Humphreys, Connecting Country Landscape Restoration Coordinator

I first met Marie when we were members of regional committees with the North Central CMA, almost 20 years ago, and she subsequently got me involved in Connecting Country when we moved to Faraday.  Marie’s passion for environmental enhancement and protection, is well known, as is her great concern and support for the well-being of our communities.  Her dedication to everything she takes on is awe inspiring.  It has been a great pleasure working with Marie at Connecting Country  – great conversations, many problems to solve, many laughs to be had and all in a very positive and cheerful way.   I’m hoping there will be many more opportunities to work with her in the future.   Can we call catching up for coffee “working”?  – Chris Brooke, Connecting Country Committee Member

When I started at Connecting Country, Marie went out of her way to make me feel welcome with a coffee and a local field guide.  She has always shown and appreciation and respect for staff, quickly responding to any queries and never shying away from the challenging issues.  Her involvement across many aspects of the community means she always brought valuable community voice into project planning and decision making.  I will miss Marie on the Committee but I know it won’t be the last we see of her. – Lori Arthur Connecting Country Director/ Landcare Facilitator

When I first started with Connecting Country as the Landcare Facilitator in 2021, Marie immediately made sure I knew she was their to support me in my new role. Her knowledge of the local community is incredible! She passed on so much information of previous projects, events and partnerships between local groups and community members. Whenever I had a new idea, Marie was the first person I went to, and still do! Despite the fact that she has witnessed all the various conservation trends over her years, she always endorsed my ideas with enthusiasm and support. Marie’s diplomacy and community spirit will be greatly missed by all at Connecting Country. Hopefully she and John can now take a well earned rest! – Hadley Cole former Landcare Facilitator.

Connecting Country AGM and new committee members

Posted on 25 November, 2025 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 22 November we held our AGM at the Guildford Community Hall. It was a lovely day to get together and celebrate our achievements for the year. Connecting Country members and supporters enjoyed brief AGM formalities that were followed by a presentation from Dr. Barry Golding and a wonderful afternoon tea provided by the Guildford Store.

AGM attendees at the Guildford Community Hall. Photo by Lou Citroen.

Dr. Barry Golding took the opportunity to reflect on his book Six Peaks Speak, published in 2023. Dr. Golding spoke of the great amount of evidence that is recorded in Central Victoria demonstrating Dja Dja Wurrung occupation of this Country for millenia, and the importance of protecting artefacts and culture that still exist in the landscape. The ‘Six Peaks’ refers to Mounts Kooroocheang/Gurutjanga, Beckworth/Nyaninuk, Greenock/unknown, Tarrengower/Dharrang Gauwa, Alexander/Liyanganuk, and Franklin/Lalkambuk. In his book Golding shares the knowledge and history each mountain holds within their geology and writes of the importance of recognising and understanding the unsettling colonial history in the region.

This years’ AGM saw a changing of the guards as the committee farewelled long term committee member and one of the early advocates for Connecting Country Marie Jones. Outgoing president Brendan Sydes thanked and congratulated Marie for hear many years (almost two decades) of dedication to our grass roots community organisation.  He noted her thorough understanding of how small, community organisations work and her diligence in knowing what needs to get done, and getting in there and getting it done.  Marie’s natural approach to working with community and bringing people into the fold has been a foundation to the success of Connecting Country from the early beginnings.  “You should be very proud of what you have achieved here” Brendan shared.

Marie Jones receiving Thank You gifts from Director Lori Arthur. Photo by Lou Citreon   

The entire Connecting Country community will miss Marie dearly. She has been a stalwart in the organisation since inception and has always made herself available to staff and volunteers alike.

We also saw the changing of committee roles with Brendan Sydes stepping down as president after 12 years and handing the reigns over to Stephen Oxley who has been sitting on the committee as a general member for the last 3 years. Cate Sinclair has stepped into the role of Secretary taking over from Marie after sitting on the committee as a general member for the previous 12 months. As it stands the new committee is;

President: Stephen Oxley

Vice President: Brendan Sydes

Secretary: Cate Sinclair

Treasurer: Max Kay

General members: Christine Brooke, Darren Tinker, Deirdre Slattery, Ben Welsh

We would would like to acknowledge new members Darren and Ben and returning member Deirdre and thank them for their willingness and commitment to Connecting Country. We look forward to achieving many more great outcomes for the environment together!

Connecting Country’s 2025 AGM was made possible due to the generous donation of community donors.

Connecting Country AGM with Dr Barry Golding

Posted on 13 November, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Join us for the Connecting Country 2025 AGM with special guest presenter Dr. Barry Golding on Saturday 22 November at the Guildford Community Hall.

Following brief AGM formalities, Dr. Barry Golding will give a presentation on the downstream implications of his book Six Peaks Speak, focussing on some of the broader implications and outcomes of his research for dealing with unsettling legacies and working with First Peoples on public and private land.

Dr Barry Golding AM is an Honorary Professor with Federation University in Ballarat. He self-describes as a ground-up, community-oriented, polymathic, place-based researcher and story teller. His degrees span four disciplines: geology, arts, environmental sciences and education.  Barry has researched and published internationally about vocational, adult, community, First Nations and informal learning.

In 2023 Barry undertook a State Library Victoria Creative Fellowship, researching and writing a book, Six Peaks Speak: Unsettling legacies in southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country, published in 2024 with local geologist, Clive Willman and in close discussion with Dja Dja Wurrung people.His presentation on Saturday 22 November will focus on  his learnings since the release of in 2024. It’s sure to be a fascinating discussion!

Presentations will be followed by a delicious afternoon tea.

When: Saturday 22 November 2025, 2.00 – 4.00pm

Where: Guildford Community Hall, 32 Fryers Street Guildford VIC

Cost: Free!

Please book for catering purposes – click here

Connecting Country AGM 2025 with special guest speaker, Professor Barry Golding

Posted on 6 November, 2025 by Lori

Please join us for our AGM with special guest speaker Professor Barry Golding – author of Six Peaks Speak, on Saturday 22  November 2025 from 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Professor Barry Golding

Dr Barry Golding AM is an Honorary Professor with Federation University in Ballarat. He self-describes as a ground-up, community-oriented, polymathic, place-based researcher and story teller. His degrees span four disciplines: geology, arts, environmental sciences and education.  Barry has researched and published internationally about vocational, adult, community, First Nations and informal learning. In 2023 Barry undertook a State Library Victoria Creative Fellowship, researching and writing a book, Six Peaks Speak: Unsettling legacies in southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country, published in 2024 with local geologist, Clive Willman and in close discussion with Dja Dja Wurrung people.

Six Peaks Speak tells the unique stories and continuing legacies of the ancient mountains in the Central Victorian region from a multidisciplinary perspective. The book bears witness to ‘unsettling’ changes over the past 200 years, as viewed from the perspective of the peaks (including Dharrang Gauwa – Mount Tarrengower and Liyanganyuk banyul – Mount Alexander) that stand sentinel over an ancient volcanic landscape and its immense natural and cultural significance.

When: Saturday 22 November 2025 at 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Where: Guildford Community Hall, 30 Fryers St Guildford VIC

Cost: Free!

Delicious afternoon tea provided.

Everyone is welcome!  For catering and logistical purposes, please register your attendance – click here

Dr. Barry Golding will present after brief AGM formalities.

AGM formalities

The following Connecting Country AGM 2025 documents are available to download:

• • 2024-25 Annual Report
  • Financial Report – Connecting Country 2025
  • DRAFT minutes CC AGM 2024
  • CC AGM 2025 COM nomination
  • Connecting Country AGM 2025 proxy form

Please note only current Connecting Country members can vote in the AGM. To become a member  – click here

For more information please email info@connectingcountry.org.au or phone 0493 362 394

 Nominate for the Committee of Management

Want to be more involved with Connecting Country? Why not consider becoming a committee member.  We are actively looking for new committee members to broaden the skills of our Committee.  The positions require 2 hours per month to attend committee meeting plus small amounts of reading or work time as required to keep the organisation rolling.  If this sounds like you, please complete a nomination form or contact our office to discuss via info@connectingcountry.org.au.

The 2025 AGM is kindly sponsored by local community donors.

If you would like to donate to Connecting Country’s cause in promoting local conservation action and restoring landscapes, head over to our Give Now donation page – click here

Seeding Our Future Project 2024/25

Posted on 30 October, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Back in November 2024, Connecting Country kicked of the Seeding Our Future project funded through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants. The scope of the project wass to help protect and conserve locally rare and threatened plant species through a series of educational workshops that build knowledge and skills within our local community.

Indigenous seed security is a concern for many in the natural resource management sector. With increased fragmentation of landscapes and the changes in weather patterns and climate due to global heating, the future of many plant species is under threat. Grand scale restoration works are needed and programs such as the Victoria Governments Bushbank program require huge quantities of seed to meet restoration targets. Seeding Victoria are working with project partners Cassinia Environmental and the Natural Resources Conservation Trust to raise awareness of seed security and provide training and resources to aspiring seed collectors to increase seed supply and availability.

The Seeding Our Future project compliments the work Seeding Victoria and partners are undertaking to raise the importance of seed conservation. Considering this, for the first workshop we hosted in November 2024 we partnered with Seeding Victoria in a Seed Collection Workshop at the Botanical Gardens in Castlemaine. The workshop was sold out with keen participants coming along from as far away as Reservoir!

Dan Frost from Seeding Victoria talked us through the basics of seed collection including the equipment needed, permits required and the various collection processes for different indigenous plant species. After a morning in the classroom, we went for a walk through the Botanical gardens and up to the bush land reserve behind the gardens to explore which local plants are currently flowering, seeding or close to seeding and how you might approach collecting and storing their seed.

Dan talked us through the adapted seed collection techniques for various plant families including some grasses, daisies, acacias, eucalypts, bottle brushes, and cone producing plants.

November until late summer is some of the best times for seed collection in the local area, so for aspiring seed collectors this was the perfect time to build a knowledge base and learn about the permits required before getting out there to collect!

Participants reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. A big thank you to Dan and Robert from Seeding Victoria for sharing their deep knowledge of local seed. We hope to see the future of seed collecting secured and many of our local plant species conserved and protected.

Below photo shows Dan Frost from Seeding Victoria presenting on various collection techniques to a very engaged audience. All photos in this post by Carmen Bunting.

Bird of the Month: Grey Fantail

Posted on 20 October, 2025 by Lori

Words by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden.  Photos by Damian Kelly

Always a delight to watch, the Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) swishes its tail around directing insects into easier catching distance. And then there’s their tinkling call, often heard before the bird is seen.  Luckily for us bird watchers, Grey Fantails can be very curious, which means they come much closer to us than many other species.  They do have rather a disapproving look on their tiny faces, characterised by their drawn down white eyebrows.

A confiding and widespread species, the Grey Fantail can be found all along the wetter eastern and western areas of Australia and occasionally spreading into drier areas inland. Tasmania, New Zealand and other islands also have populations of this species.

Nest of a Grey Fantail (Damian Kelly)

Urban gardens are also utilised and here in Castlemaine, in our garden near the centre of town, a pair of Grey Fantails has successfully fledged young for the last two years. The nest is concealed in dense vegetation right next to a garden path, but human traffic does not seem to concern them. Whenever I walk past, a beady eye is watching me, but the bird never leaves the nest. Two young were raised each time which is quite a feat given the tiny size of the nest. Built from small twigs, grass and hairs and held together with spiders’ webs, the nest is a beautiful construction. The nest from two years ago was simply refurbished with more web prior to the second season of breeding (see photo).

Although not fully understood, the movements of Grey Fantails are a mixed bag. In some areas populations are partly or fully sedentary, whilst in other areas migration takes place. Movements can be driven by food availability and temperature. There seems to be a whole east coast movement of birds. All in all, a mixed bag of movements. I can report that the birds who breed in our garden are not present over winter but have returned now as spring advances.

Some of the Tasmanian birds migrate to the mainland over winter. Groups of Grey Fantails have been regularly recorded moving across King and Flinders Islands on the way to the mainland. There are probably some altitudinal movements, but this is often confused by other movements occurring. At times small groups up to 30 birds can be seen moving through areas.

Feeding tends to be arboreal, often catching prey in flight, although they will also feed on the ground. Food consists mainly of insects, but they occasionally take fruit or seeds. Often associated with mixed feeding flocks moving through vegetation.

Grey Fantail utilising prickly cover of Gorse, (an invasive weed), with its tail characteristically fanned. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community.

Great Southern Bioblitz – Castlemaine Region 24-27 October

Posted on 16 October, 2025 by Lori

It’s the beginning of October and so wonderful to see the new growth and increasing activity in bushlands and gardens after so many months of challenging conditions. Trees, shrubs and other understorey plants are putting out new leaves and foliage, and canopies are becoming denser. Birds are calling and nesting. Frogs are croaking. Thankfully insects are about again, albeit not in good numbers yet, but Painted Ladies and some day moths are about. And we are already being treated with the bright colours of Myrnong, Waxlips, Leopard orchids and Caladenias, with scattered clusters of emerging leaves promising Helmet and Gnat orchids.

Hopefully while all of this is happening those of you who live in or visit the Mount Alexander Shire will be getting ready for the Great Southern Bioblitz 2025,which runs from midnight October 23 to midnight October 27.  This is your opportunity to join other citizen scientists to help build the scientific databases that increase the knowledge and understanding of our bushlands and their biodiversity. These annual Bioblitz surveys collect vast amounts of data on species and distribution that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club are again hosting a count in this region and they’d love your contributions!  If you can contribute, all you need is a camera or phone and enthusiasm!

You’ll find lots of information, including deadlines, tips on uploading your images to iNaturalist, the online global databank for observations of biodiversity and more on the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club Great Southern Bioblitz webpage.

Images: Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club

Taradale Landcare AGM and nestbox installation demonstration

Posted on 8 October, 2025 by Lori

Taradale Landcare are hosting their Annual General Meeting on Sunday 12 October in Taradale, VIC and encourage new members and committee nominations.  Following the usual AGM formalities and refreshments, Tom from The Tree Company will provide a nestbox presentation and installation demonstration at Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve.

When: Sunday 12 October, 10am – 11.30am

Time: AGM 10am – 11.30am – Taradale Primary School multi-purpose room

Nestbox installation 12noon – Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve

RSVP: taradalelandcare@gmail.com

Baynton Sidonia Landcare present Taungurung Cultural Heritage Workshop: Fri 17 October 2025

Posted on 6 October, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Our friends at Baynton Sidonia Landcare are hosting a Strengthening Landholder Knowledge of Taungurung Cultural Heritage Workshop on Friday 17 October from 10.30am to 1.30pm at the Baynton Hall.

The aim of the workshop is to build landholder knowledge and confidence to support the preservation of Taungurung Culture on Country and to create shared pride in it.

The workshop will include:

• Understanding cultural heritage on your land
• Identifying cultural sites and artefacts
• What to do if you find artefacts on your property
• Working together for culturally sensitive land management

Where: Baynton Hall, 51 Darlington Road, Baynton VIC

When: Friday 17 October, 10.30am – 1.30pm

Bookings essential:  The workshop is free, but a gold coin donation is appreciated.  All are welcome, but booking is essential by texting Clare on 0423294430 with full names of attendees, telephone numbers, dietary constraints and the district you live in.  Bookings will be confirmed or you will be placed on a waiting list.  Please do not attend unless you have a confirmed booking.

Seed Collection Workshop with Seeding Victoria

Posted on 2 October, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Seeding Victoria is a community not-for-profit working hard to provide provenance based seed supply for revegetation projects throughout Central, South West and North West Victoria. The work of Seeding Victoria is crucial to the implementation of successful restoration.

In partnership with Natural Resource Conservation Trust, Cassinia Environmental and Connecting Country, Seeding Vic. presents a Seed Collection Workshop on Saturday 18th October 2025 in Castlemaine. 

This workshop offers local community members the opportunity to take direct action to increase flora populations across the region through the development of seed collection skills and local flora identification. Through the collection of seed and growing of indigenous plant species, particularly those that are rare, we can increase genetic diversity and population of local indigenous flora, creating resilient ecosystems and seed banks for our future.

The day will involve;

• The nuts and bolts to seed collecting: You will learn species identification, what permits you need to obtain for collecting seed, OH&S, collection techniques, extraction and storage.

• Field Trip: We will have a look at the OH&S components of seed collecting, observing what’s flowering and what will be ready to collect in the coming months.

• There will be an opportunity to order seed-collecting equipment on the day.

• Learn about how the Natural Resource Conservation Trust Seed Bank Revolving Fund works and how to obtain a discount for seed-collecting equipment.
• Introduction to the BushBank Program: How to get involved in collecting seed for the $30M Government program and access funding to undertake biodiversity planting on your property.

When: Saturday 18 October 2025, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Where: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tea Rooms, Downes Rd. Castlemaine

Cost: $30.

For more information and bookings – click here

This workshop is funded by Cassinia Environmental, Natural Resources Conservation Trust and the Victorian Government BushBank program.

Taking Root and Branching Out

Posted on 3 September, 2025 by Lori

To celebrate Landcare Week in August,  Connecting Country teamed up with Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group (BCLWG) to host a special event titled Taking Root and Branching Out on Wednesday 6 August at Phee Broadway, Castlemaine.  The event centred on the launch of a beautiful audio documentary developed by local, award-winning podcast creator (and member of BCLWG), Kyla Brettle.  It tells the story about the long tail of environmental damage wrought by the colonial gold rush in Central Victoria and the almost 30 year history of a tiny community group (Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group) striving to make a difference alongside a broader account of social change and the value of land-caring.

Over 150 people came to hear and learn in what has been described by some attendees as a more unusual, but extremely engaging and centering, experience where the focus was to ‘listen in’ without the overstimulation of heavy visuals.  The podcast artfully articulates the journey of both landscape transformation and community learnings alongside music and local voices and you can’t help but be captivated.

Photo: Sharon Fraser and members of the panel (L-R) Cath Jolly, Paul Foreman, Oli Moraes and Brendan Sydes discussing the Reserve.

After the podcast BCLWG provided a delicious sticky supper, a taste of the style of morning teas many Landcare groups strive after the heavy lifting of on-ground working bees. Sharon Fraser, MC for the evening then led a discussion panel about future plans for the Barkers Creek Reserve in Harcourt.  Panel members Cath Jolly (BCLWG Secretary), Paul Foreman, ecologist with Biolinks Alliance, Oli Moraes, Galk-galk Dhelkunya Project Manager with DJAARA and Connecting Country President, Brendan Sydes emphasised the importance of engaging with partners and ‘experts’ to make a significant impact to our damaged countryside and the ongoing need for significant funding to achieve this ambition.

It was a heart-warming event and a big thanks go out to the Barkers Creek crew for creating this special evening in the center of Landcare Week as a celebration of what Landcare can achieve, but also what we can aspire to.  If you missed it, a link to the podcast is available here and Kyla has written a reflection on the event on her Endgame Substack page.

This special event was hosted by Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group and Connecting Country with funding and support from The Victorian Landcare Program, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Mount Alexander Shire Council, The Little Red Apple, Biolinks Alliance and The Good Opp Shop.

Friends of Box Ironbark Forest AGM with ‘Living with Wildlife’ presentation by Tanya Loos

Posted on 3 September, 2025 by Lori

Do you have you have a bird attacking a window, a possum in the roof, phascogales harassing your chickens, or a visiting venomous snake in the backyard?  Or just want to learn more about local wildlife and how to live with them.  Get along to the Friends of Box Ironbark Forests AGM and hear from popular and entertaining local presenter, Tanya Loos.

 Tanya lives in central Victoria and is passionate about wildlife and nature! She has worked as a Woodland Bird Project Coordinator for Connecting Country and Biodiversity Projects Officer for Macedon Ranges City Council – and at present she is Avian Influenza Response Coordinator at BirdLife Australia.

Tanya loves sharing nature knowledge about how to live more harmoniously with the animals that live where we live – and how our homes and backyards can be safe havens in a time of climate breakdown.  Tanya believes there are simple steps we can take that are wildlife friendly and make sure your place is a haven.  In her presentations, Tanya loves drawing from ecological science to educate and inspire people to care about wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Tanya will be sharing her passion through an entertaining presentation at the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests AGM at 6pm on Monday 8^th September at the Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. This will be followed by a light supper and the opportunity to buy Tanya’s book ‘Living with wildlife’, FOBIFs excellent field guides and a raffle ticket for  gorgeous lithographs of the anticlinal fold, hakea or banksia by local artist Bev Lewis.

When: Monday 8^th September, 6pm

Taking Root and Branching Out

Posted on 24 July, 2025 by Lori

All are invited to this special Landcare Week event, Taking Root and Branching Out hosted by Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group and Connecting Country at Phee Broadway Theatre on Wednesday 6 August.

Experience an immersive audio documentary by local creative audio producer Kyla Brettle, about the nearly 30-year story of Barkers Creek Wildlife and Landcare Group and the long game to restore health to the natural environments of Central Victoria.

Learn about their new Comprehensive Ecological Repair Plan for the 35 ha bushland reserve in Barkers Creek (Harcourt), and with cutting edge approaches to landscape repair,  developed with local ecologist Paul Foreman from Biolinks Alliance.

Be part of a discussion led by Sharon Fraser, with representatives from Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group, Connecting Country, DJAARA and Biolinks Alliance, exploring strategies for implementing this project and how we can all help to restore health to the natural landscapes of Mt Alexander Shire.

Enjoy a fabulous Landcare ‘morning tea’, or rather, sticky supper.

When:    Wednesday 6 August 2025 6:30pm -8:30pm

Where:   Phee Broadway Theatre, 212 Barker Street, Castlemaine

Tickets:  $15 adult /$10 concession (children under 12 free).  Bookings here

This special event is hosted by Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group and Connecting Country with funding and support from Mount Alexander Shire Council, The Victorian Landcare Program, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Council, The Little Red Apple, Biolinks Alliance and The Good Opp Shop.

Bird of the Month – Weebill

Posted on 22 July, 2025 by Bonnie Humphreys

Weebill ‘shouting’, Photo by Damian Kelly

Written by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden

In the local Box-Ironbark forest it’s fairly rare to go for a walk without hearing the Weebill. Although seeing it can be tricky, as typically they are in constant motion as they forage in amongst foliage. A give away is their hover, similar species don’t exhibit this behaviour. The best interactions I’ve had with Weebills, is when I’ve been sitting quietly nature journaling in my sketchbook, and a flock moves through the scrub around me. In these instances they can come very close to you and no binoculars are required to get fantastic views of the tiny but sometimes bold bird.

Measuring from bill tip to tail at 80mm and weighing in at just 6 grams, the Weebill is Australia’s smallest bird, but not by far with the Brown Thornbill just 1 gram heavier on average. As its name implies the bill is also very small and and stumpy which makes it easy to distinguish in the field from other Thornbills that invariably have longer, pointy thorn-like bills. It has been placed in a different genus to the other Thornbills.

Weebill foraging in a stunted Box tree, at the Ochre Pits. Photo by Jane Rusden

A glance at the distribution map for the Weebill shows that it is widespread throughout Australia apart from some inland deserts and tropical rain forest areas. Detailed banding studies have shown the Weebill is a sedentary species with little local movements. Recoveries of banded birds have shown the 99% were recorded less than 10km form original locations. And surprisingly for such a small bird, some recoveries have been of birds over 7 years old.

Weebill foraging, perhaps for lerp. Photo by Jane Rusden

Food is mostly insects of various kinds, although at times seeds are also taken. Breeding usually occurs August-December, although nesting has been observed at any time of the year when conditions are suitable. Nests are dome-shaped and are built mainly in eucalypt foliage. Clutch size ranges from 2-4 eggs. Both females and males incubate and feed the young.

Calls are quite loud for such a small bird with a whistled song that is quite distinctive and can sound like it’s calling its own name, “Weebill”.

Bird of the Month is a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we take a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community.

National Tree Day – POSTPONED TO 24TH AUGUST

Posted on 4 July, 2025 by Lori

POSTPONED TO 24TH AUGUST 2025

Due to inclement weather this event has been postponed for a month to the 24th of August.

National Tree Day was established by Planet Ark in 1996 and is an annual call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to the environment.

To celebrate, Connecting Country is partnering with the Friends of Campbells Creek to host a community planting day along the newly completed trail, just upstream from the Princess Street bridge in Campbells Creek.

We will be hoping to plant over 3000 plants which will require many helping hands, big and little!  As well as planting, there will be lots of family friendly nature engagement including ‘mini forest’ creations with Wild Families (part of the Victorian National Parks Association) and nature themed craft activities.

FREE BBQ lunch with Rotary to follow.

When: Sunday 27 July 2025 10:00-1:30pm Sunday August 24th 10.00 -1.30pm

Where: Campbells Creek trail, upstream from Princess Street bridge – see map

Please bring:  Your own drinking water and your favourite planting tools.

Wear: gardening/leather gloves, hat, and wear sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the weather.  Gumboots might come in handy!

This event offers an opportunity for the Mount Alexander community to come together and take direct on-ground conservation action to restore and enhance our local biodiversity. All welcome!

A bit thank-you to the event sponsors – The Hub Foundation, Community Bank Maldon and District and Mount Alexander Shire Council.