13 August – FOBIF’s AGM
Posted on 2 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forest’s AGM will take place at Castlemaine Continuing Education Centre at 7.30 pm on Monday August 13.
The formal part of the meeting will be followed by a short talk by Damian Kelly on the challenges and rewards of bird photography. Readers of the FOBIF website will be familiar with Damian’s brilliant photos of local bird life, and he will illustrate his talk with some recent examples.
Dusky Woodswallow. Loddon River at Newstead. Photo by Damian Kelly, April 2012
8 August 2012 – Celebrating 25 Years of Landcare
Posted on 2 August, 2012 by Connecting Country
Twenty-five years ago the Landcare movement was officially launched at Winjallok and next week the Winjallok Landcare group will be celebrating this event with a planting session. The day will begin at 9 am at the Paradise Hall, St Arnaud-Navarre Road, Paradise. Further details are in this flier.
29 July 2012 – Next Cactus Control Field Day
Posted on 25 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Control field day with Parks Victoria is this Sunday 29th July. It will be held on a property near the corner of the Bridgewater-Maldon Road and Sandhills Lane. This is about one kilometre north of the intersection of the Bridgewater and Baringhup Roads. As usual it will be well signposted.
The starting time is 10.30 am and the day will wind up with the usual cuppa and sausage sizzle at lunchtime.
Green Thumbs Wanted for National Tree Day
Posted on 19 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Sunday 29 July is National Tree Day and a number of planting events and barbeques have been organised by Landcare groups and other organisations across the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds.
With so much of our local forests cleared or degraded, putting something back is a great thing to do – and every little plant helps. All sorts of plants will get put in the ground on National Tree Day – not just trees.
If you would like to participate in National Tree Day this year, click here to find out where a planting is taking place near you. Or contact Max Schlachter (Mount Alexander area Landcare Facilitator) for more information on 5472 1594.
Conservation and Land Management Pathway Program
Posted on 19 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
The BRIT TAFE Conservation and Land Management Pathways program is designed for people who:
- are interested in the conservation and land management industry
- would you like to learn more about the opportunities that are available in this field
- are thinking about trying a short course to see what might be involved,
- have good field skills but would like to learn about putting this knowledge into reports
- considering applying for the Conservation and Land Management Certificate IV Program in 2013 but would like to try some units and get support in the application process
- need some assistance with the computer skills and report writing to help with your study and/or employment in this field?
Information/ enrolment session: Tuesday 28th August 4.30pm
Location: Arrival centre seminar room Charleston Road Campus, BRIT
Course Commencement: Tuesday 11th September
Delivery will be on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks.
For more information contact Tony Mission on 03 5434 1759 or email tmisson@bendigotafe.edu.au
Register Now for Volunteer Training
Posted on 11 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Volunteer Network is conducting a six month program of volunteer training to support community groups and NFP organisations throughout our Shire.
The training will include first aid qualifications, governance training, effective communication, food safety training, conflict resolution and how to avoid burn-out as a volunteer. The training will be subsidised by the Mount Alexander Shire Council and the cost to individuals will be only $10.
If you would like to register or find out more, contact the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network on 0425 323 005 or emailmavn@cch.org.au.
Future Management of Barkers Creek
Posted on 10 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Over 40 members of the Barkers Creek, Harcourt and North Harcourt communities met in the Harcourt ANA Hall on June 28. The purpose of the meeting was to find out what is important to the local community about Barkers Creek and discuss the future management of the creek.
The evening started with delicious soup, bread and muffins provided by CAKE (Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise). A short presentation about Barkers Creek outlined some of the assets and the threats impacting on the creek, and then attendees were split into three groups to identify what they thought was important along their stretch of the creek
Barkers Creek Project Officer Michael Luke says “We were thrilled at the big turnout for the community workshop. It was a fantastic evening and we ended up with around 25 ideas which will be used in the development of the Barkers Creek Local Action Plan”.
The Local Action Plan will help to plan the three local Landcare groups’ activities into the future, and also to assist in applying for grants and future funding opportunities.
For more information about the project, email michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. If you are a landholder along the creek and have not contacted us – please get in touch.
13 July 2012: Special Event
Posted on 3 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
On the evening of the 13 July, there will be a launch of Ern Perkin’s new Central Victoria Grasses Identification Guide CD followed by a presentation by Geoff Park on the Moolort Wetlands.
Local naturalist Ern Perkins was the 2008 recipient of the Australian Natural History Medallion which is a nation-wide award awarded to one person per year judged to have made the most meritorious contribution to the understanding of Australian Natural History. His new CD covers all native and non-native grasses known to occur in Mt Alexander Shire. Ern will give a short talk and presentation on the CD and all attendees will receive a free copy (one per household).
The CD has been published with the joint support of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and Connecting Country.
After the CD launch, Geoff Park will talk on the beautiful wetlands of the Moolort Plains. Geoff is Knowledge Broker at the North Central CMA, on the committee of Connecting Country and also convenor and chief contributor to the Natural Newstead blog. The following text is an excerpt from his blog about the Moorlort Plains:
The Moolort Plains are a very different environment to the goldfields landscapes closer to Newstead. The plains country is part of the Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion, once dominated by native grasslands and largely untimbered. Silver Banksia, Tree-Violet and Bursaria were some of the predominant shrubs in this verdant landscape, prior to European settlement. A feature of the Moolort Plains are its wetlands and swamps, many of which have been actively managed for conservation values by local farmers.
Long Swamp, Moolort Plains. Photo by Geoff Park, 7 September 2010
The launch and the talk will be held on evening of Friday 13 July at the Uniting Church Hall in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine (building behind the church), and will commence from 7.30pm. The event is part of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club July meeting, but all are welcome and encouraged to attend– both members and non-members. There is no cost for attendance, although a gold coin donation towards the supper afterwards would be appreciated.
Employment – Positions Vacant
Posted on 2 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Threatened Woodland Birds Project Coordinator Position: Connecting Country.
Do you know your Jacky Winter from your Diamond Firetail?
Are you passionate about making sure they continue to exist in the Mount Alexander Shire and surrounding region of central Victoria?
If yes, then this could be the job for you.
Connecting Country is seeking a suitable candidate to implement its new Threatened Woodland Birds Project as well as assisting with other activities currently being run by the organization. This part or full time fixed term position (0.8-1 FTE) is funded through to 30 June 2013, with the possibility of extension based on future funding success and other considerations. For more information on the project, and also for copy of the full position description, including key selection criteria, click here.
Applications with a curriculum vitae and addressing the Key Selection Criteria should be marked “Confidential – Threatened Woodland Birds Project Officer” and be submitted to “Connecting Country, PO Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450” by Sunday 15th July 2012 or by email to chris@connectingcountry.org.au. For more information regarding the project and the position, contact Chris Timewell or Krista Patterson-Majoor on (03) 5472-1594 or email chris@connectingcountry.org.au.
Sustainability Officer Postion: Mount Alexander Shire
Mount Alexander Shire is currently advertising for a Sustainability Officer to join their team. For information about the role and a position description click here.
New Connecting Country Project – Woodland Birds
Posted on 2 July, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country is pleased to announce that it has been successful in obtaining funding from the Victorian Government’s Communities for Nature program to implement the first year of its four-year project “Enabling Woodland Birds to Thrive in the Mount Alexander Region”. Scientific research has shown that this bird community is in decline and under threat from habitat reduction. The project will increase the extent and condition of bird habitat through through the Mount Alexander Shire and immediate surrounds using an approach combining on-ground works on private land with community engagement, education, monitoring and other related activities (click here for more information on this new project).
This project will commence soon, and we are currently advertising for a Project Coordinator to manage its implementation (click here). There will also be many oppportunities for the community to be involved in various aspects of the project. More details to follow over coming weeks and months.
CC submission to draft Regional Catchment Strategy
Posted on 29 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country has made a submission to the North Central CMA draft 2012-2018 Regional Catchment Strategy. Click here to view the submission.
Assistance with Grant Writing
Posted on 21 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Volunteer Network is holding free grant-writing sessions for community groups. The sessions which will take place in Maldon, Castlemaine and Newtead and are to assist groups with applications for $5000 Federal Government volunteer grants. Click here to view a brochure with the details.
1–8 July 2012 – NAIDOC Week at Epsom
Posted on 21 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
NAIDOC week will take place in the first week for July. Activities at Epsom (on the north side of Bendigo) include a Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday 2 July with didgeridoo playing and the presentation of Indigenous Student Scholarships. There will also be a BBQ lunch and performance by Kutcha Edwards on Friday 6 July.
Click here to find the full details.
24 June 2012 – Warriors Needed for Cactus Field Day
Posted on 21 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Tarrangower Cactus Control Committee is holding its next field day next Sunday 24th June, starting at 10:30 am.
The location is Gough’s Range Road. The easiest way to get there is to go from Maldon along the Newstead Road and then turn right into Gough’s Range Road. See the attached notice for a map.
Everyone is welcome and the Committee suggests people bring as many new recruits as they can muster.
28 June 2012 – Barkers Creek Cleanup
Posted on 15 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
Barkers Creek Project Officer, Michael Luke, is developing a ‘Local Action Plan’ for the creek. The Plan is being developed on behalf of the Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group, Harcourt Valley Landcare and North Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare groups.
Michael says “The Local Action Plan is a big part of the Barkers Creek Cleanup Project. It is being written in conjunction with the Barkers Creek Landcare Network and local landholders who live along the length of the creek. If you live in Barkers Creek, Harcourt or North Harcourt we especially would like to hear from you. We would like to get your ideas about what your vision is for the future of Barkers Creek.”
The Landcare network is hosting a community workshop on the evening of Thursday 28th June at the Harcourt ANA Hall. The evening commences at 6.00pm with a light supper, followed by a short presentation about the creek. Participants will then have the opportunity to contribute their ideas about the future management of this significant local waterway.
This important community feedback session shall form the basis of the Local Action Plan which will help to guide the three local Landcare groups’ activities into the future.
For catering purposes, please indicate your attendance and any special dietary requirements by emailing michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594 by the 25th of June.
Funding for the Barkers Creek Cleanup Project has been provided by the Victorian Government’s 2011-12 Landcare grants, the North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Victorian Blackberry and Gorse Taskforces.
A Blackberry-infested portion of Barkers Creek. The project aims to reduce the extent and spread of woody weeks along the creek.
Victorian Landcare Program – Draft Strategic Plan
Posted on 12 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Government is in the process of deciding how best it will support Landcare in the future. As such they’ve developed a draft strategic plan for the Victorian Landcare Project and would like community feedback on the plan. The excerpt below is from the Victorian Landcare Gateway website:
The Victorian Landcare Program (VLP) is the title of the program of support provided to Landcare by the Victorian Government and managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). Given the current action plan for Landcare is due to finish this year, it’s a good time to develop a new direction for the Government’s program of support for Landcare into the future. Once finalised, the VLP will be refreshed to align with the new Strategic Plan.
If you would like view the draft plan and/or contribute your thoughts, click here. Submissions will be accepted until 30 June 2012.
Friends of the Box-Ironbark photo show at Tog’s Cafe
Posted on 12 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest FOBIF Mamunya exhibition opened at Tog’s Cafe in Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine on Friday 8 June. It runs till the 13 July. The exhibition continues a tradition the Friends started in 1999 with their first Mamunya festival. This word comes from a Dja Dja Wurrung chant, ‘pata, mamunya, jirarunga,’ meaning, ‘wait a while, don’t touch it, growing up.’
This time twelve photographers have contributed their photos. The images highlight the often overlooked beauty and intriguing characteristics of our local flora and fauna. Five of the 26 exhibition photos can be viewed in a slideshow on the FOBIF site.
FOBIF/Connecting Country poster available again
The poster, pictured at left, was produced by FOBIF and Connecting Country late last year. It contains 63 photos highlighting the beauty of our local bushlands. The first edition sold out but there are now more copies available from The Hub 14/233b Barker St (entry through glass door on Templeton Street). The cost is $15 dollars for FOBIF and/or Connecting Country members. The poster is also available from Legion Office Works, Stoneman’s Bookroom and the Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre in the Market Building. Click here to see a larger version of the poster.
Barkers Creek Cleanup: funding now available!
Posted on 10 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
A partnership between Barkers Creek Landcare Network, North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Connecting Country will see some landholders along Barkers Creek receive funding support for controlling woody weeds on their properties.
Barkers Creek Project Officer, Michael Luke, has been visiting local landholders along the creek to help them develop management plans to control gorse and blackberries on their properties. He is also working closely with the three groups comprising the Barkers Creek Landcare Network – North Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare Group, Harcourt Valley Landcare Group and the Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group – in the development of a ‘Local Action Plan’ for the creek.
Michael says “We have been very pleased with the number of landholders who have contacted us recently and it is great to see locals becoming more involved with the health of the creek. Thanks to the North Central CMA, there are funds available to provide dollar for dollar support for landholders against the cost of targeted weed control for these two noxious species. However, funding is limited, so we suggest that anyone who lives next to Barkers Creek to contact us as soon as possible.”
Nicole Bullen, from North Central CMA, says “As part of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country (CfoC) initiative, the North Central CMA is continuing to support the community to undertake environmental flood recovery projects through the Natural Disaster Environmental Recovery project with a major focus on the control of Weeds of National Significance.”
To get involved or to find out more call Michael now on 5472 1594 or email michael@connectingcountry.org.au.
Barkers Creek Cleanup Project Officer, Michael Luke, showing community members a weed-infested area in the Barkers Creek locality.
Weed Watch – Gazania
Posted on 8 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
The following information was originally published by Geraldine Harris in the Castlemaine Naturalist newsletter, and has been kindly re-written by her for the Connecting Country website.
Some plants become environmental weeds when they escape from our gardens into the surrounding countryside and start competing with local native indigenous species. I want to look at how some of these infestations can be controlled and which native plants can be used in their place.
Our native plants cannot be expected to perform as vigorously as pest plants that have been selectively bred for survival over hundreds of years. However, getting rid of pest plants and replacing them with native species will help preserve the integrity of our local habitats, attracting and providing resources for more native birds and other animals.
Gazania linearis
Gazanias are the large daisy-type yellow flowers that are escaping from private gardens and appearing more and more abundantly along our local roadsides and in bushland throughout Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.
These very showy plants originated in South Africa and are being promoted in many plant nurseries as a tough drought resistant species. Many hybrids have been developed in cultivation between Gazania linearis and a closely related environmental weed species Gazania rigens. These plants produce abundant wind-blown seeds that can be dispersed many kilometres from the source, producing ever-increasing patches of gazania that compete with locally indigenous species. Gazanias also have the ability to re-grow from their bare roots, which enables them to spread into our bushland by the dumping of garden waste containing the tuberous root systems of these plants. Native animals tend not to eat them as they are low in nutritional value. Continue Reading »
Yandoit Native Pastures Field Day Report
Posted on 7 June, 2012 by Connecting Country
Graeme Hand’s thought-provoking presentation on regenerating native pastures was attended by approximately 40 people at a field day on 25 May that was co-hosted by Connecting Country and the North Central CMA. Graeme is from the STIPA Native Grasses Association. The day’s program took place in the Yandoit Community Hall and at local landholder Paul Righetti’s farm.
- Graeme Hand at Yandoit Community Hall
In Graeme’s view, most advice on native pasture regeneration misses the key point which is the soil surface: “we need to compost the landscape using animals”. His talk presented the idea that although unmanaged grazing is the cause of the degradation of native pastures, appropriate sheep, cows and goat grazing regimes can paradoxically assist in the restorative process in some circumstances.
Further information on Graeme’s approach to native pastures is available from the STIPA website (click here).
Graeme’s presentation was followed by a delicious lunch once again prepared by Growing Abundance. Participants then travelled by bus to Paul Righetti’s farm. In a paddock of dense wallaby grass, Paul explained how he was working to promote maximum pasture growth on his farm which included an important role for native grasses. Paul is a member of Connecting Country’s Expert Advisory Group.
Paul Righetti addressing participants on his farming methods.
This field day was the final event in this part of Connecting Country 2012 educational program. A review of this year’s program, and planning for the next program, has already begun.