Restoring landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region

Connecting Country Education Program 2011

Posted on 21 April, 2011 by Connecting Country

The Connecting Country Education Program for 2011 has now been finalised. There will be field days on Geology and Soils, Yellow Box Woodlands and Rivers and Streams and evening talks on Fungi, Fire and Cultural Heritage. A flyer about the program can be downloaded here and full details and an application form can be found here.

 

Creasys Road Revegetation Project Launch

Posted on 27 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Come and be inspired by this fantastic project!

The Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group invites you to the official launch of the Creasys Road Revegetation Project.

The project will be launched by Cr Brook Acklom. A walking tour of the project will be conducted by the Project Manager, Sue Slaytor. This will be followed by an informal BBQ with refreshments. Please bring your children, your neighbors, your friends and your own chairs.

Where: Northern Boundary of 89 Creasys Road, Muckleford (look for the signs on the day).

RSVP: Paul Hampton, Secretary, 5474 2189, paul-hampton@bigpond.com by Monday 30 November.

 

Serrated Tussock slasher workshop

Posted on 13 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, the National Serrated Tussock Management Group and the National Chilean Needle Grass Taskforce would like to inform you of new modifications that can be made to slashers to reduce the spread ofnoxious weeds such as Serrated Tussock (Nassella Trichotoma) and Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella Neesiana).

Slasher fans and slasher covers are a reasonably new invention which significantly reduces the spread of invasive species particularly Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needle Grass.

The Department of Primary Industries in partnership with Hume City Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council are testing prototype slasher covers this year on tractor linkage slashers to minimise weed spread. The project with the Hume and Macedon municipalities aims to not only test the prototype but also promote the concept to other grass slashing contractors.

The field day is at Somerton Rd, Greenvale (Melway Map 178 E6).

The day will finish with lunch.

Register your intention to attend by email to charles.grech@dpi.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9217 4120.

Click here to read articles from the October 2009 ‘Tussock Times’.

 

Woodend Landcare Group Working Bee

Posted on 12 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

All are welcome to join the Woodend Landcare Group for their final working bee for 2009.

Activities will take place along the new Five Mile Creek track, south of the creek. Please bring along your gardening tools, hat, gloves and sunscreen.

Enjoy a morning tea afterwards provided by Woodend Landcare Group. RSVP’s are essential.

Location: meet at the end of Pyke Street, Woodend

To RSVP contact: Jo Clancy, President Woodend Landcare Group

on 5427 1909 or email rasbooks@netcon.net.au

 

Stanley Park AGM and talk on Birds of the Macedon Ranges

Posted on 12 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Stanley Park Committee of Management invites you their AGM which will include a presentation on ‘Birds of the Macedon Ranges’ by Bruce Donaldson.

This fully illustrated talk will introduce you to the birds you are likely to encounter in the Macedon Ranges with commentary on their frequency, location and behaviour as well as tips for observing and identifying them.

Venue: Jubilee Hall, Smith Street, Macedon

Light refreshments will follow the meeting

To RSVP contact: The Secretary, Stanley Park Committee of Management on 5426 242 or email stanleyparkmountmacedon@gmail.com

 

Woodend district Aboriginal Heritage and Aboriginal Heritage Act talk

Posted on 12 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Learn about the Aboriginal Heritage of the Woodend District and the Aboriginal Heritage Act at a talk to be presented by the Woodend Landcare Group.

Guest speaker Dr. Vincent Clarke, noted archaeologist and Woodendl resident, will discuss the pre-European history of the area and subsequent European settlement, as well as how the Aboriginal Heritage Act impacts on local community groups.

Bookings are essential.

Venue: Woodend Neighbourhood House, Forest Street, Woodend

Supper will be provided

To RSVP contact Jo Clancy, President Woodend Landcare Group

on 5427 1909

email rasbooks@netcon.net.au

 

Cactus Killing Field Day

Posted on 12 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Parks Victoria and Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee:

Location: East side of Cairn Curran, follow the signs from the main entrance.

Sausage sizzle at about 12.30pm.

It’s the last field day for the year, so come and celebrate a great year’s work.

For more information contact Tony Kane on 5475 2973.

 

FREE volunteer recruitment workshop

Posted on 12 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

At: North Central CMA, Midland Highway, Huntly

A workshop exploring what motivates people to volunteer and how to meet your volunteers’ needs is being run in Bendigo.  Brought to you by Conservation Volunteers Australia the workshop will include;

  • Organisation self review
  • Discussion of successful volunteer recruitment and retention strategies.

This will be an invaluable workshop for Landcare Groups wanting to retain
and increase membership.

Numbers are limited and registration is essential.

To register contact Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA)
email training@conservationvolunteers.com.au
phone the Bendigo CVA office on 0354 440 777

Click here to see the flyer for full details

 

Flora Identification Course

Posted on 8 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Brought to you by McKenzies Hill Action & Landcare Group.

Run by Paul Foreman, consultant Botanist and Bush Heritage Australia Ecologist, the course aims to give participants an introduction to the ecosystems and indigenous flora of the Castlemaine area.

The course will run over four Sundays from 2pm – 4pm.  There is a day long bus tour of the shire after the four field based sessions.

Sunday September 27th – Introduction to common trees.  At Lushington Hill Bushland Reserve (Cnr. Martin & Monaghan streets, Diamond Gully).

Sunday October 4th – Common shrubs.  At Kaweka Wildflower Reserve (Cnr. Hargreaves & Turner streets, Castlemaine).

Sunday October 11th – Common wildflowers.  At Expedition Pass Reservoir (Reservoir Car Park, Point Road, Faraday).

Sunday November 8th – Common grasses.  At Castlemaine Botanic Gardens (Northern Cark Park off Downes Rd).

Sunday November 15th – Tour of the shire.  Bus provided.  Meeting and returning to the car park opposite the Railway Hotel, Gingell St, Castlemaine. 10am – 4pm

Click here for full details.

For more information and to book contact Paul Foreman on 5472 4874 or 0429 134 592

 

Committees and Constitutions Workshop

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Venue: Sustainability Room, Woodend Neighbourhood Centre, Forest St, Woodend.

Does everyone in your committee understand your constitution or the Model Rules? Are you in a Committee and are not too sure what you have to do?

The Committees and Constitutions workshop, presented by Consumer Affairs Victoria, will introduce the roles and responsibilities of committees in community organisations. The workshop will also explain the Model Rules and the requirements of self-developed constitutions and the legal responsibilities they represent.

The workshop will:
– Highlight the benefits of being an incorporated association
– Simplify the legal requirements under the Incorporations Act 1981
– Provide information on handling disputes and grievance procedures
– Explain the roles and responsibilities of each committee member

For further information contact Gaynor Atkin, Community Project Team Leader, Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

Phone: 5422 0247 or Email: gatkin@mrsc.vic.gov.au

 

Connecting Country Reference Group Meeting and Special General Meeting

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Please be advised of our first Reference Group meeting on the 5th NOVEMBER at 7pm at the Chewton Town Hall, Main Road Chewton (Next to the Post Office).  There is parking behind the hall.

The evening will include an official project launch and very brief Special General Meeting in order to make some constitutional alterations.

Also on the agenda is:

–          An update on the project and group involvement opportunities;

–          A presentation from DSE staff on the Bushtender program which is currently running across the Goldfields Region;

–          Further group on-ground project development and funding opportunities to follow on from the workshop held in August.

For more information please call Krista on 0466 012 030

 

Weed Workshops in Bendigo

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

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Are you a weed professional wishing to increase general awareness of the impact of weeds on the natural environment?

Weeds CRC has developed ‘What does your garden grow?’, a ‘train the trainer’ workshop aimed at assisting anyone speaking to groups or running courses on weeds. The workshop will focus on controlling weeds in gardens and the management of garden ‘escapees’ from urban fringe areas into adjoining bushland.

Suitable for plant nursery staff, education and training facilitators, weed management professionals, and representatives from organisations such as Landcare, this workshop is aimed at assisting you to deliver informed advice to your audience about local, national, environmental, noxious and declared weeds.

Participants will receive training materials that can be adapted to:

  • provide information and materials for short courses and information sessions
  • supplement formal training in weeds by educators/educational facilities
  • inform Landcare/Bushcare volunteers
  • client and home gardener needs

24th November: What does your garden grow?

25th November: What pesky plant is that?

Both workshops run from 9am – 3pm.

Venue: Bendigo DPI or TAFE

venue to be confirmed on booking

Cost: $200 (incl GST)

Includes workshop resources kit, morning tea & lunch

For more information contact: Annette Beer (02) 6938 1671

email Annette.beer@industry.nsw.gov.au


 

Environment Victoria and friends invite you to Celebrate Your River!

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Join us for the launch of the Your River: Loddon River project

Environment Victoria’s Your River project is an online storytelling
feature, profiling people who love and care for their local waterways.
Come along and share in stories of the Loddon River by: olive growers
Marlies and Peter Eicher, environmental educator Cathy McCallum,
indigenous plant expert Paul Haw, organic wine producer Ron Snep, sheep
farmer John Baulch and Kerang local Elaine Jones.

Thursday, 12 November 2009 @ 6.00pm

At Boort Tennis Club, Godfreys Road, opposite The Bric and right on
Little Lake Boort

Guest speakers, information displays, finger food and a
complimentary drink on arrival. Share in the stories of the Loddon River
and learn about Environment Victoria’s latest initiative, River Rescue
and Regional Renewal: an Action Plan for Northern Victoria.

Admission is free

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU’RE COMING

Call Juliet Le Feuvre on (03) 9341 8106 or email her at
juliet.lefeuvre@envict.org.au by Monday, 9 November.

All are welcome!

Hosted by Environment Victoria with the support of North Central
Catchment Management Authority

 

Conference ‘North Central Victoria: A golden era, a changed ecosystem forever’

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

The discovery of gold in Victoria in 1851 had a profound effect on the environmental, economic and social histories in the state. And while the changes to Bendigo are well documented, the gold rush and subsequent land use also had significant effects on the natural environment.

The Royal Society of Victoria is holding this regional symposium to recognise the environmental history and scientific significance of the North Central region. The conference will concentrate on the management and sustainability of the region and also examine priorities and options for future management.

To register and for more information on this symposium visit The Royal Society of Victoria website.

 

Newstead Landcare Group

Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

Newstead Landcare Group’s next business meeting will be Thursday 12th November at Newstead Community Centre at 8pm.

On Sunday 8th Newstead Landcare Group will launch the Self-guided interpretive walk in the Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve.

Leaflets available in a box at the Ramsey’s Lane entrance to the reserve will guide you on a journey to discover how an ancient riverbed has created a surprisingly rich array of flora and fauna.  You can also learn how this river shaped the use of the area by humans, both indigenous and European, for millenia.

    The walk is a 3.2 km loop and takes an hour and a half to complete.

    There will be a very brief AGM before the launch of the walk, followed by morning tea.  All welcome.

    Car pool from Newstead Community Centre at 9.10am.

    Wear some shoes suitable for a bush walk and bring a mug for morning tea.

     

    McKenzie’s Hill Community BBQ

    Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

    Are you a resident of McKenzie’s Hill or environs?

    Do you know your local community?

    Come along and meet your neighbours at a barbeque on November 6th

    Kicking off at 6.30 pm at the old Winter’s Flat school site, Cnr Monahan and Langslow Sts (Enter from Monahan St)

    Sponsored by McKenzie’s Hill Action and Landcare Group.

    Bookings required for catering purposes.

    Contact Jan Hall 54 705556 or Marie Murley 54 72 3988

    Our community has no central hub, no sports fields, no local heart.

    Think about the potential of this old school site.

     

    Flora Identification Course

    Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

    The free flora identification course brought to you by McKenzies Hill Action & Landcare Group resumes this Sunday with a study of grasses.

    Run by Paul Foreman, consultant Botanist and Bush Heritage Australia Ecologist, the course aims to give participants an introduction to the ecosystems and indigenous flora of the Castlemaine area.

    Sunday November 8th – Common grasses.  At Castlemaine Botanic Gardens (Northern Cark Park off Downes Rd). 2 -4pm

    Sunday November 15th – Tour of the shire.  Bus provided.  Meeting and returning to the car park opposite the Railway Hotel, Gingell St, Castlemaine. 10am – 4pm

    Click here for full details.

    For more information and to book contact Paul Foreman on 5472 4874 or 0429 134 592

     

    Castlemaine Field Naturalists November meeting

    Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

    Join the Castlemaine Field Nats Club for a presentation by Dr Mary Cole on the importance of soil fungi known as mycorrhizae for environmental health.

    All General Meetings are held at the Uniting Church Hall, enter from Lyttleton St, Castlemaine.

    For more information contact President Natalie de Maccus on 5472 4499

     

    Free field days and launch of the Central Victorian Compost Users Group

    Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

    Guest Speaker: Dr Dean Metcalf, expert on biological control using composts and compost teas.

    Dean is a plant pathologist with wide experience in managing a variety of crop diseases and a particular interest in sustainable methods of crop disease control.

    There are four events over three days:

    WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER,   1-5PM HARCOURT – Meet at Harcourt Valley Estate Wines, followed by visit to Blackjack Wines and Harcourt Fruit Garden.

    THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

    o    9-11 AM MURCHISON – Meet at Murchison & District Neighbourhood House followed by a site visit to Avonlea Flowers, 420 River Road, Murchison, looking at compost soil conditioners and teas for disease suppression and soil health.

    o    2- 5 PM  HEATHCOTE/ COLBINABBIN – Meet at Heathcote RSL followed by a site visit to Hennings Wine/ Rathjen’s, Colbinabbin looking at composts in vineyards and tomatoes.

    FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER – 9-12 AM BENDIGO – Meet at Balgownie Estate Wines, Hermitage Road Maiden Gully

    Hear about how compost can:

    • Boost soil and plant health and plant productivity
    • Conserve moisture
    • Form part of a disease control program
    • Build long term soil carbon

    Also hear about:

    • Compost Users Group – a free and independent information and discussion forum for landowners to learn more about sourcing, making and using compost, and to share their experiences in using these products.
    • Planning to use composts – what, where and how?

    Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

    For more information and to register contact Bill Grant 0407 882 070  or billgrant@bigpond.com


     

    Understanding Soil Biology Workshop

    Posted on 4 November, 2009 by Connecting Country

    Brought to you by the Lismore Land Protection Group, a workshop on understanding soil biology to be held in the Killara Centre, Camperdown.

    Presenter: Damian Bougoure, Department of Primary Industries.

    Topics

    – Understand what soil biology is & recognise its contribution to soil health & why it is so important for environmental sustainability

    – Understand what regulates soil biology & how soil biology can change

    – Identify & select appropriate techniques to measure & monitor soil biology & understand how management affects it

    – Understand how changes to management may improve soil biology.

    Free Lunch provided. 

    To register please contact to Karen on 5596 2384