Why every kid needs a swamp. And why every swamp needs a kid.
Posted on 24 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Sean Dooley, Editor of Australian Birdlife magazine and author of The Big Twitch, will talk about how important local wild spaces are for developing a sense of connection with nature. Growing up next to a suburban swamp may not be some people’s idea of an idyllic childhood but for Sean, the window into the wonders of the natural world that it opened up to him was to profoundly affect the rest of his life in some unexpected and sometimes amusing ways.
What can you see in the reeds?
All are welcome to attend this free evening presentation hosted by Connecting Country on the evening of Tuesday 27 October 2015 at the Castlemaine Golf Course clubhouse (on Rilens Rd, Muckleford). Sean’s talk will commence from 7.30pm, with locally-made vegie soup served with bread from 7pm. RSVPs are preferred for catering purposes (contact chris@connectingcountry.org.au).
For Connecting Country members and other interested supporters, our AGM will be held beforehand from 6.30pm to 7pm. A copy of the agenda is attached (click here).
Connecting Country’s 2015 Annual Report – Out Now
Posted on 22 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Spring in central Victoria is a time of the year when plants are flowering and growing, woodland birds and other native fauna are busily raising the next generation, and – hopefully – the rain is falling and the creeks are flowing.
It’s also the time when Connecting Country looks back over the past 12 months and brings together some of the best stories and achievements. This year’s Annual Report includes an original drawing on the cover from award-winning local author Trace Bella, a story from Muckleford landholders who have worked with the CC Works Crew to incorporate habitat restoration into their working farm, and well as updates and photos from all of our staff about other projects and programs – plus our aims for the year ahead.
A copy of the Annual Report is available for downloading (click here). We hope you enjoy reading all that you have helped support! We couldn’t have done it without you.
A small number of hard copies of the Annual Report will be available on the evening of the AGM. Don’t forget to come along to this special evening, even if just to hear our guest speaker Sean Dooley. As well as being chief editor of ‘Australian Birdlife’ magazine, a comedy writer and a regular bird-expert radio guest, Sean is also the author of The Big Twitch, Cooking with Baz and Anoraks to Zitting Cisticolas (an A to Z of Australian birds and birdwatching). This celebratory evening event is being held on Tues 27 October at the Castlemaine Golf Course clubhouse (Rilens Rd, Muckleford). The AGM commences from 6.30pm, yummy vegie soup is served after the AGM from 7pm, and with Sean speaking from 7.30pm. Friends, family and other ‘non-members’ are welcome. For more details, see our earlier blog (click here).
Camp Out 2015 – This is What it Looked Like
Posted on 20 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
The 2015 Landcare Camp Out on The Mount was held on Saturday 17th October. Below are a few snaps from the ‘pine purge” working bee, which is the essential part of the Camp Out.
A very impressive total of 300 Radiata Pine trees were cut down by the volunteers.
Special thanks go to Xavier and Stu from Mount Alexander Quality Tree Care who came to the working bee to provide some arboreal entertainment for the volunteers by felling two large old pine trees. The trees were about 40 metres tall – far too big for the volunteers to tackle with hand saws. They came down with a satisfying crash!
The Camp Out is a collaboration between Harcourt Valley Landcare Group, Parks Victoria and Connecting Country. It is organised by a group of volunteers from Harcourt and surrounding areas. This year’s Camp Out was generously supported by a donation form the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests.
Go Trev!
Adrian sharpens his weapon of choice.
Happy campers at our annual ‘Landcare Camp-Out on the Mount’.
There was a picturesque twenty minute walk to the pines.
Nioka emerges from a large burnt out tree trunk.
Archer working hard.
Fiona and Isadora displaying admirable teamwork.
Deanne means business.
Pines create a monoculure that destroys the native understorey and associated habitat.
Xavier and Stu assessing the tree.
A bit like the cricket…
Xavier in action.
A count of growth rings showed this pine to be over 60 years old.
25 Oct 2015 – Cactus control day in Maldon area
Posted on 20 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group will hold their next Community Field Day on Sunday 25th October. They’ve invited people to join them if they’re a landholder and need to learn how to destroy this weed. (And, of course, non-landholders are welcome as well). The location is on the corner of Goughs Range Rd and Tarrangower School Rd, just a few kms southwest of Maldon. To get there go down Newstead Road and turn right at Goughs Range Road. The morning’s activities will begin at 10:30 am followed by a BBQ and friendly chat. If you have any queries please contact Ian on 0412 015 807 or check out their website (click here).
18 Nov 2015 – Future Directions Conference in Bendigo
Posted on 20 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Bendigo TAFE have extended an invitation for locals to join as audience members in their upcoming Future Directions Conference: Food and Fibre Production and Environment. The day will include leading industry speakers, covering topics such as the importance of innovation; energy saving in the future; using GPS technology and machine control and the link between fertiliser and Green House Gases (GHG). A full agenda is to be released soon.
They have identified this as your opportunity to network and join the conversation about new and emerging developments in the food and fibre industries.
RSVPs are needed by the organisers at Bendigo TAFE by 11th November, with the actual event being held from 9.30am until 4pm on the 18th November. It is being held at Restaurant 18eightyseven Bendigo TAFE, City Campus, Bendigo, and the cost of attendance is $85 (with lunch and refreshments provided). To register, follow this link (click here).
Farewell to a comrade on Muckleford Creek
Posted on 19 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country Works Crew Member, Ned Brook, shares a moment from out on the job on the Muckleford Creek…
The Connecting Country Works Crew are out fencing along Muckleford Creek. The nearby cows are restless, they’ve been restless all morning. They’re young cows, perhaps they are just a little jittery. But these cows have been on this property for a while now, something is up.
Ned’s cows
“Do you know what’s wrong?”
We say to one another.
“No, but they seem really uneasy.”
“I know, they’ve been like this all morning.”
“Yeah, I think something’s wrong, I just don’t know what.”
I continue with my work, fencing off these very cows from the creek bank that they use. Cows are lovely creatures but they are not selective; they will eat anything that’s green. The grass on the creek banks is usually greener, and stays greener for longer. So the cows will continuously graze until the grass, using all its energy to grow and stay alive, has had enough.
All of a sudden, the cows move through a gap in the fence where they can cross the creek. Their hard hooves and immense weight pass over the now bare soil on the creek bank. They push it further down, compacting it, and at times collapsing whole sections. If the situation persists the soil will slowly degrade and become weak and vulnerable.
The cows pass through the unhappy creek. You can tell it is unhappy because it hasn’t seen water for a long time, aside from the floods that carve whole sections off the vulnerable bank. Now the trees seem upset too with their gnarled roots exposed. This is why we are fencing this creek off, to give it a chance to rehabilitate and be happy again.
The cows move further away into the property, then take a sweeping left turn and move back toward the creek and stop. They all stop at once. I also stop, and stare.
In groups of two or three the cows move slowly forward, stare a long time at something on the ground, sniff some, then return to the group. It takes a while for me to realise what they are doing. One of their friends, their comrades, has fallen, passing away in the night due to some ailment. The cows have come to farewell a friend.
More Events in October and November
Posted on 14 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
It’s a busy time of the year. In addition to the other events noted for October 2015 in a previous blog (click here), Connecting Country’s upcoming AGM (click here for details!) and the Landcare Campout on the Mount (click here), we’ve also been made aware of other upcoming events and activities occurring in the region which are related to landscape restoration and habitat management. A selection of these are summarised below.
Nature Sound Recording for Beginners
Andrew Skeoch is running a Nature Sound Recording for Beginners workshop 28 and 29 November 2015 in Newstead. A great skill to learn for Landcarers and nature studies. Follow this link for further details (click here).
Native Fish Recovery Scientific Forum
The North Central CMA is hosting the Native Fish Recovery Scientific Forum, to be held at the Cohuna Bowling Club on the Thursday 22nd October 5:30 pm -9:00 pm. The event will be facilitated by Siwan Lovett from the Australian Rivers Restoration Centre , with presentations from social researcher Alan Curtis from Charles Sturt University, research scientist Craig Boys from NSW Fisheries, and Les Perkins from the Farmers Conservation Alliance in Oregon, USA. For more info, including RSVP details, see the attached flyer (click here).
Bee Keeping
Daniel BeeShepherd is a local who has recently been helping Connecting Country with advice and suggestions about management options for bees that have taken over natural tree hollows and nest boxes. As an alternative to poisoning, Daniel promotes the re-homing of feral bee colonies into managed hives within urban gardens. If you are interested in learning more about keeping bees in your garden, he is running a workshop series at the Kyneton Community Centre starting from Monday 19 October. The attached flyer has more information about this education workshop series (click here), and you can also visit Daniel’s website (click here). The October issue of the Chewton Chat newspaper has an article about Daniel’s removal of bees from a recently fallen tree near Golden Point Rd (see page 24).
Bird Week in the Macedon Ranges
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council have a number of events planned as part of Aussie Bird Week, including a talk on Sat 17 October about Birds of Prey and another presentation on the 22 October about the local birds are most at risk of extinction and those have already been lost. Follow this link for further information (click here).
27 Oct 2015 – Connecting Country’s AGM
Posted on 13 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country members and supporters are invited to join us on the evening of Tuesday 27 October 2015. We have our Annual General Meeting (AGM), a special guest speaker and a light meal. It’s also a chance to catch up with CC staff, committee and other friends. It’s being held at the clubhouse of the Castlemaine Golf Club on Rilens Rd (just off the Pyrenees Hwy, between Castlemaine and Newstead).
The formalities of our AGM are being held first, from 6.30pm until 7pm. A copy of the agenda is attached (CLICK HERE).
If you are a Connecting Country member, then:
- You are entitled to vote on any and all relevant agenda items. If you are unable to make it to the AGM, but still wish to vote, then proxy forms are available.
- You are also able to nominate to join the Connecting Country committee. If you are interested in applying to join the committee, you are encouraged to contact the current president – Brendan Sydes – to talk more about what is involved in being on the committee, and the opportunities that are available (president@connectingcountry.org.au).
From about 7pm until 7.30pm, a light meal will be provided. Locally made vegetarian soups and bread will be provided, along with tea, coffee and other drinks.
AGM guest speaker Sean Dooley, with a feathered friend
From 7.30pm, we will launch the new component of our woodland birds program, followed by a presentation by Sean Dooley from Birdlife Australia. Many of you will know of Sean either through his editorship of the Australian Birdlife magazine, as a regular contributor to ABC and community radio programs on all things ‘bird’ or as the author of ‘The Big Twitch’ (click here), which is one of my favourite books. His is also a very entertaining raconteur, being involved in comedy for many years as a contributing writer to TV shows such as Spicks and Specks.
To ensure sufficient catering and seating, it is preferred if you could send your RSVP to me if you’re planning to come along (chris@connectingcountry.org.au). Also send an email or call me if you are unsure if you are a member; if you’d like a committee nomination form or a proxy form; or if you’d like a copy of the 2014 AGM Minutes or 2014-15 Financial Statements to read before the meeting.
Chris Timewell, Director.
Needle Grass & the Damage Done
Posted on 12 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Chilean Needle Grass, Texas Needle Grass and their close relative Serrated Tussock will be the focus of an information session at the Barfold Hall on Saturday 17th October 2015.
This photo from New Zealand shows how serious some farmers are about keeping Needle Grass out of their property. From http://agrihq.co.nz/fwplus/.
The session’s focus on identification and control methods will be extremely helpful for landholders wishing to protect their property from invasion by these plants, and for those who already have a problem and would like to know what their control options are.
The session will be presented by Martin Deering, biosecurity officer for Loddon Mallee Region.
Texas Needle Grass is fairly widespread in the upper Campaspe River catchment, between Kyneton and Lake Eppalock. In some places whole paddocks have been made unusable for grazing by an invasion of this perennial tussock-forming grass.
Chilean Needle Grass and Serrated Tussock are not well-established in the region but have the potential to be a serious threat to agriculture and the environment across the Mount Alexander Shire.
One of the big challenges for land managers concerned about Needle Grass is identifying the plant. Needle Grasses can look almost identical to native Spear Grasses, and as with many grasses, they are difficult to identify when not in flower.
Spring is the best time to take a look at what’s growing on your property or roadside to find out whether that mystery plant is a friend or foe.
The session will take place on Saturday 17th October, from 10.30 am at Barfold Hall, 1909 Kyneton-Redesdale Rd, Barfold. All are welcome and there is no need to RSVP.
This event is part of the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group’s ‘Stopping Stipoids in The Upper Campaspe’ project, funded by a Victorian Landcare Grant from the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Landscape Restoration Stories from Far and Near
Posted on 9 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s members and supporters often make us aware of some of the interesting, innovative ways in which landscape restoration is being undertaken elsewhere in the world. Here is a selection of some that have been sent though over the past year or so.
- This first story was published on the Guardian website, and describes how a broad-scale tree and shrub planting program across parts of Ethiopia has both healed the local environment and also made the land more productive and profitable for local farmers. (CLICK HERE)
- This story describes two massive reforestation projects occurring in Brazil and China. It also covers some of the challenges they’ve faced, which will be familiar to local Landcarers – Which species to plant, and where? Do you focus on establishing ‘pioneer’ or ‘climax’ species? (CLICK HERE)
- From the Smithsonian Institute magazine, this article describes how winemakers in Portugal are establishing dense networks of nest boxes in their vineyards. The insectivorous bats that these boxes are housing keeps the pests in check. (CLICK HERE)
Thanks to Saide Gray for recently sending through the link to the bat story. Back in 2014, Doug Ralph sent me links to the first two stories on broad-scale landscape restoration.
And finally, this article was sent to me last week by Marie Jones and John Ellis. Geographically its not from afar, but temporally, it goes way back to 1857. This story about weeds reported in the Mount Alexander Mail is depressingly (but still amusingly) familiar. (CLICK HERE)
28 Nov 2015 – Rural Women’s Event
Posted on 9 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA has announced the upcoming 2015 Chicks in the Sticks Rural Women’s event on Saturday 28th November.
“Now in its third year, the annual rural women’s event has become one of the most successful platforms in our region to network, learn from and collaborate with like-minded women who are passionate about environmental action and sustainable agriculture.
“This year’s event will take place along the Campaspe River at Carlsruhe with keynote speaker Katie Finlay- RIDRC Rural Women of the Year; Victorian award winner.
All the event details are on the flyer (CLICK HERE) and RSVPs to the North Central CMA are essential (Phone 03 5448 7124). Last year they booked out quickly, with 120 women registering in just two weeks. This year has the capacity to host 150 women, so if you are interested it’d be best to book your place sooner rather than later.
Gypsy Twitchers on show from 14 Oct to 22 Nov
Posted on 9 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Definitions of ‘Twitcher’
- A person or thing that twitches.
- The term twitcher, sometimes misapplied as a synonym for birder, is reserved for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird that would then be ticked, or counted on a list.
The second definition applies to Albert and Eleanor Wright – ‘the Gypsy Twitchers’ (although in their case, the definition should be expanded to include all birds – not just the rare ones – which are then photographed as well being ticked and counted). The Wrights have a residence locally, but they are insatiable travelers – hence the ‘gypsy’.
Superb Fairy-wren. Photo by Albert Wright
There website has an incredible array of photos of birds and other wildlife (CLICK HERE), and they are to have an exhibition of their work locally from the 14 October to the 22 November 2015.
“Albert Wright is a local wildlife photographer who specializes in bird images. Albert and his wife Eleanor, have spent the past 10 years traveling extensively around Australia (and more recently overseas), observing and photographing bird life. It is both passion and obsession! Some of Albert’s stunning images, on canvas, will be on display and for sale at Dig Cafe in Newstead, including many wonderful birds which are local to the Newstead area.”
While you are in Newstead, you can make it a double bird-art event, and also see the exhibition of Curly Hartup’s photography at the Newstead Railway Art Hub (see our earlier post – click here).
Eastern Yellow Robin. Photo by Albert Wright.
Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2015
Posted on 7 October, 2015 by Tanya Loos
Celebrate National Bird Week 2015 by taking part in the biggest citizen science project to hit Aussie shores! From 19-25 October, thousands of people from across the country are heading out into their backyards, local parks, or favourite outdoor spaces to take part in the second annual AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT! This is an initiative of BirdLife Australia; Connecting Country is an affiliate group of this fantastic organisation. We have a data-sharing agreement with BirdLife Australia – which means that the Aussie Backyard Bird Count helps us keep track of how woodland birds are faring in the Mount Alexander region.
To get involved in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, all you need is 20 minutes, your outdoor space of choice, and some keen eyesight (or binoculars). It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert. Simply record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on BirdLife’s new Aussie Bird Count app or our through their website (www.aussiebirdcount.org.au). You’ll instantly see live statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted across your neighbourhood and the whole of Australia!
Not only will you get to know your feathered neighbours, but you’ll be contributing to a vital pool of information from across the nation that will help us see how Australian birds are faring. Last year volunteers counted 800,000 birds from across Australia, this year Birdlife Australia hopes to make it to at least one million. Get your friends and family together, head into the great outdoors and start counting!
For more information head to www.aussiebirdcount.org.au or check out the ABBC Poster.
Also, don’t forget that there are some great guest speakers in the Mount Alexander Shire area over the coming weeks, with Andrew Skeoch speaking at the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club this Friday (9 Oct) and Emmi Scherlies talking about Powerful Owls at the Newstead Community Centre next Thursday (15 Oct). See our earlier blog for further details on these two events (click here). We’ll also have some information soon about our guest speaker at our upcoming AGM on 27 October.
‘Bird Week’ in the Castlemaine Library October 2015
Posted on 7 October, 2015 by Tanya Loos
Ever wondered which bird field guide is for you? What about a good bird book for kids? Head into the Castlemaine Library this month to check out our Bird Week display.
A small sample of the books and brochures about Australian birds.
Connecting Country has teamed up with the Castlemaine Library to present the display and includes reviews of some of the key bird books available.
For young people and the young at heart the Library also has the Great Library Bird Count activity…
The Bird Week display will be in the Castlemaine Library from 10th October – 24th October.
Bird Week is an initiative of BirdLife Australia, and runs at the same time as the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. If you go to the Aussie Backyards webpage you can see that the Castlemaine Library display joins ‘bird week’ displays from all around Australia.
If you can’t make it to the Library, see the Connecting Country birdwatching page for resources and useful tips to get you started.
Camp on The Mount – Landcare Style!
Posted on 6 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
Click image to download flyer.
Camping experiences come in many styles…
There’s summer holiday camping, normally with about 200 other people and ice-cream shop nearby; hiking camping, in a tiny tent made of material developed by NASA; camping at a music festival, which isn’t really camping at all except that you sleep in a tent to avoid getting stepped on; camping in your relatives backyard at Christmas, because there aren’t enough bedrooms in the house; and ‘glamping’, where someone else pitches your tent, cooks your food and puts some champagne on ice while you’re doing a guided tour.
But none of them are quite like the experience of camping on Mount Alexander at the end of an afternoon spent attacking invasive pine trees with your friends and family!
Camping is strictly optional for those who would like to come to the Landcare Camp Out on The Mount on Saturday 17th October 2015, but for those that do stay over it’s a great way to end the day and take a break from life at the bottom of the hill.
Last year’s Camp Out was a huge success with over 150 people attending the big working bee to remove invasive pine trees from Mount Alexander. One of the great things about the day was how many families came along – and the kids didn’t hold back.
This year’s Camp Out will include the regular activities of a big ‘pine purge’ working bee, BBQ dinner, wildlife spotlighting walk with a Parks Victoria Ranger and Campfire Dessert.
Everyone is welcome to attend this years Camp Out. If you’d like to be part of it, register your attendance with local Landcare facilitator Max Schlachter on 5472 1594 or max@connectingcountry.org.au.
And camping really is optional if you’d prefer to head home on Saturday evening!
The Camp Out is a project of Harcourt Valley Landcare Group and is supported by Parks Victoria and Connecting Country. It is organised by a group of volunteers from Harcourt and surrounding areas.
Weeds, weeds ……. and no more weeds? Workshop – 25 October 2015
Posted on 5 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
David Cameron will share some of his detailed plant knowledge.
Spring is a beautiful time of year for native plants with yam daisies, chocolate lilies and Silver Wattles in full flower. But alongside the natives, most landholders will also be all too aware of the competing weeds that have sprung up as well, from persistent ground covers like Soursob through to the thornier weeds like blackberry and gorse.
While the battle to manage weed spread can seem endless, in Connecting Country’s final workshop of the year ‘Back from the Brink’ on Sunday 25 October 2015 from 10am to 3pm, we will be taking participants to different sites in the Newstead area to have a look at where long-term weed control strategies have been effective, and identifying the key ingredients to successful weed management.
Accompanied by local Landcarers (who really know their weeds and the secret to community weed management), Matt McEachran from Bushtech will talk us through the most appropriate methods and the calendar for treating weeds, and David Cameron, senior botanist from the Arthur Rylah Institute, will lead us through some weed identification. Participants can’t fail to leave the workshop with a better knowledge of weeds and different methods their control.
This event is fully catered and transport is provided. Costs are $20 for Connecting Country members or concessions (membership is free) or $30 for non-members.
Register now for this event – places are limited. Contact Jules@connectingcountry.org.au or 5472 1594. Alternatively, Click here for more information on the workshop series, and CLICK HERE to download a registration form.
This program is supported by Connecting Country through funding from the Australian government
16 Oct 2015 – New watering point on the Goldfields Track
Posted on 5 October, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Goldfield’s Track stretches between Bendigo and Ballarat, and along its way passes through some amazing forests, woodlands and historic landscapes in the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds.
The Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA) has invited members and other supporters of Connecting Country to attend the launch of the FIRST watering point on the Leanganook Track section of the Goldfields Track (between Bendigo and Castlemaine). GDTA funded the new tank and in consultation with Coliban Water, the tank was recently assembled and installed on site. Coliban Water is GDTA’s partner in this initiative and they have announced that they will ‘host’ the tank for track users.
When is the launch: Friday 16 October 2015, from 11.00 am
Where: At the new tank in Mandurang South, which is located east of the Goldfields Track, next to the Coliban Channel and near the Parks Victoria dry campsite. Mandurang South Road is close by and Map 30 of the Goldfields Track Walking Guide refers to it. A map is also attached (CLICK HERE).
RSVP: For catering purposes by Friday 9 October 2015 to Alison Lanigan at gdtatrail@gmail.com
Refreshments will be provided after the launch.
It’s all happening in October….
Posted on 30 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Hi everyone. As is often the case, our local area is full of activity over the coming month. Rather than sending out a stream of blogs over the next few days, we’ve done our best to package some of the main ones into a single extended blog. Hope you can make it through to some of them. There are also some grant applications and other items of interest below. Chris
Connecting Country Annual General Meeting – 27 Oct 2015
The Connecting Country AGM – with guest speaker – is to be held on the evening of Tuesday 27 October. Soup and yummy dipping breads to be provided as a light meal. It will be held at the Castlemaine Golf Course, on the Pyrenees Hwy (between Castlemaine and Newstead). Further details to follow soon.
Local Lives, Global Matters Conference – 16-18 Oct 2015
This international conference is being held in Castlemaine from Friday October 16th to Sunday October 18th. They have just introduced affordable day and session passes, to ensure that the conference is also accessible to locals. You can now buy a day ticket for $80 (waged) or $50 (unwaged). Sessional passes are $15 (waged) and $10 (unwaged). Three day tickets have been reduced to $240/$150. You can also join others at the ‘Low food miles’ dinner, with music, on Saturday night, prepared by Castlemaine’s own ‘Growing Abundance’ ($35/$30).
“Immerse yourself for a day or two or three. Join conversations around local economies, social and ecological justice, reclaiming democracy and revitalised spirituality. Listen to keynote speakers from around the world, and hear about innovations generated in our own central Victorian back yard via panels, workshops and site visits.”
Connecting Country are involved in a panel discussion as part of the conference on the Saturday afternoon. Connecting Country staff member Krista, Welshman’s Reef landholder Brian and Cactus-buster Ian will be talking about community efforts to improve landscape health. Check out their full program on the conference website to learn more and register (click here). And they also have a Facebook page (click here).
‘Listening to the Wild’ with Andrew Skeoch – 9 Oct 2015
The sounds of our natural environment are comprised of many voices; birdsong, frog choruses, seasonal insect choirs, mammal calls… How have all these varied animal repertoires evolved? And how can we appreciate and find meaning in listening to nature’s soundworld around us? Join the audience with naturalist and bioacoustic researcher, Andrew Skeoch, as he presents beautiful and fascinating recordings from wild places around the world, and inspires you to hear the world afresh.
Andrew is the guest speaker for the October meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club. The evening starts formally at 7.30pm on Friday 9th October, but you are welcome to arrive earlier for a cup of tea and a chat beforehand. Members and visitors welcome – no entry fee. It will be held in the Fellowship Room, behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (next door to the Art Gallery and Museum).
Powerful Owls of Central Victoria – 15 Oct 2015
On Thursday 15 October, Newstead-based scientist Emmi Scherlies will be giving a community presentation on the Powerful Owls of central Victoria. Everyone is welcome to come along. It starts at 8pm at the Newstead Community Centre. It is a gold coin donation with all contributions going to the Newstead Landcare Group. In correspondence to CC, Emmi said, “Please pass on this invitation to anyone that you think might like to learn a bit about Powerful Owls. Hope to see you there!”
Oral History Training – 14-15 Oct 2015
The Nuggetty Land Protection Group (NLPG) is researching and writing of a landscape history of the Nuggetty district, which is an area about 5 kilometres north of Maldon. As part of the project, NLPG is collecting spoken and visual material from people living in, or having a connection with, the area. In order to collect stories about the Nuggetty district, environmental historian, Robyn Ballinger, will be conducting FREE training workshops in Maldon on how to undertake oral history interviews. The training is open to anyone and is completed in one 3-hour session. After the training is completed, it is hoped that each participant will conduct an audio oral history interview for the project using a supplied digital recorder. Training sessions will be held at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on Wed 14 October (6.30-9.30pm) and Thurs 15 October (2.30-5.30pm). Bookings are essential.
For further details, see the attached flyer (CLICK HERE), or contact Jane (janee@impulse.net.au 5475 2693) or Sue (sba56183@bigpond.net.au 0417 368 899).
The North Central Chat
The North Central CMA has just released the September 2015 issue of their ‘chat’ publication, which is filled with stories about Landcare and Watchwatch from the region (CLICK HERE). It also contains information about new phone apps for weeds and for pest animals, and lists the successful applicants for the National Landcare Programme component of the 2015-16 Community Grants Program- North Central Victoria. From the Mount Alexander Region, congratulations to Castlemaine Landcare, Golden Point Landcare and Malmsbury District Landcare. The recipients of the state-based Landcare grants are yet-to-be announced.
FRRR Small Grants For Rural Communities – Round 28
Not-for-profit community based organisations can apply for grants up to $5,000 to support projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities in small rural, regional and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural development. Applications from communities with a population of 10,000 or less will receive priority. Closing Date: 5pm Monday 5th October 2015. For more information, either go to the FRR website (click here), freecall 1800 170 020 or email info@frrr.org.au.
Nominations open for the Victorian Rural Women’s Award
The government’s Rural Women’s Award honours the efforts of emerging leaders and creates opportunities for women to effect change in agricultural industries and rural communities. The Victorian finalists will be celebrated at a ceremony at Parliament House in March 2016, with the winner to receive a bursary of $10,000 to implement their project vision and participate in the RIRDC Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. Staff at the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources are available to help prospective nominees through the process (contact Jon Graftdyk on 03 5772 0225 or Jon.Graftdyk@ecodev.vic.gov.au). Applications for the award are open until 30 October 2015. For more information about the award and to obtain a nomination form, visit the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award website (click here).
Photographic exhibition – 10-24 Oct 2015
And don’t forget that the Newstead Railway Arts Hub is running an exhibition of the photos of Newstead-based naturalist, Curly Hartup – click here for our earlier blog about this event.
Alan ‘Curly’ Hartup – Newstead photographer and naturalist
Posted on 24 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Via Geoff Park, Ken Hartup has made us aware of a wonderful exhibition of nature photographs by leading amateur photographer and long-time resident of Newstead, Alan Jesse Hartup (1915 –2004), which will be opened at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub on Saturday 10 October 2015 at 3pm. Viewings thereafter are by appointment through until the 24 October.
This exhibition is largely of bird life in Newstead and the surrounding districts, from Alan’s vast array of black and white photographs and colour slides. This selection of 20 works of black and white and prints from colour slides, span over 60 years of Alan’s impressive output. Beginning with his beloved 35m Voigtlander camera, he progressed to the brilliant level of work he achieved with his Mamiya and Rollieflex 2¼ square cameras and his great ability with dark room techniques.
Alan has been represented widely in amateur circles and has been a central figure in promoting, selecting and judging photography in Victoria and interstate. In preparing for this exhibition we have been reminded what a wonderful legacy Alan has left with images of the beauty and richness of our surroundings. He was a man at one with the natural world and one who took a vital interest in our environment and how to care for it. The exhibition was prompted by local field naturalists Geoff Park and Mrs. Joan Butler.
The attached flyer has further details (CLICK HERE).
Our majestic paddock trees
Posted on 23 September, 2015 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country Works Crew Member, Ned Brook, shares his love to our mighty paddock trees…
I noticed you out of the corner of my eye. I wasn’t supposed to be looking for you, we were meant to have our attentions on a malfunctioning drainage pipe, but I saw you all the same.
I saw you as we were driving over toward Maldon. The area surrounded on three sides with metamorphic mountains and a depression in between. This is where I found you.
I turned, after I caught a glimpse of you, and witnessed your full majesty. Standing there, tall and strong, healthy. A Yellow box. A beacon to birds and wildlife all around you. I was so taken back by you that I couldn’t concentrate on the pipe.
Big Yellow
I thought to myself, you stand there, tall and magnificent, providing invaluable services to all around you. To the farmer who relies on you to keep that troublesome water table down below. To the birds who you feed, in their thousands, that visit you every year. To the koalas, possums, phascogales who you protect. Not to mention the teeming insects that live within and use your trunk and bark as a home.
It impressed me how you stand and provide this service with little need or thanks. But you’re beyond that aren’t you, you’ve been here far longer than any of us.
But there is something you need, that we can help with. You have a few friends in the paddock with you, some equally aged and wise old things that I’m sure you converse with regularly. But what about the young ones? Where are your children? Who’s there to take up the reigns when you finally decide to take a final rest? What you need is a fence.
We’ve helped out some brothers and sisters of yours, in a special paddock over in Sutton Grange. We planted friends for them, young boisterous things that will settle down with age. And we fenced them in, to protect them from the wandering cattle and mischievous sheep. But we wouldn’t even need to do this for you. All you need is a fence, some room to grow, and you’d do the job yourself.