The Alchemy of Gold Conference

Posted on 20 March, 2025 by Lori

There will be a strong environmental theme at the upcoming grassroots initiated conference – The Alchemy of Gold – which will be held at the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre from May 16-18.

The Alchemy of Gold is a special forum which brings together experts, historians and the community to explore how the discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s reshaped the state.   From a small colony, Victoria was transformed into an economic powerhouse, with gold influencing not just the economy but also environmental, social, and political landscapes.

Part of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival, The Alchemy of Gold is a series of lectures, workshops and field visits which will take place in and around Castlemaine from 16 to 18 May 2025

This unique forum will delve into four key themes:

Environmental: The gold rush left a lasting mark on Victoria’s landscape, transforming the land through mining and infrastructure development, while also sparking early conversations on conservation.

Economic: Gold propelled Victoria to become one of the wealthiest regions in the world, with booming industries, new towns and cities, and growing international connections.

Social: The rush brought people from all over the globe, leading to a culturally diverse society that shaped Victoria’s identity today.

Political: The movement of people and wealth during the gold rush led to significant political reforms, including the introduction of democratic rights and the establishment of key institutions.

There will be about 40 speakers across the three days, including:

• Paul Foreman – Consulting ecologist, who will explore the theme of ‘The ecological impact of the gold rush runs deep, but there are potential solutions if we care to take restoration and sustainability seriously’. Paul has a long-standing passion for landscape restoration and biodiversity, working extensively across Victoria.
• Professor Susan Lawrence – Archaeologist and environmental historian, will speak on ‘The Environmental Impacts of Gold’, sharing insights from her ground-breaking research into the gold rush’s lasting impact on Victoria’s landscapes and waterways.Her monograph Sludge: Disaster on the Victorian Goldfields, co-authored with Peter Davies, was shortlisted for the 2020 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

This is a ticketed event. Bookings are now open through the website: https://thealchemyofgold.com.au/

Agricultural Chemical Skill Set – 2 day course (AHCSS00074)

Posted on 20 March, 2025 by Lori

Learn how to safely use, store and handle chemicals used in bushland conservation and land management.

As part of our ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project, Connecting Country is partnering with Bendigo TAFE to deliver a heavily subsidised Agricultural Chemical Skill Set course for Landcarers and local landholders.  

The course is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling and incorporates a blend of theory and practical training and assessment. On successful completion, participants will receive a Statement of Attainment which can be used to apply for an Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) through Agriculture Victoria to purchase and use some restricted chemicals.  (Note: Additional training and certification is required beyond this course for the use of 1080 for pest animal control).

Topics covered include: 

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

Morning tea and lunch provided

Course details: 

Dates: Friday 2nd and 9th May (must attend both days) 

Cost: $100 per person (normally $450*) 

Time: 9am to 3:30pm  

Location: Castlemaine Community House, 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine  

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DAAYG:  click here

Places are limited so be quick! 

Connecting Countrys ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project is funded by the Victorian Government and aims to raise awareness of local pest plant and animal issues and empower community with the skills to address these threats.   This Chemical Course is further subsidised by the Government FREE TAFE program. 

*Free TAFE disclaimer: Eligibility criteria apply. Tuition is free. Other fees and charges, including materials and consumables may apply. 

Rabbits Invade Harcourt – Rabbit Control Field Day

Posted on 20 March, 2025 by Lori

In mid-February Connecting Country organised a very well patronised Rabbit Control Field Day led by Tim Bloomfield, from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network.  The event was part of the Partnership against Pests Project funded by Agriculture Victoria.  A big thank-you to Robyn Miller for putting together this summary of the event and photos.

Tim Bloomfield from Victorian Rabbit Action Network in the field discussing bait laying for rabbit control

The Rabbit Control Field Day was held on February 15th in Harcourt at the Heritage Centre before moving to a field site for demonstrations. Tim began by saying that rabbits ‘love’ the granitic soils which stretch in an arc from Harcourt to Maldon’s Mount Tarrengower. He described how rabbits were introduced to Australia in 1859 by Thomas Austin, who for hunting purposes imported 13 wild European rabbits which eventually spread across the entire continent.

He said, ‘Killing rabbits by shooting is easy but managing the landscape to eradicate rabbits is the difficult thing. Rabbits change the landscape and it is important to use a variety of control measures in the right sequence. These include baiting, fumigation of burrows and following up with destroying burrow systems and rabbit harbour. Rabbit proof fencing is an important but expensive tool for landowners.’

‘Rabbits need to be reduced by 85 to 95% to stop a population explosion. Two adult breeding rabbits will result in 184 rabbits in 12 months. If you don’t have effective prevention methods rabbits will fill your property after you have cleared them, as they will return to existing burrows. They can survive on low levels of protein and it only takes one to three rabbits per hectare to stop the regeneration of native species.  If you set up an exclusion plot, you will be surprised by the amount of natural grasses etc that will grow if you keep rabbits out.  Rabbits can spread 500 weed seeds per day which allows them to create their own habitat, for example, Box Thorn and Gorse.’

Tim recommended that neighbours in adjoining properties work together. He said, ‘By using an app called Feral Scan, burrow sites can be accurately recorded in order to make shooting effective and to locate them for the use of fumigants or poison bait.’ At the field site Tim demonstrated smoking a burrow to find the extent of the burrow and to identify the entrances.

Local earthworks contractor demonstrating rabbit warren destruction.

In deciding which chemical baits to use around burrows, the choice is between 1080 and Pindone.  Pindone is toxic to native animal species but they do have some protection against 1080.  However, there are limitations to using 1080, especially in urbanised areas, as there are particular risks to domestic animals like dogs.  It is necessary to have a Chemical Users Certificate to purchase and use 1080 and very important that any dead animals are removed early in the morning to avoid secondary poisoning of other animals when using any baits.

‘The final step, once shooting and fumigating and or baiting has been carried out, is to rip the burrows, to prevent any survivors returning to occupy an empty burrow.  Burrows can go to 850 millimetres and will not go lower than the water table. If burrows are being ripped, the ripping needs to go outside the holes by 4 meters. To make ripping cost effective, neighbours can share the cost.’

Tim was formally thanked by the Connecting Country organisers; the attendees were very impressed with Tim’s knowledge and advice and enjoyed a delicious morning tea and lunch provided as part of the course. Thanks were also extended to the property owners, who generously allowed the demonstrations to be carried out on their land.

Participants were interested to learn that Connecting Country will soon run a two-day course chemical users course, which is heavily subsidised, at Castlemaine Community House.

For more information on best practice rabbit control, visit the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) website vran.com.au

This event was supported by funding from the Victorian Government through the Partnership Against Pests program.

Bird of the Month: Brown Thornbill

Posted on 18 March, 2025 by Anna

Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)

Welcome to Bird of the Month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. 

Brown Thornbill with its distinctive red eye. Photo by Damian Kelly

The Brown Thornbill is one of the typical “little brown birds” that are always moving fast in foliage and thus hard to identify. It is the only Thornbill species found locally with a red eye, which is a helpful distinguishing feature to look out for, though tough to see in certain light conditions.

The Brown Thornbill can be found in a wide variety of habitats along the east coast of Australia from northern Queensland around to South Australia as well as Tasmania. This adaptable species occurs in a range of habitats with a dense shrub layer, including wet and dry eucalypt forests, as well as heathlands and rainforests. Brown Thornbills have been recorded as high as 1200m in Victoria down to coastal areas. They can also be found in suburban gardens – in fact as I type this I am watching one have a good splash in a water bowl near my window.

A predominantly insectivorous species, it gleans most of its food from foliage and tree trunks as well as foraging on the ground. Occasionally it has been observed eating seeds, fruit and nuts when available.

Long term banding studies have shown that adults are predominantly sedentary although some movements occur from high zones to lower areas in winter. Young birds, however, do disperse to new areas when full fledged. Unlike some Australian species, Brown Thornbills do not have helpers at the nest and broods are raised by the pair. Nesting can occur from June to January, depending on the season and nests are built quite low down in dense shrubbery or even in grass tussocks. Nests are rounded, oval and domed with an entrance near the top. Materials include grasses, lichen, moss, and wool if available, bound together with spider web. Males and females appear very similar and juveniles are equally hard to separate from their parents once fully fledged.

The red eye of the Brown Thornbill is more difficult to see in these conditions. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Phascogale Nest Box Workshop with Harcourt Valley Landcare

Posted on 17 March, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Clean Up Australia Day 2 March 2025

Posted on 19 February, 2025 by Hadley Cole

Clean Up Australia Day is an annual nationwide event focused on empowering local communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the natural environment. This year Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday 2 March 2025.

This year the national not-for-profit organisation Clean Up are encouraging everyone to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day for the BIGGEST Clean Up ever in 2025 as they celebrate 35 years of improving and conserving our environment, one piece of litter at a time!

From little things big things grow. Thirty five years ago Ian Kiernan, AO, an “average Australian” had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard and began a local Clean Up event. This small event has now become the nation’s largest community-based environmental event, held annually on the first Sunday in March. 

Over 22 million Aussies have stepped up over the years, pulled on their gloves and donated their time to improve the environment.

Registration for Clean Up Australia Day is free for communities and schools (businesses pay a small fee). Registration ensures groups are covered by the public liability insurance, and groups also receive a free Clean Up kit with all the materials required to host a safe and successful event.

Local Landcare and Friends groups of the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region often host a Clean Up Australia Day event. Please see below a list of local events happening across our region or to find events happening near you – click here .

You can also get in touch with your local Landcare group to see if they are hosting a 2024 event by finding your local group on the Connecting Country website – click here

Golden Point Landcare Group

Did you enjoy the Res this summer? Come along for the annual Clean Up event that keeps the Res clean and beautiful!

Where: Meet at Expedition Pass Reservoir (The Res), Golden Point Rd. Golden Point VIC

When: Sunday 2 March 2025, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, water bottle, gloves and a friend!

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group

Join the Friends of Campbells Creek team for the annual clean of the creek and surrounds.

Where: Meet next to the fluoro-green footbridge at Winters Flat (for google map link: click here)

When: 8.00 am onwards

What to bring: Wear sturdy footwear, hat and if you have some, gloves.  Bring your own drinking water.

Morning tea (provided).

Campaspe Valley Landcare Group

Join Campaspe Valely Landcare Group for a Clean Up along Barfold Bridge over the Campaspe River. 

Where: Meet at Barfold Bridge, south side of the Campapse River

When: Sunday 2 March, from 10.00 am

What to bring: Wear sturdy footwear, hat and if you have some, gloves.  Bring your own drinking water and a friend!

OH&S concerns have been considered and the clean up will be chaperoned by an emergency vehicle with flashing lights.

For more information contact: CampaspeLandcare@gmail.com

Golden Point Landcare Group after their Clean Up in 2024 at the Expedition Pass Reservoir (the Res). Photo by Golden Point Landcare.

Bird of the Month: Jacky Winter

Posted on 17 February, 2025 by Anna

Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans)

Welcome to Bird of the Month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing these! We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. 

A pair of Jacky Winters. Photo by Damian Kelly.

The Jacky Winter is one of the “Feathered Five’ indicator species selected by Connecting Country for their detailed 10-year Woodland Birds Action Plan for the Mount Alexander region. There have been noticeable declines in this species’  with the clearing of woodland in many parts of Australia. A handy way to find them, is to look along fence lines where paddocks butt up to bushland, as they love to perch on the fence wires preening or keeping an eye out for insects to eat for lunch.

Although it is a member of the generally colourful family of robins, the Jacky Winter has a more subdued colour palette of pale grey, white and brown, which allows it to blend in to the environment. Males and females are very similar in appearance. Also both sexes can be easily confused with female Hooded Robins, but the Jacky Winter is paler on the chest, it’s bill is slightly shorter and the white stripe down the side of the tail is continuous. To add to the confusion, both species’ distributions overlap considerably. Jacky Winters prefer areas of open woodland, and can be found over large parts of Australia,  as well as extending into Papua New Guinea.

In suitable habitat it can be easily observed with its typical feeding behaviour of hawking for insects using the ‘sit and pounce’ tactic typical of several different robins, where it sits on a low branch and then dives down to catch prey on the ground. They can often be seen in pairs whilst feeding. Food includes a range of insects and arachnids. Given the chance they are also known to be partial to cheese. Not unusual as I have experienced similar behaviour from a Brown Treecreeper pinching cheese from my lunch.

Jacky Winter sits on a nest. Photo by Damian Kelly.

In their breeding season they build a very small, cup-shaped nest mainly composed of twigs and bark and held together with spiders’ web. Clutch size is usually 2 eggs. Only the female incubates the eggs, but both parents feed the young. Unlike other Australian species, there is no evidence of helpers at the nest – all work is done by the breeding pair.

Long-term studies indicate that Jacky Winters are generally sedentary and remain in an area throughout the year. There is very little evidence of migration apart from some local seasonal movements. This sedentary aspect of their behaviour makes this species more vulnerable when habitat is cleared.

Jacky Winter. Photo by Jane Rusden.

Seeking data entry volunteer – and our sincere gratitude to the invaluable, Vicki Ryan

Posted on 5 February, 2025 by Anna

Connecting Country benefits from the dedication of many wonderful volunteers who collect data for our two long-term monitoring projects; woodland bird and nest box monitoring. For the last three years, one woman has been diligently working away in the background collating and entering these data, Vicki. 

Vicki is a retired director of resources and planning at a major Uni and has a wealth of experience in developing administration systems and processes, making her the perfect fit. Vicki joined us in the covid years, seeking some intellectual stimulation and to contribute positively. She had this to say about her time volunteering with CC:

“I enjoyed my time volunteering with Connecting Country and having the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and supportive team. It has been a privilege to provide support to this valuable organisation. I strongly encourage anyone who is considering volunteering to contact Connecting Country and take the opportunity to work with such an amazing team. Not only will you be contributing your services, you will also learn the nesting habits of phascogales and gliders, and become familiar with the many bird species found in this region.”

Vicki is sadly leaving Castlemaine and will be moving on to other things. She has been an incredible asset for us, and we will miss her greatly.

Thank you for everything, Vicki! 

Our wonderful data entry volunteer, Vicki Ryan.

Would you like to volunteer with us?

We are on the lookout for a data entry volunteer for our bird survey and nest box monitoring projects.  

Who we are looking for:

• Ideally you will have some data entry experience – No prior knowledge of fauna is required – although we promise you will inevitably pick up some bird names!

• You will be looking for a longish-term volunteer experience (at least 12 months). 

• You are able to come into our office (Castlemaine) to complete the data entry (ascending two flights of stairs) 

Hours/days are flexible.  

Bird data: data entry is concentrated in the winter and spring months, when you will process the bird data coming in from our survey team in the field.  A commitment of 1-2 hours per week during these seasons would be ideal, however this is flexible. 

Nest box data: data entry monitoring happens every two years (next in 2026), and will require a commitment of a 2-3 hours per week during autumn into winter.  

Responsibilities include:  

• Entering data from hardcopy datasheets into a database.  

• Generating summary reports and emailing/posting to landholders.  

• Collating and filing datasheets.  

If you are interested, please email anna@connectingcountry.org.au, with some info about yourself and your experience. 

Partnering against Pests: Rabbit control field day

Posted on 13 January, 2025 by Anna

Connecting Country is teaming up with Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) to deliver a Rabbit Control Field Day as part of the Partnership Against Pests project (funded by Agriculture Victoria).

When: Saturday February 15th starting 9:30am-1:30pm.

Where: Harcourt ANA Hall, 7 High Street, Harcourt.

The day will include an indoor presentation followed by onsite demonstrations at a private property including an introduction to various control methods, demonstrations on how to use a bait layer or set up a bait station and a look at the impacts of rabbit harbour and burrowing systems and how to manage them.

This event is FREE but places are limited so please book your tickets HERE.  

The address of the private property in Harcourt will be provided closer to the date of the event.

Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear, hat, sunscreen and bring a water bottle.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please note the field day will be rescheduled if an extreme weather event is forecast.

The rabbit control field day is funded by the Victorian State Government Partnership Against Pests Program.

Bird of the month: Wedge-tailed Eagle

Posted on 30 December, 2024 by Anna

Bird of the month: Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)

Welcome to Bird of the Month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. This article was written by Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden from BirdLife Castlemaine District, accompanied by photos from them both.

Photo by Damian Kelly

Wedge-tailed Eagles, or ‘Wedgies’ as they are often known, can be seen all over the Mount Alexander region, usually soaring on thermals at great heights, identifiable by their characteristic wedge shape tail and broad up-swept wings. A common enough, though still awe inspiring sight when I’m doing Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Survey on private land, on a peak along Fogarty’s Gap Road. Recently a pair cruised over the Campbells Creek bush, just high enough to clear the ridges, sending some of the local birds into a panic of alarm calls. Interestingly, wedgies don’t always illicit alarm calls from other bird species. My best guess is that potential prey bird species know if a Wedgie is on the hunt or not, and therefore if they are in danger of becoming a meal.

Australia’s largest bird of prey and one of the largest eagles in the world, it is more common across the inland plains and it tends to avoid human habitation when building a nest. Wedge-tailed Eagles are quite adaptable when breeding with nesting sites ranging from large trees on hillsides, low trees in desert areas, on cliffs, in rain forests and even on the ground on islands. Density of bird territories varies widely. In years of abundant rabbit populations pairs may nest within 700m of each other. In more difficult years a territory may be several square kilometres and some pairs will not breed. Nest are seemingly enormous heaps of messy sticks.

Photo by Damian Kelly

Diet is varied with rabbits composing a significant proportion when available, but the eagles are known to take a variety of carrion and road-kill when available as well as wood duck, ibis, raven, galah, cockatoo and even other raptors. They are also known to harass other predators such as other raptors and even foxes to steal food.

The colour of their plumage varies – very dark birds are often older adults, but this is not always the case, with some lighter coloured birds recorded breeding. At times, fledglings can even be darker than their parents. So you cannot reliably rely on colour to estimate age.

There is a lot of misinformation prevalent about eagles and bounties were paid to exterminate them up until quite recently. They are now a protected species, but sadly there are still cases of eagles being shot and poisoned with some recent high profile court cases in Gippsland. Detailed studies have shown that in reality eagles take a very small proportion of lambs lost each year.

Wedge-tail Eagle on a road side. Note the ‘trousered’ legs and powerful talons. Photo by Jane Rusden.

Incredible ‘Wedgie’ portrait by Damian Kelly

Seeding Our Future – Propagation Workshop with Newstead Natives

Posted on 23 December, 2024 by Hadley Cole

One of the key threats to local flora populations is seed security, particularly those species occurring in low numbers and fragmented populations that lack genetic diversity. Considering this Connecting Country is rolling out the Seeding Our Future project which focuses on building populations and connectivity of local flora species through community engagement and educational workshops on seed collection and propagation.

In early November we hosted the first event, a Seed Collection Workshop with Seeding Victoria in Castlemaine. The workshop was well received by a crowd of nearly 40 enthusiastic participants. Dan Frost from Seeding Victoria is a wealth of knowledge and shared his deep understanding of collecting various species of indigenous seed from across central Victoria. To read more about this event – click here

The second Seeding Our Future workshop is coming up on 22 February 2025: Propagation Workshop with Newstead Natives. This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn from expert nursery person Frances Cincotta who will demonstrate various propagation techniques for some of our local indigenous plants.

The workshop will include:

• Seed sowing
• Propagating from Cuttings
• Propagating through the division of plants

The workshop will also include a short presentation from Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA).

When: Saturday 22 February 2025, 9.00am -1.00pm

Where: Newstead Natives Nursery, 4 Palmerston Street Newstead VIC

Cost: $20 

 Morning tea and lunch will be provided. 

For bookings – click here

The Seeding Our Future project is funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants.

Seeding Our Future: Seed Collection Workshop with Seeding Victoria

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 9 November Connecting Country teamed up with Seeding Victoria to deliver a Seed Collection Workshop focussed on techniques for local indigenous plants. This workshop is part of a series of engagement events Connecting Country is coordinating through the Seeding Our Future project. This project aims to build the populations, and therefore resilience, of local flora species by engaging community members in the collection and growing of local species to build seed banks across the region ensuring seed security for future revegetation.

Dan Frost and Robert Hall from Seeding Victoria presented the workshop covering topics from seed collection permits, common and uncommon species worth collecting in terms of the price fetched per gram of seed, future projection of seed required for revegetation projects across the state (eg. for restoration projects as part of Victorian government BushBank program) followed by more practical aspects including collection techniques for various plant types.

Dan Frost has been collecting seed for almost two decades and brought a wealth of knowledge to the workshop. He talked us through the useful seed collecting equipment and talked about the increasing importance of creating seed orchards for collecting seed as weather patterns change significantly with climate change.

The second part of the workshop involved heading outside so Dan could talk us through identification of local flora species as well as recognising the various life stages plants move through and the optimum timing for collecting seed. We looked at a diversity of lifeforms including local everlasting daisies, shrubs, wattles, eucalypts, grasses and sheoaks. Dan also talked through the OH&S issues that can arise when collecting from trees. The most important message of the day was to always leave seed behind for the bush – as well as meeting permit requirements (only collecting 10% of seed from each plant) it is also critical seed remains in the bush for future growth for habitat and food for the local fauna.

Participants reported they enjoyed excellent presentations for Seeding Victoria staff, and many expressed their interest in getting involved in future seed collection and/or conservation projects.

“Thank you for the wonderful workshop. Dan was an excellent presenter with a huge amount of knowledge communicated really well. Thank you all! “

The Connecting Country team are pleased to kick the Seeding Our Future project off so successfully. We look forward to the next workshop: Propagation with Newstead Natives in February 2025.

The Seeding Our Future project is funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants.

Weed of the month – Topped Lavender

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Lori

Lavender is a well-known plant and is often found growing in our gardens and backyards, but did you know that these plants have the capacity to become weeds? One species, Topped Lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is even a declared noxious weed in Victoria. A number of other types of Lavender also have ‘weedy’ tendencies.

 Many Lavenders originated from the Mediterranean region but there are also species that have come from India and Africa. Originally there were only a handful of lavender species, however these have cross-bred and hybridized leaving us with somewhere between 28 and 48 different species in Australia. 

 Their ability to grow in hot, dry conditions, coupled with their ability to invade neglected sites, disturbed bushland and low-quality areas make it especially important to keep an eye out for this plant in our natural environment. Being first introduced to New South Wales in 1957, Lavender was considered naturalised in Victoria by 1893 and  declared a noxious weed by the 1920s.  Topped Lavender is listed as restricted within the North Central Catchment.  

A perennial shrub from the mint family, it is highly fragrant. It reproduces readily from seed but can also successfully reproduce through stem fragments.  It can be quite tricky to accurately identify the species as it has a number of common names and there is also a constant supply of new cultivars arising from the nurseries. This means it can be very tricky to keep up to date with the weedy potential of this plant and tracking who the parent plants are, can be quite confusing. Even if you have not identified the type of lavender you are growing, if you have plants in your garden that are successfully reproducing by themselves, it maybe worth considering not growing these plants anymore, especially if you live near bushland. 

 Lavender can be quite successfully controlled through manual removal, although larger infestations can be sprayed with herbicide when actively growing, or cultivated. Consider establishing a desirable competition plant to reduce re-infestation levels.   

For more information head to Castlemaine Flora website  – click here  and Weeds Australia – click here 

The Weed of Month article is a segment from Connecting Country’s ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project funded by Agriculture Victoria in 2024-25. Through this program, Connecting Country is working closely with local community groups, such as Landcare, to raise awareness of local pest plant and animal issues, with the aim to empower community with the skills to address these threats.  The project includes seasonal awareness campaigns around key pest issues as well as workshops, and market stalls across the region. Keep an eye out for Connecting Country staff and Landcare volunteers holding weed information market stalls at Mount Alexander Shire markets over the coming months.  

Photo: Castlemaine Flora

Make Your Passion Your Day Job – study Conservation and Ecoystem Managment at Bendigo TAFE

Posted on 19 December, 2024 by Lori

Bendigo TAFE is currently recruiting students for their Conservation and Ecosystem Management courses in 2025.

The Certificate III Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with the opportunity to obtain various certificates used in gaining employment or furthering job positions in the environmental field. You will complete your Farm Chemical Users Certificate (first step in the ACUP process) and Operate and Maintain Chainsaws certification. You will gain skills in fencing, operate machinery, learn about local plants and their cultural uses, survey pest animals, conduct site inspections, implement vegetation works and propagation. You will also learn about geology and soils, sampling and testing water and identifying fauna. By completing the course and gaining the certificate, students are in a good position for employment with places like Project Fire Fighter (DEECA), Councils Parks and Gardens or with Bushland Contractors and many others.

Certificate IV Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides students with industry experience gained on field trips and camps. Students are taken into the field to conduct real life surveys and monitoring with industry partnerships such as Bush Heritage, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and local Landcare Groups and Conservation Management Networks. You will get practical experience in areas like revegetation and pest control and learn to monitor biodiversity.  With the completion of Certificate IV CEM you will gain automatic entry into the Environmental Education course at La Trobe University as well as open up various employment opportunities.

Please email Terri Williams on twilliams@bendigotafe.edu.au or phone Terri Williams at Bendigo TAFE on 54341743 to discuss these opportunities further.

Connecting Country’s 2024 AGM: Growing our Future Together

Posted on 12 December, 2024 by Hadley Cole

On Saturday 23 November Connecting Country held it’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Campbells Creek Community Centre. The focus for this year was to provide an opportunity for Connecting Country members and the wider community to come together and think about what is important to our community in supporting local biodiversity and connection with nature. 

After 16 years of influencing positive environmental change on 500+ properties in the region, the time has come to look forward and consider the future of Connecting Country!  

Three local Connecting Country members, all from differing backgrounds, were invited to join a panel discussion facilitated by Castlemaine Institute’s Sharon Fraser. Brendan Sydes, Connecting Country Committee President and Australian Conservation Foundation’s Biodiversity Policy Advisor,  Ian Higgins, local natural resource management practitioner and founding member of Friends of Campbells Creek and Ann-Marie Monda, landowner (with Carla Meurs) from Wooroomook property in Sutton Grange who integrate environmental improvements within agricultural farmland, were invited to the panel to discuss what is important to them in local biodiversity conservation and how we can shape the future of Connecting Country to achieve this. 

Panel discussion with Brendan Sydes, Ian Higgins, Anne-Marie Monda interviewed by Sharon Fraser from Castlemaine Institute.

The panel discussed the current state of the environment at the broader scale of global, national and state levels and then moved on to the importance of action at the local level and how many of the actions we take locally have a direct impact on the ground. All three panel speakers spoke of the importance of Connecting Country as a network that brings the many Landcare, friends of and environmental groups together, providing a central point for people to come to share information and connect with others who have the same goals of protecting the natural environment.

AGM attendees were given the opportunity to break into groups and discuss local conservation actions they have been involved in throughout the last year and also think about what the role of Connecting Country has been for them as a Landcare, friends group member or a local Landholder over the previous 16 years. Small groups of participants recorded their visions for Connecting Country’s future that would provide financial security as well as meeting the most significant conservation needs of our local community. These ideas were recorded on gum leaves that were then displayed on branches of a beautiful tree painted by local artist Jane Rusden.

Sharon Fraser gracefully held the workshop with an open mind and sincerity and the Connecting Country committee and staff are very grateful for her input into the day. Contributions from participants on the day will be summarised and used by the Connecting Country Committee of Management in future planning.

The most important message that came out of the day is that Connecting Country remains widely respected within the community and holds a significant role in acting as a network of many branches, bringing together many local conservation groups and the broader visions for restoring and protecting the natural environment.

Grow Towards Zero – Cultivating community Carbon in Central Victoria

Posted on 3 December, 2024 by Lori

Grow Towards Zero supports habitat restoration in Central Victoria, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while meeting partners’ carbon offset needs.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority, together with the City of Greater Bendigo and the shire councils of Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, and Mount Alexander, are seeking local landholders looking to enjoy the benefits of large-scale revegetation works on their properties.

Undertaking large-scale revegetation on private property can be costly. This program helps address this. It uses councils’ carbon offset needs to cover costs for tubestock, seeds, and planting, including maintenance for two years.

Landholders will then be able to enjoy a multitude of benefits, including:

• Attracting diverse wildlife
• Improving the appearance of their property
• Reducing soil erosion
• Improving soil health
• Enhancing water quality.

Expressions of interest for this exciting program are now open!

They are looking for:

• Individual sites where the combined planting area is five hectares or more, or
• Neighbours looking to work together to create corridors of native vegetation across adjoining properties, provided the total area covers five hectares or more.

Round One is open until 31 March 2025.

Find out more!

For more information, including eligibility criteria:

Visit: www.nccma.vic.gov.au/grow-towards-zero

Email – GrowTowardsZero@nccma.vic.gov.au

Phone – (03) 5448 7124

This Christmas, support landscape restoration and habitat creation in Central Vic

Posted on 28 November, 2024 by Anna

In this season of giving, please consider donating to Connecting Country and help support our vision for landscape restoration across the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria.

We can’t wait for governments to act! We need to build resilience in our local landscape in the face of climate change.  As a local, not-for-profit, community-based organisation, we work at the grassroots to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity to help threatened species, like the Brush-tailed phascogale and our wonderful woodland bird community, to thrive.

Over the past 15 years we have:

• Restored over 15,000 ha of habitat across the Mount Alexander region, which equates to around 8% of the shire.
• Delivered more than 245 successful community education events.
• Installed more than 480 nest boxes for the threatened Brush-tailed Phascogale
• Maintained a network of 50 long-term bird monitoring sites
• Secured funding to deliver more than 65 landscape restoration projects.
• Supported an incredible network of over 30 Landcare and Friends groups.

We should all be proud of what we’ve achieved. However, there’s much more to do.

You can be assured that any financial support from you will be well spent, with 100% invested into our core work of supporting and implementing landscape restoration in our local area. We run a lean operation and our small team of part-time staff attracts voluntary support that ensures every dollar goes a long way.

Donate here

Weed of the Month: Gorse

Posted on 28 November, 2024 by Lori

As we move through spring into the hotter, drier, summer months you will no doubt notice many of the local weeds flowering and seeding. This month, keep an eye out for the invasive Gorse (Ulex europaeus) which is a Weed of National Significance (WONS) and a ‘Regionally Controlled’ weed in the North Central Catchment – meaning landholders have a legal responsibility to control it. Gorse can be found right across the Mount Alexander Shire. It is a prickly woody shrub growing to around 3 meters, producing abundant, pea-shaped yellow flowers followed by pods of seeds which are spread through ‘explosive dehiscence’ in summer or as the weather heats up and dries out. Germination mainly occurs after rain in Autumn and Spring. 

Seeds remain viable in the soil for over 30 years, making an integrated and annual control program necessary to keep on top of infestations. Plants can also regrow from stumps. To control, cut and paint isolated individuals, hand pull small seedlings or grub out (disturb soil with a hoe, to essentially dig them up) large quantities of newly germinated seedlings. Spraying herbicide can be used for established infestations. For large infestations you may require a mix of techniques to achieve the best results, such as slashing and then spraying regrowth. 

There is now also specialised machinery, called an Eco Blade, that can groom out and chemically treat plants simultaneously which can be ideal for large infestations where there is no other vegetation present. Click here for a list of local weed contractors, and here for the Managing Gorse Manual.

For more information on Gorse or other land management topics, visit the Connecting Country website or contact us via email info@connectingcountry.org.au or phone 0493 362 394.  Landcare Groups are also a great resource for learning about local weeds. You can find your local group on the Landcare page of the Connecting Country website.  

The Weed of Month article is a segment from Connecting Country’s ‘Partnerships Against Pests’ project funded by Agriculture Victoria in 2024-25. Through this program, Connecting Country is working closely with local community groups, such as Landcare, to raise awareness of local pest plant and animal issues, with the aim to empower community with the skills to address these threats.  The project includes seasonal awareness campaigns around key pest issues as well as workshops, and market stalls across the region. Keep an eye out for Connecting Country staff and Landcare volunteers holding weed information market stalls at Mount Alexander Shire markets over the coming months.  

The Bee Line Project: Victoria Gully Group’s pollinator corridor planting

Posted on 28 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

In 2023, Connecting Country received funding through the Victorian Landcare Grants for the pollinator corridor project; The Bee Line Project. This project has involved partnering with four Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander Shire to coordinate the planting of 1600 pollinator-attracting plants with the aim of building diverse pollinator corridors throughout the region.

Research demonstrates a serious global decline in pollinators due to habitat loss, a lack of connectivity between isolated pockets of habitat and climate change. Pollinators are the bees, butterflies, flies, wasps, moths, birds and even bats that are critical to the successful reproduction and survival of many of Australia’s native plants and food crops. The Bee Line Project brings these often-undervalued species to the forefront of habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts, providing a focus for local Landcare and Friends groups to work together with a common goal. 

Victoria Gully Group (VGG) are a local group comprising of residents who live close to Victoria Gully, which starts in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park south of Castlemaine and meets Forest Creek at Greenhill Avenue, Castlemaine. Affectionately known by locals as 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.  

Pollinator plants added to existing Victoria Gully Landcare Group site. Photo by Victoria Gully Group.

This year, VGG planted 300 tube stock provided by Connecting Country through the Bee Line Project. The planting plan was developed by Bonnie Humphreys from Connecting County and VGG members following a site visit in November 2023.  

Victoria Gully Group members got together on 30 July and 2 August to plant the pollinator attracting plants across various sites in the “gully”. The planting included species such as Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia leptophylla), Dusty Miller (Spyridium parvifolium) and Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis) which all provide habitat and food for insect pollinators as well as having lovely showy flowers.

At the site there is an existing frog pond installed by VGG in 2017. The group decided to add further habitat value to this by adding in some pollinator attracting plant species. Group members dug out clumps of Phalaris grass to make space for the new plantings, replacing the weedy grass with indigenous plants. 

Victoria Gully Landcare Group’s pollinator planting sites were considered carefully for their biodiversity value and for opportunities to extend existing habitat and create corridors. As “the gully” sits adjacent to Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park, restoration work across this area links up to existing bushland, extending habitat corridors.

Well done, Victoria Gully Group for harnessing your people power to restore habitat for local pollinators!

Elphinstone Land Management Association & Taradale Landcare pollinator planting

Posted on 21 November, 2024 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country received funding through the Victorian Landcare Grants for a pollinator corridor project; The Bee Line project. The project has involved working with five Landcare groups in the Mount Alexander region to coordinate the planting of 1600 pollinator attracting plants with the aim of further expanding pollinator corridors.

Research demonstrates a serious global decline in pollinators due to habitat loss, a lack of connectivity between isolated pockets of habitat and climate change. By ensuring restoration efforts include pollinator attracting plant species and are connected to existing bushland or restoration sites, we can help to build resilience across ecosystems at the landscape scale. Pollinators form the backbone of the natural environment and by increasing connected habitat for a diverse range of their life forms, we are encouraging populations to thrive which will have a flow on affect to all flora and fauna across the Mount Alexander Shire.

Photos above show the planting sites on private property in Taradale and along the roadside in the Elphinstone township. Photos by Lynette Hills.

Elphinstone Land Management Association (ELMA) partnered with neighbouring group Taradale Landcare to take part in Connecting Country’s Bee Line Project and planted 300 pollinator attracting plants species across sites between each group’s work areas. The groups worked with public and private landholders and targeted areas along or adjacent to the roadsides between the Taradale and Elphinstone townships. These planting sites were carefully selected as they add value to existing plantings that will enhance connectivity between Taradale cemetery which is home to precious indigenous flora.

The plantings aim to increase connectivity through corridors from Elphinstone to the Taradale Cemetery, through to Taradale township. These strategic plantings aim to allow pollinators to move through the landscape and hopefully lead to an increase in populations of local pollinators by providing additional food and habitat resources.

Well done ELMA and Taradale Landcare for teaming up, pooling resources and working successfully together to continue conservation efforts in the region!

This project is funding by North Central Catchment Management Authority through the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants.