Sponsor a community planting day: Seeking YOUR help for 2023 National Tree Day

Posted on 31 May, 2023 by Ivan

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now, and we need your help!

We are partnering with local Landcare groups and Mount Alexander Shire Council to deliver a National Tree Day event on Sunday 30 July 2023. The day will be open to everyone to participate and will include planting indigenous plants for habitat and learning more about our local landscape.

The tree planting event aims to empower the younger generations of our community to take direct action in healing the land and tackling climate change. This is what they have asked for. Mount Alexander Shire Council recently surveyed young people in our local area. Our young people reported they want opportunities to plant trees, make homes for wildlife and to undertake practical actions to address climate change.

Photo by John Ellis

How you can help: sponsor a community planting day! 

We are raising funds to purchase local native plants and host a Community Planting Day on National Tree Day 2023, to support the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook community – young and wise – to help heal the land. Through this project, we aim to connect people of all ages with nature and restore degraded bushland.

The sponsored plants will be provided by local indigenous nurseries. You can sponsor the day by donating funds to go towards the purchase of the plants, stakes and guards. If you wish, you can attend the community planting day, get your hands dirty and plants the plants you have sponsored. However, if you can’t attend the event, your contribution will be guaranteed and the community will plant for you! Let’s work together to protect and restore our local biodiversity and nurture the land for our future generations! Donate today – click here

Photo credit: John Ellis

Degraded bushland

The Mount Alexander region of central Victoria has a long history of removing native vegetation for gold mining, agriculture, and timber and firewood harvesting, leading to many areas of degraded bushland, with little understory, or suitable habitat. In Australia, it can take hundreds of years for trees to form natural hollows. Due to the profound environmental change caused by European colonisation and the gold rush, many trees in our region are still young and have little understory or ground cover. Connecting Country has nearly two decades of experience in restoring these landscapes, and will oversee the event, to ensure the maximum benefit for our local wildlife and community.

Much of our bushland has been turned over and lacks understorey species. Photo: Asha Bannon

Donate today via our Give Now page – click here

Photo Credit: Leonie van Eyk

Donate today via our Give Now page – click here

We have a secure payment system and all donations (>$2) to Connecting Country are tax deductible.

Can’t donate? Here are some other ways you can help

• Attend the community tree planting event, and volunteer to revegetate the sponsored plants
• Share our campaign with your friends and networks.
• Retain leaf litter, logs, and trees (especially mature trees) on your property, as these provide foraging and den resources for wildlife
• Consider doing revegetation or installing nestboxes on your property
• Contribute to restoring healthy forests by joining your local Landcare or Friends group. To find a group near you – click here

2023 Landcare Link-up – sharing stories in Taradale

Posted on 24 May, 2023 by Hadley Cole

The 2023 Landcare Link-up is coming up on Saturday 17 June 2023 and everyone is welcome!

As part of Connecting Country’s ongoing support for Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region, we coordinate an annual Landcare Link-up to provide groups with an opportunity to get together, learn, share and connect.  It’s also a great opportunity for anyone not yet engaged in Landcare to learn more about what’s involved.

The theme for this years Link-up event is ‘Sharing Stories’ and will be held in Taradale, starting with gentle walk through Barkly Park followed by afternoon tea at the Taradale Hall.

Taradale Landcare Group are kindly co-hosting the event and will walk us through their Rediscover Barkly Park project.  Barkly Park is public land with hidden conservation values and offers a wonderful space for Landcare activities and for the wider community to connect with nature.

The group has been working hard to promote Barkly Park through educational and engaging walks throughout 2022/23 and a mini celebration festival earlier this year.   They have plans to care for and restore the site for both community and animals to enjoy for years to come.  We will hear from group President, Brian Bainbridge, who will present the plans and processes behind the Rediscover Barkly Park project.   Brian has decades of experience in restoring landscapes and connecting people with nature through various volunteer and paid roles.  It’s sure to be an interesting and engaging event.

Barkly Park, Taradale VIC. Photo by Taradale Landcare. 

Following the visit to Barkly Park, we will head over to the Taradale Hall to hear more interesting stories from Landcarers in the region and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea together.

Bookings are essential for catering purposes. To book your place, please -click here

For any inquiries please email: hadley@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office on: 0493 362 394

We thank the North Central Catchment Management Authority for their support of this event.

Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June 2023

Posted on 23 May, 2023 by Hadley Cole

Every year National Sorry Day is 26 May and is then followed by Reconciliation Week. This years’ Reconciliation Week is held from 27 May  – 3 June 2023 and the theme is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. Reconciliation Australia recognises Reconciliation Week as ‘a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.’ To learn more about reconciliation in Australia – click here

Our friends and project partners at Nalderun have sent us some information about their local events for Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2023. The week of events will commence with the 2023 Sorry Day commemoration at Castlemaine Secondary College oval on Friday 26 May 2023 at 10.30am. Please read on for details provided by Nalderrun about this important week for our community.

Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Friends of Nalderun present:

The 2023 Sorry Day Commemoration
Where: Castlemaine Secondary College oval, Castlemaine VIC
When: Friday 26 May 2023 from 10.30 am

Introduction and MC: Vic Say & Zeppelin
Smoking and Welcome to Country ceremony: Aunty Paulette Nelson
Address by the Mayor: Rosie Annear and Castlemaine Secondary students
Guest speaker: Kelly Blake Wadawurrung woman

For the full program of events for Nalderun Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2023 please see below.

‘Nalderun is a Dja Dja Wurrung word which means ‘all together’, because we believe by moving forward together we can make the change needed for our children, our mob and the wider community in the Mount Alexander Shire region of Victoria to thrive. We are Aboriginal led and run – we know what our Community needs, as we are apart of it. For 10 years we have seen our children become stronger, proud and deadly. We know our future, and the future for our children’s children is safe, having created programs and ways of being and teaching now. We want you to join this journey in this two-way learning space. We look forward to walking forward together. We invite you to support us in caring for Culture, Country and Community and to meet the needs of our mob, and the ever-increasing commitment to support these changes in the broader community, which builds respectful and reciprocal relationships for all.’

To learn more about the amazing work of Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation head over to their website – click here or check out their youtube channel – click here

Connecting Country acknowledges the Jaara people, the custodians and caretakers of this land. We recognise their continued care of Country for millennia and pay our respects and gratitude to elders, past present and emerging. We extend this acknowledgement to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

An ode to Landcare volunteers – Transforming local landscapes

Posted on 16 May, 2023 by Ivan

This week is National Volunteer Week (15 – 21 May 2023) and Connecting Country would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our many Landcare volunteers actively working to protect and restore the natural environment across the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region. We could not achieve what we do without you!

At its heart, Landcare is about caring for land so that it will support our society and maintain our natural resources for generations to come. Depending on where you live that might mean looking after a farm, nature strip, local bush reserve or waterway – all kinds of land. Through Landcare, individuals and communities get the support, knowledge and resources necessary to do this work. In the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region, we are lucky to have over 30 community groups working with hundreds of volunteers, many who have been contributing for multiple decades.

In particular this year, we pay tribute to local Landcare legend, Maurie Dynon, who passed away in March 2023. Maurie was a well-respected and loved member of Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare Group for almost 30 years. He also contributed many volunteer hours to Connecting County, as a member of the founding committee and to the Landcare Steering Group. He swore by the power of a cuppa in connecting community and through his determination and many cups of tea, he recruited many Guildford and Yapeen landholders to get on board local restoration projects, helping to transform the local landscape to benefit both farmland and habitat in the local area.

Joining Landcare is a great way to meet your neighbours and get involved in grassroots environmental action that helps to build resilient landscapes. As Maurie has been quoted as saying; “Landcare is great fun! You’re meeting new people all the time with different outlooks, from different walks of life and you learn something from all of them.”

To find a group near you or find out how you could get involved, visit the Landcare page on the Connecting Country website – click here or contact the office at info@connectingcountry.org.au or ph: 0434 362 394.

Maurie Dynon and his wife Lois (both dec.) with Maurie’s beloved Landcare Ute. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.

Post Office Hill Action Group member Andrew with Chewton Primary School student Orlo, working together to revegetate Post Office Hill Reserve in Chewton VIC. Photo by John Ellis.

A tribute to Landcarer Maurie Dynon (1934 – 2023)

Posted on 19 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 25 March 2023 we lost Landcare legend and Yapeen/ Guildford local, Maurie Dynon. Maurie contributed countless volunteer hours to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and their restoration projects over almost 30 years. He was known affectionately by Yapeen and Guildford locals and often seen down at the local general store in his ute adorned with Landcare signage, collecting his morning paper.  After moving to Guildford around thirty years ago, Maurie signed up to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and never looked back. He swore by the power of a cuppa in connecting community. Through his determination and many cups of tea he recruited many Guildford and Yapeen landholders to get on board local restoration projects.

Maurie with his beloved ute overlooking plans for the Larni Barramal Yaluk (previously Jim Crow) creek restoration project. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.

Most notably were his efforts in convincing landholders along Jim Crow Creek, now known as Larni Barramal Yaluk, to join forces in the management of Willow trees and other noxious weeds. Maurie went door to door and shared many cuppas with landholders as he talked of the value of restoring the creek line. Maurie shared the bigger picture with landholders, explaining how their local actions would help ecosystems downstream and lead to improving water quality all the way to Adelaide!

Maurie also worked with Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and landholders along the Guildford Plateau to restore shelterbelts and wildlife corridors across private land. His enthusiasm for restoration spread among landholders across the Plateau with farmers discovering that establishing the corridors also saved their lambs from frost.

Maurie working with Asha Bannon on mapping Landcare projects in 2017. Photo from the Connecting Country archive.

Maurie giving a tour of Blue Duck Mine project site. Photo by Ivan Carter.

Over the many decades that Maurie was involved with Landcare, he worked with many government and community organisations. His ability to leverage funding from government agencies was a credit to him. He saw the big picture possibilities in expanding restoration projects to the landscape scale. Restoration at the Blue Duck Mine site in Fyerstown was another of Maurie’s favourite projects that benefited from his enthusiasm, determination and wonderful conversation skills, resulting in positive outcomes for the local landscape.

Maurie with the Connecting Country team in 2019 at the Landcare Awards. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.

Maurie sitting in a workshop at the Connecting Country Reference group meeting in 2008. Photo by Beth Mellick.

Maurie worked closely with Connecting Country since its beginning in 2008, including as a member of Connecting Country ‘s Reference group and Committee of Management from 2008 -2014. He then continued his relationship as a valued member of Connecting Country’s Landcare Steering Group for over seven years, right up until late 2022. Maurie was a welcome regular visitor to the Connecting Country office, and an inspiration to us all.

The Connecting Country team send their condolences to the beloved family and friends of Maurie. Maurie’s positivity and kindness will be greatly missed.

Comments from his Landcare friends and colleagues:

I was honoured when Maurie invited me to accompany him as his ‘date’ for the 2019 Landcare awards in Melbourne. We have much to learn from Maurie‘s gentle manner, patient determination and significant on-ground achievements.    Frances Howe

I first met Maurie when Wettenhall decided to start Connecting Country. In 2007 we got together as many ‘key’ people in the area. Maurie and Lois (Maurie’s wife) were at all the initial meetings and workshops (Maurie always wearing his signature hat), and I got to learn a lot from him.    Beth Mellick

Maurie brought humour and wisdom to every room he was in through his many stories. His love for the land and his community were evident in the way he lived his life, and the gentle but persistent ways he inspired so many others to get on board the landcare movement. I’ll always remember his kindness and his perseverance in getting landcare projects done on the smell of an oily rag.   Asha Bannon

Maurie was a wonderful conversationalist, and I will always remember his cheeky giggle, positivity and kind nature.    Hadley Cole

Down the hill and down the map
Is Guildford Upper Loddon’s patch.
The group has members far and wide,
And utes with writing on the side.
The weeds that way will wilt with worry,
Just from catching sight of Maurie.

From Max Schlachter’s Landcare poem

2023 Victorian Landcare and Junior Landcare grants are now open!

Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole

2023 Victorian Landcare Grants

The 2023 Victorian Landcare grants are now open! Landcare grants of up to $20 000 are available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects that protect, enhance, and restore our land and natural environment.

The grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, and Aboriginal groups to support the important work they do in protecting and restoring our land and environment.

There are also support grants of up to $500 available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for help with administration and running costs.

Applications close on Tuesday 16 May 2023.

For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here

2023 Victorian Junior Landcare grants

Victorian Junior Landcare grants are now open! The Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants provide funding for projects that involve and educate young people in valuing and actively caring for Victoria’s biodiversity and natural environment. These grants provide young Victorians with an opportunity to participate in biodiversity focused hands-on projects and/or learning activities.

The grants offer up to $5000 and are open to all schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth groups, and Junior Landcare groups in Victoria.

Applications close Friday 12 May 2023.

For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here

If you have any queries regarding the Landcare grants please contact Hadley our Landcare Facilitator by email: hadley@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office 0493 362 294.

The Buzz project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria

Posted on 14 March, 2023 by Hadley Cole

The Buzz project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria, is a Connecting Country project funded by the 2022 Victorian Landcare grants, that aims to celebrate and expand community knowledge on the smaller heroes of our local ecosystems, the insect pollinators.

The project was launched with a presentation from local entomologist and bee specialist Dr Mark Hall, Senior Biodiversity Officer at the City of Greater Bendigo, on Wednesday 15 February 2023 at the Campbells Creek Community Centre. The presentation focussed on the various native pollinators we may see in the local area and was titled ‘Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do?’

Participants enjoying Dr Mark Hall’s presentation on pollinators.

Dr Mark Hall introduces the range of bees we can see across the landscape.

We had a wonderful turnout to the presentation with up to forty enthusiastic attendees who came along with fantastic questions. Mark spoke of the many pollinators present across the landscape from native bees, to flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles. He spoke of the importance of connectivity between gardens, roadsides, and bushland of native vegetation to help build corridors for pollinators to move and plenty of wooded areas for them to nest in. We learnt of the specific adaptations native bees have formed to pollinate indigenous plants and how introduced insects such as honey bees cannot perform the same pollination service as efficiently as the native pollinators.

Following the presentation, we then went out on a field trip with Mark to a private property in Harcourt on Friday 24 February 2023. The field trip was titled ‘promoting native pollinators from property to landscape.’ Thirteen enthusiastic participants came along to learn of the various monitoring techniques we can use to investigate the pollinators occuring on our properties, Landcare sites and in our backyards. The beautiful property of Lois from Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife group did not dissapoint! Although it is late in the season for many insects, we discovered a range of insect pollinators in Lois’s garden and the bushland on her property. A couple of species of Blue banded bees were on show, as well as the Imperial Jezebel (Delias harpalyce) butterfly that feeds on misstletoe, a few dragonflies were noted however were very difficult to catch with the net as they zip about so fast! The most exciting discovery was a Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus) found in one of the insect traps. As the cuckoo part of the name suggests, the native Cuckoo Bee will take over the nests of Blue Banded Bees by laying their eggs in with those of the Blue Banded Bees. Although the Cuckcoo bees are not the friendliest of bees they are very beautiful and Mark reassured us that they appear to exist in smaller numbers than many of the other native bees.

Participants gather around an insect trap to hear from Dr Mark Hall. Photo by Lou Citroën.

Field trip participants Lou and Tully inspect a specimen from the insect trap. Photo by Hadley Cole.

Dr Mark Hall shows field trip participants native bees caught in an insect trap. Photo by Frances Howe.

So far The Buzz project has been a wonderful success, bringing together community members, nature enthusiasts and Landcarers with a common focus of learning more about the various native pollinators occurring across the local landscape, where they live, how they behave and the types of pollination services they provide.

Connecting Country would like to thank Dr. Mark Hall for his brilliant contributions to The Buzz project. The knowledge he has shared with us all will go a long way to building a greater understanding of the native pollinators of the region. A big thank you also goes to Lois and Geoff for sharing their beautiful property in Harcourt for the field trip.

If you or your Landcare group are interested in learning more on how to monitor and survey insects across the region please get in touch by emailing hadley@connectingcountry.org.au.

We will host one final event later in the year in Spring to wrap up The Buzz project, so stay tuned for more details!

This project was funded through the Victorian Landcare Grants and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Blue banded bee species. Female and male specimens. Photo by Mez Woodward.

Leaf cutter beetle. Photo by Lou Citroën.

Imperial Jezebel (Delias harpalyce). Photo by Lou Citroën.

Kaweka Wildflower Sanctuary – AGM – call for new members!

Posted on 9 March, 2023 by Lori

Kaweka Wildflower Sanctuary is a beautiful ‘hidden gem’ in Castlemaine.   People often confuse Kaweka with Kalimna, but they are two different places!

The welcoming entrance to the reserve is visible from the intersection of Hargreaves and Turner Streets.  The 8ha stunning wildflower reserve was given to the people of the district over fifty years ago and has been lovingly looked after by locals ever since.

On Wednesday March 15 the Kaweka committee is having its Triennial AGM at 5.00pm.  Would you like to join this congenial group of nature-lovers?  They are a small group, definitely in need of new members in order to remain active.

They have irregular seasonal working bees and occasional meetings.  The meetings are enjoyable and quick, and the working bees are for weeding, planting, watering and other general maintenance.  They especially try to keep the plant identification signs up to date.

The committee is in danger of having to go into recess/hibernation – they need new people!  They need you!  It is a great opportunity to get involved in restoring our natural environment, learning from experienced members and gain group management skills, all while having fun!

The meeting will be at the main entrance next to the beautiful big rock.  Please feel free to come along, even if just curious to meet the group.

If you can’t make it but are interested in getting in touch, please contact info@connectingcountry.org.au and we can connect you.

Photos:  1. Kaweka Sanctuary entrance and 2. kookaburra –  Kaweka Committee

AusChem Chemical users subsidised course 20 and 21 March 2023

Posted on 16 February, 2023 by Hadley Cole

The North Central Catchment Management Authority is offering the AusChem Chemical users course at a subsidised rate of $107 per person in Maryborough over Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 March 2023. The course is open to Landcare groups, small and large landholders, farmers, new users or existing chemical users requiring a refresher. This course is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling.

Upon completion of the two-day course, participants will receive an AusChem Certificate which may be used to comply with Industry Quality Assurance Programs. This certificate is required to apply for the Victorian Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP), and may also be used to pursue further training, such as Minimising risks in the use of 1080 and PAPP bait products for Vertebrate Pest Control.

All participants will receive the latest copy of the AusChem Manual.

The course will cover:

• Pest identification
• Modes of action
• Label interpretation
• Issues associated with chemical use
• Formulation types
• Weed and pest control application
• Animal health
• Chemical handling storage
• Transport and disposal
• Preparation, application and clean up
• Recording and other procedures

For more information or to register – click here

Our own Christine awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia

Posted on 2 February, 2023 by Ivan

Connecting Country is excited to learn that one of our committee of management members, Christine Brooke, has been formally recognised for her outstanding dedication and volunteering for the environment and local landscape restoration.

Christine was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia – a great acknowledgement for her decades of far-reaching volunteering and commitment to the environment. We are very lucky to have Christine’s commitment to Connecting Country, and benefit from her expertise and experience. The medal was granted on 26 January 2023 for her ‘service to the environment, and to the community’.

Christine has a long history of service, including representation on the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Loddon Plains Landcare Network (formerly Loddon Vale Landcare Network), Sutton-Grange Landcare Group, Australian Landcare International, Natural Resource Management Committee, North Central Goldfields Regional Library Corporation, Loddon Shire Council, Faraday Community Association and of course, Connecting Country. She has also won a number of awards during volunteering, remains an active Landcare volunteer, and deserves a big pat on the back!

The humble Christine told us ‘I am a bit overwhelmed by this because, as you all know, it is not one individual that gets things happening but everyone … as part of a team, of which I’m privileged to be a part’.

Christine has shared her expertise and knowledge across many volunteer organisations over her long career (photo courtesy of Bendigo Advertiser)

The mighty Chewton Chat community newspaper has published a terrific story about Christine, which we have included below. Great work Christine and thank you for your huge contribution!

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) awarded for service to the environment and the community

When local volunteer Christine Brooke and her husband John moved to Faraday ten years ago, Christine already had a strong interest in working for the environment and the community.

Before long she had become involved with local groups Sutton Grange Landcare and the Faraday Community Association. Her roles in Loddon Shire as a councillor and mayor along with her time on the board and community group of the North Central Catchment Management Authority gave her an overview of how the community and the government agencies can work together successfully. She has been involved at national, state and local levels of Landcare.

This led to her being elected to the Committee of Management of the local landscape restoration organisation and Landcare Network, Connecting Country, working across the Mount Alexander region. And this is where all her skills of governance and accountability, her knowledge of natural resource management along with her understanding of how communities can work together are all used so effectively.

As Christine explained to the Chat, ‘Our communities are vibrant places to live, because of the tremendous amount of time and effort given by volunteers to make them so, from the environment, the arts, sport organisations and all the work of parents within our education systems. I believe we can all play a part to keep them that way.’

Chewton Chat
February 2023

Promoting native pollinators from property to landscape – 24 February 2023

Posted on 31 January, 2023 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country is hosting a series of events celebrating the pollinators of our region as part of The Buzz Project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria. We launch the project with a presentation with Dr Mark Hall (Senior Biodiversity Officer at City of Greater Bendigo) in Campbells Creek VIC on Wednesday 15 February 2023. Following the launch, we will host a field trip in Harcourt VIC with Mark on Friday 24 February 2023. Mark completed his PhD on how the composition of wooded habitat in modified landscapes affects bird and pollinator assemblages and has also investigated pollinator diversity, health, management and contribution to crop production. To learn more about Mark – click here

We will spend a morning out in the field with Mark to meet local pollinators, explore their habitat, and learn to identify some of the local pollinator heroes. This event will be at a private property in Harcourt VIC.

Join us for a fascinating morning out where will explore both a garden and bush setting in search for pollinators and their homes.

Field trip: Promoting native pollinators from property to landscape
When: Friday 24 February 2023, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Where: Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Harcourt VIC (details will be provided on booking)

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. To book your free ticket – click here

BYO morning tea and drinking water. We will be outside for the whole two hours so please wear sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.

If you haven’t yet booked your free ticket for the presentation with Dr Mark Hall on ‘Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do’, there are still spaces available. To learn more and book – click here

The Buzz project is funded by the North Central CMA through the 2022 Victorian Landcare grants.

Do you give your time to protect nature?

Posted on 31 January, 2023 by Frances

Volunteers are vital to Connecting Country, as well as the many Landcare and environmental groups that work across the Mount Alexander region. We could not achieve what we do without our skilled and enthusiastic volunteers.

At Connecting Country we love our volunteers and work hard to keep them trained, safe and engaged. We aim to create an environment where both our organisation and volunteers mutually benefit from the volunteering experience, and are always looking for ways to improve.

Researchers at the University of Queensland are studying the benefits of volunteering, and what types of experiences and feedback help strengthen the capacity and motivation of volunteers, enabling them to continue making such a valuable contribution. As part of that project, they seek to survey environmental stewardship volunteers to explore their perceptions of volunteering and stewardship.

For more information about this research project – click here

Given Connecting Country’s role, we are happy to promote this interesting work and ask people to complete their survey. If you are an environmental volunteer and give your time to protect nature, please read on for details.

You are invited to participate in an online study to identify what motivates volunteers to participate in environmental stewardship programs, and what factors support the valuable contribution of people like you. The study is completely anonymous and takes approximately 10-12 minutes to complete. Everyone that completes the survey will be offered the chance to win one of two vouchers worth $300. The survey is being run by researchers from the University of Queensland with support from the NSW Environmental Trust.

The complete the survey or to find out more information –  click here

Local Landcare volunteers (photo by Jacqui Slingo)

Volunteers help at a Connecting Country workshop (photo by Gen Kay)

Volunteers monitor Connecting Country’s nest boxes (photo by Theo Mellick-Cooper)

Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do?

Posted on 25 January, 2023 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country is excited to present ‘The Buzz project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria‘. This project celebrates the pollinators of our ecosystems and encourage us all to learn more about our local pollinator heroes. Globally we have seen a serious decrease in pollinators, which has implications for ecosystems, agriculture and in turn the food we eat. There is still much to learn about the pollination services insects and other pollinators provide for food crops and the natural environment. However, we understand that fragmentation of habitat leads to a decline in pollinator activity.

To launch the Buzz project, Connecting Country is pleased to present ‘Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do‘, a presentation by Dr Mark Hall, Senior Biodiversity Officer at City of Greater Bendigo.

Dr Mark Hall (Senior Biodiversity Officer, City of Greater Bendigo)

Dr Mark Hall completed his PhD in 2018 on how the composition of wooded habitat in modified landscapes affects bird and pollinator assemblages, under the supervision of Andrew Bennett (La Trobe University) and Dale Nimmo (Charles Sturt University). He has since investigated pollinator diversity, health, management and contribution to crop production. Since 2020 Mark has partnered with the Upper Campapse Landcare Network to identify habitat and floral preferences of pollinators (bees, flies, wasps, butterflies and beetles), and guide effective restoration across the Upper Campaspe region in central Victoria. He is currently the Senior Biodiversity Officer with the City of Greater Bendigo.

Join us for an evening to learn about this fascinating topic, and find out which pollinators you might see across our region and the many ecosystem services they provide for our natural landscape.

When: Wednesday 15 February 2023, 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Where: Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Campbells Creek Community Centre, 60 Elizabeth St, Campbells Creek VIC 

Bookings are essential. To book please – click here

Supper will be provided and you will also receive a free copy of the ‘Insects of central Victoria’ booklet thanks to the Mount Alexander Shire Council.

The Buzz project is funded by the North Central CMA through the 2022 Victorian Landcare grants.

Landcare sticky beak tour 2022 launched

Posted on 9 November, 2022 by Hadley Cole

During October 2022 Connecting Country presented the Landcare Sticky Beak Tour to celebrate the amazing Landcare and friends groups of the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria. We kicked off the month-long sticky beak into Landcare with a meet and greet event in Campbells Creek on Saturday 8 October 2022.  Amazingly the sun came out for us, and volunteers and community members from the region joined us for a lovely and convivial morning out.

Representatives from 12 Landcare groups from across the region participated on the day, offering a great opportunity for not only community members to connect with the groups, but also for the groups to connect with one another. We began the morning at Honeycomb Reserve in Campbells Creek with a brief introduction and history of Honeycomb Bushland Reserve from Matt McEachran, Natural Environment Officer from the Mount Alexander Shire Council.

Honeycomb Bushland Reserve exists largely due to the efforts of McKenzie Hill Action and Landcare Group and Friends of Campbells Creek back in 2016. The two groups then joined forces with Connecting Country and Mount Alexander Shire Council to develop a management plan for the reserve, which saw weeds removed and indigenous flora re-introduced to the site. Honeycomb Bushland Reserve offers an inspiring example of how Landcare groups across our region have worked to protect and enhance biodiversity in the very heart of our neighborhoods.

Local Landcare and friends groups set up tables at the event displaying their work (photo by Ivan Carter)

Hadley (Connecting Country’s Landcare Facilitator) introducing the Landcare sticky beak tour map (photo by Ivan Carter)

We then took a walk with Landcare legend Ian Higgins down to Campbells Creek to explore the work of Friends of Campbells Creek, whose members have lovingly restored the creekline for over almost 30 years. We stopped off at a wildflower enclosure – an area that Friends of Campbells Creek fenced to protect plants from grazing pressure. Since fencing the area in 2019 they have introduced 100 species of indigenous plants. The enclosure offers an insight into the diversity of understory and midstorey wildflowers that can grow in a bush setting when disturbance and grazing pressure are limited.

To read more about the wildflower restoration at Honeycomb Bushland Reserve – click here

We also visited a site closer to the creek line that has been restored and replanted with tussock grasses. It is now a sweeping plain of native grasses providing habitat for local wildlife.

Friends of Campbells Creek is a local environment group who have demonstrated enormous commitment to the local landscape, bringing benefits for the entire community. To learn more about the work they do, their program of events and how to get involved, head over to their website – click here

Ian Higgins talking with event participants among the tussock grass (photo by Ivan Carter)

We are very grateful to Ian Higgins from Friends of Campbells Creek for volunteering his time to take us all on a walk, and sharing his vast knowledge of local plants and how to restore them.

As part of the tour, Connecting Country worked with local Landcare and friends groups to create a Sticky beak tour map, which shows the location of Landcare work sites across the region. The map empowers anyone at anytime to take themselves on a self-guided tour and explore the wonderful work of these volunteer groups.  Please see the map below for more detail.

We finished the Sticky beak tour launch with morning tea and a meet and greet with Landcare and friends groups from across the region. Thank you to all the Landcare and friends groups who took part in the Sticky beak tour during October 2022.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare sticky beak tour 2022 – Harcourt Valley Landcare Group

Posted on 3 November, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we celebrated the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria. Although it is now November we will continue our ‘sticky beaking’ into the wonderful work of Landcare in the region.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Harcourt Valley Landcare Group.

Harcourt Valley Landcare Group are a welcoming group of volunteers of all ages dedicated to preserving and revitalising the Harcourt valley environment. In September 2022 they celebrated their 25 year anniversary, which is a remarkable achievement!

The Harcourt Valley Landcare Group aims to inspire, inform and support the community to protect and enhance the local environment. They have ongoing projects and working-bees on the last Sunday of each month.

The group has worked on a variety of projects including reviving the Silver Banksia population in the Harcourt valley, increasing habitat for the Blue-banded Bee, the granite rock circle at the Oak Forest, Harcourt, and restoration of a section of Barkers Creek in Harcourt known as the Tollgate Bridge. You can take a walk along the Barkers Creek restoration site and enjoy the group’s work. To access the site head to corner High St and Bridge St in Harcourt VIC.

To read more about Harcourt Valley Landcare’s projects head over to their website – click here
For their latest updates you can also visit their Facebook page – click here

Harcourt Valley Landcare Group (photo by Robyn Miller)

To view the group’s stunning new brochure online, which was put together in celebration of their 25 year anniversary – click here

To become a member of the group or find out more about their working bees please email: info@harcourtvalleylandcare.org

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare Sticky Beak Tour October 2022 – Victoria Gully Landcare Group

Posted on 27 October, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we will be celebrating the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Victoria Gully Landcare Group.

Victoria Gully Landcare Group comprises residents who live close to to Victoria Gully, which starts in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park south of Castlemaine and meets Forest Creek at Greenhill Avenue, Castlemaine VIC. The group formed in 2010 and hold working bees that aim to restore the gully to a more natural state and provide a bushland connection from Forest Creek to the National Heritage Park. 

Affectionately known by locals as the ‘the gully’, Victoria Gully accommodates a range of recreation and aesthetic needs including children’s play, walking and bike riding. From the south the gully starts as a narrow, deeply-incised channel then widens to an open, grassed valley with a jumbled topography resulting from historical gold sluicing. This valley is home to a large mob of kangaroos and an intermittent unnamed creek runs along the east side.   

The south head of the gully contains good quality box-ironbark forest, including Clinkers Hill Bushland Reserve, where the group has focused on cleaning up rubbish, removing large weeds, and regular removal of English Broom seedlings.  Mature Yellow Box trees dominate on the sluiced alluvial gravels. Landcare work here is evident in the absence of broom, resulting in the slow return of wattles, peas such as Pultenaea and Daviesia, and other native plants.  

In 2010 the open valley was a nightmare of gorse, broom, blackberries, thistles and rubbish. The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) has responded to the group’s interest interest in the gully with substantial weed and rubbish removal over the years. This has enabled Victoria Gully Landcare Group to concentrate on planting and maintaining two exclusion plots and a frog pond enclosure.

The Victoria Gully Landcare team working hard in ‘the gully’ (photo from the Connecting Country archive)  

DELWP has supported the group’s efforts by providing plants, materials and the frog ponds fencing.  In 2020 DELWP installed a further large exclusion plot along the east side of the valley, near the railway line, and kept responsibility for planting and maintenance. The group’s plans for the future include nest box installation, and dispersed planting in hollows and banks of the central alluvial mining area that kangaroos are unlikely to access. 

Victoria Gully can be accessed from the west via Dawson St off Preshaw Street, or from the east via Dawson Street off Ross Drive, in Castlemaine VIC. Please see the following map for details.

From the south, Clinkers Hill Bushland Reserve (not included in the map) can be accessed via Preshaw Street.  

Map of Victoria Gully Landcare Group’s sites in Castlemaine VIC

To find the contact details for Victoria Gully Landcare Group (or your local Landcare group) head over to the Landcare groups contact page on Connecting Country’s website – click here

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare sticky beak tour 2022 – Sutton Grange Landcare Group

Posted on 26 October, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we will be celebrating the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Sutton Grange Landcare Group.

Sutton Grange Landcare Group was formed in 1990. As well as committee meetings they hold general meetings, which often include a guest speaker. The group puts together a wonderful quarterly newsletter that covers great information on natural resource management issues in the local area.  

The group has a popular free tree program where anyone who is a member is entitled to 40 free trees per year. This year the group decided to hold a planting day during the winter 2022 school holidays, encouraging families to bring their kids along to take part in the plantings. To read more information on the wonderful success of their planting day – click here

Sutton Grant Landcare Group members enjoying a planting day (photo by Todd Ware)

Sutton Grange Landcare Group have worked to reintroduce native plant species to the Albert Cox Memorial Sanctuary in Sutton Grange VIC, since 1991. The memorial site was previously a school pine plantation, which was then cleared for timber harvesting. The current Landcare members have worked on pest control and replanting the former plantation and an adjacent area under the guidance of a local member and Connecting Country. During winter 2022 they planted another 300 trees in the adjacent area to revegetate a disused road. Sutton Grange Landcare Group also works in partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council to maintain an area of threatened native grasses and herbs around the nearby Sutton Grange War Memorial.

Take yourself for a stroll out at Sutton Grange and see some of the wonderful work this group have been doing to protect and conserve local flora and wildlife habitat. To make your way to the Albert Cox Memorial Sanctuary, head to the corner of Sutton Grange Redesdale Rd and Bendigo-Sutton Grange Rd in Sutton Grange VIC. Please see the following map for further directions.

Map of Sutton Grange Landcare work sites (image provided by Sutton Grange Landcare)

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare sticky beak tour 2022 – Post Office Hill Action Group

Posted on 24 October, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we will be celebrating the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Post Office Hill Action Group. 

Post Office Hill Action Group (POHAG) manages 22.6 hectares of public land on behalf of the community, with a focus on preserving the cultural and historical features of the Post Office Hill Reserve in Chewton VIC. They work to complement the natural regeneration of indigenous plants through weed control, improve wildlife habitat by installing nesting boxes and shelter plantings, and improve access for the general public.

POHAG meets on the second Sunday of the month. Meetings are usually followed by a walk, and visitors are always welcome. They are a welcoming and energetic group who enjoy the opportunity to work outside together and connect with the local bush.

Post Office Hill Reserve surrounds Chewton Primary School, and for the winter 2022 planting season POHAG members teamed up with Chewton Primary School students to revegetate sections of the creek line behind the school. The planting days were a wonderful success, with the local students learning much about the surrounding reserve. To read more on one of these planting days – click here

Andrew from POHAG working with Orlo from Chewton Primary School. (photo by John Ellis)

Post Office Hill Reserve was once covered in natural vegetation before being practically denuded during the 1852 gold rush. Thousands of enthusiastic souls from all over the world flocked to the Forest Creek diggings hoping to make their fortune. The land was up turned and folded on itself and left as ‘upside-down country’. POHAG’s work across the reserve encourages biodiversity to return to the landscape.

To keep up to date with what’s happening at POHAG, head over to their Facebook page – click here

You can also read of their latest adventure via the Chewton Chat (Chewton’s local newspaper) – click here

It is well worth having a look at Post Office Hill Reserve, especially during these spring months, and taking a walk through the reserve and see what wildflowers are on show. To find your way through the various walking tracks head to the corner of Mitchell St and Railway St in Chewton VIC, where you will find an information board about the reserve put together by POHAG.

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare Sticky Beak Tour October 2022 – Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group

Posted on 21 October, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we will be celebrating the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group. 

Barkers Creek Landcare  & Wildlife Group (BCL&WG) work to protect and restore their local natural environment. The group is committed to celebrating and building their sense of belonging to the Barkers Creek community.

They maintain a balance between working on public and private land and members properties. The primary focus is ‘on ground works’ (monthly working bees) together with a ‘splash’ of educational and social activities.

Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group members. Photo from Barkers Creek Landcare Facebook page.

The group established in 1996 and has a vibrant mix of members  and there are often half a dozen or so children at each working bee which not only adds to the fun but instills a belief in the next generation of landcarers.

The group are currently working to put together the third management plan for a bushland reserve called the Natural Features Bushland Reserve in in the heart of Barkers Creek. They are hoping to achieve a significant ‘ecological’ restoration of this 35.5 ha parcel of bush, working closely with land managers Parks Victoria and other local community and environment groups. 

Join Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group on Sunday 23 October at 9.30 am at the Peelers Rd entrance to the Natural Features Bushland Reserve, Barkers Creek VIC (please see the map below for more details) for a working bee or just a sticky beak to see what the group are up to!

Map of Natural Features Bushland Reserve, Barkers Creek VIC. Photo from Barkers Creek Landcare & Wildlife Group website.

For more information on the group’s projects or to get in contact with them head over to their website – click here or their Facebook page – click here

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Landcare sticky beak tour 2022 – Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group

Posted on 20 October, 2022 by Hadley Cole

As part of the Landcare sticky beak tour in October 2022 we will be celebrating the work of Landcare and friends groups across the Mount Alexander / Leanganook region of central Victoria.

Today we will have a little sticky beak into the wonderful work of Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group. 

Muckleford Catchment Landcare, also known as Muckleford Landcare, take a holistic approach to caring for the land. They work to improve water quality in the Muckleford Creek and its tributaries, conserve soil in the Muckleford Creek catchment, and create a healthy and viable balance between farming and biodiversity. They also encourage co-operation between landholders within the catchment, as well as harnessing local knowledge and expertise to improve the environment.

30 m wide habitat corridor created by Muckleford Landcare (photo by Beth Mellick)

Recently Muckleford Landcare has been working with a Muckleford landholder to build a 30 metre wide habitat corridor that connects a bush block on one side of the property to a bushland reserve on the other side. The project involved some fencing, as well as ripping the site in preparation for planting. To read more about this project head over to the July 2022 edition of the North Central Chat, published by the North Central Catchment Management Authority – click here 

To check out the site of this ‘Building habitat across the landscape’ project, head out for a drive to Muckleford School Rd, Muckleford VIC, and you will see the work that has been completed opposite the Muckleford Bushland Reserve. Please see the map below for more details.

Muckleford Landcare work to assist landholders to access funding for land improvement projects on their properties. They have a wealth of information on the costs involved for improving biodiversity and building habitat corridors on your property.

For more information please contact Muckleford Landcare via email (bethmellick@gmail.com or mucklefordlandcare@gmail.com).

Building Habitat across the Landscape, Muckleford Landcare project map.

Wildflower walk

On Sunday 23 October 2022, Muckleford Landcare are heading out for a wildflower walk from 10.00 am – 11.30 am. To join the walk, meet at the end of Sinclairs Lane, Muckleford VIC. This is a perfect opportunity to get out and meet the group while enjoying the wildflowers. For more information head over to the Muckleford Catchment Landcare website – click here

During October 2022, get out there and explore your local neighbourhood and see what plants and animals you can find in your local Landcare group’s sites! You never know what you might discover.

The Landcare sticky beak tour was made possible through a Victorian Landcare Grant with North Central Catchment Management Authority.