24 October 2013 – Carbon Farming Talk, Baynton
Posted on 18 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Thursday 24th October the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group is inviting landholders to attend an information session and discussion on the Carbon Farming Initiative.
The Carbon Farming Initiative, which began in 2012, offers opportunities for landholders to create Carbon Credits and to secure funds for land restoration projects.
The Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group have a well-deserved reputation for putting on interesting and well-organised talks, seminars and field days. No doubt this will be another one. Dinner will be provided.
Registration essential by phoning Clare on 5423 4152 or clare@knco.net by Tuesday 22nd October.
This event is free and funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
When: Thursday 24th October, 6:30pm
Where: Baynton Hall, Darlington Road, Baynton
Click here to see the Connecting Country events calendar which includes a Google map of the event location.
19 October 2013 – Texas Needle Grass Field Day, Barfold
Posted on 16 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Landowners and other interested people are invited to a field day on Saturday 19th October to help stop the spread of Texas Needle Grass (TNG) in the Barfold, Mia Mia, Metcalfe, Emburton and Redesdale district.
Texas Needle Grass (Nassella leucotricha) is a highly invasive introduced species that has already caused considerable damage to farmland in the eastern part of the Mount Alexander Shire. The sharp, pointed seeds are a hazard to animals and can contaminate produce. TNG also poses a significant risk to native grasslands.
While TNG is already known to occur in the area, the true extent of its spread has not been recorded. Members of Campaspe Valley Landcare Group and Metcalfe Landcare Group are coming together, with the support of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network (UCLN) and Connecting Country to map the current extent of TNG in the district. These groups are building upon a similar project undertaken by the Malmsbury and Langley Landcare groups in 2012.
To begin the project, a field day has been organised for Saturday Saturday 19th October in Barfold, beginning at the Barfold Hall (Kyneton Redesdale Rd, Barfold) at 10am. The field day will feature needle grass identification training followed by a barbecue lunch, and conclude with a site visit to a nearby paddock containing TNG. Participants in the field day will have an opportunity to use their ID skills to contribute to the mapping project.
The data collected via this mapping project will assist local governments with their roadside management programs and help stop the spread of Texas Needle Grass.
If you would like to be involved in the project, or just want to learn more about identifying and managing Texas Needle Grass on your place, come along to the field day or contact Philip Don from the Campaspe Valley Landcare Group on (03) 5423-4182 or by email at mrdon@westnet.com.au.
Texas Needle Grass will be flowering in October and November. Photo: John Walter
20 Oct 2013 – Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Everyone is welcome to come along to the Friends of Campbells Creek Community Day.
It is being held on Sunday October 20 between 10am to 3pm at Campbells Creek Park. The event will be celebrating over ten years of volunteers weeding and planting along the Creek from the junction of Forest and Barkers Creeks down to Cemetery Road Bridge.
During the day, a range of activities will be held including planting native grasses, family activities and games for children. Bus tours will be available so you can hop on board and be driven to interesting places of natural significance and sites where restoration is fully under way. A fully catered BBQ will be provided with vegetarian and gluten free options, and there will be a free raffle for attendees.
For more information please contact Shona on 0408-724-699
Volunteers at overlooking Campbells Creek
There are also another two new posts on the Connecting Country website about National Bird Week events (click here) and an acoustic celebration of Box-Ironbark Country (click here).
3 Nov 2013 – Acoustic Celebration of Box-Ironbark Country
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The premiere of a new radiophonic work, Jaara Jaara Seasons, will take place in Fryerstown on Sunday 3rd November.
Internationally renowned Sound Artist, Ros Bandt, has been immersed recording the sounds of box-ironbark over a 12 month period, with the kind permission of Uncle Brien Nelson, Jaara Jaara Elder. Her radiophonic work will be spread through the bush and include sound recordings from underwater, in the air and the sounds of multi-cultural musicians.
Performers include Rick Nelson (Jaara Jaara voice), Kinja – Ron Murray (didgeridoo/stories) and Sarah James (violin/voice), Mary Doumany (harp/voice), Le Tuan Hung (dan tranh), Wang Zheng Ting (sheng), and Ros Bandt (tarhu, psaltery/slide whistles/recorders).
To attend this free public event, meet at the Fryerstown School, 5 Camp Street, by 3:30pm to walk to the bush site for a 4:00 pm start. No bookings are necessary. The performance is 50 minutes duration and participants may bring a campstool if needed.
To find out more about the project click here.
19–25 October – Celebrate National Bird Week
Posted on 14 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
As part of National Bird Week, BirdLife Australia is holding an online vote to determine which is Australia’s favourite bird. A list of 52 species have been shortlisted – all are species that people readily encounter.
Already over 2000 people have voted and so far the Australian Magpie and Superb Fairy-wren are neck and neck in the national poll while other birds are ahead of the flock on a state by state basis.
To see all the candidates and to vote, click here. (There are lots of special birds that occur in the Mount Alexander Region amongst the candidates – the Swift Parrot got my vote. Go Swifty! Chris from Connecting Country).
Appointment to NRMC – Last days to submit an EOI
Posted on 7 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is seeking Expressions of Interest from community members for appointment to its Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC). EOI for NRMC close this Friday 11 October 2013.
The CMA notes that the NRMC is ‘an integral part of the Authority that provides a community and local perspective to the work of the North Central CMA in the regional community. The NRMC also supports the organisation and provides advice to the Board on both project activity and community engagement at the strategic and operational level, as well as participating in local natural resource management activities.’ Continue Reading »
11 Oct 2013 – What’s all the fuss about the Waterfalls of Victoria?
Posted on 4 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
What is it that so enthrals us when a river sends water tumbling down from a great height? Ian Wacey is one of the most devoted waterfall aficionados. Along with friend Ray Barber, Ian has set out to document every waterfall in Victoria. In 2011, they released the book, 250 Victorian Waterfalls, which is the first in a planned series about the state’s waterfalls.
Ian will be speaking at the Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting on Friday 11 October. The meeting starts at 7.30pm, and is being held in the hall behind the Uniting Church in Castlemaine (on Lyttleton St, midway between Barker St and Kennedy St). Members and visitors are welcome. Entry is free. (The club excursion the next day is a visit to one or more of our local waterfalls).
Ian will talk about the waterfalls he’s seen across Victoria, and show some photographs. Which are the well-known waterfalls and which are secrets known only to a select few? How do you find them? Which are the biggest? smallest? highest? What are the challenges and other interesting stories? How do our local waterfalls compare? Copies of his book will be available for sale on the night.
Photography Course in Maldon
Posted on 2 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Local photographer, Deanna Neville, will be running two 5-week courses entitled, A Day in the Life of . . . Digital Photography, at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre beginning on 16 October and 20 November 2013. The classes will cover a range of photographic subjects and techniques. Download a flyer here for more information.
26 Oct 2013 – Open Day at the Barnett Block
Posted on 2 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
John and Jenny Barnett, passionate advocates for the environment, died on Black Saturday in 2009. Now, their legacy lives on with the establishment of a new conservation area, the Barnett Block which is located near Wedderburn. This is a new addition to the existing Nardoo Hills Reserve, Bush Heritage Australia’s largest property in Victoria.
On 26 October members of the public are invited to visit the Barnett Block. A map and details of the day which includes a free BBQ lunch are in this flyer. The event has been organised by Trust for Nature and is supported by the North Central CMA and Bush Heritage.
You can view a story about purchase of the Barnett block and its environmental values in this Age article entitled ‘Rising from the ashes’.
Landcare Camp Out on The Mount – This Weekend!
Posted on 1 October, 2013 by Connecting Country
Residents of the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds are invited to take part in the first Landcare Camp Out on The Mount on Saturday 5th October 2013.
The Camp Out is a free, family-friendly event being organised by Parks Victoria and Connecting Country, with support from the Mount Alexander Shire Council, to help people enjoy and look after the Mount Alexander Regional Park.
Rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty and endangered plants and animals, Mount Alexander is one of the Mount Alexander Shire’s greatest assets. At the Camp Out you’ll be able to discover more about this very special place and also help to look after it by taking part in the big ‘pine pull’.
The Camp Out will begin at 1pm on the 5th October at the Leanganook camp ground (click here for a map). The first activity will be a ‘pine pull’ to remove radiate pine wildlings from the reserve. This will be followed by a free barbeque dinner, wildlife spotlighting walk with a Parks Victoria ranger, and overnight camping for those who would like to. On Sunday morning there will be a guided bushwalk with long-time local Doug Ralph, whose head contains a wealth of knowledge about Mount Alexander.
Don’t forget, the Camp Out isn’t just for campers – you can come along for any of the activities and camping is an option for those who would like to.
For more information, an activity timetable, and to register your attendance, contact Max Schlachter from Connecting Country – max@connectingcountry.org.au, (03) 5472 1594. Or check out the What’s On page of the Connecting Country website.
It’s BYO camping gear and breakfast, but all the activities and dinner are free. Toilets are available.
Looking southwest from Mount Alexander, near the Leanganook camp ground.
15 Oct 2013 – Muckleford Landcare Talk and AGM
Posted on 30 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
Muckleford Landcare has organised an evening on 15 October with Bill Garner who will talk on the topic of Under canvas: putting the tent back in history.
Bill is a writer of plays, television and now history. His book Born in a tent: how camping makes us Australian is based on his award-winning PhD thesis Land of Camps: the ephemeral settlement of Australia. Born in Drought Street, Bendigo, and growing up among the mullock heaps of Mt Pleasant, in Ballarat, he is a deeply provincial product of the goldfields. For the past thirty years he has maintained a permanent camp on shared land near (but alas not on) Muckleford Creek. His family connection with Castlemaine goes back to the 1860s when his great grandfather, Oliver Warren Collins, was Clerk of Courts.
When: Tuesday, October 15, 6pm
Where: Muckleford Community Centre, Muckleford-Walmer Road, Muckleford
Followed by soup and Muckleford Landcare AGM at 7.45pm.
Members free. Non-members $5.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – mucklefordlandcare@gmail.com
A reminder too that Connecting Country is organising its own overnight tent experience on the weekend of 5 –6 October 2013. You can find out more about Landcare Camp Out on The Mount here.
Launch of the Photopoint Project Database (and Instructions)
Posted on 28 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
In the late 1990s, the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club commenced their Photopoint Project. The objective of the project is to monitor changes in vegetation and landscapes over time by taking regular photos at particular locations in the local area. Largely as a result of the efforts of club members Ern and Lesley Perkins, the project has grown to include more than 1600 photos from over 900 locations.
A year or so ago, Connecting Country received some funding through the Victorian government’s Communities for Nature program to assist the field nats in maintaining the information from this project. First, this involved preparing hard-copy archive-quality copies of every photo, and lodging these for safe-keeping with the Castlemaine Historical Society. Then, opportunistically, a very talented Connecting Country volunteer – Cara Byrt – offered to develop the photos and associated information into a user-friendly database.This CD database was launched at Connecting Country’s AGM on 24 September 2013, with a demonstration by Ern. Free copies were then distributed to all attendees. Additional copies are available at the Connecting Country office during business hours.
Please note:
- Unfortunately the database only works on PC computers (and not Apple computers)
- Due to the size of the database (about 1.9 GB), it works best if you copy the files from the CD onto the hard drive of your computer, and then run the database from the hard drive.
- To start looking at the database, open the CD using Windows Explorer, and then click on the ‘start.html’ file. There should be no need to open any of the folders.
The Photopoint Project will continue, and the database will grow, over subsequent years. This CD provides an amazing snapshot (at as mid-2013) of some of the changes that have occurred in the Mount Alexander Region over the past few decades.
Connecting Country’s AGM and Annual Report
Posted on 26 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
On Tuesday 24 September 2013, more than 50 members and other supporters attended Connecting Country’s Annual General Meeting. The special resolution to adopt a new constitution for Connecting Country was endorsed unanimously. Eight nominations filled the eight positions on the Committee of Management, and therefore no election was needed.
Newly elected president Brendan Sydes thanked departing committee members Geoff Park and Elvyne Hogan for their considerable contributions, and also welcomed new committee members Ann-Marie Monda and Lynne Josephs. Brendan also paid particular tribute to Marie Jones, who has taken on the role of vice president after many years as an outstanding and hard-working president of Connecting Country. The complete minutes of the AGM will be available on the Connecting Country website soon.
Marie Jones (left), former President and now Vice President and Lynne Josephs (right), a new Committee member, who has taken on the role of Secretary. (Anne-Marie Monda, the other new Committee member, was not able to attend the AGM.)
Connecting Country’s second Annual Report was also launched at the AGM. An electronic PDF copy of this Annual Report, which covers our achievements for the 2012-13 year is available by clicking here (1.9 MB). Please let us know if you have any problems downloading it, or if you’d like to discuss any aspect of its contents.
Following the formalities of the AGM, there were some entertaining and inspirational talks. Continue Reading »
2012-13 Annual Report
Posted on 25 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country’s Annual Report for 2012-13 was launched at its AGM on Tues 24 Sept. The report identifies some highlights what the organisation has been able to achieve over the past year, has some great photos, and celebrates the contributions of Connecting Country members and other supporters. An electronic copy of the Annual Report is available by clicking here (1.9 MB).
Please feel free to contact Chris if you are having trouble downloading the document, or would like to discuss any aspect of its contents (chris@connectingcountry.org.au).
29 Sept – Wheel Cactus Field Day
Posted on 25 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
The next Wheel Cactus Community Field Day will be on Sunday 29th September 2013 on a property a couple of kilometres south of Maldon in Skinners Lane, and will be well signposted along South Parkins Reef Road, off the Maldon-Newstead Road. Click here to view map.
The aim of field day is to inject and kill a significant infestation of this noxious weed. The morning’s activities will begin at 10:30 am and end at approximately 12:30 pm with an enjoyable BBQ and friendly chat. Everyone is welcome.
You can visit the new Cactus Warriors website for information on all the wheel cactus field days and other events.
14 Nov 2013 – ‘Chicks in the Sticks’
Posted on 25 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA are inviting rural women in north central Victoria to a twilight dinner on Thursday 14 November 2013 from 5.30 – 9.30 pm alongside Gunbower Creek, Cohuna. ‘Chicks in the Sticks’ is celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of women in agriculture and the environment.
The evening begins with drinks along the Gunbower Creek, learning about the wildlife, water and wetlands. This will be followed with a magnificent two-course dinner and live music, plus guest speakers Libby Price (ABC Country Hour presenter), Katrina Myers (local farmer, Barham Avocados) and Aunty Esther Kirby (Respected Barapa Barapa Elder) who will share their experiences in agriculture and the environment. Continue Reading »
Latest edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 25 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
The September 2013 edition of the North Central CMA publication ‘chat’ is now available and can be downloaded here. This issue includes an article on the Landcare Camp Out on the Mount on Saturday 5 October, an event organised by Max Schlachter, Landcare Facilitator based at Connecting Country.
Congratulations Marie & Maurie!
Posted on 24 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
Two local Landcare volunteers who are also Connecting Country committee members were recently nominated for a Victorian Landcare Award in recognition of their individual contributions to improving the local environment and inspiring others to do the same.
Marie Jones from Golden Point Landcare Group and Maurie Dynon from the Guildford & Upper Loddon Landcare Group were each nominated in the category ‘Individual Landcarer’. At the presentation ceremony in Government House on the 28th August, Marie received a Highly Commended award.
Both Marie and Maurie have been part of their respective Landcare groups for over 18 years, and continue to be passionate and active Landcare volunteers. The positive difference they have made to the environment and the community over that time has been enormous. With so many years of experience under their belts, Marie and Maurie are also fostering the next generation of Landcarers who will continue the work of caring for our local environment, as well as growing the local economy through the employment generated by the on-ground works activities.
“From what I can gather, my nomination was an amalgamation of many people’s contributions – so I think of the award as recognition of everything we’ve done together, and as coming from the community and the people I’ve worked with” says Marie.
Another locally-based organisation, the Norman Wettenhall Foundation, won an award in the category of ‘Partnerships with Landcare’. This philanthropic organisation has been a strong supporter of Connecting Country and other Landcare groups and networks across the state for many years.
Marie and Maurie with North Central CMA Landcare coordinator Jodie Odgers at the awards ceremony in Government House.
Opportunity to Restore Native Vegetation on your Property
Posted on 23 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
Revegetation and bushland restoration opportunities exist for private landowners and Landcare groups through Connecting Country’s program ‘Connecting Landscapes Across the Mount Alexander Region’. This program is designed to improve the condition and connectivity of native vegetation across eight connectivity zones. The zones are around parts of Sutton Grange, Harcourt, Muckleford, Guildford, Franklinford, Sandon, Elphinstone and Taradale. You can find out more about the program and see a map of the connectivity zones here and you can read about a landowner’s actual experience of the program at ‘Pirralillia’ in Elphinstone.
Over the past year, the program’s five-person work crew has been busy protecting and restoring over 200 hectares of existing native vegetation and planting over 100 hectares of new vegetation, with weed and rabbit control undertaken throughout.
This year’s Connecting Landscape’s crew at work.
The next step is to consolidate and expand these works by engaging new landholders or groups. We are particularly keen to hear from landholders in the Sandon, Elphinstone, Taradale, Muckleford, Walmer and Harcourt areas.
By joining this program, landowners will be assisted to develop a comprehensive site management plan with Connecting Country staff. Activities that may be funded and implemented as part of this program include tubestock planting and direct seeding of indigenous flora, the implementation of pest animal and weed control and environmental fencing. The program’s crew will then be available to implement many of the initial activities.
If this opportunity sounds like it might suit you, or to find out more, please contact Jarrod Coote or Bonnie Humphreys at Connecting Country on 5472 1594 or email: jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
NCCMA Short Course on Native Grass ID in Kerang and St Arnaud
Posted on 19 September, 2013 by Connecting Country
Expressions of interest (EOI) are now being accepted by the North Central CMA for a short course in native grass identification. The two-day course is free and will cover:
- Description, diversity, importance and classification of the grass family
- Anatomy, structure and variation in the grass plant
- Main identifying features of grasses
- Using botanical keys and collecting specimens for identification
- Grass and grassy ecosystem ecology in Australia
This interactive course will involve lectures and hands-on experience in the laboratory, followed by a field trip on the second day. Courses are been run in late October 2013 (Kerang) and late November 2013 (St Arnaud).
The course will be presented by local botanist and ecologist Paul Foreman, who has over 20 years experience in land management and nature conservation in Victoria.
Click here for a Expression of Interest Form and here for a flyer with all the details.