The Mount Alexander Council Plan – have your say!

Posted on 7 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

What do you love about living in Mount Alexander Shire? What are your aspirations and priorities for the shire over the next four years? The Mount Alexander Shire Council has asked Connecting Country to share the news that they are developing their four year Council Plan. You could help shape the Council Plan by contributing your views and by sharing the opportunity to contribute with your friends and networks.

There are a number of ways to get involved in this project. For more information please visit the website.

http://haveyoursay.mountalexander.com.au/council-plan2021

Soils workshop with Katie, Hugh and NCCMA

Posted on 1 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

On Wednesday the 30th November 2016, Connecting Country was proud to partner with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) to provide an soils health workshop as a extension to our Farm Field Day held in August. Sixteen attendees were taken through the soils guide which was developed by the NCCMA to help people to conduct tests on their soil to survey for soil health. Katie and Hugh Finlay, from the Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens, kindly hosted the event on their orchard in Harcourt and shared their understanding and land management practices in relation to soil health.

Mandy Coulson (NCCMA) and Martin Hamilton (Department of Agriculture) lead participants through the guide which aims to give landholders a quick and easy group of soil tests they can do on their patch. It’s intended that these results become baseline information for soil health. Katie and Hugh grounded this exercise with the story of land management practice change on their orchard, current practice and resultant soil health.

Connecting Country has copies of the soil guide available from their office at the Hub – feel free to drop by and pick one up. Another great resource for people interested in soils is the The Brown Book website hosted by the Corangamite CMA.

Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens in Harcourt hosted the event

Mandy and Martin introduce the Soils Guide

Tools of the trade

Attendees studying their sols guides

Getting stuck into soil texture

Ph can affect plant growth

Soil tests help us with the big picture

Soil compaction tests require a metal rod and some elbow strength

Looking at soil structure requires some organising skill

Hugh talked about making and distributing compost tea to trees on the orchard

Worms make great pets and form the starter for compost tea

Celebrate International Volunteer Day with MAVN

Posted on 1 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country would like to share Mount Alexander Volunteer Network’s series of morning teas and information sessions to celebrate International Volunteer Day. The session will include resources and opportunities to strengthen volunteer programs across the shire. These events will be a great way to find out more about support for volunteering in our shire and acknowledge the contribution that volunteers make locally.

On Sunday 4th December 2016, join them for a thank you event at the Castlemaine Farmers Market in Victory Park, between 9am – 11am. Federal MP, Lisa Chesters, will be on hand to express her thanks and local community radio station MAIN FM will be broadcasting live from Victory Park, chatting on-air to volunteers and volunteer involving groups. The Volunteer Network will have thank you cards for community members to sign as a gesture of thanks for local groups and – most importantly – there will be CAKE.

On Monday 5th December 2016, join them for two free information sessions, with information and opportunities to support and strengthen your volunteer involvement. Contact Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com for more information.

ENGAGING JOB SEEKERS & WORK FOR THE DOLE VOLUNTEERS
Castlemaine has a very high level of eager, educated and professional people looking for volunteer opportunities to fulfill Centrelink requirements. Some folk may be semi-retired but not quite at pension age; others are returning to the workforce after raising families or recovering from an illness. Funding is available to support teams of job seekers who undertake 6 month placements. Find out how your community group can benefit from job seekers seeking volunteer opportunities.

11am Monday, 5th December 2016, The Gov Café, Old Castlemaine Gaol
Morning tea provided. RSVP to Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com

FOOD SAFETY FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS: what you need to know to provide safe, legal food service
From sausage sizzles, to cake stalls, selling food is a tried and true fundraising strategy employed by many community groups. Sometimes the laws and requirements around safe food handling can be intimidating and confusing. Representatives from Council’s Environmental Health department will be joined by a leading food safety trainer who will spell out exactly what is required and how to go about providing safe, legal food service.

1pm Monday, 5th December 2016, The Gov Café, Old Castlemaine Gaol
Light lunch provided. RSVP to Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com

Many thanks to Cobaw Community Health for funding the catering for International Volunteer Day.

Wildlife friendly garden workshop with Cassia Read

Posted on 28 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Among exuberant flowers and darting pollinator insects, twenty people gathered in Cassia Read’s Castlemaine garden on Saturday the 19th November 2016 to learn about wildlife friendly gardening. Cassia’s mission for the workshop was to inspire and inform people about how to nudge their gardens in a wildlife friendly direction. Cassia suggested elements that could be added to any garden to make it more biodiverse, whatever the gardeners needs and values.

Cassia (left) talked about how we could all nudge our gardens in a wildlife friendly direction.

Cassia explained that she’s passionate about wildlife friendly gardens because life in the garden brings beauty and joy; it fosters a connection between people and nature; and, because gardens can provide a refuge for wildlife in a changing climate.

A garden is a community of plants and animals, living together and interacting with each other. Cassia introduced the concept of garden community ecology with a drawing of a food-web in her own garden. This illustrated how energy, harvested from the sun by plants, moves up the food chain; from pollinating and leaf eating insects and seed and nectar eating birds, through predatory insects, reptiles, frogs, small bush birds, bats and phascogales, to larger carnivores such as kookaburras and boobook owls.

Foodweb in Cassia’s garden, showing ‘who eat’s what’ and the movement of energy harvested by plants from the sun, up the food chain to larger predators (Illustration by Cassia Read).

Cassia drew attention to the importance of insects in bringing wildlife to the garden, because many of the larger vertebrates either eat insects directly or they eat the insect predators. Even small honey-eaters supplement much of their diet with insects living in the tree canopy.

Cassia invited participants to spend a moment quietly observing life in the garden in two different locations, using two different ways to observe: an unfocussed, dreamy gaze that allows you to see all the movement in the garden with your peripheral vision; and a focused gaze to see the detail of particular species and individuals going about their daily lives. Cassia commented that observation is the key to wildlife friendly gardening. The more you look, the more you learn and enjoy and are inspired to create a living landscape around you.

Cassia discussed the spectrum of garden styles that range between pavement and bushland, with biodiversity in the garden increasing as you moved from a low diversity, simplified landscape like a park, through to a garden with different vegetation layers, different micro-habitats and more indigenous species.

Spectrum of garden styles, from pavement to bushland, with garden biodiversity increasing with complexity of vegetation structure, micro-habitats and indigenous plantings (illustration by Cassia Read).

During the guided tour around her half acre block, Cassia discussed elements she has added to her garden to create shelter and food for wildlife. Standing around her small pond, participants discussed how the creation of even a small pond, planted with local water plants, brings frogs, dragonflies, aquatic invertebrates and a place for quiet reflection and observation. Other important elements included:

Cassia’s pond has Pobblebonk tadpoles but no mosquito larvae because she’s introduced native Murray Rainbow Fish that eat wrigglers but not frogs eggs.

• Growing indigenous and exotic flowers for native pollinators such as native bees, wasps, hoverflies and butterflies. Through extending the flowering season with thoughtful planting you can extend the time nectar and pollen are available to pollinators;
• Planting dense and prickly shrubs where small bush birds can hide from cats and aggressive or predatory birds;
• Building leaf litter, mulch and woody debris for insect habitat, which in turn provide food for ground foraging birds, reptiles, frogs and phascogales;
• Adding nest-boxes and artificial hollows to trees for birds and bats – but watch out they aren’t placed too high or you won’t be able to evict Indian Miners and other wanted pests;
• Planting a drought-tolerant native lawn that provides food and shelter for moth and butterfly larvae, and seed for native pigeons and Diamond Firetails;
• Creating varied rocky habitats for basking lizards, including rock on soil and rock on rock. Also, pupae from ant colonies that live under the rocks are an important food source for ground foraging predators.

The workshop concluded in the shade of a gum tree, with an exercise and conversation about nudging our own gardens for wildlife. What more could we do and what were our barriers? Cassia guided participants to think about their gardens in terms of management zones, from high maintenance and input zones such as the small orchard, to low maintenance and input zones such as areas of drought-hardy, native shrubs planted for screening at the front of a block.

Thanks to all attendees for coming along, and to Cassia and Melanie Marshall from the Mount Alexander Shire Council for their work presenting and bringing this event into fruition. Much was learned from Cassia’s unique perspective on how to build a garden and engage with nature.

For further information visit our Wildlife Friendly Garden webpage here.

This workshop has been supported by Connecting Country, through funding from the Australian Government and the Mount Alexander Shire Council through their Sustainable Living Workshop Series.

Talking Fire – Igniting a Spark

Posted on 24 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

There’s a triangle involved in fire; which involves conditions, substrate and spark.  The “Talking Fire” weekend on 12-13th  November 2016 lit a spark, but it certainly wasn’t damaging. The triangle of local, Indigenous and technical expertise, field and forest visits, and space to talk about what people in the Newstead-Maldon community have heard and seen, all created another sort of ignition.

Part of the field trip convoy through the Muckleford Forest looking at ecological values, burning and fire recovery

People are concerned about the places they love, including home and the local landscape more generally. Talking Fire was a great start to a new kind of conversation: about learning, reducing fear, building understanding, caring for our towns, settlements and the whole landscape together.

Thanks to everyone who participated and contributed. Especially Maldon Urban Landcare Group (MULGA). And for funding – thanks to Mount Alexander Shire Community Grants, Maldon and District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), Norman Wettenhall Foundation. For catering – Newstead Primary School, Newstead Mens’ Shed; for gifts – Goughs Range Olives and Newstead Natives; in-kind support – Newstead Landcare, Connecting Country, Newstead Fire Brigade, Newstead Auxiliary, Friends of Box Ironbark Forests, Bendigo TAFE, DELWP. And our recorders – Julie Hough, Julie Millowick, Christine Sayer, Marion Williams, Simon Beckett, Andrew Skeoch, Sarah Koschak, Gordon Dowell. And three cheers for the planning group too.

Andrew Bennett (wildlife and landscape ecologist, La Trobe University and Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research), Sam Strong (pHD candidate at Charles Sturt University), Joan Sartori (Newstead CFA Auxiliary), Mick Burke and Trent Nelson (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans)

And mostly, to everyone who came to any of it, or all, and joined the chat. Talking Fire think there were around 40 – 50 on each day, and not the same attendees, or speakers. It made for more conversations.

Because many people couldn’t attend the event, or only came to parts of it, Talking Fire are curating the audio, visual and audio-visual of the weekend at their website www.talkingfire.org. You will be able to get a gist of the conversations there. But please be a bit patient for it all to arrive.

Talking Fire are also interested in collecting ‘fire histories’ around the CFA auxiliary, and other fire experiences – to share and learn from. Contact Gordon 0467 586 881 or Janet 0439 003 469.

More info: www.talkingfire.org or Chris 54762457.

Fantails and Button-quails on the Metcalfe Bird Walk

Posted on 23 November, 2016 by Tanya Loos

On the 6th of November 2016, Connecting Country’s monthly bird walk was at Metcalfe Nature Conservation Reserve, or “the Common”. We met at the Metcalfe Hall, and some twenty of us were delighted to hear that locals, Brian and Kate Hamond, had something special they wished to share.

Safe and sound, photo by secondary school student Maeve Boyle

A large roll of wire in the Hamond’s open shed proved an excellent nesting spot for a pair of Grey Fantails. As we all gathered around, binoculars in hand, we were delighted to observe the pair swap over egg brooding duties. They seemed unconcerned by our presence, and Brian said he has been able to go about his usual business in the shed without disturbing the fantails. Many thanks to Brian and Kate for this exciting start to the morning.

We set off to the Common and the excitement continued – for the moment Greg Waddell opened the car door, we were stunned to get very good views of a small quail-like species as it walked and then flew away into the woodland. A rather technical discussion of Button-quail identification followed using a couple of bird books. We decided that the Pizzey and Knight field guide is most useful in these situations, as it has the key identifying feature in italics.  It was agreed that the bird was a Little Button-quail, rather than the more common Painted Button-quail. Little Button-quails are being seen increasingly in Eastern Australia after these record-breaking rains and – although rarely seen – they are on our local bird-checklist-for-the-mount-alexander-region.

The highlight birds seen along the Ridge Track were probably the Rufous Whistlers, calling incessantly from the canopy. A quiet spot that morning, we saw just 13 species along the track. The wildflowers were stunning however – thick masses of flowering Chocolate Lilies and Yam Daisies.

We traveled around the Goldfields Rd to the more lush areas on the lower slopes of the Reserve, and did a Twenty Minute 2 Hectare count as we walked up the slope and we saw 9 species. The birds were a bit hard to see due to the lush and abundant growth on the Yellow Box and Grey Box. Again, the wildflowers were a treat- with Chocolate Lilies and Bulbine Lilies in huge drifts. Thanks to Maeve for being our scribe.

We also saw a white form of Chocolate lily! This is not an albino – just a colour variation. You may have noticed some white forms yourself – such as Wax-lip Orchids, and also more recently, Bluebells (Wahlenbergia).

Our Bird Walks usually finish up at about 11:30am, but this time we travelled back to the Metcalfe Hall and I gave a short Powerpoint presentation on the birds of the Metcalfe area.

It was a very enjoyable morning, and I would like to thank Debbie Farmer, Secretary of Metcalfe Landcare, for organising the Hall and publicising the event locally. It was fantastic to have some beginner birdwatchers there!

Smiles in the woodland, photo by Tanya Loos

Wednesday 30th November – Soils workshop with Katie Finlay and NCCMA

Posted on 14 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Following on from our Farm Field Day in August, Connecting Country is working with North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) to run a short workshop about soils in Harcourt.

During this workshop participants will hear from Katie Finlay from Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens about their property and the role soil  health plays in their farming system. Practical instruction from Mandy Coulson (NCCMA) and soil scientist Rebecca Mitchell will take participants through a series of soil tests in the recently launched Soil Health Guide to measure health on your land.

If you’d like to come along, the free workshop will run from 10 – 11.30am on Wednesday November 30th 2016.

To reserve your place at this event, please follow this link: https://www.trybooking.com/241695.

For more information contact Naomi on 5472 1594 or email naomi@connectingcountry.org.au.

Tarrangower Cactus Control Group nominated for Parks Vic award – vote for them!

Posted on 10 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Cactus Warriors partying and celebrating at the recent Maldon Easter Fair

The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group has let Connecting Country know that they have been nominated for Parks Victoria’s Kookaburra Public Choice Award. You, your family and friends can support the Cactus Warriors by voting for them.

You can go direct to the voting form through this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/publicchoiceaward

If you would like to read more about the award and those who have been nominated before you vote please use this link:  http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/kookaburra

Voting closes on 30 November 2016. Let them know you care!

Call for photos from Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests

Posted on 9 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

The theme of the next FOBIF photo exhibition is “Mountains and Waterways”.

Mount Tarrengower from Chewton Hills. Bernard Slattery, 23 June 2010

Stilts, tuans and Swifty make for a great Connecting Country float!

Posted on 9 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

An enthusiastic mob of kids and adults turned out to show their support for Connecting Country last Friday night at the Castlemaine Show Parade

Twenty people volunteered to walk the main street of Castlemaine proudly showing their support for Connecting Country on the evening of Friday 28th October. We were lucky to have an appearance by Swifty the parrot and a resident tuan along for the float as well as Ella with her amazing stilt walking ability for all to see.

This fun event aimed to promote the work that Connecting Country does in our local area to the broader community of Castlemaine. Volunteers in high-vis also gave out hedge wattle seeds, caramello koalas and eucalyptus lollies to the happy and supportive crowd.

A big thank-you to Bonnie for donating the wattle seed, Jarrod for driving the red ute, Beth, Ella and Micah for dressing up and everyone else for volunteering their time and enthusiasm for Connecting Country.

Our resident tuan and Theo enjoy the afternoon sunshine on the direct seeder before they head down the street.

Little Habitat Heroes campaign reaches $2000!

Posted on 7 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country is proud to be supporting the Little Habitat Heroes in their campaign to raise funds for landscape restoration at the former silkworm farm site on Mount Alexander. They have raised just over $2,000 already and are keen to raise at least $3,000 to cover the costs of plants, guards, and a community planting day in 2017.

This project was born by a group of new mums who met at a Mothers Group in Castlemaine in early 2016. They shared a dream to create something unique for their babies’ first birthdays and wanted to contribute to the restoration of the local environment and give their children the gift of a personal connection with nature.

For more information about this project see our previous blog post.

Visit: www.littlehabitatheroes.org, or their facebook page or donate via Give Now. A huge thanks to all of those who have already donated.

16 & 17 November 2016 – Parks Victoria led walks around Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

Posted on 3 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Join in the conversation about how best to manage heritage values in the diggings park.

Parks Victoria are currently reviewing the Heritage Action Plan for the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. As a part of this review, they are inviting the community to take part in three half-day walks at specific locations within the park. The aim of the “walkovers” is to share concerns and values of these areas to help inform their future management. See the itinerary below for an outline of each of the half day walks.

They might touch upon indigenous, natural, social or community values, as well as the significant gold-mining heritage, which together will help Parks Victoria present a holistic approach to the management and presentation of the Park’s landscape.

The walks will be led by Chris Johnston and John Dyke of Context Pty Ltd., who are helping Parks Victoria review and update the Heritage Action Plan.

The Garfield-wheel in Chewton

Itinerary

Walkover 1: Garfield
Date: Wednesday 16th November 2016
Time: 10am to 1pm
Meet at: Garfield Wheel car park at 9.30am

Sites on walkover 1 include:

• Welsh Village
• Scotchman’s Gully
• Quartz Hill
• Garfield Wheel and environs

NB: this is a one-way walk with the idea of sharing a number of vehicles to drive to the start of the walk near Welsh village.

Walkover 2: Spring Gully
Date: Wednesday 16th November 2016
Time: 2.30pm to 5.30pm
Meet at: Spring Gully car park at 2pm

 Sites on walkover 2 include:

• Eureka/Poverty Gully
• The Monk
• Old Coach Road/Goldfields Track
• Spring Gully No. 1 mine and battery site

NB: this is a one-way walk with the idea of sharing a number of vehicles to drive to the start of the walk at the Eureka Reef site.

Walkover 3: Vaughan Springs
Date: Thursday 17th November 2016
Time: 10am to 1pm
Meet at: Vaughan Springs car park at 9.30am

Sites on walkover 3 include:

• Vaughan Springs
• River Loddon
• Tubal Cain Mine
• Helge/Italian Hill Track
• Chinese cemetery
• Irishtown (optional)

The walks will take approximately 3 hours with regular stops to enable Parks Victoria to record conversations and there will be an opportunity to fill in a record/comments sheet as we go or at the end of the walk. Strong footwear is advised and bring water and refreshments as appropriate, and are water-proof just in case!

If you are interested in attending or need any further information about this invitation, please contact Jade Harris on any of the contacts found below.

Email: jade.harris@parks.vic.gov.au

Please make sure that you RSVP by no later than the Wednesday 9^th November to allow for appropriate planning of the walk overs.

Connecting Country’s monthly bird walks – Metcalfe, Sunday 6 November 2016

Posted on 2 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Hedge wattle (acacia paradoxa), perfect habitat for Thornbills. Photo by Geoff Park

Connecting Country’s Habitat for Bush Birds Project Officer, Tanya Loos is running free monthly bird walks.  These walks are for those folk interested in practicing and improving their birding skills, regardless of skill level. The next walk is at Metcalfe Nature Conservation Reserve “The Common” on Sunday 6th November 2016

Local landcarer Debbie Farmer will be on hand to co-lead. Debbie is the secretary of Metcalfe Landcare. Beginner birdwatchers are most welcome!

This bird walk will conclude at the Metcalfe Shire hall with a presentation on the birds of the Metcalfe area. Bring your lunch and have a bite to eat while Tanya takes you through the local birds, their habitat use and calls. The presentation will take an hour including questions.

How to get there:

• If you are from Castlemaine and surrounds – meet at 8:20 am outside the Continuing Ed building, Templeton Street, to car pool to the site. If the event needs to be cancelled, someone will be there at 8:20am to let you know.
• Metcalfe and Taradale locals – meet at the Metcalfe Shire Hall at 8.50 and then car pool to the Reserve.

There is no need to book for these walks, but let Tanya know if you would like to borrow some Connecting Country binoculars. If you would like to subscribe to Tanya’s email list for these walks please contact her tanya@connectingcountry.org.au.

Talking Fire – Maldon, Newstead and places in between

Posted on 2 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Join in on a conversation to better understand fire in our landscape at the Newstead Community Centre over the weekend of 12-13 November 2016.

‘Talking Fire’ will discuss what fire means for our local communities and the environment. The aim is to bring local expertise and knowledge together with outside experts in the field of fire behaviour and fire ecology, so that the community can talk about and better understand, plan, and live with fire.

Some of the questions driving our conversation are:

– What is the history of fire in the Newstead/Maldon area?

– How have the landscape, community & fire policies changed?

– How can we protect what we value?

– How can we respond to fire risk, now & in the future?

We are also seeking local knowledge and stories. Do you have a “fire experience”, direct or indirect, to share? As a part of the weekend Gordon Dowell will be recording the stories and histories of locals.

We hope that from the weekend our local landscape can be seen anew, through the eyes of scientists, fire experts and long lived locals alike, and through a wider, “landscape lens”, not just from a household or property viewpoint.

Whether you live in Newstead or Maldon, or the bush and farmland surrounds, you’re invited along to ‘talk fire’. Come to any or all sessions. The event is free, but we need bookings to help our caterers, the Newstead Preschool and Mens’ Shed, provide enough for all. To book your places for the Talking Fire weekend please click here.

Thanks to Mount Alexander Shire, Maldon & District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) and the Norman Wettenhall Foundation for supporting the event. Many more supporters are contributing in non-financial ways. See our website www.talkingfire.org for the program, for updates and to book. Or follow Talking Fire on Facebook.

3 Waterbug Events with Waterwatch

Posted on 27 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country’s friends at the North Central Waterwatch program are excited to be hosting three events in November, and there is a theme – Waterbugs!

What’s on offer in November:

You, Me Biodiversity Talk – John Gooderham, The Waterbug Company will be presenting

When: Saturday 5^th November 2016

Time: 2.30 – 4.30 pm

Where: Trentham Community Hall

Click here for more details.

ALT Training Workshop – John Gooderham, The Waterbug Company – YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS – LIMITED PLACES

When: Sunday 6^th November 2016

Time: 9.30 – 3.30 pm

Where: Baringhup, Loddon River

Native Fish Recovery Program’s – NatureBlitz event 2016 – YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS – LIMITED PLACES 

When: 7-11 November 2016

Time: All day over 5 days

Where: We will be staying at Tree Tops and will be taking participants to a range of sites along Box-Pyramid Creek and the Loddon River.

Waterwatch are also looking for enthusiastic community members to become volunteers and help monitor the response of native fish, waterbugs and water quality across the region. Being a citizen scientist isn’t just a great opportunity to contribute to the community and the environment, it’s a chance to get out in nature, explore and discover what else lives where you do.

If you are interested in volunteering to help collect vital information about the health of our waterways please feel contact Cass Davis, our Regional Waterwatch Coordinator via email cass.davis@nccma.vic.gov.au

Sat 29 Oct 2016 – Singing from Country launch at the Maldon Folk Festival

Posted on 25 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

Community Music Victoria, in conjunction with a range of other organisations, are launching their ‘Singing from Country’ project at the 2016 Maldon Folk Festival this Saturday 29th October. Their launch includes a Workshop and Concert and promises to be an inspiring and uplifting experience, particularly for those with an interest in our local landscapes.

From their website, this ‘festival-within-a-festival’ features two connected events that will change the way you think, feel and express stories about our great land.’

Presenters for the workshop will include Rebecca Phillips from the Dja Dja Wurrung Association Revival Group with support from a project partner, the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages.  Andrew Skeoch will play recordings of regional birdsong, tuning your ear to the plethora of natural soundscapes, and Geoff Park will open your eyes and inspire you to look again, at the country on which you live.

Singing from Country is described as a unique eco-cultural-arts collaboration between traditional landowners, holders of ecological wisdom, and songwriters.  It aims to inspire songwriters, choirs and other community members to learn about, appreciate and celebrate Country, reclaiming our love of land.

The final stage of the project will see local choir-leaders arrange and rehearse Singing from Country songs with their singing groups and perform them in the Castlemaine State Festival in March 2017.

For more information about this weekend’s events and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

Connecting Country Supporter Survey Results are in!

Posted on 24 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

A big thank-you to all of the people who responded to our supporter survey. We appreciate the time taken to fill out this survey. These responses are helping us to shape our direction into the future.

Some interesting results (please note that there were 58 responses in total) include…

• Around half live in town or on less than 5 acre block (25)
• 76% are involved in landcare
• Ranking of our work (note that all facets were rated roughly even): 1. On-ground action, 2. Community engagement and education, 3. Monitoring, 4. Landcare support
• Top priorities for action: Habitat enhancement for local birds and other native species, Development of wildlife corridors, Environmental education, Vegetation management and restoration
• Lower priorities for action: Sustainable agriculture, Understanding fire ecology and impacts, Pest plant and animal control
• Preferred funding options: Government grants, Philanthropic organisations, Donations/Bequests
• Some encouraging comments:
  • Keep up the great work!!
  • You provide a vital connection for landcare groups and help with educating communities.
  • I’m sure people would be prepared to pay for the field days and workshops, especially when lunch is provided too. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do.
  • As an out-of-towner, I am inspired by your organisation. Keep up the good work.
  • Keep up the great work, your input into the community really pays off.
  • I like the way CC connects different networks, I am exceeding grateful for the work CC has undertaken on my property. It has given me an enormous boost.
  • Although I am a city dweller, Connecting Country is becoming more important to me. I’m sure more city dwellers would become involved in CC activities if they were aware of the programme.
  • You’ve all been doing a fantastic and wonderful job!!
  • Thank you for the work that you already do.
  • Thank you – wonderful team and great initiatives.
  • The educational programs provided by CC have enhanced my understanding of the biodiversity of our local area and heightened my interest to find out more. Thankyou CC.

To view the full summary please click here .

Connecting Country is showing off!

Posted on 21 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

Come show your support for Connecting Country and have some fun as we head down Barker St in our high vis and workboots on. Connecting Country is running a float in this year’s Castlemaine Show parade on Friday 28th October 2016. We’d love it if you joined us to walk proudly down the street and celebrate our volunteers involved in Connecting Country.

We will be hooking the direct seeder up to our red ute and handing out acacia seeds for people to grow into habitat for local woodland birds. This fun event will be a great way to show what we do and who we do it with in the Castlemaine district.

We would love you to be involved! Contact Naomi by email at naomi@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. Look forward to seeing you there!

Our direct seeder will be on show at the parade

19 October – Water Rats event – have you seen one or want to know more?

Posted on 19 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

The Bendigo Creek Platypus Project in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Waterwatch program are excited to extend an invitation to attend the upcoming Water Rat community information evening to be held on Wednesday 19 October 2016 at Bendigo Tafe, Charleston Road Campus.

Please click on flyer for more information about this event

While Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy is in town, he is trying to gather information about the Water Rat with a focus on current distribution.

If you have seen and know where there are Water Rats in our region, it would be great if you can please fill in the Water Rat Survey form, and return to our regional Waterwatch coordinator Cass Davis at cass.davis@nccma.vic.gov.au by Tuesday 18th October 2016. Cass will then pass them on to Geoff so he can include your information in his research.

Thursday 20th October 2016 – Newstead Landcare’s AGM and fire presentation

Posted on 17 October, 2016 by Connecting Country

Burnt out landscape in the Maldon area.

As the days warm up and the summer approaches, the thoughts of many who live out of town turn to the threat of bushfires. The things that we love about the bush can become sources of anxiety and fear in the hot, dry months. How do we protect ourselves from bushfire and still protect the plants and animals that make our area so special? Questions like these will be addressed at Newstead Landcare Group’s October presentation “Protecting from Bushfire, Protecting our Biodiversity” on Thursday the 20th of October 2016 at the Newstead Town Hall.

The CFA’s Owen Goodings will speak about what we can do to manage fire and live with biodiversity.

“We are really excited to have Owen Gooding, a leading researcher on vegetation management and fire presenting at our October meeting. Owen is also the Vegetation Management Officer for the CFA, so he is very well placed to help us understand the issues” said Frances Cincotta, Newstead Landcare’s President.

The presentation will cover how to manage vegetation on your property, be it a small holding or larger bush block, to reduce the risk in case of fire and to retain native vegetation. “Owen will also be discussing ways to think about bushfire and native vegetation in the wider landscape and dispelling a few myths” Ms Cincotta added.

This presentation ties in with another important event about bushfire for residents of the Newstead and Maldon areas. Understanding Fire in our Landscape: A Community Conversation is a community event being held on the weekend of the 12-13 November 2016, in Newstead. For more details about this event; click here.

“In this Community Conversation fire in the Newstead-Maldon landscape will be discussed in detail – the history of fire, local ecology, and fire risk” said Chris Johnston, one of the organisers of the event. “There will be talks, displays, biodiversity walks, visits to the sites of past fires, and a chance to record your memories of local fires.” Supported by community and external experts, the weekend will be a chance to learn more and share ideas across our local communities about living with fire.

For more information or to book for this free event go to talkingfire.org or to the Facebook page Talking Fire.

Understanding Fire in our Landscape is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council 2016 Community Grants Program, Maldon & District Community Bank and the Norman Wettenhall Foundation.