20 & 23 April – Muckleford Landcare Events
Posted on 13 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
Muckleford Catchment Landcare has two upcoming events this month that will be of interest to people living locally – including both Landcare members and the general public. The first is the Roadside Awareness Mapping Project which will conclude with reporting day on 20 April at the Muckleford Community Centre. The second is a community meeting on 23 April about Sustainable Soils for Muckleford. Speakers at this meeting will be Judy Crocker, Facilitator of the Mid-Loddon Landcare Network, and Phil Dyson, North Central CMA, and manager of the Farming for Sustainable Soils Program.
To find out more about these events, download this Muckleford Landcare PDF document. The Muckleford Catchment Landcare site can be viewed here.
27 April – Property Planning and Management Talk
Posted on 3 April, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Shire is inviting new residents to a free afternoon talk on property Planning and Management on Saturday 27 April in the Ray Bradfield Room. Download this flyer for further information.
2013 Federal Volunteer Grants Open & Other Local Events
Posted on 26 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
Volunteer Grants
The Federal Government’s annual Volunteer Grants have just opened. There is up to $16 million in funding for grants of between $1,000 – $5,000. Groups can apply for funds for fuel reimbursement, police checks, equipment and training to assist volunteers carry out their roles. For more information and the application form, click here.
Two local Community Training Events in April run by the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network (MAVN)
1. Consumer Affairs: Understanding the changes to the Incorporated Association Act.
Free session at Continuing Education, 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine on Wednesday 17th April from 7pm – 8.30pm. For bookings and enquiries, contact Mount Alexander Volunteer Network by email on mavn@outlook.com
2. Avoid Burn Out: From Survive to Thrive
Session costs $10 with light supper provided at Continuing Education, 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine on Wednesday 1st May from 6 pm-8.30 pm. For bookings and enquiries, contact Mount Alexander Volunteer Network by email on mavn@outlook.com
The Mapping of Central Victoria
Posted on 20 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
The Bendigo Art Gallery is holding an exhibition about mapping in relation to central Victoria. It will take place at the Post Office Gallery, 51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo from 22 March to 16 June. The Art Gallery website describes the exhibition as follows: Continue Reading »
8 March 2013 – The Quest for the Kulawai
Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Woodland Birds project officer, Dr Kerryn Herman, is the guest speaker this Friday 8 March at the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club meeting. Before joining Connecting Country, Kerryn was in Fiji for 3 months working with NGO Nature Fiji Mareqeti Vitiin in a search for the elusive Kulawai – a critically endangered lorikeet known only from a small number of locations on this island nation. Kerryn will speak about her time there, the people, the culture and the birds that she found.
The Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting is to be held in the Uniting Church hall (at the back of the Uniting Church, in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine). The meeting commences at 7.30pm. Visitors are very welcome, and there is no entry fee for the evening.
Also on the Connecting Country website are recent posts about upcoming events on Future Farming and also Bugs and other invertebrates, plus the latest issue of the North Central Chat (click here)
14 March 2013 – Future Farming Expo
Posted on 4 March, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA is hosting a free 2013 Future Farming Expo at the Yarrawalla Hall, Yarrawalla South Road, Yarrawalla on Thursday 14 March between 9 am to 4 pm. Lunch will be provided.
At the Expo there will be a expert presentations on a large range of topics including Understanding the weather, Regenerative agriculture, Beneficial insects, Social medi, Carbon farming, Edible shrubs and Seasonal climate forecast, Accessing global markets and a No-dig garden demonstration.
Further information is available on the North Central CMA’s website.
1 March 2013 – Still places available for Kids Nature Discovery Afternoon
Posted on 26 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Kids will be able to get up-close and personal with some of our native animals thanks to Tooko Wildlife displays. They may even find a new hat!
As part of the 2013 Education program Connecting Country is putting on a special event for kids!
The Nature Discovery Afternoon for Kids is taking place in the beautiful surrounds of Vaughan Springs Reserve (15 minutes from Castlemaine) on Friday 1st March and there are still some places available for kids aged 9 to 12 years.
The event will feature three different half-hour nature activities for kids to move between during the afternoon. They include: a session on freshwater invertebrates with a Parks Victoria Ranger; a session with highly regarded local ecologists and educators Elaine Bayes and Damien Cook; and a native wildlife display from Tooko. We’ll finish with a free barbecue dinner for the kids and their parents and siblings at the reserve.
This should be a really fun event with some very experienced and environmental educators running activities in a beautiful location.
Contact Max at Connecting Country to book – max@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594
Where: Vaughan Springs Reserve, Vaughan
Date: Friday 1st March
Time: Starts at 4:30pm, dinner at about 6:30pm
The cost is just $10 per child and places are limited.
February & March – Events in Bendigo, Talbot & Yarrawalla
Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
1. Joel Salatin in Bendigo
World-renowned farmers Joel and Daniel Salatin of Polyface Farms, Virginia, USA will be presenting at a number of events in central Victoria later this month.
Click here for further information.
2. Carbon Farming Information Session
The Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network, in partnership with the North Central CMA, is hosting a free carbon farming information session in Talbot on 27 February 2013.
Further information is available on the North Central CMA’s website.
3. 2013 Future Farming Expo
The North Central CMA is hosting a free 2013 Future Farming Expo at the Yarrawalla Hall on Thursday 14 March.
Further information will be available shortly on the North Central CMA’s website.
Learning about Reptiles
Posted on 15 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Most people, when they think reptiles, think snakes. And when they think snakes, it’s fair to say that there’s a negative colour in their thinking: snakes are poisonous, and they’ll bite you if they get the chance. ‘If you see a snake, kill it,’ is still a common view.
Connecting Country’s first public session in the 2013 Education program was partly devoted to putting such misconceptions to rest.
Peter Johnson, senior biodiversity planner in the Department of Sustainability and Environment, ran the session, ‘Reptiles: backyard to the bush’, to a packed audience of about 60 at the Ray Bradfield rooms last Sunday. Continue Reading »
2013 Fungi Events with Alison Pouliot
Posted on 13 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
Alison Pouliot
Fungi expert Alison Pouliot is once again running various seminars, workshops, forays and feasts between April and May this year.
Alison was a speaker at an evening session during Connecting Country’s Education series in 2011. On the night she entertained and educated the 60 people who came to learn more about these little known and understood organisms.
The details of her 2013 program can be found here.
The Connecting Country Education Program Starts This Weekend!
Posted on 7 February, 2013 by Connecting Country
‘Local Reptiles: from the Backyard to the Bush’ is the title of the talk that Peter Johnson will be giving at the Ray Bradfield Room in Castlemaine this Sunday 10th February. It’s the first event in the 2013 Education Program. His talk will be preceded by a Welcome to Country from the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation which will be a special start to whole the program.
Peter Johnson
Peter will be talking about local Box-Ironbark Forest reptiles and will introduce us to some scaly friends that we don’t often get to see or learn about. There will also be time for the inquisitive to ask questions, so don’t forget to bring along some good ones!
The talks will go from 2pm to 4pm and we’ll be finishing with afternoon tea provided by Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise (CAKE).
This talk will be followed by the first Forest Soils: The Science Management & History of our Local Soils workshops on the following two Sundays – 17th February and 24th February. There are still a few places left for the workshops but places are limited so if you would like to attend please fill out a registration form (click here to dowload form). We have three great presenters for these workshops, which will introduce participants to the science, management and history of our non-agricultural soils. Continue Reading »
11 Dec 2012 – Public Forum on Native Vegetation Laws
Posted on 30 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The state government is considering making changes to the regulations for permitted native vegetation clearance. A few weeks ago, Connecting Country made a submission to the government in regard to a consultation paper about this (see previous blog). A number of organizations are concerned about the implications of the new rules upon areas of remnant native vegetation. For those that are interested, there is an upcoming public forum in Bendigo on the issue.
30 Nov – Indigenous Seed Collection Walk and Talk
Posted on 29 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network and Seeding Victoria is holding an Indigenous Seed Collection Walk and Talk this Friday 30 November 2012.
The walk and talk is designed to introduce participants to the general aspects of collecting seed: collection, plant identification, seed collection and extraction, cleaning and storage of indigenous plant species.
Where and When: Friday 30 November 2012, 6.00 pm Paddys Ranges (exact location TBA).
For further information view the event flyer here. Or contact Chris Pollock on 03 54 632 563 / 0421 372 545 or email chrispollock7@gmail.com.
5 Dec 2012 – Celebrate International Volunteer Day
Posted on 29 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Volunteer Network has organised a Volunteer Expo at the Castlemaine Market Building on Wednesday 5th December 2012. The day will start at 11 am with an official launch followed by a celebration morning tea.
There will also be a Volunteer Thank You Dinner at the Castlemaine Town Hall from 7 pm where people can enjoy a delicious 2 course meal and live entertainment from Ghouls Gambit and acclaimed jazz diva Meg Corson. The dinner will be free of charge for volunteers and community workers. Bookings are needed by Monday 3 December.
Volunteers are vital for the success of Connecting Country and many other local organizations. This is a great local way in which people can be acknowledged for their contribution.
For bookings or enquiries please contact the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network by email to mavn@cch.org.au or telephone 0425 323 005.
6 Dec 2012 – Future Farming Options Field Day
Posted on 23 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA is holding a Future Farming Options Field Day in the Mystic Park area on Thursday 6th of December. The day promises to be full of thought-provoking information on locally adoptable farming options.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Grazing native pastures for long-term benefits: A local landowner story
- Future Farming Landscapes update: Kilter Pty Ltd
- Carbon Farming Initiative including trial site demonstrations
- Native vegetation for profit: Opportunities for landowners
Further information is contained in this flyer. RSVP is required as a free bbq will be on offer. To RSVP please call the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au
25 Nov 2012 – Cactus Control Field day
Posted on 21 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
The last Cactus Control field day for 2012 will be held next Sunday 25th November at 55 Waldrons Lane off the Baringhup Road (look for the signs).
As usual the morning will start at 10.30 am and finish about 12.30 pm, and will be followed with a sausage sizzle. As this is the last field day there will be something special on the barbie and feel free to dress in a festive mood.
After the sausage sizzle, the AGM will take place. Everyone is invited to attend.
On behalf of the Committee, Tony Kane would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this a great year. Tony writes that ‘we pride ourselves on being a no pressure community-based group and it seems to be working’.
3 Dec 2012 – Myrtle Rust Information Session
Posted on 14 November, 2012 by Connecting Country
Myrtle rust was detected in Victoria for the first time in December 2011. It is a serious fungal disease affecting the plant family Myrtaceae, which includes eucalypts, lilly pilly, bottlebrush and many other Australian native species. The disease is of serious concern due to the ease in which it spreads.
The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting an information session on Myrtle rust, its characteristics, impacts and control measures.
Participants will learn more about:
- myrtle rust biology
- recognition of symptoms
- hosts
- treatment methods
- hygiene and
- minimisation of spread
The information session will take place on 3 December from 10 am to 12 pm at the Capital Theatre, 50 View Street, Bendigo. Further information on Myrtle Rust, future training sessions and resources is available from the Department of Primary Industries.
10 Nov 2012 – Field Day on Texas Needle Grass
Posted on 25 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Would you know if there’s Texas Needle Grass on your place?
On the Saturday 10th November a new project will be launched in Malmsbury called ‘Needle Grass – A Community Response’. It aims to raise community awareness of the serious threat Texas Needle Grass poses to both private and public land in the Malmsbury/Langley/Taradale district. The grass, which looks almost identical to some native Spear Grasses, has been spreading in the area for many years and has recently increased rapidly with the wetter seasons. Some grazing land in the area has been rendered unusable by its presence.
Sea of Texas Needle Grass infesting a property on Post Office Road, Malmsbury. This is part of the project area. The photo is courtesy of John Walter.
This project is the first in the area to specifically tackle Texas Needle Grass. It will do so by raising community awareness of its presence, and the threat it poses, and also by mapping its occurrence on private land and roadsides so that future control work can be planned effectively.
A field day will be held near Malmsbury on Saturday 10th of November to launch the project and will include a demonstration of an EcoBlade – a brand new piece of technology (there is only a handful in Victoria) that can slash weeds and apply herbicide to cut stems at the same time. We’ll also be visiting some healthy Needle Grass infestations on the day. If you think there might be Needle Grass on your property or roadside, or you don’t know what to look for, then this event could be a real help. Click here to view more details of the event on the Connecting Country events calendar. Continue Reading »
28 Oct 2012 – Cactus Control Field Day
Posted on 23 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Committee and Parks Victoria community field day will take place next Sunday 28th October at the “Cork Plantation” which is on Mount Back Road behind Mount Tarrengower. It will be well sign-posted from Watersons Road.
As usual, the field day will start about 10.30 am and finish with a sausage sizzle and cuppa.
21 Oct 2012 – Free Campbells Creek Event
Posted on 17 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group has organised a Free Community Event for Saturday 21 October.
This is a family day for people to relax and enjoy themselves with a variety of activities and a chance to see hidden parts of the creek and celebrate the progress that has been made.
For more information click here.