A Helping Hand for Vulnerable Phascolgales
Posted on 24 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Local resident and volunteer Cathy McCallum wrote the following report about Bryan McMullan’s recent visit to Baringhup.
On Friday students and staff from Baringhup Primary School and Baringhup Landcare learnt a lot more about phascogales from Bryan McMullan. Bryan is the Nesting Box Monitoring Project officer for Connecting Country and he was happy to explain his role and the vulnerability of this delightful native marsupial at the same time as he managed to erect the specially designed nesting boxes into position three metres up the trunks of our magnificent red gums along the river.
Bryan was replacing two nesting boxes swept away when the Loddon River flooded in January 2011. He placed another six boxes in Baringhup properties, one of them rescued from Rob & Kerry Jennings property after the floods. Another box has completely disappeared. The students showed a keen interest in the phascogales’ plight with many questions asked and skillfully answered by Bryan. The boxes will house any adolescent phascolgales who move into our area after being ousted from their habitat by the dominant members of their family.
Phascogales forage over a very large area, the female 20 -70 ha and the male 100ha which means only small populations can exist in large areas of habitat. When the autumn check of the existing nesting boxes took place, Bryan was pleased to report the nesting box program had already provided habitat for an extra seven families of phascolgales. We are all hoping that one day these beautiful marsupials will find a home in a box in Baringhup.
Bryan explains the Nest Box Program to Baringhup Primary School students.
Two Upcoming Events in Newstead
Posted on 21 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
23 October – Grasslands morning with Newstead Landcare
Victoria’s beautiful native grasslands were the ecosystems that attracted European settlement in the 1800s. Unfortunately, as a result, they are now one of our most diminished natural splendours and resources. But they still live in the area and can be seen and helped. Join Newstead Landcare for their October field day as Nathan Wong, PhD researcher into native grasslands and Grassy Ecosystem Co-ordinator for the Trust for Nature, introduces some rare treasures. Nathan will take people to native grassland remnants in 3 very different states of being, and describe the processes at work and what the grasslands provide. A rare opportunity indeed!
The field day will be this Sunday October 23rd, car pooling from Newstead Community Centre at 9.30 am and returning at about 12.15pm. All are welcome to attend (gold coin donations appreciated). Bring a mug for morning tea. A very brief AGM will be held during morning tea, before the return to Newstead.
15 November – Are there Platypus in your local creeks? Would you like to know more about them?
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) along with the Newstead Landcare Group invites you to join them at a Platypus information night.
The Australian Platypus Conservancy will present an illustrated talk about the amazing platypus and how you can help monitor them in the Loddon River system
Date: Tuesday 15th November 2011
Time: 6.30pm–8.00pm (including a light supper)
Venue: Newstead Community Centre
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Don’t miss this great opportunity to come along and learn more about the habitat and biology of this unique animal.
RSVP by 5.00pm Friday 4 th November 2011 to info@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone (03) 5448 7124, indicating that you wish to attend the Newstead Platypus information session and outline any dietary requirements.
This information night is presented as part of the North Central CMA’s Upper Loddon and Campaspe project, Victorian Landcare Program and North Central Waterwatch.
Shane Howard plays live at the Elpho
Posted on 19 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Saturday 19th November, 5.30pm
The Elphinstone Land Management Association (ELMA) has received a grant from DSE to hold an information session and recruitment drive at the Elphinstone Hotel. Locals from Elphinstone will receive half price Landcare membership on the night, as well as the opportunity to learn about ELMA’s activities and pick up some free information.
Other Landcare members are welcome to attend this evening with legendary Australian performer and ex-Goanna frontman, Shane Howard, playing live.
The night kicks off at 5.30pm with support from Two Feet of Tofu. Entry is by gold coin donation, there is food available, and free face painting for the kids in the child friendly beer garden.
Inquiries to Beth on 0431 219 980.
Chilean Needle Grass Workshop in Maldon
Posted on 18 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass. Photo by Karen Stewart.
The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed on Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Chilean Needle Grass is one of Australia’s worst weeds. It invades native grasslands, agricultural land, roadsides and urban parks, gardens and recreational reserves. It can displace palatable pasture species and can reduce agricultural productivity by up to 50 per cent over summer. Its seed readily attaches to stock, particularly sheep, and can cause injury by burrowing into the skin. Its presence in wool reduces quality and can be a major cause of downgrading.
It is often difficult to identify Chilean Needle Grass and without knowing what to look for. Farmers, landholders and other community members may not know they have the weed on their property. To help with identification, a healthy flowering weed contained in a sealed perspex box will be displayed. Participants will be able to compare it with native plants.
The organisers are inviting people to come along to enjoy the great outdoors and good company while helping to control a major threat to our natural environment. Dress for the occasion in warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Bring water and sunscreen.
The workshop will be held at the corner of Back Mount Road and Watersons Road, Maldon and finish with a free sausage sizzle and cuppa.
For further information contact Ian Grenda from the Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee on 0412 015 807 or email iangrenda@live.com.
16 October 2011 – Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day
Posted on 14 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group has invited its members and local residents to their annual Community Day which will take place in the Campbells Creek Park on 16 October between 10am and 2pm. The program includes activities such as planting of native grasses, painting of nest boxes and a family BBQ. For more information click here.
15 October 2011 – Frog Night
Posted on 12 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is holding a Frog Night on 15 October between 6pm and 9pm.
There will be a presentation by Dr Graeme Watson, a twilight walk through a local wetland and a free BBQ.
To book and find out the venue details, contact Clare on 5423 4152 or email clare@knco.net Click here to view the flier.
16 October 2011 – Frogs Field Guide Launch
Posted on 10 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Waterwatch and Landcare team is launching the Frogs Field Guide.
The guide is for anyone interested in learning more about the frogs that call the north central Victoria region home. It is a handy size, great to use in the field and contains lots of information that can assist with identifying a frog, its eggs or tadpoles.
All frog enthusiasts are encouraged to come to the launch where guest speaker, Ray Draper, will talk about the frogs found in the north central Victoria region. Ray has over 40 years of experience with frogs and has monitored Growling Grass Frogs (Litoria raniformis) throughout western Victoria for the last 35 years. Ray will also talk about a potential threat to frogs, the amphibian Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium), which can cause a lethal disease in many frog species.
Date: Sunday 16 October 2011
Time: 10:00am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Andersons Mill, Creswick-Newstead Rd, Smeaton
Booking are essential. A picnic lunch will be provided. RSVP to reception@nccma.vic.gov.au or telephone 03 54487124 by Thursday 13 October.
14 October 2011 – CFNC meeting on Dianellas
Posted on 7 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
At the next Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting on 14 October there will be a presentation by Geoff Carr on Dianellas: their biology, ecology and taxonomy. The evening will begin at 7.30pm and the venue is the Uniting Church Hall. All are welcome.
Geoff Carr is a founding director of Ecology Australia and has been a botanical consultant for 30 years. He has an exceptional knowledge of the ecology, taxonomy, distribution, conservation status, horticulture, management and revegetation of the Australian flora, particularly that of south-eastern Australia. Geoff has published over 400 papers, reports and other publications.
There will be an excursion the next day, Saturday 15 October, led by Geoff Carr to sites in Harcourt area with a high diversity of Dianellas. The trip will be a hands-on tutorial focussing on the differences between species (and hybrids). The excursion will begin at the Octopus building on Forest St (opposite motel), and depart at 1.30pm on the dot.
13 October 2011 – Innovative Farming Options Field Day
Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
An ‘Innovative Farming Options Field Day’ is scheduled for 13 October 2011. It will be held at Ko-Warra Native Grasses Nursery (537 Echuca-Mitiamo Road, Echuca) between 9.30am – 4.00pm.
The field day will provide landholders and community members with the opportunity to:
- hear from key note speakers regarding sustainable land practice options on farming land where irrigation has been significantly reduced, or ceased completely,
- see on-farm trials and demonstrations of native grasses, agroforestry, sandalwood and revegetation,
- network with farmers and others to share experiences, lessons and advice.
The field day is delivered under the North Central CMA’s Regional Landcare Facilitator and Adopting Sustainable Farming Practices projects, and is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Caring for our Country initiative and the Shire of Campaspe. This is a free event with lunch provided.
To register your interest in the field day (and for catering purposes) please RSVP to the North Central CMA by 5 pm Tuesday 11 October 2011 on (03) 5448 7124 or info@nccma.vic.gov.au.
6 October 2011 – The fascinating world of seed propagation
Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
Malmsbury District Landcare Group is holding their next general meeting on 6 October 2011. The evening will include a special presentation, ‘Selecting, collecting and preparing indigenous seed for propagation’ by guest speakers John Walter and Bob Newton. Everyone is welcome.
The start time is 7.30 and the venue is Laureston Community Hall, Lauriston. For further information, contact Bill Mudford from Malmsbury District Landcare Group, wmudford@bigpond.net.au.
13 October 2011 – Presentation on Direct Seeding
Posted on 4 October, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Friends of Campbells Creek and Connecting Country are pleased to announce the first in a series of evening presentations on different vegetation management techniques.
David Millsom, a direct seeding specialist, will present the first evening seminar from 7.30 pm on Thursday 13 October in the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre. The evening will comprise of two sessions. The first session will cover the technical aspects of seed collection, genetics, seed propagation methods and the development of direct seeding. The second session will cover application of these methods with several case studies illustrating what is happening elsewhere in the region. Refreshments will be available between sessions.
David farmed near Pyramid Hill for 30 years and converted 1,000 acres of his farm to native vegetation. He is a board member of Seeding Victoria, responsible for technical issues, and has worked for Greening Australia for almost ten years as a project facilitator and technical development officer for direct seeding. David’s latest project is the development of the change in delivery method for Wattle Grow inoculant and the subsequent reduction in costs.
David says, “based on 20 years experience, some of the science research and case studies that I will present contradict some people’s myths and established ideas”. David’s objective for the evening is to help people choose and use the most technically appropriate/cost effective methods of revegetation.
Please join us for what will be an interesting and informative evening. For more information and to RSVP please contact krista@connectingcountry.org.au or call Connecting Country on 5472 1594.
9 October – Metcalfe Landcare Planting Day
Posted on 23 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
Metcalfe Landcare’s next planting day will focus on indigenous understorey shrubs underneath mature eucalypts along the banks of the Coliban River. Plants will go straight into the ground with no staking, guarding or jute matting.
When: Sunday 9 October 2011
Time: 10.00am onwards
Where: Enter site from Red Gum Bridge over the Coliban River, Kyneton-Metcalfe Rd, in the middle of the township of Metcalfe. Look for the flags to guide you.
Wear: Suitable clothes, gloves and sturdy boots. Gum boots might be useful if we need to bucket water from the river.
BBQ lunch served on site.
Deb from Metcalfe Landcare writes that this will be a great day for families as the planting sites are all fully fenced with stiles for getting in and out. The group would LOVE to see everyone helping out on the day. The weather is expected to be sensational and the setting is beautiful at the moment.
For further details, ring Deb on 5423 2030.
Reminder about Connecting Country’s AGM and Family Fun Day
Posted on 20 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
This is a reminder about two significant Connecting Country events that are coming up soon.
The first is Connecting Country’s 2011 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 26 September at the Ray Bradfield Rooms, Castlemaine. The evening will begin with a presentation by Ann-Marie Monda and Carla Meurs from Sutton Grange Organic Farm (producers of Holy Goat cheese) and the election of the next Connecting Country committee. This will be followed by a project update from Coordinator, Chris Timewell, and the presentation of Victorian Landcare Grants to local recipients by Jodie Odgers (North Central CMA).
For catering purposes, please RSVP to krista@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. For more details about this event, including links to membership forms and the full agenda, click here.
The second event is the Family Fun Day which will take place in Victory Park on 25 September between 11am and 2pm. For a number of months, a small committee with representatives from Connecting Country, Trust for Nature and the Norman Wettenhall Foundation, has been meeting regularly to plan activities related to the theme of ‘nature in your backyard’. A large turnout on the day is expected and the park will be alive with all sorts of happenings.
Click here to view the Family Fun Day website.
CACTUS KILLERS WANTED!
Posted on 19 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee and Parks Victoria will hold their next community field day on Sunday 25 September starting at 10.30 pm. The field day will be held near the intersection of Watersons and Tarrengower School Roads. Follow the signs from the intersection of the Bridgewater-Maldon and Watersons Roads, Maldon.
The field day is an opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors while helping to eradicate Wheel Cactus from our district. No experience is necessary and everyone concerned with the natural environment is most welcome. Dress for the occasion in warm clothes and sturdy footwear. The day will conclude at about 12.30 pm with a free sausage sizzle and cuppa. For more information, contact
Wheel Cactus from the Tarrengower area (Photo from DPI).
Researching Forest Creek
Posted on 19 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
Historian, Robin Ballinger, at Campbells Creek Community Hall
Sixty-five people turned out at Robin Ballinger’s talk on the environmental history of Forest Creek on 8 September. Robin used many early documents and maps to demonstrate the interaction between the indigenous people, squatters, goldminers and the local environment.
She outlined the early geological history of the Forest Creek and the relationship between the Aboriginal people, the Dja Dja Wrung, and the land prior to white settlement. Robin then described the impact on the landscape and the Jarra people of the mass influx of squatters which followed the 1838 publication of Major Mitchell’s diaries.
This pastoral development was followed by the gold rushes and the devastation of Aboriginal life continued. Gold mining had an enormous impact on the landscape in a very short time. However, while in 1852 there were 25,000 people, by 1854 Forest Creek was virtually deserted. The easily-obtained gold had all but gone.
From the 1850s onwards, the actual course of Forest Creek was changed. The creek was straightened to facilitate mining operations and reduce flooding in the town. The emphasis continued to be on controlling the creek, not controlling mining. An 1871 report emphasised this utilitarian approach to the environment. Revegetation was advocated to address the forest devastation noted in this report but only because future mining operations would need timber.
Robin also drew attention to the conservation efforts that began in the 1930s and continue to this day. She concluded by raising the question of what exactly are we trying to preserve given that we cannot hope to restore Forest Creek to its original state.
The talk was the last of the three formal Connecting Country educational talks for 2011, although details are soon to be published on a revegetation evening to be held on 13 October and a series of Eucalyptus identification workshops in Oct/Nov. However, Connecting Country is now also planning its 2012 educational program. If you have any comments on this years’ program or suggestions for next year, let us know by calling Chris or Krista on 5472 1594.
Symposium – Major Mitchell: Australia Felix
Posted on 14 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
September marks 175 years since Major Thomas Mitchell traveled through our region, Jaara Country, Central Victoria, Mount Alexander Shire. To recognise this event a symposium and exhibition entitled Major Mitchell: Australia Felix has been organised. It will take place in the Castlemaine Town Hall on 24 and 25 September 2011 between 10 am – 4 / 5 pm. The exhibition will include paintings and prints by Eliza Tree and Major Mitchell and guest speakers at the symposium will include Dr Ian Clark, Gregory Eccleston, John Tully, Gerry Gill, John Read and Ian Higgins. Click here for more details.
Connecting Country Annual General Meeting
Posted on 9 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
When: 7:30pm, Monday 26th September
Where: Ray Bradfield Room, Castlemaine
Please join us in some wine and cheese and celebrate our previous 12 months of the Connecting Country project. We shall be electing the committee for next 12 months, receiving a project update from Coordinator, Chris Timewell, and Jodie Odgers from North Central Catchment Management Authority, shall be presenting the Victorian Landcare Grants to local recipients.
In addition, we shall be getting inspired by our guest speakers, Ann-Marie Monda and Carla Meurs from Sutton Grange Organic Farm (producers of the award-winning Holy Goat Cheese). Having gained experience on farms in Australia and overseas, Ann-Marie and Carla’s organic cheese-making skills reflect their respect and care for the natural environment. With the wellbeing of the goat herd and an integrated holistic farm management taking priority, animals and their pastures are maintained at a level of optimum health. They are involved in Connecting Country’s Yellow Box Woodland project with supplementary plantings of native mid-storey shrubs within the fenced remnant areas of grassy woodland.
The full AGM agenda can be downloaded here.
It’s also time to renew your membership for the 2011-12 year! Although membership is free, Connecting Country memberships for groups and individuals still need to be renewed on an annual basis. New memberships for individuals and groups are also encouraged. In order to do this, the following documents can be downloaded:
- Individual membership form (which can be posted or emailed back)
- Group membership form (which can be posted or emailed back)
If you are interested in being on the Connecting Country Committee of Management, the committee nomination form can be downloaded (which must be posted to The Public Officer/Secretary, Connecting Country Inc., PO Box 347, Castlemaine VIC 3450 prior to the 26th Sept 2011).
For catering purposes, please RSVP to krista@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594 by Thursday the 22nd of September.
Brisbane Ranges Wildflower Show
Posted on 8 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
There will be a Wildflower Show on 9 October between 9.30am and 4.30pm at Anakie Hall, Staughton Vale Road, Anakie. The event is organised and supported by Friends of Brisbane Ranges and Parks Victoria. For further information and online bus bookings visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/-fobr/widflowershow. Enquires can also be made by phone: (03) 5366 0000 and by email: friends_br@yahoo.com.au
Taradale Planting Day
Posted on 7 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
The final planting day organised by Taradale Landcare will take place on Friday 9 September 2011 from 9.30am. The planting will be along Back Creek adjacent to Barkley Park. For further information contact Kate Smith on 0427 315 963. Click here to download a flier with the details.
Rehabilitating Clinkers Hill
Posted on 7 September, 2011 by Connecting Country
The Victoria Gully Group is being assisted by Connecting Country and Parks Victoria to rehabilitate Clinkers Hill Bushland Reserve, which is at the southern end of Preshaw St in Castlemaine.
Working bees take place regularly on the second Sunday of the month from 9.30am to 11.30am followed by a cuppa. The next one is this Sunday 11 September when hand weeding and planting shrubs will be the focus of activities.
If you have any enquiries about this project, or would like to participate in future working bees, ring Elvyne Hogan on 5472 4171.
Volunteers at the first weeding workshop at Clinkers Hill, July 2011