Croaker Newsletter - June 2011

8/6/2019 Croaker Newsletter - June 2011

1/6

Welcome to our 3rd edition of the WSN Restoring

Our Waterways Croaker Newsletter for 2011.

We have had several great events through April and

May starting off with gaining three students coming to

work on our waterway from WHS Community Learning

Centre, their names are Jayden, Travis and Scott.

Ovens Reach Field Day

Wednesday 6thApril at Apex Park on the Ovens River

There was a great lot of interest from many of theLandcare Groups, Government Departments, Schools

and a few members of the community about 80 people

all told. Dr Scott Raymond did a great (how they do

electro fishing) and he came ashore and showed us

what he caught and gave a terrific talk on the catch.

Fern Hames was there clicking her camera and also

talking about the project. The Chronicle was there and

there was a great write-up in the Regional Extra

section titled Healthy native signs in Wednesday 13th

April issue, so if you get a chance to read it please do

you will not regret this informative great read.

Platypus Survey

Monday 11thApril

Rowan, Claire and I had oursite in Kaluna on the King

River. We sat and sat but

know sign of a platypus but

we could hear Barking Owls calling and to our surprise

one flew into a tree opposite us and then flew and sat

right in the tree next to where we were, we just

couldnt believe it the Owl was so close and it was

checking us out (they might have been doing a human

survey that night). We may not have spotted platypus

or water rats but it was such a fantastic feeling to be

so close to such a beautiful Barking Owl. All those whowent on the survey met at Jim and Sallys place (about

20 of us) for a what we spotted catch up and chat, we

all enjoyed very delicious home made soup, bread and

a little vino. It was a great experience in great

company.

Volunteer Expo

Friday 13thMay at St Pats Hall

This was put on by the

Community Pride Advisory

Committee and supported by

The Centre Community

Skillsbank, there were about 15 Community groups

with information tables and the hall looked terrific. It

was a great chance for group networking and from all

reports the 3 workshops were very informative and to

the point. It was such a shame that there were not a

lot of members of the community to come along and

see what was on offer in the way of volunteering.

Rowan helped me set up the WSN and NERSA display

and pack up. It was a great few hours with some

excellent company, should be more of this sort of

thing.

Emma and Vanessa from

NECMA Waterwatch

Di Farmer from WSN ROW

and Kelvin Neal from RCoW

Contents

Introduction 1

Community Learning Centre Project 2 - 3

Upcoming Events 4

Competitions 4 - 5

WSN Groups and Information 6

Wednesday 1st June 2011


2/6

The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 2

WEDNESDAYS WITH CLC STUDENTS

JAYDEN, SCOTT AND TRAVIS

Scott and Travis came to the

Outreach Field Day and met

up with Gill and I then afterlunch we went looking for

somewhere to do a little

fishing, we tried down at

Sydney Beach first but nothing was there so we went

to the Templeton Street boat ramp - they gave me a

lesson on how to fish but none of us had any luck.

Wednesday 27th April

Gill and I met the boys at WHS and went down to One

Mile Creek at the school looking for

Macroinvertebrates, we tried two spots but nothing

was moving in the nets so we moved to under the

Phillipson Street bridge and we were joined by their

teacher Kim (if only someone had a movie camera on

Gill and I climbing over rocks under the bridge it would

have made a great Funniest Home Video entry). The

only thing we found in that area was Eastern

Gambusia.

Wednesday 4th May

Wareena Wetlands was ourmeeting place, we went for

a walk around the wetlands

but there was very little

water in it so there was a

lot of rubbish exposed (we

were to do some fishing in

there for carp). The only place to get a sample of

water was under the bridge and yes the boys had Gill

and I clambering over rocks to get to it. We tried the

net to see what we could find and yes Eastern

Gambusia (one) and nothing else moving in the water.We took a water sample to the table near the wetlands

to start to test, the results were Elec Cond 118, PH

7.5, Temp 15.5 and Turb 42. The Turbidity test was

fun the boys had a bit of trouble reading it (I think

they all need their eyes tested). Gill had to leave but

the boys went fishing in the area of the creek near the

wetlands with cheese and corn on the line but no luck

at all but at least they tried.

Wednesday 11th May

The boys and I met up with Emma from Waterwatch

when she was doing her Macro readings. She showed

the boys how to use the net correctly to get a good

collection. We found a few extra things and of course

Eastern Gambusia. Just as we were getting into it the

heavens opened and it started pouring so we had to

pack up in a hurry and head for shelter. I delivered the

boys back to school as our lesson ended early thanks

to the rain.

Scott, Travis and Jayden have made contact with Fern

Hames DSEs Native Fish Coordinator for Victoria and

she will be coming up around the 15th June to meet up

with them to talk about Native Fish and the Reach

Project.

What are Eastern Gambusia (common name

Mosquito fish)

They are an alien fish

brought in to removemosquito larvae but

they dont, they are an

aggressive species they

chase and fin-nip fish

much larger than themselves, they prey on the eggs of

native fish and significantly reduce growth rates of

small native fish. They are implicated in the decline of

more the 30 fish species world wide, at least nine of

which occur in Australia, and in the decline of more

than 10 species of frogs in Australia. So they are not

the sort of fish we want to find so many of in One Mile

Creek, its a perfect breeding place and the creek flows

into the heritage listed Ovens River.These Oriental

Weatherloach (Alien

fish) were caught

near Valdoris Ave in

One Mile Creek

Anyone for fishing in One Mile Creek for alien fish?

Photo: Gunther Schmida


3/6


Wednesday 25th May.

Jayden, Scott and

Travis decided to

inspect the junction

of One Mile andThree Mile creek. It

was a nice sunny

day and we started

our walk near Appin

St School. The large piles of reeds taken out last year

can be seen as they have reeds growing thick and tall

out of them. Not far along on the edge of the creek we

came across a group of ducks (I think they were trying

to work out will they or wont they go into the water)

as they just stood at the edge of the water. A little

further down stream the water was coated with a filmnot sure if it is a good or bad algae. We noted that

there were not many birds around just the odd Magpie

and Pee Whee. One Mile was not flowing very much

but the Three Mile was flowing fast and it was great to

see. The boys were taking lots of photos and

investigating the great large root systems exposed of

some of the beautiful trees a lining the Three Mile

after the junction. We went as far as the Yarrawonga

Road Bridge. It is great to see them enjoying their

project studying our waterways.

Mucky water near the junction of One Mile and Three Mile creeks

Ducklings along the edge of the creek

Lunchtime Wednesday 25th May.

Meeting the Commissioner for the Environment and

Sustainability Professor Kate Auty

There were about 25 members

of the community at the council

chambers when Kate Auty

addressed the group telling us

about herself and her position

as Commissioner and then

asked us to tell her our

concerns. All of those who

spoke had very interesting and valid points from

roadside wood, transport, parking, more assistance for

landholders (in way of staff), to more money from the

government to regional areas. I noted that she was

writing down what people were saying and she madea point to tell us that our concerns were being heard. I

hope that we keep in contact with her staff.

Reminder ROW will have a little

celebration for its 1st Birthday at

Councils World Environment Day

Spot light and information night at

the Park Lane Bowls Club on

Monday 6th June at 6pm which you

are all invited to.

Diane Farmer, Coordinator, WSN Restoring Our Waterways

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0439 020 448

Postal Address: PO Box 722 Wangaratta Vic 3677

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

ALTERNATIVE GIFT IDEA

There is an organisation who plant trees to offset carbon

output. As part of this process there is a group who work

with organisations and individuals to measure, reduce and

offset greenhouse gas emissions. Planting trees provides

many benefits which include:

Reduce soil erosion

Help combat salinity

Provide wind breaks

Improve biodiversity

Provide habitat for native animals

Sequester carbon dioxide

This information was given by Lorna who offset her carbonoutput going to a wedding by planting trees as a present.


4/6


UPCOMING EVENTS

COMPETITIONS

National Water Week 'Dress as a Water Hero'

Competition

Closes 19 August 2011

Entrants need to be 0-5 years and not attending

primary school. Entrants need to dress up as a

water hero using commonly found household

objects to do with water. Send in a photo. Threewinners will be chosen. Winners will receive a

bag of water related goodies and a medallion.

Winners will receive an invitation to receive their

prizes at the awards night to be held on Friday 21 October.

Further information:

Diane Doyle, North East Water Education Office

(02) 6022 0580 [email protected]

National Water Week Primary School Poster

Competition

As part of NWW North East Water and the North East

Catchment Management Authority hold the annual National

Water Week primary school poster competition. Students are

asked to create A3 posters out of any material conveying any

water related issues and message.

Last year over 3,000 entries were received from Victorian

Primary Schools.

There are four categories:

1. Prep

2. Years 1 & 2

3. Years 3 & 4

4. Years 5 & 6

This year the school with the overall highest quality entries

will be awarded a digital camera. The top three individual

students from each of the four categories will receive a $50,

$20 or $10 book voucher.

Entries must reach Waterwatch (PO BOX 616 Wodonga

VIC 3689) at the North East Catchment Management

Authority by Friday 2nd September 2011.


Emma Nilsson, Waterwatch Team Leader



5/6


The North East Victoria National Water Week

Short Film Competition

Competition closes 19 August 2011

The 2011 short film competition is being hosted by North

East Water and the North East Catchment Management

Authority. It is being generously sponsored by EGL.

All you have to do is to submit a film (DVD) no longer than 3

minutes on the theme of 'Water - Our Most Precious

Resource'. Your film needs to be related to the north east

region of Victoria and should illuminate the audience aboutany issue regarding water.

Stories can be as varied as you want them to be. They can

be personal journeys, stories of great beauty, a warning to

future generations, reflective and sentimental or shocking

and hard hitting. You are free to use any storytelling

technique you choose e.g. drama, documentary, animation

or combination.

Here are some examples to get your creative juices flowing:

Celebrating our life with water

Saving it for today so we can enjoy it tomorrow

What we put down our drain effects people, plants,

animals and our water quality

How water quality can be improved and why

A personal or a communitys affiliation and connection

with a local creek or river in the north east.

Categories include:

Primary school (First $300, runner-up $200)

Secondary school (First $300, runner-up $200)

Open (First $500, runner-up $200)

You will need to register for this competition to receivedetails on the terms and conditions, entry form, creative

statement form and permission to publish form.

The winning films will be screened at the Regional National

Water Week Awards Night and at other events as possible.

Winners will receive an invitation to receive their prizes at

the awards night to be held on Friday 21 October.

To register and request practical support, tips, VELS links

and further information contact a North East Water

Education Officer at [email protected].


Diane Doyle, North East Water Education Office(02) 6022 0580 [email protected]

National Water Week Photographic Competition

Competition closes 19 August 2011

Entries need to relate to the 2011 National Water Week

theme of 'Healthy Catchments, Healthy Communities'

relevant to the north east of Victoria. Photographs should

depict the importance of water as a visual image of natural

beauty, necessity, or influence on human existence. Prizes

consist of vouchers from a photographic equipment and

supply retailer.

Primary First $100 Runner-Up $50

Secondary First $100 Runner-Up $50

Open First $100 Runner-Up $50

Winners will receive an invitation to receive their prizes at

the awards night.


Diane Doyle, North East Water Education Office


WHATS THAT IN ONE MILE CREEK

On Clean Up Australia Day Jim Dunn and I spotted a strange

oily substance near the rail bridge crossing One Mile Creek

and it was reported to the EPA but there was no clear

indication of what it was. After rain it cleared away but then

not long after it returned so a sample was taken by the EPA

but this will take seven weeks before the report is returned.

In the mean time the oily firm had spread all the way down

to near Phillipson Street bridge. When checking the creek

with Scott, Travis, and Jayden (CLC students) the oily film

had reached the junction of One Mile and Three Mile creeks.

So now I am patiently waiting to find out what it is, hopefully

it is not harmful to our waterways. Over the weekend while

walking One Mile creek a new lot of the oily substance is

back at the area near the rail crossing bridge and I just cant

find where it is coming from.


6/6


WANGARATTA SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK GROUPS

Food Sustainability

The Food Sustainability action group are passionate about growing and eating

your own food, as well as buying and eating local produce, understanding foodproduction and distribution and sharing individual and collective knowledge

about food sustainability.

Home Energy

The major project for the Home Energy action group, the Energy Meter Library,

is supported by a Community Grant from the Rural City of Wangaratta. This

project aims to raise awareness of energy use in the home and how households

can take simple steps to reduce their energy use and build their energy self-

sufficiency over time.

Waste Action Group (WAGS)

With activities such as swap meets, a recycling directory and keep ups for

individuals and businesses, the WAGS are dedicated to the concept of refuse,

reduce, reuse and recycle and seek to make this easier for the whole

community.

Publicity/Advocacy

The Publicity/Advocacy action group are busy with WSN logistics, such as our

website and email communications, as well as letter writing, meetings andmedia releases to raise awareness of sustainability issues with politicians, the

media and the community.

Water Action Group ROW

Restoring Our Waterways

ROW works with community groups and water agencies on programs such as

Adopt a Waterway, Water Week and National Tree Planting Day. The aim is to

raise awareness of water issues and offer opportunities for practical restoration

of our waterways.

For more information contact:

Dr Rowan OHagan - Secretary/Treasurer Email: [email protected]

12 Deakin Court, Wangaratta VIC 3677 Website: http://www.wangarattasn.org

Ph. (03) 5721 8231

This Newsletter designed by the Volunteers at Community Skillsbank, Wangaratta.

Under the umbrella of the

Wangaratta Urban

Landcare Group

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME ANYTIME

Family/Household/Organisation $10 per year

Single $5 per year

Student $2 per year

Croaker Newsletter - June 2011

Documents

Transcript of Croaker Newsletter - June 2011