Croaker Newsletter Sept 2011 Final-1
Transcript of Croaker Newsletter Sept 2011 Final-1
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Welcome to our 5thedition of the WSN Restoring
Our Waterways Croaker Newsletter for 2011.
Welcome to an extra issue of
the Croaker Newsletter. There
was so much going on
connected with the
Environment that I felt that all
the news needed to be
recognised and all the coming
events to be advertised.
Whats been going on, Tree
Plantings by the Schools 29th July and then the
Community Tree Planting on 31st, followed by the
Schools SEED Environment Day on the 4th August,
CLC Presentation for students to work with ROW on a
waterways project on the 10th, Launch of WSNs new
website on the 13th, Remembering Tree Planting on
the 14th. ROWs entry in the Water Week Short Film
Competition has been completed and sent in. On the
1st September the launch of WSN Food Groups Fruit
Fly project and the official opening of the ECO Living
Centre. Events coming up; September is Biodiversity
Month lots of great things on, and National Landcare
month in the NE. Also Sustainable House Day Sunday
11th September. Octobers newsletter is just about full
Wangaratta Show 7th & 8th, Walktober Walk and
Ride to Work/Town on Wednesday 12th, My Backyard
Rules on the 15th, Water Week activities all week 15th
- 21st and ROWs All things Water Expo on the Friday
21st , National Recycling Week in November, National
Volunteers Day 5th December and hey presto itsChristmas. Enjoy your read and it is great to have
articles written from a few more people in this issue.
Who said there is nothing to do connected with the
environment for the community to enjoy in
Wangaratta.
Extra News ROW has 6 students from WHS
Community Learning Challenge (Year 9) who are going
to work with us on our waterways for this semester.
Diane Farmer, Coordinator, WSN Restoring Our Waterways
0439 020 448
PO Box 772 Wangaratta VIC 3677
TWAS A GREAT SEASON FOR PLANTINGNational Tree Planting Day
Sunday, 31stJuly 2011, Article by Diane Farmer
What a fabulous day
the sun was shining
and all was well with
the world, not like
last year raining,
cold and miserable.
Walking to the site
was the usual milesfrom the nearest road but a little exercise never hurt
anyone. Especially when its along one of the great
paths beside our waterways, frogs croaking, a
Cormorant sitting sunning itself and the great sound of
Three Mile Creek flowing very nicely. I arrived at 10am
and there was only a man and his daughter and
Council Staff Scott, Andrew, Tatum and Rhys but
within 5 to 10 minutes people were coming from
everywhere. One lady
from St. Johns village was
on her morning walk and
decided to join us, several
young families, mums
with 2 or 3 children and
several single members of
the community. Numbers
ended up being around 26
and Andrew & Rhys had
400 holes dug with plants
Contents
Introduction 1
Twas a Great Season for Planting 1 - 3
North East SEED Day 3
WSN Launch Website 3
Wangaratta Community Fruit Fly Campaign 4
Upcoming Events 4 - 6
Wangaratta Community Pride Adding Colour 6
to West End Place
WSN Groups and Information 6
September , 2011 Issue #5
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and guards beside them.
Firstly we had a talk from
Scott about our waterways
and Debra in and beside
the creek and its purpose.
While standing there
Andrew started to climb
down the bank to where a
great big tree was across
the creek, he had spotted
some bright orange string attached to the tree. When
he pulled it up there was a container attached
(someone was trying to catch something illegally), not
when Andrew is on the job, who ever you are. Andrew
then gave us a demonstration on how to remove the
plant from the container and plant it, and then we allset off. Some people preparing the guards and stakes
others into the planting. It is so great to watch this
part of the day; its like a team of ants crawling over
the ground with a determination to achieve their
objective, in this group of humans case to help
improve the environment beside our waterways.
Within an hour all the trees and bushes were all
planted 400 in total. It was great to see a terrific job
done so well in such a short time and nice hot soup,
roll-ups, farewell cake to Rhys and tea, coffee or
cordial was there ready for us and served by Tatum.Lots of mixed conversation, comradeship and meeting
new people was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to all who attended and of course Councils
staff for organizing the day and all the hard work
preparing the ground for planting. Hope to see you all
next year.
SCHOOL TREE PLANTINGFriday, 29th July 2011, Article by Tatum Newton, Rural City
of Wangaratta, Technical Officer-Environment
School National Tree Day
was held on Friday 29th
July at Mitchell Avenue
Reserve. Over 400 plants
were planted along the
one mile creek, to return
valuable vegetation. Four
Schools participated in the event including: Cathedral
College, Our Lady's Primary School, St Patrick's
Primary School and St Bernard's Primary School. Rural
Schools were not forgotten with Moyhu andSpringhurst Primary School also undertaking in their
own National Tree Day, by planting a further 200
native plants within their School grounds.
REMEMBERING TREES IN THE RURAL CITY
OF WANGARATTA 2008-2011
The project in a nutshell
The Remembering Trees
project came about as a
way to link tree planting
with supporting those
community members who
are experiencing grief
following the death of a
loved one. Following a death, people can sometimes
feel helpless and unprepared in knowing how tosupport themselves or others. The Remembering Trees
Project involves an invitation to people to plant a tree
in memory of family friends and pets who have died.
The project is now in its fourth year.
Why we chose tree planting
Ovens & King Community Health Service (O&KCHS)
look for ways to remind the community that death and
dying are a part of life. It is never easy when someone
you love dies. We all search for some way of giving
meaning to our loss. As trees are an enduring symbolof life and time, a Remembering Tree is a wonderful
way to remember someone close - a living memorial
that celebrates life.
For the Rural City of Wangaratta (RCoW) offset
planting is required when mature indigenous trees
need to be felled. These plants help in regenerating
the sparse understorey along roadways and creeks
and will be extremely useful habitat for declining
native bird species.
What has happened?
In 2008 an opportunity arose for O&KCHS and
Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) Palliative Care to
partner with the RCoW when two mature indigenous
trees were cut down on an out of town roadway. The
inaugural event was held on a Sunday in August to
capitalise on any national Grief Week promotion. Over
the next three years more than 150 people
participated in planting trees along Chicks Rd.
In 2011 the tree site was moved to One Mile Creek
near Cribbes Rd. More than 110 people of all ages
came along on Sunday 14th August. The Rural City of
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Wangaratta have placed a sign at both the Chick Rd
and One Mile Creek/Cribbes Rd planting sites to
acknowledge the significance of these revegetated
sites. O&KCHS have written a guide to assist others to
replicate this activity. (Contact
[email protected] a copy)
It has been fantastic to see people in our community
improve the environment and provide grief support to
each other as family members, friends, colleagues or
neighbours alongside professional staff who help out
on the day.
Comment about the Day
August 14th was a warm springy day. I walked with
my 2, 4 and 16 year old grandchildren to the
remembrance tree planting at Cribbes Road not thatfar from where I live.
My 16 year old grandson certainly knew the meaning
and significance of the planting.
When my 2 and 4 year old get older and they come to
visit. We will be able to wander back to the place
where I will be able to reminisce with them on what a
beautiful moving day it was. Not only remembering
their great grand parents but at the same time helping
the environment.
Comment by Patti Stafford
NORTH EAST SEED DAYThursday, 4thAugust 2011, Article by Diane Farmer
What a beautiful
sunny day for 150
grade five students
from Yarrawonga,
Winton, St Bernards,
St Patricks and Our
Ladys to enjoy North
East School Environment Education Directory (SEED)
at Warrina Park Wangaratta. Workshops from NE
Water, Parks Victoria,
Department of
Sustainability and
Environment, Rural
City of Wangaratta,
NECMA Waterwatch,
DPI, Cleanaway, SES
Storm & Floodsafe,
Landcare, Anything Solar, Park Lane Nursery and
Plastic. Along One Mile Creek there was hands on
water testing with Waterwatch and a great walk
learning about Biodiversity with Council staff. Potting
Plants with Park Lane Nursery was a real hit and lots
of fun games kept the students interested as they
learnt about the environment. It was fantastic to see.
There are four of these great days a year held indifferent areas which should be a must for all schools
in the North East, I know I will be looking forward to
next years event. Thanks to the school students,
teachers and presenters for a very interesting day.
WSN LAUNCH WEBSITESaturday, 13thAugust 2011, Article by Gill Baker
A delightful evening
at Rowan and
Brians house on
Saturday 13th August celebrated
the launch of the
Wangaratta
Sustainability
Networks website wangarattasustainability.org. A
group of about a dozen dedicated members had a
chance to look through the website, as well as doing
some networking and future planning.
Peter Amor, who is responsible
for developing the website to itspresent excellent standard, was
thanked for the many voluntary
hours he has put into this. The
results of the 100% Renewable
campaign, and information about
the Energy Meter Library, Fruit
Fly Campaign and Sustainable
House day can be found on the website, as well as a
photo archive. Websites are necessarily works in action
so we look forward to future developments and links.
Planters on the day Brian
and Diane
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WANGARATTA COMMUNITY FRUIT FLY
CAMPAIGNSeptember 2011, Article by Tony Lane
This is an initiative of the
Wangaratta SustainabilityNetwork in partnership
with Dept. of Primary
Industries, The Rural City
of Wangaratta, The Centre
for Continuing Education
and Goulburn Ovens TAFE.
Following the significant fruit fly outbreak last summer
in Wangaratta, it has been recognised that the
community requires additional support and information
to combat the fruit fly menace across spring and
summer. The proximity of Wangaratta to commercial
fruit growing areas is another important reason for
local residents to take the right action in combating
and reducing the fruit fly problem.
In the weeks ahead there will be information provided
to the general public at events such as the Wangaratta
Show and the My Backyard Rules Expo held at the
rural campus of TAFE. Information on the fruit fly
campaign will also be available at Rural City of
Wangaratta (www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au) and via the
Wangaratta Sustainability Network(www.wangarattasustainability.org) websites.
The Wangaratta Sustainability Network website will
provide regular updates regarding the campaign in
Wangaratta and provide links to other websites with
relevant information.
In the mean time if you are seeking further
information please [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Landcare Week
Monday 5thSunday 11thSeptember
September is Landcare Month
in North East Victoria, with a
series of celebrations occurring
across the region. Landcare
will be recognising members
nominated for Service Awards,
and celebrating the
achievements of Landcare over the past 25 years.
All current and past landcare members and supporters
within North East Victoria are invited to attend the
Landcare Active Service Awards, on Friday the 9th of
September at the Wangaratta Performing Art Centre
from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. For bookings please contact
Catriona Brown on (02) 6024 9110 by Friday the 2nd
of September. For further information please visit:
http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-
landcare-celebration-wangaratta
Sustainable House Day will be held Australia wide on
Sunday 11th September. Homes on display will be
opened between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Wangaratta
Sustainability Network is organising the day in the
Wangaratta area. Four homes in the town all within 15
minutes of the town will be opened by the owners and
the EcoLiving Centre at the Barr Reserve will also be
open.
Wangaratta Area Homes
807 Wangaratta-Eldorado Road, Londrigan 15 Weir Street, Wangaratta
5 Crisp Street, Wangaratta
286 Warby Tower Road, Killawarra
HP Barr Reserve Community Centre Schilling
Drive, Wangaratta
National Recycling Week
Monday 7thSunday 13thNovember
Do you know whereyour waste is really
going? Why do we
have to recycle? Want
answers? Then you
should attend the
travelling waste
seminar, held during national recycling week (7-13
November 2011) an educational bus tour that takes
the community directly to the issues. Further
information please contact the Rural City of
Wangaratta on (03) 5722 0888.
http://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/http://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/http://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-landcare-celebration-wangarattahttp://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-landcare-celebration-wangarattahttp://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-landcare-celebration-wangarattahttp://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-landcare-celebration-wangarattahttp://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/events/ne-landcare-celebration-wangarattamailto:[email protected]://www.wangarattasustainability.org/http://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/ -
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Warby Ranges Hike with Benalla Bushwalking Club
Sunday, 4th September, 9.00am, Warby Ranges
Join Benalla Bushwalking Club for a hike in the nearby ever popular Warby
Ranges. The bush land should be alive with spring wildflowers including grevilleas,
wattles and some of the earlier orchids.
Meet at the old post office at 9.00am.
Bring your lunch, refreshments, wet weather gear. We will finish with afternoon
tea together before returning home.
RSVP/Further information Laurice Kneen on (03) 5721 2892.
Chiltern-Mt. Pilot National Park Discovery Outing
Saturday, 10th September, 10.00am, Chiltern Mt Pilot
National Park
Join the Albury-Wodonga Field Naturalists for an outing in the Chiltern Mt. Pilot
National Park. Spring is a fantastic time to explore the park and to spot and learn
about the animals and plants that inhabit this special part of North East Victoria.
Meet at 10.00am Acacia carpark Wodonga.
BYO lunch and refreshments for the day.
For more information and to register your interest contact Anne Andrews (02)
6056 4112.
Creatures of the Night Spotlighting near Chiltern
Tuesday, 13th September, 6.00pm 8.30pm, Chiltern
The night will involve a walk and talk with
Jerry Alexander, Biodiversity Officer with
DSE, and give people the opportunity to spot
our nocturnal wildlife as they emerge from
their homes on dusk. Spotlights will be used
to locate and identify animals after dark
along a significant roadside in the Chiltern
area, and the night will finish with a debrief
and a cup of billy tea provided for all
interested participants.
Numbers are restricted and RSVPs are essential. Participants must be capable of
sitting still and quietly for 30 minutes on dusk, and walking a distance of up to
2km at night. Participants must bring warm clothing, sturdy boots and a reliable
torch (or spotlight). Due to the constraints involved with spotlighting, young
children may not be sui table for this event.
RSVPs essential Stuart Roberton (02) 6043 7984 or
Yeddonba, Mt. Pilot, Flat Rock Hike - Benalla Bushwalking Club
Wednesday, 14th September, 8.45am, Beechworth area
Last year, after fires and then a very wet year, these areas produced a massive
display of new vegetation and flowers. I am hoping they will repeat the
performance this season. We will visit the Yeddonba aboriginal art site first, with a
most attractive short circuit walk, and then drive to Mt. Pilot for lunch on the
summit.
After lunch we drive through Beechworth to visit Flat Rock, another broad graniteoutcrop, which has great views, at least one gnamma hole and is surrounded by
micromyrtus, rice-flower and box-leaf wattle plants in full bloom. They are all
short walks with some climbing, but no real difficulty.
RSVP and for more information Vaughan Cowan (03) 5762 1980.
Spring into Nature with TFN
Saturday, 17th September, 1.30pm - 4.00pm, Beechwortharea
Join Trust for Nature for an afternoon walk
though a beautiful covenanted property
close to historic Beechworth. We will be
looking at wildflowers, birds and rare plants
as well as checking nest boxes for native
wildlife. Afternoon tea provided.
Meet at the corner of Gorge Rd and
Beechworth-Wodonga Rd, Beechworth.
Bring sturdy shoes, binoculars , chair,
water, raincoat/sunscreen
RSVP by Friday 9th September to Jim Blackney (03) 5728 6620 or 0419 842 082
Warby Ovens National Park - Biodiversity Camp Out
Saturday, 24th September 3.30pm
Sunday 25th 12 noon,Warby Ovens National Park
A community family event hosted by Parks Victoria
and DSE in the fantastic Box-Ironbark forests of the
Warby Ovens National Park. A fun-filled camp out with
heaps of nature based activities including spotlighting,
bird walk, wildflower walk, star gazing and nest box
monitoring. Saturday night dinner and Sunday
morning pancake breakfast provided.
Where The Forest Camp, Killawarra Forest, Warby
Ovens National Park
Registration by Wednesday 14th September via
the Wangaratta Government Centre (03) 5723 8600.
For more details contact Mary Anderson, DSE
Wangaratta (03) 5723 8693.
What to bring Tent & camping gear, drinking water, chair, torch, eating utensils,
appropriate footwear, cold/wet weather clothing.
Brush-tailed Phasco ale
Flat-leaf Bush-pea Pultenaea platyphylla
Bulbine Lily by Matt Looby
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Biodiversity Week continued
Whats Cool in the Common!
Friday, 30th September 9.30-11.30am, Wangaratta Common,
cuppa provided.
Walk and talk with DSE and Parks Victoria tolearn about cool stuff in the Wangaratta
Common Nature Conservation Reserve.
Meet at Greta Rd entrance (past Merriwa
Indus tries).
Bring Appropriate Footwear and clothing.
Drinking water, field guides if you have
them.
RSVP by Monday 26th September to Mary Anderson, DSE Wangaratta (03) 5723
8693.
Hamilton Park Woodland & Wildflower Interpretive walk
Sunday, October 2nd, 2.30pm, Hamilton Park near
Glenrowan
One of North East Victorias best kept secretsis a small patch of bushland right in the
heart of the Hamilton Park community. This
area is a relatively weed free example of
grassy woodland/spring soak native
vegetation with over 70 native plant species
identified in a recent audit organized by the
Hamilton Park arboretum committee. Ground
layer wildflowers are of particular interest.
The short stroll, to be led by Matt Looby from Wangaratta DSE, will take about an
hour. Cuppa afterwards. Birdos bring binoculars.
Directions From Warby Range Road (between Glenrowan and Taminick Gap Rd)
turn into Henley Drive and then right into Kurrajong Lane.
Contact/RSVP Glen Scholfield 03 5766 2626 [email protected]
WANGARATTA COMMUNITY PRIDE ADDING COLOUR TO WEST END PLACEArticle by Chairperson Marg Pullen
Promoting the Prides goals to participate in partnerships with community groups
and organisations, members attended the West End Place to add colour to the
neighbourhoods newest place.
A wasted space has been given a new building which has been developed by the
Rural City of Wangaratta, Department of Planning and Community Development,
Wangaratta Lions, Office of Housing and Wangaratta Community Pride.
To quote Coral Clarke, The idea of the kids painting the wall is to createownership of the area. The design featuring
reeds, butterflies, lizards, gum leaves, hand prints and body outlines of three children
has taken on a very happy feeling; just the thing to encourage socialising and
gathering round for a Bar-B-Que.
Eight adults and fifteen children participated in the activity with the Wangaratta
Community Pride donating the paint and Marg Pullen offering some tips on design.
Certainly a worthwhile partnership and a wonderful example of projects undertaken
and achieved with Pride.
OTHER WSN GROUPS
Publicity/Advocacy Food Sustainability Home Energy Waste Action Group (WAGS)
Membership Now Due!
For more information contact:
DrRowan OHagan- Secretary/Treasurer Email: [email protected]
12 Deakin Court, Wangaratta VIC 3677 Website: http://www.wangarattasustainability.org
Ph. (03) 5721 8231
This Newsletter designed by the Volunteers at Community Skillsbank, Wangaratta.
Under the umbrella of the
Wangaratta UrbanLandcare Group
Family/Household/Organisation $10 per year
Single $5 per year
Student $2 per year
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME ANY TIME
Pink Bindweed b Matt Loob Photo by Matt Looby
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