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 5^th 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 5^th 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.

Bird Monitoring – Winter 2013 Update

Posted on 18 September, 2013 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country’s bird monitoring program continued during winter 2013.  Landholders from across the region allowed bird-specialists Chris and Kerryn to undertake  surveys on their properties within areas of intact woodland, in grassy agricultural paddocks and in areas being actively restored (e.g. sites with new plantings, direct seeding or natural regeneration).  Fifty sites of 2 hectares were visited twice for 20 minutes each time; once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

The attached list displays the 77 bird species that were recorded from the transects during Winter 2013, plus another 19 species recorded nearby (click here).

Some of the highlights include:
* A single Banded Lapwing seen in a paddock near Bradford
* A pair of Tawny Frogmouth on Mount Tarrengower
* Little Corellas near Ravenswood (NB: the typical local species is the Long-billed Corella).
* Small numbers of threatened or declining woodland birds such as Hooded Robin, Speckled Warbler, Diamond Firetail, Crested Bellbird and Painted Button-quail.

The comparison between the different types of sites also provided interesting insights.  For example:
* The White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Yellow Robin, Fuscous Honeyeater and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater were commonly recorded in ‘intact’ habitats, but almost not at all elsewhere.
* Many small insectivorous birds were most commonly recorded in the ‘restoration’ habitats, particularly the thornbills, Superb Fairy-wren and Silvereye.
* Agricultural grasslands had fewer bird species seen, although there were some specialists in this area, particular Australasian Pipits, Welcome Swallows and Flame Robins.

Thank you to all of the landholders who allowed us to continue our bird surveys on their property.  Now looking forward to the Spring bird surveys, which will commence in early October.

10 Oct – ‘Understanding the Natural Soundscape’ a presentation by Andrew Skeoch

Posted on 16 September, 2013 by Connecting Country

Andrew Skeoch on location with sound recording gear.

On Thursday 10th October 2013, Newstead Landcare Group will hold their Annual General Meeting and are delighted to have a presentation by one of their members, Andrew Skeoch of Listening Earth.

All landcarers and the general public are welcome to attend this event at Newstead Community Centre starting at 8pm. We ask for a gold coin donation to cover costs.

Andrew describes his presentation thus:

The sounds of our natural environment are comprised of many voices;  birdsong, insect choirs, frog choruses. Collectively, the songs and calls of all these species form the biophony; the living sounds of our natural landscape.

Studying how all these diverse vocalisations interact in the acoustic environment, can tell us a fascinating story about how our bushland ecosystems work and have evolved.

Featuring sound recordings and sonograms, from local places to habitats around the world, Andrew will explore the fascinating understandings emerging from the new field of soundscape ecology.

Many of you will be familiar with Andrew’s recording of birdsong on a CD in the back of the Wildlife of the Box-Ironbark Country book by Chris Tzaros, and this event is a great chance to meet with and learn from a local expert.

Shire’s Community Grants Scheme Open Now

Posted on 13 September, 2013 by Connecting Country

The Mount Alexander Shire Council recently announced the opening of its 2013 Community Grants Scheme. The round closes on Friday 11 October 2013.

Grants of $500 to $3,000 are available in the category of Sustainability and Natural Environment.

The stated aim of the Sustainability and Natural Environment community grant component is to assist the community to implement the Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Environment Strategy 2010-2014  (available HERE) – so it is well worth taking a look at this document before you apply.

These grants are particularly well suited to Landcare and Friends groups working in the Mount Alexander Shire, whose projects normally align directly with the ‘Land & Biodiversity’ objectives of the Shire’s Environment Strategy (Pages 12 & 22).

Application forms and guidelines for the grants can be found at the Shire’s website – Click Here. Public information sessions about the grants will be held in Castlemaine and Maldon on the 11th and 12th September – see the Council’s website for times and locations.

For more information contact Glenn Menner, Manager Community Development on 5471 1818

Mount Alexander Landcare Goes Social

Posted on 12 September, 2013 by Connecting Country

To extend the promotion of local Landcare groups and their activities in the Mount Alexander Shire, a new Facebook page – www.facebook.com/mountalexander.landcare  – has been developed.

Local Landcare Facilitator, Max Schlachter, encourages groups to use this space to promote their news and events to a growing online community. “We hope that by having this social media presence people will  better informed and inspired to get involved with their local group. It is also a way of promoting Landcare events to a new audience”, Max explained.

Community members are encouraged to ‘like’ and ‘share’ the page. In doing so, they will have access current news and local Landcare events. For more information, or to promote an event through the Facebook page, contact Max on 5472 5194 or max@connectingcountry.org.au.

 Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mountalexander.landcare

15 September – Discovering Hidden Roadside Treasures

Posted on 11 September, 2013 by Connecting Country

Muckleford and Newstead Landcare groups are combining to host a morning tea and field trip on Sunday, 15 September 2013 with a focus on local roadsides.

Roadside vegetation is an extremely important resource for native biodiversity, with some of the best patches of bush surviving alongside our thoroughfares. This field day will help you discover what makes a bit of roadside great, how to look after it and the very important questions of what can and can’t be done on roadsides, and by whom.

The Mount Alexander Shire Council has recently published its Roadside Conservation Management Plan 2012-17 (click here to see plan). A representative from Council will explain the aims of the plan and how they will implement it. They will also explain the rationale behind the changes to some of the Significant Roadside declarations you may have noticed recently.

The second speaker will be Ben Goonan from the North Central CMA who undertook a major biodiversity survey of roadsides in our region in 2009-11. Ben will talk about the results of his research and the criteria that he used to define high-value roadsides.

Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives will also join us. Frances and Ben will help us identify the surprising range and variety of both native and invasive species resident along our roads.

The day will begin at the Muckleford Community Centre (Muckleford-Walmer Road – former Methodist Church between Pyrenees Highway and Castlemaine-Walmer Roads) at 10 am for morning tea and two brief introductory talks before embarking on a 2 hour bus tour to several interesting local roadside sites.

The groups would appreciate a RSVP. Email mucklefordlandcare@gmail.com or text Paul Hampton at 0408-566-909.