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Weekly Bul let in

Number 148

21st May 2013

Lakes Hub contacts

Milang Office phone 08 8537 0808 Email info@lakeshub.com Meningie Office phone 08 8575 1830 Email meningie@lakeshub.com

Web www.lakeshub.com Amelia Graham

Lakes Hub Coordinator

Andrew Dawes

Lakes Hub – Info. & Admin. Officer

Meningie

Jo McPhee

Lakes Hub - Community Nursery

Network Coordinator

Robbyne Barrett

Lakes Hub Office Admin assistant

(part time) Meningie

Carole Richardson

Lakes Hub Office Admin assistant

(part time) Milang

Stuart Jones

Lakes Hub Bulletin & ICT

GWLAP office 8537 0807

Web www.gwlap.org.au

Will Miles

GWLAP - Project Officer Coordinator

Regina Durbridge

GWLAP - Monitoring & Evaluation

Project Officer

Aaron Cheesman

GWLAP - Revegetation Planner/

Coordinator -shared position

Leah Sullivan

GWLAP - Revegetation Planner/

Coordinator -shared position

Kerri Bartley

GWLAP - Lower Lakes and Coorong

Community Revegetation Program

Project Officer

Ken Strother

GWLAP - Revegetation Project Officer

Meningie

Samantha Blight CTLAP - Implementation Officer Meningie 0447 900001

The Lakes Hub is an initiative of the Milang and District Community Association Inc. and is part of the South Australian Government's Murray Futures program, funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative.

The weekly links… UNWater newsletter #18 2013 is the UN International Year of Water Cooperation. You might be interested in this newsletter: www.unwater.org/newsletter18.html

Green house gases hit 3 million year high

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere surpassed a threshold not seen for 3 million years, exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since researchers began tracking the data www.econews.com.au/news-to-sustain-our-world/greenhouse-gases-hit-3m-year-high

SA River Murray Flow Report including the Water Resources Update www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au

Greensacks – make a difference Are you tired of those little clear plastic bags you collects your fruit & veggies in at the supermarket? Australia uses over 2.2 billion plastic bags annually! If you want to make an environmental change for the better then purchase some Greensacks – you get 5 sacks for $20. Head over to their website and check them out at www.greensacks.com.au

Cold Weather Activity

Good afternoon,

There is a buzz of excitement in the

Lakes Hub office as the Community

and Commercial planting begins!

The nurseries have had their final

Quality Assurance Inspections, MDCA and

GWLAP have finalised employment & training of

staff, organised community groups, contractors

& site preparation and are ready to plant! A

central Holding Station for plants grown at

various nurseries has been set up at Clayton

Nursery and another on Hindmarsh Island to

manage logistics more effectively.

Jill Dennis has officially taken over as Manager

at the Milang Nursery and Carole Richardson at

Clayton Nursery.

Heads up about events over the next few weeks - May 27th to June 3rd is Reconciliation Week and

we will be featuring articles related to this important event in next weeks bulletin.

World Environment Day is Wednesday June 5th - see page 2 for more information and put this in

your diary as we will be holding the official launch of the 2013 planting season in Milang.

Hope to see you there! Cheers, Amelia

View from the Hub last week as a huge flock of pelicans, cormorants

and terns flew by!

Jo, Helen & Leah undertaking final propagation inspection

at Finniss Nursery

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World Environment Day 2013

June 5th is World Environment Day (WED). This year Mongolia is the host country and the theme is Think.Eat.Save; an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages you to reduce your ‘food print’.

Every year 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. This is equivalent to the same amount produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, 1 in every 7 people in the world go to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from hunger.

In Australia about 4.45 million tonnes of food is thrown out annually (worth about $7.8 billion). Approximately 936 kilograms of food is discarded by each Australian household every year. In Queensland 100,000 tonnes of bananas, about a third of the annual crop, are thrown out each year. Just one quarter of the food wasted in the developed world would be enough to feed the 1 billion people starving in the developing nations across the globe. This year the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) wants to make a difference with food production, hunger and food wasting. Before you throw food away just think maybe it is good enough to feed to someone who needs it? Data and information taken from the following websites: www.theage.com.au/national/australians-wasting-78bn-of-food-a-year-20110101-19cmg.html#ixzz2TPjGOpec www.unep.org/wed www.abc.net.au/tv/hungrybeast/stories/beast-file-food-waste

Article compiled by Daniel Evans (Year 10 Certificate II in Horticulture Srathalbyn R-7, work experience student at the Lakes Hub)

World Environment Day 2013 Planting Season Official Launch The Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association and the Lakes Hub will officially launch the 2013 planting season at Milang Common on World Environment Day.

When: Wednesday 5th June 10am - 12noon Where: Milang Common, Lake Road, Milang What: Come along for a shared SUSTAINABLE morning tea, help plant native plants as part of the Milang Common Native Plant Food Trial and help launch the 2013 Community Planting Season!

Please RSVP to the Lakes Hub on 8537 0808 or email info@lakeshub.com

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Friends of Parks Inc. - AWARDS Friends of Parks Inc. continues to pay tribute to its member groups and the departmental staff that support them, by presenting three awards, sponsored by the Nature Foundation of SA Inc. to recognise their significant achievements. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Best Biodiversity Project, Friends Group Achievement of the Year and Most Supportive Liaison Ranger / Volunteer Support Ranger / Staff Member. Nominations close on Friday 26 July, 2013 R E C I P I E N T S I N E A C H C A T E G O R Y W I L L R E C E I V E A C H E Q U E F O R $ 7 0 0

A N D A C E R T I F I C A T E For more information, please contact David Mitchell, President, Friends of Parks Inc on 8251 1088 or at dm_mitchell@bigpond.com

Community Achievement Awards Nominations Now Open If you know someone, or maybe it is your business, group, club or organisation that is providing an invaluable service in your community, why not nominate for an award. Win a share in $16,000. Nominations close Wednesday 24th July 2013 For further information contact The Awards Office ph 1300 008 504 email sacaa@awardsaustralia.com or visit www.awardsaustralia.com

Sit for Your Boat Licence in Victor Harbor June 26th For $35 you can sit for your boat licence at Victor Harbor Primary School. Booking essential phone 8552 4833 or after hours 8554 3333 or email Meredith@fcrash.com.au

Environmental Scholarships South Coast Dune Care is offering scholarships valued at $12,000 to first year undergraduates who reside in Southern Fleurieu Peninsula and who attended 1 of our local secondary schools. Phone 8554 3476 to express your interest.

Expression of Interest - Community advisory roles for Coorong, Lower Lakes

and Murray Mouth drought recovery projects Expressions of Interest are being sought from members of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth

(CLLMM) community to provide advice to the Government about projects and activities proposed within

the region.

A Community Advisory Panel was established in early 2012 for the Murray Futures Coorong, Lower Lakes

and Murray Mouth Recovery Project and The Living Murray (TLM) CLLMM Icon Site Program.

Two vacant positions are now available on the Community Advisory Panel.

Community Advisory Panel

The aim of the panel is to integrate community values and opinion into the on-going management of the

Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region by providing advice about, and a community

perspective on, projects and management actions proposed for the region under the Murray Futures and

TLM programs.

Panel members currently meet every two months on a voluntary basis to help promote and facilitate

effective communication between the Government, communities, Traditional Owners, industry and

businesses, and other interest groups.

Expressions of Interest close at 5.00pm on Friday 31st May, 2013.

For further information

Contact Gemma Cunningham phone: (08) 8204 9453 mob: 0427 018 783

Email: gemma.cunningham@sa.gov.au

www.environment.sa.gov.au/Get_Involved/Volunteering_opportunities/Current_projects/130531-

community-panel

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Meningie Tourism Launch at the Cheese Factory On the 15th May three new tourism initiatives were launched in Meningie for the Lakes Albert, Alexandrina and Coorong region. These 3 initiatives were;

1. Canoe the Coorong While Brenton Carle (pictured right) has been operating Canoe the Coorong for some time he has only recently started to operate in the Southern Lagoon of the Coorong. This new tour in the North Pelican Island area adjacent Jack’s Point is home to South Australia’s largest Pelican Rookery. Brenton has also been doing some work with Wilderness College who have recently purchased the former “Gemini Downs” Farm Stay facility at Policeman’s Point. For more info: www.canoethecoorong.com

2. The Coorong Birdman As South Australia’s only Bushranger, the story of the Coorong Birdman is an intriguing one which was first brought to the attention of Meningie Progress Association by Leon Ayres. At the launch was a statue of the Coorong Birdman’s Ostrich which was his mode of transport for easy escapes over the shifting sand hills of the Coorong region. The Coorong Birdman story was chosen as the lead story for the History Trail because of a number of ties to the other stories such as the “Ostrich Farm” that was operated from Campbell Park. The fact that the “Birdman” was renowned for wearing gold jewellery ties in with the areas Gold Escort Route and the Chinese migration along the Coorong to the Victorian Goldfields etc.

3. Coorong Country Map Shane Strudwick from Discover Murray has been working with the Meningie Progress Association for a number of years to develop a tourism map and website for the Lakes, River and Coorong Region. This map highlights the many facets of the Coorong and Lakes region visit: www.murrayriver.com.au/meningie With approximately 65 people in attendance the audience was made up of community members, industry operators, Council representation from Coorong/Mid Murray/Mobilong/Alexandrina, Murrayland/Riverland Regional Development Australia, Murraylands Tourism Partnership members, Lakes Hub, South Australian Tourism Commission Representatives, Department Environment Water and Natural Resources (National Parks), Media Reps, Milang & District Community Association Reps and Meningie Progress Association members. Well done to everyone involved! Thanks, Andrew Dawes - Lakes Hub Meningie

Leon Ayres & Denice Mason at the Tourism Launch at the

Cheese Factory in Meningie on 15th May.

Shane Strudwick launching his new tourism map which

is now available for sale at the Lakes Hub for $1.

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The History Spot - Bushranger “Birdman of the Coorong”

Extract from Interpretive sign panel that will be on display with the Ostrich on Meningie Foreshore.

John Francis Peggotty (1864 – 1899)

South Australia’s history has only ever been able to claim one genuine bushranger, but he was remarka-

ble - he was the only one to pursue his career on the back of an ostrich!

John Francis Peggotty, the son of an Irishman was born prematurely in 1864 in County Limerick. Surpris-

ingly he survived, but only grew to the size of a 7 year old boy.

As a young man, Peggotty exploited his stature, climbing down the chimneys of wealthy Londoners, rob-

bing them of their jewellery and parading in his ill-gotten gains.

After sailing to Australia in 1890 he continued his lucrative career along the majestic Coorong, riding

proudly on the back of an ostrich – one of the many set free when the market for fashionable ostrich

feathers ceased.

Murder and Mayhem

The reason for Peggotty’s choice of an ostrich became evident when he often soared away from police

through the shifting sand dunes of the Coorong.

The Birdman of the Coorong, as he became known, was soon held responsible for the robberies of many a

lonely Coorong traveller and the murder of at least two.

Peggotty remained at large until 17th September 1899 - the day when he tried to hold up a local fisher-

man, Henry Carmichael.

Unfortunately for Peggotty, Carmichael had a rifle.

After a short chase and shots fired, Peggotty and his mount both came to an unglorified end.

To this day his body has never been found....

....is it still lying in the lonely wilderness of the Coorong, laden with a fortune of gold and jewellery?

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Come along to chat with SA Government Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), Alexandrina Council and Lakes Hub staff and local residents about the Milang Snipe Sanctuary and the management of this special wetland. DEWNR Wetlands Project Officer, Kate Mason will be presenting a potential Trial project to deliver Environmental Water to the Milang Snipe Sanctuary. Staff will be present to discuss

stormwater management and answer questions from the community, drop in anytime between 4 and 6 pm.

For information & RSVP phone: (08) 8537 0808 email: info@lakeshub.com

NRM Education is holding an exciting teacher PD opportunity ‘How to make the most of your outdoor classroom’ Term 2, Week 5 – Thursday May 30th Monarto Zoo, 4pm – 6.30pm

Coorong Experience for Educators Ngarrindjeri Lands and Progress Association, MurrayCare, Uni SA and SAMDB NRMBoard are offering 2 day field tour for educators and student teachers to register and for more information phone 8212 0777 or email coorong@icarecommunities.org.au

Some collective wisdom required There are some small Kindergartens who have vegetable gardens but are having trouble finding volunteers to assist in the garden. If you have some strategies you’ve used to get volunteers please share them with Harry Beauchamp on 8532 9134 or email harry.beauchamp@sa.gov.au

TALKING HEADS Milang Snipe Sanctuary Wetland

Tuesday 28th May 4 - 6 pm Lakes Hub Milang

Up-Coming Events & Courses

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River Murray – Weekly Flow Advice For weekly flow / level reports on the River Murray and Lakes go to the

following website: www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au

Up-to-date River Murray flow and water level information can be accessed at the Department for Water, SA Water and Murray-Darling Basin Authority websites: Water Connect, Daily Flow Report, River Murray Storage Data Details of river height and rainfall information in the River Murray within Victoria and New South Wales are available at the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood Information on the discharge of acid drainage water into the Lower River Murray can be accessed online at: www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au For the latest River Murray Flow Report and Water Resources Update -

On the Level

Some electrical conductivity ranges

Water type Electrical conductivity

(µS/cm)

Deionised water 0.5-3

Pure rainwater <15

Freshwater rivers 0 - 800

Marginal river water 800 - 1600

Brackish water 1600 - 4800

Saline water > 4800

Seawater 51 500

Industrial waters 100 - 10000

Source: Suttar S.,

Ribbons of Blue

Handbook.

Scitech, Victoria,

1990.

Data received from: www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/RMWD/Pages/default.aspx Please note: salinity levels in the Goolwa Channel can be influenced by tidal ingress.

Lake Levels (AHD)

Date Goolwa Milang Raukkan Offshore Meningie Jetty Nth Warrengie Point

13-May 0.543 0.539 0.567 0.65 0.645

14-May 0.492 0.539 0.571 0.644 0.652

15-May 0.544 0.563 0.592 0.645 0.649

16-May 0.611 0.616 0.611 0.622 0.645

17-May 0.642 0.625 0.617 0.635 0.674

Average 0.566 0.576 0.592 0.639 0.653

Salt Levels (EC)

Date Goolwa Milang Raukkan Offshore Meningie Jetty Nth Warrengie Point

13-May 1645 589 531 2960 3130

14-May 3813 578 572 2928 3127

15-May 6319 576 575 2978 3109

16-May 4176 585 581 3047 3199

17-May 3719 584 567 3052 3142

Average 3934 582 565 2993 3141

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS for more info contact the Lakes Hub If you have any relevant community event or courses that you would like added to the Calendar of Events please contact the Lakes Hub.

Disclaimer

All the links and articles in this Bulletin are provided as a courtesy to recipients. While I try and keep these links and articles as up-to-date as possible, I can't guarantee their accuracy, adequacy, timeliness, or completeness. In addition, the existence of a link to another site or resource does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of that site or resource. The Lakes Hub does not accept responsibility or liability for any information at any of the sites linked to from this Bulletin. If you feel a link description, site, piece of advice or anything else mentioned here is inappropriate, do let me know and I will endeavour to correct it where necessary.

May 2013

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22 International Day for Biological Diversity - UN www.cbd.int/idb/

Naturemaps Training Strathalbyn 3 -7.30pm ph 8580 1830

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27 Reconciliation Week 27th May - 3rd June www.reconciliation.org.au

28 Talking Heads Milang Snipe Sanctuary Milang Hub 4 - 6pm ph 8537 0808

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30 NRM Ed Training ‘How to make the most of your outdoor classroom’ 4 - 6.30 pm ph 8391 7524

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June 2013

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5 World Environment Day 2013 Planting Season Launch 10am Milang Common RSVP 8537 0808 or info@lakeshub.com

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