Flyer for Wanderslore Sanctuary Bushland Open Day!

Wanderslore Open Day Flyer

On Friday the 30^th of August the Victorian Landcare Awards were held at Government House in Melbourne. The ‘I care, We care, Landcare’ video was shot on the day. Below is the link to the video. Check it out!

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/zFnNCD2Lrx4

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/377490069331953/posts/773313486416274?sfns=xmo

Last Friday, 30th August, six representatives of Heathmont Bushcare gathered in excitement at Government House for the presentation of the 30th annual Landcare Awards. Heathmont Bushcare was nominated for the work we do in the Heathmont area, not only in regenerating the natural bushland, but for our engagement with the broader community through our association with Heathmont 3rd Scouts and all the valuable work done by our volunteers.

Unfortunately we were unsuccessful in gaining a prize, but it was inspiring to hear of the wonderful work being done by other environmental groups. It was heartening to hear that the necessity of taking better care of the environment, starting with the local environment, is getting through to more and more people. We are inspired to strive even harder in our efforts to manage and improve the local bushland, and to encourage more people to join us in our efforts.

Great opportunity to continue improving our Dandenong Creek – your input sought!

 Melbourne Water is commencing the next round of Enhancing our Dandenong Creek (EODC) and is developing a project/program list for the next 5-years.

So far and based on the balance of community values and stakeholder input, this comprises:

Pollution Reduction

• Monitoring and citizen science
• Enforcement and compliance
• Pollution treatment (WSUD)

Parklands, Floodplains, Billabongs and Wetlands

• Billabongs, wetlands, parks and floodplain improvements focusing on biodiversity, ecology and habitat
• Geomorphology, form and naturalisation (potential daylighting projects)

Amenities and Access

• Access review and masterplan

Enhanced Traditional Owner Values and Activities

• Initial scoping with Traditional Owners. Activities likely to fall across other themes, but may include specific activities or actions that come about from engagement

Sewerage management

• QMRA
• Screening
• Improve reporting – ie with Council

Communications, engagement and behaviour change activities

• Foundational program than runs across and supports all of the above projects,
• Specific activities, initiatives (particularly for education)
• Coordinating and driving engagement

Kicking off Parklands, Floodplains, Billabongs and Wetlands!

The Parklands, Floodplains, Billabongs and Wetlands project was the top opportunity which emerged, and one with a lot of potential to deliver significant outcomes for Dandenong Creek.

It encompass a number of opportunities and actions that have been previously identified:

–      Wetland and billabong rehabilitation program (Winton, Scott St, Koomba Park, exploring new wetlands etc)

–      Floodplain and parkland rehabilitation program (focusing on VicRoads and Parks Vic areas in particular, in particular the Dandenong Valley Parklands)

–      Improving amenity and physical form by reinstating natural features

–      Weed control and revegetation along Dandenong Creek and tributaries

Please look over this and identify any specific projects you want to further explore or provide other project ideas (preferably with specific locations).  Please add your ideas to the attached “…Ideas List: document  or email Roger at Roger.Lord@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Looking forward to hearing from you and just letting you know we already have a project scoped and identified by Brian for Bungalook Creek (refer links below).

 Roger Lord
Coordinator Environmental Planning

Melbourne Water project proposal

Improving Dandenong Creek ideas

https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Community/Environment/Environment-Events/Snake-Safety-Talk

Cos                   This is a free event

Contact             Jen Ellison          1300 368 333

j.ellison@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Saturday, 07 September 2019 10:00AM – 12:00PM

This talk by Black Snake Productions will equip you with knowledge about local snake and spider species and how to calmly and effectively deal with a potentially life-threatening situation if it arises.

This session will focus on:

• Safety awareness and preventative measures
• First aid treatment of snake and spider bites
• Emergency response procedures
• Local snake and spider identification and behaviour

Identifying snake and spider habitat. This is a free event, bookings essential – please use the form below (find at link above.).

Cost                   This is a free event

Contact             Jen Ellison          1300 368 333

Congratulations to all the members of Heathmont Bushcare on our nomination for this award. Fingers crossed that we are successful!

Nomination Certificate – Heathmont Bushcare

2019MEG_talk_flyer

What a lovely morning it was, spent outdoors at Dexter’s Bush on the banks of the Dandenong Creek in the company of like-minded people. As always, our work can be measured in the number of bags of weeds removed, and the enjoyment measured in the number of laughs. On both counts, it was a very successful morning. Of particular note, it was also Lix Dexter’s 90th birthday a few days prior – congratulations and happy birthday Liz! It was a privilege to be able to share a cup of tea and a slice of birthday cake with both Mick and Liz after the exertions of the morning’s work.

FREE TO ATTEND EVENTS

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater 30th Anniversary celebration
Saturday 25th May: Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater are celebrating 30 years of working to secure the future of the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater with a symposium from 8.30 to 4.30 in the Lilydale Senior Citizens Centre, 7 Hardy Street Lilydale. 

For more information, click on this link:

https://mailchi.mp/bigpond/friendsnet-99-june-1431409?e=2306a9f53d

What a beautiful morning it was for our working bee at Uambi on Sunday 15th May. A good turnout of members saw us plant 75 indigenous species plants in the north-western corner of Uambi in an area which, until very recently, was dominated by asparagus fern. Thanks largely to the efforts of Brian, a significant area is now effectively free of asparagus fern, and now that the pine-trees have been ringbarked, it was a great opportunity to begin the revegetation of this area.

It was great to see representatives the 3rd Heathmont Scout Group turn out to help again, and as always, there was much cheerful banter as we planted and weeded before enjoying a refreshing cup of tea and coffee, along with a delicious selection of cakes and biscuits, at the conclusion of the working bee.

Thanks as always to everyone who turned out on the day.  The results of our collective efforts can readily be seen in the improved natural environments in all of the areas in which we work.

Community Recognition Night at Bunnings Ringwood

Wednesday,  22 May, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Dear Community Group members,

We would like to invite you to attend our Community Recognition Night, to recognise all the volunteers & community groups for their hard work and commitment.

This is an opportunity for community groups to network, discuss Bunnings’ commitment to Community Involvement and how we can work with you and your organisation in the future.

• Short information sessions, questions and feedback
• Guest Speakers to talk about their experiences with Ringwood’s Community involvement
• Light refreshments
• Door prizes

Kids activity table available (bookings required)

Please RSVP by Friday May 18 for catering, via email to Cass and Crysta at ringwoodao@bunnings.com.au or phone 9871 0000.

Kind regards

Crysta Healey & Cass Groves

Activities Organisers

Bunnings Ringwood

Ringwood Square, Charter St

Ringwood Vic 3134

Ph: 03 9871 0000

Fax 03 9871 0099

E: ringwoodao@bunnings.com.au

Website: www.bunnings.com.au

Heathmont Bushcare has been invited to participate in the Heathmont Easter Bush Market, to be held at Uambi, on Sunday April 14th. The market will run between the hours of 10.00am to 2.00pm, but we will need help in setting up from about 9.00am, as well as packing up.

If you can help out on the day to promote the wonderful work that Heathmont Bushcare does, hand out flyers, sign up new members, chat to people or collect gold coin donations from people, that would be wonderful.

The Open Day at Uambi will not be held this year, so this is our big chance to spread the word and sign up new members.

Please reply to heathmontbushcare@gmail.com if you are able to help out.

Thank you.

Mark the date in your diaries! Sunday April 14th from 10.00am to 2.00pm is the date of the inaugural Easter Market to be held at Uambi.

Join us for a pre-Easter weekend under the gum trees at Uambi.

https://www.facebook.com/events/349426065650372/

Heathmont Easter Bush Market in conjunction with Provincial Makers Market will showcase some wonderful local businesses and their amazing products and fresh seasonal produce.

In a variation from the Christmas market, this market will feature more food stalls as well as some of your old favourites.

And this time, we are joined by local artist Jacinta, who will be doing traditional aboriginal art face painting for the children.

There will be:

• jams, chutneys, sauces and marmalades
• Uambi honey
• coffee
• delicious cakes, slices and caneles
• skincare and aromatherapy
• jewellery

and much more!

Join us for a picnic under the gums and and bring your shopping bags to take home all the wonderful locally grown and made gifts and produce.

heathmont bushcare calendar 2019

All working bees begin at 10.00am and conclude with a cuppa and cake at 12.00pm

Dandenong Creek Community Tree Planting Day arranged by Melbourne Water.  All welcome 🙂

NOMINATIONS FOR VEFN 2018 BEST FRIEND AWARD CLOSE WEDNESDAY 27TH JUNE.

There are less than three weeks left to complete nominations for this year’s VEFN Best Friend Award.The award acknowledges the outstanding contribution made to the environment by volunteer members of Friends groups.

The Department of Environment, Land Water & Planning has again generously provided VEFN with a grant of $5,000 in support of the Best Friend Award. As in previous years, VEFN will provide a grant to award recipients’ groups. In 2017, Friends of Tyers Park used its grant to upgrade walking track signage. See the story (page 2) in the May edition of FriendsNET here.

If there is someone in your Friends group, who you believe shows personal dedication above and beyond the usual expectation, nominating them for this award is one way of showing how much your group values their efforts.  Nominations are assessed by an independent judging panel and will be presented at the award ceremony on 25^th August. The awards ceremony will be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne.

The criteria for the Best Friend Award and a nomination form can be downloaded here. Nominations are due by 5 pm on Wednesday 27^th June, 2018.

Poster Competition
In conjunction with the Best Friend Award, we will again run a poster competition.  Friends groups are encouraged to submit their posters for a prize to be awarded at the Best Friend Award ceremony in August.