Chemical Users Permit & 1080/PAPP Courses October 2026
Posted on 25 August, 2026 by Hadley Cole
As part of the Partnerships Against Pests project, Connecting Country is offering subsidised Agricultural Chemical Skill Set and 1080/PAPP Vertebrate Pest Baiting Training. Ag Skills Victoria will deliver the training over two Saturdays in October at the cost of only $50 per course (usually over $300 per course).
The Chemical Users Skills Set is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling and incorporates a blend of theory and practical training and assessment and is a prerequisite to the 1080 & PAPP Vertebrate Pest Training. On completion of both courses you will be eligible to apply to Agriculture Victoria for an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) with a 1080 endorsement.
*Please note if you already hold an ACUP received with prior training, you can sign up to complete the 1080 & PAPP course to gain endorsement for use.
Agricultural Chemical Skill Set Course
When: Saturday 17 October, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Where: Sutton Grange Hall, 921 Faraday-Sutton Grange Rd., Sutton Grange VIC
Cost: $50
More Info & Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DPBDZ
Morning Tea & Lunch provided
1080 & PAPP Vertebrate Pest Baiting Course
When: Saturday 24 October, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Where: Sutton Grange Hall, 921 Faraday-Sutton Grange Rd., Sutton Grange VIC
Cost: $50
More info & Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DPBET
Morning Tea & Lunch provided
In the Company of Birds Thurs 10 September
Posted on 12 August, 2026 by Hadley Cole
As part of the 2026 Feathery Festival, Connecting Country and Birdlife Castlemaine are teaming up to present a very special event, In the Company of Birds; an evening of art and conversation celebrating the birds in our life.
The panel will be followed by a special immersive art and music experience that will leave you feeling uplifted. Nature Art Soundscapes features musicians Hilary Blackshaw (violin, guitar and vocals), Joel Bloom (lap steel guitar), Clara Schutz (cello) and artist Jane Rusden. Together they celebrate local woodland wildlife by weaving beautiful live art making with evocative musical soundscapes. For more information on Nature Art Soundscapes and what to expect -click here
We are fortunate to be hosting this very special event at Castlemaine Goods Shed, boasting amazing acoustics as well as hosting a licensed bar with drinks at bar prices.
Dinner is also included in your ticket price and will be catered by the delicious Middle Eastern offerings of local restaurant Melody.
Book yourself and a group of friends a table for this memorable evening.
When: Thursday 10 September, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Where: Castlemaine Goods Shed, 21 Kennedy St. Castlemaine VIC
Cost: Early Bird prices available now! Group booking (table for 8) $55 per head, Individual ticket $60 per head.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DOEUO
All profits from this event will go towards Connecting Country’s restoration projects.
A big Thank You to funders, supporters and partners that make this event possible; Brian D Newman, Birdlife Castlemaine, Weekend Birder, Castlemaine Goods Shed and Melody.
Feathery Festival Guided Bird Walk Sat 5 September 2026
Posted on 10 August, 2026 by Hadley Cole
As part of the 2026 Feathery Festival, Connecting Country and Birdlife Castlemaine are teaming up to host a guided bird walk along Campbells Creek Trail. After decades of restoration by local group, Friends of Campbells Creek, a walk along the creek is now an iconic part of Castlemaine/ Campbells creek culture. Although you may have walked this trail many a time, perhaps you haven’t noticed the diverse bird life that now calls the creek line home. Birdlife Castlemaine volunteers will guide you on the walk noticing the various birds and, if needed, share some advice on birdwatching techniques. The walk will take around an hour and will meander at a slow pace as we stop to notice our feathered friends.
After the walk we will enjoy a lovely morning tea and cuppa provided by Stak’s cafe just outside The Good Op Shop. There will also be a plant sale courtesy of Newstead Natives where you can purchase bird-friendly habitat plants for your property or garden.
Morning tea has been thoughtfully donated by the amazing The Good Op Shop, always supporting grass roots nature events and activities.
No need to book just turn up ready to walk!
What: Guided Bird Walk & Plant Sale
When: Saturday 5 September, 9.00am – 10.30am
Where: Lewis Drive, Castlemaine, for map link – click here
What to Bring: Weather appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes, binoculars, water and snacks
The Feathery Festival is a collaboration between local organisations Connecting Country, Birdlife Castlemaine District, Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and representatives from Landcare Groups in the Mount Alexander Region. It would not be possible without the valuable support from sponsors Brian D Newman Foundation and The Good Op Shop.
2026 Feathery Festival: Nature Journaling and Sticky Beak Property Tour
Posted on 10 August, 2026 by Hadley Cole
To celebrate all things nature, Birdlife Castlemaine are hosting a Nature Journaling session and a Sticky Beak Property Tour on Sunday 6 September as part of the Feathery Festival 2026. This event offers the opportunity to visit a local property that is in the process of being restored for bird habitat, and if you feel the urge spend some time with local artist Jane Rusden learning the art of nature journaling (no experience necessary).
No bookings required.
The Feathery Festival is a collaboration between local organisations Connecting Country, Birdlife Castlemaine District, Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and representatives from Landcare Groups in the Mount Alexander Region. It would not be possible without the valuable support from sponsors Brian D Newman Foundation and The Good Op Shop.
2026 Landcare Link-up: The Adaptation Game (TAG) Session
Posted on 22 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole
On Saturday 20 June, Landcare Group representatives from around the Mount Alexander Region came together for the annual Landcare Link-up event. This year Connecting Country teamed up with Mount Alexander Shire Council to present facilitated sessions of The Adaptation Game, a tabletop game designed to prepare residents for impacts of nature disasters and climate change. According to Mount Alexander Shire Council; “The Adaptation Game is based on scientific evidence about how climate change will affect Mount Alexander Shire specifically, exploring practical ways to adapt and contribute to community resilience, as well as understand the projects and programs already being implemented by council and community.”
The game was developed to be adapted to local councils across Victoria, providing opportunity for residents and local councils to reflect on individual and community preparedness under predicted conditions of climate change. For a more detailed description of the game head over to the Mount Alexander Shire Council website – click here
Saturday’s Landare Link-up saw representatives from Guildford Upper Loddon, Golden Point, Barringhup, Castlemaine, and Maldon Urban Landcare Groups, as well as Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, come together and play the game alongside Connecting Country staff. Participants were allocated to two groups and each played a round of the game. Each group was facilitated by trained facilitators, Darren Tinker (Connecting Country Committee Member) and Brendan Garrett (Mount Alexander Shire Council Climate Change Coordinator).
The game involves various scenarios based on scientific evidence and predictions such as a bushfire, storm, or flood. The bushfire scenario was very close to home and the predictions reflected actual events. This encouraged much discussion around what participants did and didn’t do during the January 9 fires, and how prepared people felt when responding to evacuation warnings. A total of four rounds can be played in the game and, depending on the participants, each round can take up to an hour or more. The nature of the game offers structured scenarios that encourage conversation and reflection on preparedness, connections within the community (such as Landcare), and the amount of community and individual energy input required for responding to natural disasters and climate change.
Landcare representatives and Connecting Country staff enjoyed participating in the game and showed an interest to be part of future sessions.
Connecting Country’s Mount Alexander region Landcare Facilitator Lori Arthur reflected “It was great to have Landcare representatives come together and share ideas, lessons and reflections on their preparedness for potential natural disasters and changes in climatic conditions. It was evident how knowledgeable Landcare members are in understanding the landscape, how climate change risks may play out and what actions community can take, both as individuals and as a collective whole”
The 2026 Landcare Link-up was made possible thanks to funding from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation and DEECA and supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Mid-May Workshops with Newstead Natives
Posted on 11 June, 2026 by Hadley Cole
In May, Connecting Country teamed up with Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives to present two propagation workshops at her nursery in Newstead. The popular sessions booked out quickly and also had a lengthy wait list! Plant-smith Frances has decades of experience growing indigenous and native species and she generously shared her knowledge on how to sow seed, divide plants and use cuttings for propagation.
Keen participants came from various locations, within and also just out of the Mount Alexander Shire, from Newstead, to Castlemaine, Taradale and Daylesford. Frances talked us through the various propagation methods she uses for growing on plants as well as follow up care required to grow healthy, vibrant tube stock!
Participants learnt how to collect seed and sow plants such as Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) and Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata), as well as grow on species such as Yam Daisy (Microseris walteri), Buloke (Allocasurina luehmanii), and Hedge Salt Bush (Rhagodia spinescens).
Photos above show participants pricking out and dividing plants in the hot house.
Participants reported that they enjoyed an excellent morning of learning and getting their hands in the soil and walked away with a greater understanding of propagating local plants.
We hope to hear from participants of the workshop in the future and learn how they have applied their propagation skills to local restoration projects.
This workshop was made possible thanks to funding through the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation.
Reconciliation Week 2026 in the Mount Alexander Region
Posted on 18 May, 2026 by Lori
Reconciliation Week follows Sorry Day (26 May) running from May 27 to June 3 each year. This years theme, All In for Reconciliation, is a reminder that it’s the responsibility for all people who call this beautiful continent home to learn the shared histories of this land and contribute to building cultures that can celebrate the leadership of First Peoples and support their self determination.
Reconciliation Week events and Sorry Day in Mount Alexander region – at the foothills of Liyanganyuk Banyul – are coordinated by Friends of Nalderun in partnership with Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation, Mount Alexander Shire Council and a diverse range of local organisations. There is a large vary of activities and events to learn more and get involved including Sorry Day commemorations, school sessions and film screenings.
Included this year is a special event in Guildford on Sunday 31 May, Guildford Biyal (Red Gum) Honouring Day celebrating the Guildford Big Tree. The day will include a Welcome to Country, Djaara Women’s dancers, launch of the Reconciliation Seat (crafted with timber from the fallen limb of the big Biyal), free BBQ, music, First Nations stalls and more!
Check out the range of activities on the Reconciliation Week Brochure 2026_Mount Alexander Region (Digital Brochure).
Free Mental Health First Aid Course Fri 22 & 29 May 2026
Posted on 30 April, 2026 by Hadley Cole
As part of our Drought Resilience Project, Connecting Country is offering the Mental Health First Aid Course for Landcare and community members at no cost. The course runs across two full days, Friday 22 May and Friday 29 May from 9.30am – 4.30pm at the Uniting Church in Castlemaine.
This course is a great opportunity for Landcare and community members to develop skills in providing initial support for another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional support is provided or the crisis is resolved.
As we have seen in various climate disaster events over the years and most recently in response to the January 9 fires, Landcare and grass roots community organisations are often called upon to help coordinate and support community in the aftermath of disasters. Considering this, the Mental Health First Aid offers an opportunity for Landcare members to respond with confidence and base level knowledge when supporting community members who have experienced trauma.
For more info and bookings – click here
Fencing Field Day: Friday 27 March
Posted on 5 March, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys
Connecting Country is pleased to be presenting a Fencing Field Day.
Whether you are looking to learn how to fix or maintain your own fences for stock, or build exclusion fences for vegetation, or maybe looking to volunteer to help others build fences, this is the workshop for you.
Working with an experienced local fencer and farmer, this workshop will give participants a practical and hands-on education on aspects of building farm and environmental fencing. There are also opportunities to learn how to retrofit farm fencing to exclude rabbits, or other pest species.
The day will be held at a property in Harcourt where participants will learn from start to finish how to construct a fence, with insights into all those little time saving tricks that experience brings.
Lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.
When: Friday 27 March 9.30 am to 2.30 pm
Where: Harcourt (Venue information provided after booking)
Tickets only $30 Register here
This workshop is funded with support from the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation.
Rabbit Control Field Day – Book Now!
Posted on 23 February, 2026 by Bonnie Humphreys
Connecting Country in partnership with Guildford and Upper Loddon Landcare Group and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) is pleased to present a Rabbit Control Field Day in Guildford.
Saturday 14 March 2026 – 9.30am to 1.30pm
Rabbits have been in our landscape now for over 100 years and we still have not managed to successfully control them. We do however have research into the best methods and the most successful techniques. Now is the best time of year to implement them.
February and March are a particularly good time of year to get on to rabbit control as natural food in the environment is low. Using a range of methods in the right order (‘integrated pest management’) and at the right time of year will ensure you the most success with the least effort.
VRAN have been working on identifying the most successful recipe for control and passing on their knowledge though workshops, practical demonstrations and providing educational resources. We are lucky enough to be able to bring them to Guildford to share this knowledge with you.
There will be a presentation in the morning, followed by a field trip and discussion on site. All located close to the centre of Guildford. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
We are also inviting local contractors who would like to be part of the event, to get in touch with us at info@connectingcountry.org.au This can be a great opportunity to introduce yourself to local landholders and Landcare representatives.
This event is free but registration is required for catering purposes.
Register: https://www.trybooking.com/DJJOI
‘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
Make Your Passion Your Day Job – study Conservation and Ecosystem Management at Bendigo TAFE
Posted on 16 January, 2026 by Lori
Bendigo TAFE is currently recruiting students for their Conservation and Ecosystem Management courses in 2026 starting in March.
The Certificate III Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with the opportunity to obtain various certificates used in gaining employment or furthering job positions in the environmental field. You will complete your Farm Chemical Users Certificate (first step in the ACUP process) and Operate and Maintain Chainsaws certification. You will gain skills in fencing, operate machinery, learn about local plants and their cultural uses, survey pest animals, conduct site inspections, implement vegetation works and propagation. You will also learn about geology and soils, sampling and testing water and identifying fauna. By completing the course and gaining the certificate, students are in a good position for employment with places like Project Fire Fighter (DEECA), Councils Parks and Gardens or with Bushland Contractors and many others.
Certificate IV Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with industry experience gained on field trips and camps. Students are taken into the field to conduct real life surveys and monitoring with industry partnerships such as Bush Heritage, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and local Landcare Groups and Conservation Management Networks. You will get practical experience in areas like revegetation and pest control and learn to monitor biodiversity. With the completion of Certificate IV CEM you will gain automatic entry into the Environmental Education course at La Trobe University as well as open up various employment opportunities.
Please contact Terri Williams on twilliams@bendigotafe.edu.au or phone 54341743 to discuss these opportunities further. You can also go to Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management on the Bendigo TAFE Website.
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:
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
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 8th 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.
Where: Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine.
More information: visit the FOBIF website.
Bird of the Month: Australian Hobby
Posted on 26 May, 2025 by Lori
Article by Damian Kelly with a small addition by Jane Rusden
Australian Hobby at Welford National Park in outback Queensland. Photo by Jane Rusden
My research for this article quickly found that the Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) has been little studied and there are some gaps in its background. This is surprising as it is fairly common in cities and towns including Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra as well as being found around Castlemaine. Just the other day a Hobby swept across in front of me as I drove down Urquhart Street near the centre of town. They have a preference for using old raven nests when breeding. Once, up near Kerang, I watched an epic battle between a pair of Little Ravens and two Hobbies over the possession of a nest high in an old River Redgum. In this case the hobbies appeared to win the day and at least one raven egg was removed from the nest and smashed on the ground.
Breeding generally occurs in spring and the female lays 2-4 eggs. Both sexes incubate and feed the young. After fledging the family group stays together for up to 12 weeks. Often the parents will do food transfers in flight to improve the abilities of the young.
The Hobby is sometimes confused with the far more charismatic Peregrine Falcon it resembles. It is distinguished from the Peregrine by its smaller size and slighter build with only a partial “helmet” compared to the Peregrine. It also tends to have a brownish breast.
Interestingly, the Latin name ‘longipennis’ comes from the birds long primary wing feathers. Penna singular and pennae plural, is feather in Latin. In ornithological terms, penna refers to a contour feather.
Outside of urban areas the Hobby can be found all over the country from coastal areas to the dry interior and Tasmania. Nesting generally occurs near water. In some areas it is resident but birds often move about with some evidence of north-south and altitudinal movements. Quite an adaptable bird.
They catch birds, bats and insects on the wing often via fast contour hunting hugging the treetops, along creek lines, between buildings or by direct diving from a perch. Diet is primarily birds (70%), with parrots and starlings more common, along with dragonflies. Surprisingly they also are known to take the fast-flying White-throated Needletails. As a crepuscular (at twilight) species it can be observed feeding towards dusk and around dawn, hence the appearance of bats in their diet. It is not unusual to see a Hobby sitting high in a tree watching and waiting for prey.
Australian Hobby on a fence post along Rodborough Rd, on the Moolort Plains. Photo by Ash Vigus.
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.
Rabbits Invade Harcourt – Rabbit Control Field Day
Posted on 20 March, 2025 by Lori
In mid-February Connecting Country organised a very well patronised Rabbit Control Field Day led by Tim Bloomfield, from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network. The event was part of the Partnership against Pests Project funded by Agriculture Victoria. A big thank-you to Robyn Miller for putting together this summary of the event and photos.
Tim Bloomfield from Victorian Rabbit Action Network in the field discussing bait laying for rabbit control
The Rabbit Control Field Day was held on February 15th in Harcourt at the Heritage Centre before moving to a field site for demonstrations. Tim began by saying that rabbits ‘love’ the granitic soils which stretch in an arc from Harcourt to Maldon’s Mount Tarrengower. He described how rabbits were introduced to Australia in 1859 by Thomas Austin, who for hunting purposes imported 13 wild European rabbits which eventually spread across the entire continent.
He said, ‘Killing rabbits by shooting is easy but managing the landscape to eradicate rabbits is the difficult thing. Rabbits change the landscape and it is important to use a variety of control measures in the right sequence. These include baiting, fumigation of burrows and following up with destroying burrow systems and rabbit harbour. Rabbit proof fencing is an important but expensive tool for landowners.’
‘Rabbits need to be reduced by 85 to 95% to stop a population explosion. Two adult breeding rabbits will result in 184 rabbits in 12 months. If you don’t have effective prevention methods rabbits will fill your property after you have cleared them, as they will return to existing burrows. They can survive on low levels of protein and it only takes one to three rabbits per hectare to stop the regeneration of native species. If you set up an exclusion plot, you will be surprised by the amount of natural grasses etc that will grow if you keep rabbits out. Rabbits can spread 500 weed seeds per day which allows them to create their own habitat, for example, Box Thorn and Gorse.’
Tim recommended that neighbours in adjoining properties work together. He said, ‘By using an app called Feral Scan, burrow sites can be accurately recorded in order to make shooting effective and to locate them for the use of fumigants or poison bait.’ At the field site Tim demonstrated smoking a burrow to find the extent of the burrow and to identify the entrances.
Local earthworks contractor demonstrating rabbit warren destruction.
In deciding which chemical baits to use around burrows, the choice is between 1080 and Pindone. Pindone is toxic to native animal species but they do have some protection against 1080. However, there are limitations to using 1080, especially in urbanised areas, as there are particular risks to domestic animals like dogs. It is necessary to have a Chemical Users Certificate to purchase and use 1080 and very important that any dead animals are removed early in the morning to avoid secondary poisoning of other animals when using any baits.
‘The final step, once shooting and fumigating and or baiting has been carried out, is to rip the burrows, to prevent any survivors returning to occupy an empty burrow. Burrows can go to 850 millimetres and will not go lower than the water table. If burrows are being ripped, the ripping needs to go outside the holes by 4 meters. To make ripping cost effective, neighbours can share the cost.’
Tim was formally thanked by the Connecting Country organisers; the attendees were very impressed with Tim’s knowledge and advice and enjoyed a delicious morning tea and lunch provided as part of the course. Thanks were also extended to the property owners, who generously allowed the demonstrations to be carried out on their land.
Participants were interested to learn that Connecting Country will soon run a two-day course chemical users course, which is heavily subsidised, at Castlemaine Community House.
For more information on best practice rabbit control, visit the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) website vran.com.au
This event was supported by funding from the Victorian Government through the Partnership Against Pests program.