Muckleford Catchment Landcare group
Posted on 2 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
Two spring planting days.
Work is ready to proceed on the Creasy’s Road biodiversity corridor. This is a major project accross a section of the Creasy’s Road verge and several adjoining properties. The site has been prepared and there is no digging required. Helping hands are needed to plant seedlings and place tree guards.
Lunch is provided on both days.
Please wear study footwear and bring gloves.
For more information contact Paul Hampton on 5472 2189
To register your attendance for part or all of the day please email
Castlemaine Field Naturalists September meeting
Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
Join the Castlemaine Field Nats on Friday September 11th for a talk on Bush Foods presented by Beth Gott.
8pm at the Uniting Church Hall – Enter from Lyttleton St.
Meetings are open to non-members and a gold coin donation is appreciated to help cover costs.
If you would like to join the Castlemaine Field Nats email the Secretary, George Broadway; georgebroadway@bigpond.com
Friends of Box Ironbark Forests September Bushwalk
Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
This months FoBIF bushwalk will be through Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve.
Join in this month to see Spring wildflowers. You will also see creekline vegetation and interesting rock formations in the bush behind Taradale.
The walk is approximately 8km circuit.
Meet at 9.30am outside Continuing Ed. building – 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine. Carpool to the start of the walk.
Bring water, morning tea and lunch. Non-members are welcome and there is no cost.
For more information ring Barabara Johnston on 5423 2773
Time to save our trees by gum
Posted on 1 September, 2009 by Connecting Country
Grazing land across Victoria and New South Wales could be treeless within the decade, posing a serious threat to both agriculture and natural ecosystems, the Australian National University has warned.
A research project based at Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment and Society has found that the majority of scattered paddock trees in grazing areas are old and close to death, yet there are virtually no young trees growing to replace them.
The researchers argue that the disappearance of paddock trees would have many negative effects for agriculture and natural ecosystems, removing shelter for livestock, habitat for birds and other wildlife, decreasing water infiltration, and risking detrimental flow-on effects for entire ecosystems.
Read more: Victoria’s gum trees dying – Herald Sun
Employment opportunity
Posted on 25 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
Applications are now open for DSE BushTender Field Officer.
The positions are based in Bendigo.
The position description can be found on www.careers.vic.gov.au
Closing date for applications is 30th August and applicants must apply on-line.
Any questions about the positions please call,
Michelle Ballentine
BushTender Project Officer
Native Vegetation Programs
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Ph: (03) 9637 9027
Mob: 0458 382 289
Brush-tailed Phasocale stuffing
Posted on 24 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
I sent 2 dead Brush-tailed Phascogale specimens off to the Museum of Victoria to be stuffed and mounted for the Connecting Country project to use for education purposes. However, neither specimens could be used. The taxidermist told me that with small mammals like phascogales the road kill has to be very fresh. If you find a dead Phascogale, it needs to be frozen within 1 hour of its kill (or natural death). So if anyone manages to get a fresh Phascogale into the freezer I would definitely like to come and collect it and have the taxidermist have another go. Feel free to contact me on beth@nwf.org.au
Thanks, Beth Mellick, The Norman Wettenhall Foundation, 5472 1316
Friends of Campbells Creek August Working Bee
Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
Postponed till 13 September 2009.
After a full slather of working bees and extra planting days over the past few weeks, we’ll take a well-earned break and gather our strength for September’s working bee. Location Tbc.
If anyone wants to be involved in small informal working parties over the next month or helping out the
local schools in their Landcare project, please contact David King on 0408 993 688
Nth Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare Group Annual Planting Day and BBQ
Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
In order to continue our Barkers Creek Project join us for our planting day – our aim is to revegetate Barkers Creek from the spring to the reservoir as far as we can get.
Over the last 2 years we have planted over a distance of approx. 3 km from Ford Rd (Dingle property) around the bend to North Harcourt Rd down to the Pinder property. This working bee will continue our good work from previous planting days.
Meet at 329 North Harcourt Rd (opposite Barkers Road, Harcourt North)
Bring sturdy boots, weather proof gear and a planting tool.
Please join us for a BBQ on site after planting.
Please RSVP for catering purposes.
Contact Karoline Klein on 5439 6080
Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group AGM
Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
The committee of the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group invites the members together with residents of the district to the Native Display Garden on the roadside at the entrance to ‘Rowanston on the Track’ Winery.
A walk, talk and place species signs in the Display Garden. This will be an opportunity to see which plants do best in the area, and to learn more about their characteristics and requirements. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
A BBQ lunch will follow.
Please RSVP by Thursday 20th August for catering purposes.
Contact Carl Reeve on 5423 7110 or 0412 144 936
Castlemaine landcare group august working bee
Posted on 20 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
Castlemaine Landcare Group August working bee at the new waterhole close to the start of the Happy Valley walking track. There are 500 plants to get in so if anyone can come earlier (from 9am) to help lay things out, that would be great.
Bring: Planting tools, mash hammers, buckets.
Robin Haylett, 0408 706630 & 5470 6630 rhaylett@mmnet.com.au
10am, Sunday August 23rd.
Report on Connecting Country’s Future Planning Workshop
Posted on 18 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
Report on Connecting Country’s Future Planning Workshop, August 5th, 2009
More than 60 people from the local environmental community attended the workshop, including members of “Friends of” and other environmental advocacy groups, education and natural resource management professionals, and many members of the landcare community. Participants all brought enthusiasm and local knowledge to share with everyone. The workshop aimed to collect a set of information based on local knowledge of the special places in our region. The information provided is currently being collated in a database. Once this is finished, Connecting Country will sort through the data and more detailed planning for on ground projects can begin.
Geoff Park gave a presentation outlining the recently announced Federal and State Government funding, particularly describing the conditions attached to the funding (Tuans and Yellow-box woodlands).
- A summary of the funding is available here as a pdf.
- The map of priority vegetation can be found on the funding summary pdf.
Participants were guided through a process of identifying environmental assets on the maps provided and then compiling a list of information about that asset. The information was recorded on a template that is based on the cutting edge of environmental Project Planning. We received 96 completed templates.
- The blank template is available here here a Word document.
- The example template is available here as a pdf.
David King from Friends of Campbells Creek gave a presentation on how the natural assets along the Campbells Creek catchment were identified and put into a management plan so that everyone knew what needed to be done and how it could happen.
Many thanks go to;
Geoff Park and Krista Patterson-Majoor for facilitating; Margarita Adler for catering; Welshmans Reef Vineyard and Langanook Winery, Ben Laycock, Eliza Tree and Mahmoud for the map of the region, and to all the helping hands.
Fancy yourself as a wildlife photographer?
Posted on 13 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
For full details and a competition entry form visit the Trust for Nature website.
Victorian Landcare Awards 2009
Posted on 13 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
Voting is now open for the Victorian Landcare Awards 2009.
Visit the website to vote for our local heroes!
The website has a full list of nominated people. Some familiar names might include Caroline Lovel from Baringhup Landcare Group, Geoff Park from Newstead Landcare Group, Ian Grenda from the Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee, Penny Roberts from Newham and District Landcare Group, and Judy Crocker from Mid Loddon Sub-Catchment Management Group
The winner will be announced on September 8th.
Landcare Week celebrates 20 year milestone
Posted on 13 August, 2009 by Connecting Country
This year we will celebrate 20 years in the Landcare journey. Landcare week celebrates the huge contribution landcare volunteers have made to their local communities over the past 20 years, as well as encouraging others to put their hands up and get involved.
Landcare Week 2009 will run from the 7th – 11th September.
See the Landcare Week website for more information and to register your event.
position vacant – project manager
Posted on 26 July, 2009 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country (Mount Alexander Region) Inc invites applications for the position of Project Manager.
Connecting Country is seeking to appoint a resourceful, innovative and collaborative Project Manager to guide its landscape scale restoration project through the next phase of implementation.
The position is for 12 months with an extension subject to further funding. The position salary is between $55,000 and $65,000.
Position Description available in ‘Documents and Publications’ on this website or contact Secretary Jan Hall on 5470 5556
For further information contact info@connectingcountry.org.au
Written applications should be marked Confidential – Project Manager: Connecting Country and be submitted to The Secretary, PO Box 437, Castlemaine VIC 3450
by 5.00 p.m., Tuesday August 18th, 2009.
national tree day event @ castlemaine
Posted on 22 July, 2009 by Connecting Country
Castlemaine Landcare Group will be holding an event as part of National Tree Day
Site Address: Happy Valley walking track
Enter from Montgomery Street
Along Happy Valley Walking Track, approx half way between Colles Road and Happy Valley Road. Entry can be gained from Montgomery Street, where an unformed track leads down to the working site. We will be working on the flat (affectionately known as Rabbit Flat for obvious reasons) and also at the end of the path leading down from Montgomery Street.
Please wear appropriate clothing and bring gloves, buckets, hand tools for planting. The area is safe for children to ride bikes and play. No toilets on site.
Further enquiries:
Robin Haylett, CLG Projects Coordinator, on 5472 6630
Aims of the project: Happy Valley Walking Track joins Castlemaine with other areas of the goldfields. It runs part way along Forest Creek and in recent years was so ridden with gorse and other woody weeds that there was no access to the creek or through the Valley. With regeneration, the creek is now becoming accessible and a place of local enjoyment again. This year’s planting is part of a long term program which involves ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
National tree day event @ Chewton
Posted on 20 July, 2009 by Connecting Country
Golden Point Landcare, Post Office Hill Action Group and the Chewton Primary School will be having a tree planting day on 31st July for National Tree day.
The planting will be at Post Office Hill near the Chewton Primary School.
This event will start at 11.30am and finish early afternoon.
For further details contact Nick Haliday 54722 380 or haliday@castlemaine.net
My Victorian Waterway Survey
Posted on 2 July, 2009 by Connecting Country
World first research into the social importance of waterways is happening in Victoria.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment are coordinating a survey to find out about how Victorian communities use and value waterways.
You are invited to be a part of it. Simply complete the online survey by the 31st July. It takes about 15 minutes.
All Victorian adults (18 years and older) can complete the survey and help shape waterway management throughout the State.
Connecting Country is changing
Posted on 23 June, 2009 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Public Meeting
At Buda 42 Hunter Street Castlemaine
Open at 7 o’clock for a 7.30 start.
We invite you to be part of working with a local project to represent all groups involved in the management of a healthy, resilient and productive natural environment.
The public meeting on Monday 29th June is for the Connecting Country project to become incorporated.
As part of this process the beginnings of a formalised structure is being proposed to support the organisation:
- membership entitlement is automatic for all landcare/environmental/friends groups in the region (a registration form to be completed with contact details);
- nominations are being called for a management committee that will consist of 8 volunteer representatives from the region’s landcare community to be elected by the membership;
- the management committee will meet monthly and will be responsible for the for the strategic direction and performance of the organisation ;
- it will be advised and supported by a reference group, open to all CC members, and made up of representatives of landcare community groups, special interest groups and agencies and which will meet quarterly;
- the committee will also be advised on an as needs basis by an advisory panel made up of technical experts .
Join us for supper and drinks after the meeting
For a nomination and/or membership form please contact Julia Brown on 0431 720 876 or email info@connectingcountry.org.au
Minutes of Connecting Country Reference Group meeting June 11 2009
Posted on 18 June, 2009 by Connecting Country
Present: Maurie Dynon, Doug Ralph, Bernard Slattery, Marie Jones, Kirstin Hutchison, Jan Hall, Julia Brown, Beth Mellick, Patrick Kavanagh, Christine Kilmartin, Krista Patterson-Majoor, Tim Read, David Major, Deirdre Slattery, Geoff Park
Apologies: Elvyne Hogan, Peter Johnson, Julie Hurley, Virginia Adrian
Agenda
1. Marie gave an account of the proposed management structure of the incorporated Connecting Country:
–the elected Management Committee, which will meet regularly and make key decisions
–the Reference Group, open to all members who nominate: it will meet less often to review and advise the Management Committee
–the Advisory Group: this will consist of members with a range of expertise, who will be available for occasional consultation
She also thanked all for their input over the last 2 years.
2. Geoff gave a funding application update, and fielded questions. The package applied for provides:
–on ground works [fencing, offset of production losses, etc]
–community awareness
–monitoring and research
The questions and discussion which followed covered the following areas:
–the autonomy of Connecting Country within the NCCMA package
–the role of the Mount Alexander Shire
–the necessity to have an eye to future funding
–the equity challenge in using whatever funding is granted; and the importance of the planning projects workshop in clarifying how this is done
–the relationship of the Reference and Advisory groups to the Management Committee
–the need for clarification on the links between work on private land and the local Parks and Reserves; and between private and Trust for Nature property.
3. Krista gave brief Landcare report: the Landcare coordinators will finish at the end of the month. She emphasized the importance of MAS council connections from the point of view of information distribution and possible availability of facilities [for example, office space]
4. Julia gave the Project Officer’s report:
– the website is being updated regulary, 10 news and events and a link to an article in the latest TFN Bulletin on Connecting Country.
– Moderated 26 comments, all spam bar 2.
– Emails to info@connectingcountry.org.au now redirected to Julia
– Considering adding another blog section ‘related news’ to add books and other associated news.
– Potential problems with google earth for some users of CWMP.
– 158 sites marked on CWMP. To discuss recording and monitoring of statistics with Green Graphics.
-Incorporation. Written invitations sent out to all Landcare groups, friends groups, field nats, MASG, TFN, agencies, MAS councillors on Monday 1st June.
– Email invitations followed on Friday 5th June.
– This will be followed up by email and phone calls asking if people require any further information.
– Buda is booked and paid. Wine, catering, helpers confirmed.
– Presentation to be worked on.
– Media Doug and Malcolm and I will meet with Lisa Dennis Monday for photo @ Richards Road near pony club with regeneration and mature trees. Article will go in Friday 19th Mail and possibly Tuesday 23rd Express as well.
– Add in public notice’s Mail and Express. Notice in ‘Where to go….what to do’ in Mail. Press release drafted.
5. Future Projects workshop: [it was suggested at the May meeting that this be combined with the incorporation meeting ‘perhaps in the second half of July’. The steering committee subsequently decided to split the two events]
–it was decided that one of the purposes of this meeting is to ‘ground truth’ Blueprint projects, via a template and Landcare group knowledge
–a discussion followed on templates, and on methods of managing competing claims
–times and dates for the workshop were proposed. A decision on this will be made in readiness for the June 29th meeting.
6. Constitutional matters: Bernard gave a brief rundown on the constitution to be proposed on June 29: it will be the Model Rules of Association, modified to allow for an eight member committee.