New Roles for Landcare forum

Posted on 15 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

To be held at Fitzroy Town Hall

201 Napier St, Fitzroy, Melbourne

New Roles for Landcare Forum

Landcare started as local action on local problems. But as we face a time of accelerating change in our landscapes, it is time to look beyond the latest NRM funding criteria to the new roles Landcare Networks are taking on. This Forum brings together Networks and other organisations working with Landcare to share what they’re doing and what opportunities they see for Landcare.

Featuring an introduction from Andrew Campbell (Triple Helix Consulting) and covering the topics of markets & ecosystem services, agriculture & adapting to climate change, policy and alliances with corporates, philanthropists & industry.

Click here for the full program.

Castlemaine Landcare Group working bee

Posted on 15 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

September working bee.

The work will be in two areas.

1. Woody weed removal at the bottom of Urquhart St (Opposite Castlemaine Primary).  Please bring heavy duty pruning equipment.

Morning tea

2. Planting at Happy Valley Walking Track.  Please bring planting tools and buckets.

For more information contact Robin Haylett. Call 5470 6630.  Email rhaylett@mmnet.com.au

Koorooya Wildflower Show

Posted on 15 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Celebrate the arrival of Spring this weekend.

Saturday and Sunday at Rheola Hall.

Click here for flyer including map.

• Guided and self-guided wildflower tours
• Static displays of local indigenous flora
• Botanical drawings and photo’s
• Photographic competition
• Books, maps and reference materials for sale
• Native plants for sale

For more information contact Robert Scholes. Phone: 0427 190 339    Email: cvosrr@iinet.net.au

Castlemaine Field Nats Wildflower walk

Posted on 8 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Spring has sprung and it’s time for The Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club’s wildflower walks.  The first one will be a walk through Fryers Ridge.

Meet at the carpark opposite Castle Motel, Duke St, Castlemaine for a 4pm departure.  Returning 5-5.30pm.

Castlemaine Field Nats excursion

Posted on 8 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Following on from the previous nights talk on bush foods, join the presenter Beth Gott for a field trip.

All welcome.  Free of charge.

Meet at the carpark opposite Castle Motel, Duke St, Castlemaine for 11am sharp departure.

BYO lunch.

Newstead Landcare Goup presentation – Pond Life

Posted on 8 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Pond Life

Presentation at Newstead Community Centre by Leah Cripps, Waterwatch Officer for the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA).

All welcome.

Supper 9pm, followed by a brief business meeting (optional).

Wildlife victoria public information session

Posted on 7 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

At the Ray Bradfield Room (IGA carpark), Castlemaine.

• Find out about the work of wildlife rescuers and foster carers, and learn what to do if you find an injured animal.
• Information sharing and networking for existing volunteers and potential volunteers.
• Discover how to happily co-exist with wildlife in your home garden and surrounds.

Local wildlife authority Miles Geldard will give a presentation about constructing wildlife nests and the steps required to ensure nesting success.  Details on an upcoming nest box construction workshop.

Lunch will be provided.

Dr Maartin Stapper talk in Ngambie

Posted on 2 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Due to an overwhelming response an extra day has been added to Dr Maartin Stapper’s series of talks on biological farming.  As featured on the ABC TV’s Australian Story “Back to Earth” June 1st 2009.

Dr Stapper began a career in science and agriculture forty years ago, has international experiences on four continents and is a former senior scientist with CSIRO.  He is an expert across a wide spectrum of agricultural areas including wheat agronomy, farming systems, participatory research and agricultural information technology. Dr Stapper says biological farming is not just about soil health through improved biology and carbon – it is also about profitable farming by lowering inputs and associated costs, making plants, animals and land more resilient in variable climate, and utilising natural resources for increased productivity – and is thus ecosystem based. His focus is on biological farming that helps farmers improve the profitability of their operations by harnessing the power of natural soil processes with practices creating healthy soils while reducing heavy reliance on fertilisers and chemicals.

$50.00 Non FBF Inc Member
$40.00 FBF Inc Member

Presented by the Federation of Biological Farmers Inc.

9.30am morning tea for 10am start.

Contact Carl Reeve on 0412 144 936

Trust for nature property open day

Posted on 2 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

The Budgerum Grassland is a property purchased by Trust For Nature’s Revolving Fund Scheme.

An open day is being held this Saturday to give the public the opportunity to see this grassland bursting to life with the best wildflower show in many years.

• Experience spring in the Avoca Plains grasslands .
• See some of Australia’s rarest plants and animal’s.
• Learn about Trust for Nature and what they do.
• Guest speakers.
• Share stories about the plains over lunch.
• Treasure hunt and prize.

BBQ lunch at 12.30

Map to Budgerum here. Meet on the corner of Lake Charm-Quambatook and Hanley Roads.  Approx 9km North of Quambatook.

RSVP 4th September 2009 (for catering) Phone: 0458 965 329

Castlemaine Landcare Group – talking provenance

Posted on 2 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

At the September General Meeting, Castlemaine Landcare Group will tackle to issue of seed provenance in a discussion led by Ern Perkins and Francis Cincotta.

Visitors are welcome at all general meetings of Castlemaine Landcare Group.

Meetings are held upstairs at Herons Gallery, on the corner of Hargreaves and Lyttleton Streets in Castlemaine.

Supper is provided.

For more information call Christine Kilmartin on 5472 1276 or 0418 325 350

Muckleford Catchment Landcare group

Posted on 2 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Two spring planting days.

Work is ready to proceed on the Creasy’s Road biodiversity corridor.  This is a major project accross a section of the Creasy’s Road verge and several adjoining properties.  The site has been prepared and there is no digging required.  Helping hands are needed to plant seedlings and place tree guards.

Lunch is provided on both days.

Please wear study footwear and bring gloves.

For more information contact Paul Hampton on 5472 2189

To register your attendance for part or all of the day please email

Castlemaine Field Naturalists September meeting

Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

Join the Castlemaine Field Nats on Friday September 11th for a talk on Bush Foods presented by Beth Gott.

8pm at the Uniting Church Hall – Enter from Lyttleton St.

Meetings are open to non-members and a gold coin donation is appreciated to help cover costs.

If you would like to join the Castlemaine Field Nats email the Secretary, George Broadway; georgebroadway@bigpond.com

Friends of Box Ironbark Forests September Bushwalk

Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Connecting Country

This months FoBIF bushwalk will be through Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve.

Join in this month to see Spring wildflowers.  You will also see creekline vegetation and interesting rock formations in the bush behind Taradale.

The walk is approximately 8km circuit.

Meet at 9.30am outside Continuing Ed. building – 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine.  Carpool to the start of the walk.

Bring water, morning tea and lunch.  Non-members are welcome and there is no cost.

For more information ring Barabara Johnston on 5423 2773

Nth Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare Group Annual Planting Day and BBQ

Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country

In order to continue our Barkers Creek Project join us for our planting day – our aim is to revegetate Barkers Creek from the spring to the reservoir as far as we can get.

Over the last 2 years we have planted over a distance of approx.  3 km from Ford Rd (Dingle property) around the bend to North Harcourt Rd down to the Pinder property. This working bee will continue our good work from previous planting days.

Meet at 329 North Harcourt Rd (opposite Barkers Road, Harcourt North)

Bring sturdy boots, weather proof gear and a planting tool.

Please join us for a BBQ on site after planting.

Please RSVP for catering purposes.

Contact Karoline Klein on 5439 6080

Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group AGM

Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country

The committee of the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group invites the members together with residents of the district to the Native Display Garden on the roadside at the entrance to ‘Rowanston on the Track’ Winery.

A walk, talk and place species signs in the Display Garden. This will be an opportunity to see which plants do best in the area, and to learn more about their characteristics and requirements. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

A BBQ lunch will follow.

Please RSVP by Thursday 20th August for catering purposes.

Contact Carl Reeve on 5423 7110 or 0412 144 936

Castlemaine landcare group august working bee

Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country

Castlemaine Landcare Group August working bee at the new waterhole close to the start of the Happy Valley walking track. There are 500 plants to get in so if anyone can come earlier (from 9am) to help lay things out, that would be great.

Bring:  Planting tools, mash hammers, buckets.

Robin Haylett, 0408 706630 & 5470 6630 rhaylett@mmnet.com.au

10am, Sunday August 23rd.

Victorian Landcare Awards 2009

Posted on 13 August, 2009 by Connecting Country

Voting is now open for the Victorian Landcare Awards 2009.

Visit the website to vote for our local heroes!

The website has a full list of nominated people.  Some familiar names might include Caroline Lovel from Baringhup Landcare Group, Geoff Park from Newstead Landcare Group, Ian Grenda from the Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee, Penny Roberts from Newham and District Landcare Group, and Judy Crocker from Mid Loddon Sub-Catchment Management Group

The winner will be announced on September 8th.

national tree day event @ castlemaine

Posted on 22 July, 2009 by Connecting Country

Castlemaine Landcare Group will be holding an event as part of National Tree Day

Site Address: Happy Valley walking track

Enter from Montgomery Street

Along Happy Valley Walking Track, approx half way between Colles Road and Happy Valley Road. Entry can be gained from Montgomery Street, where an unformed track leads down to the working site. We will be working on the flat (affectionately known as Rabbit Flat for obvious reasons) and also at the end of the path leading down from Montgomery Street.
Please wear appropriate clothing and bring gloves, buckets, hand tools for planting. The area is safe for children to ride bikes and play. No toilets on site.
Further enquiries:
Robin Haylett, CLG Projects Coordinator, on 5472 6630

Aims of the project: Happy Valley Walking Track joins Castlemaine with other areas of the goldfields. It runs part way along Forest Creek and in recent years was so ridden with gorse and other woody weeds that there was no access to the creek or through the Valley. With regeneration, the creek is now becoming accessible and a place of local enjoyment again. This year’s planting is part of a long term program which involves ongoing maintenance and monitoring.

National tree day event @ Chewton

Posted on 20 July, 2009 by Connecting Country

Golden Point Landcare, Post Office Hill Action Group and the Chewton Primary School will be having a tree planting day on 31st July for National Tree day.
The planting will be at Post Office Hill near the Chewton Primary School.
This event will start at 11.30am and finish early afternoon.
For further details contact Nick Haliday 54722 380 or haliday@castlemaine.net

Connecting Country is changing

Posted on 23 June, 2009 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country’s Public Meeting

At Buda 42 Hunter Street Castlemaine

Open at 7 o’clock for a 7.30 start.

We invite you to be part of working with a local project to represent all groups involved in the management of a healthy, resilient and productive natural environment.

The public meeting on Monday 29th June is for the Connecting Country project to become incorporated.

As part of this process the beginnings of a formalised structure is being proposed to support the organisation:

• membership entitlement is automatic for all landcare/environmental/friends groups in the region (a registration form to be completed with contact details);
• nominations are being called for a management committee that will consist of 8 volunteer representatives from the region’s landcare community to be elected by the membership;
• the management committee will meet monthly and will be responsible for the for the strategic direction and performance of the organisation ;
• it will be advised and supported by a reference group, open to all CC members, and made up of representatives of landcare community groups, special interest groups and agencies and which will meet quarterly;
• the committee will also be advised on an as needs basis by an advisory panel made up of technical experts .

Join us for supper and drinks after the meeting

For a nomination and/or membership form please contact Julia Brown on 0431 720 876 or email info@connectingcountry.org.au