eNewsletter Aug/Sep 2016
Hello Landcarers,
We have had such a good planting season and seems to continue to be a good wet winter for your revegetation and/or fencing projects. Those landholders who had incentive funds provided to them for this years planting season are starting to finish up their work and if the plants survive the wet ground they will have had a wonderful start for spring and summer growth. For those interested in receiving incentive funds towards revege and/or fencing for next winter, send an email to megan.hughes@landcare.net.au and you will be sent an Expression of Interest form.
We are keen to reinvigorate lapsed memberships to local Landcare Groups for anyone still interested in Landcare info, funding etc. Please check your membership status by clicking here - membership database
If you have something to promote; an event, planting day or other Landcare thing, let me know and i'll include it in the next issue. Thanks, Megan
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Some students with the grasses and tea trees before their departure to the Kiewa Valley, 320km from Brunswick East.
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Upper Kiewa Landcare has jedi seed sowers in Brunswick
Brunswick East Primary School students spent the past 5 months growing natives in their hothouse for the Upper Kiewa Landcare group. This initiative has started from a good idea and passion with zero government funds. Elissa Walker has a connection to both Brunswick East and Upper Gundowring and is the driving force behind this fantastic initiative, as well as courier for the plants to the Kiewa Valley.
A total of 972 seedlings have been grown, including a selection of grasses, tea trees, wattles and eucalypts by Grade 1 through to Grade 6 children at the school. These city kids also learn about the important work of Landcare in the rural community, the challenges of land management and the many different important benefits of tree planting on farms - shade for livestock, wind breaks, biodiversity and managing erosion, etc.The kids have greatly valued the learning experience and have found the opportunity to be connected to rural land through these seedlings quite fascinating. As a result, many have developed a deep respect for native plants and a budding curiosity in rural land management.
Principal, Janet Di Pilla who is a landholder herself, and an avid tree planter, greatly values the opportunity that the city kids have had being able to connect to the rural community through growing native plants.
A large quantity of seedlings were delivered last week ready for planting and the remainder of this years propagation efforts, mainly eucalypts and wattles, will be ready in time for a Spring planting.
A very big thank you to Elissa Walker for this article and the whole initiative. Without the funding for plants this year, these plants are very gratefully received!
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Look Over the Farm Gate, Kiewa Valley
On Wednesday June 22, the night after the longest night of the year, more than 100 farmers, their families and their workers joined together for free pizza at the Dederang Hotel. This event was brought on initially by the dry seasonal conditions that everyone had had to endure, with a failed spring, hot summer, and very late Autumn break.
By 7.30pm the Hotel was buzzing with conversation as folks caught up with people that they had not spoken to in ages. Landcare President Peter Serpell (pictured bottom right) welcomed the crowd, and asked people to look at who was here, but to also “look over the farm gate” and take time to talk to those of their friends and neighbours that were not here. He then introduced the guest speaker Renee Murtagh from Integrated Primary Mental Health (pictured talking to Peter Serpell), and while she only spoke for ten minutes, the message seemed to get through. Many folks picking up on the fact that if they are not sleeping well, then perhaps they should talk to their GP. Early in the night Renee also offered the chance for people to have free blood pressure checks.
Throughout the night more than 25 door prizes were given away, and the crowd was entertained until late by Pete Denahy, Maidie Dawson and Max Hyland (pictured). Dessert was kindly donated by Gundowring Ice Cream, and very much enjoyed by all. The last of the crowd is said to have left the hotel very, very late. Folks left with a showbag full of information including contacts for further help should they need it, and a list of the sponsors from the night.
Kiewa Catchment Landcare is currently exploring how we can run more of these nights, and will be applying for funding to do so, for we believe that you cannot have a healthy environment without healthy people.
A big thank you to the Victorian Farmers Federation, the CWA, CFA, Royal Flying Doctors, National Centre for farmer health, and the Victorian State Government for the sponsorship of the night.
Article contributed by Rhonda Serpell (who worked hard and quickly to get this fantastic event off the ground).
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Kiewa/Bonegilla Landcare Group of Kiewa Catchment Landcare Group
The above Landcare Group is seeking a replacement for the Executive Member of this Group to sit on the Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups Committee. If you have an interest in Landcare, not necessarily a large landholder, this may interest you. I, Pam Davis-Jones have been the incumbent for five years and need a break. Also, it would suit an IT savvy person, which I’m not. If interested, email me on pjdavisjones@hotmail.com
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You're invited to The VLC AGM - All Welcome
27TH AUGUST 2016 12PM- 1.00PM (light luncheon provided at 11.30am) VENUE: Melbourne Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St Melbourne ( opposite Vic Market)
Hope you can arrive early for a light lunch, and don’t forget that we are privileged to have the EO of the EPA attending to make the Peter Huthwaite Address. Please contact me or any one of the COM if you have any queries and also RSVP’s to me for catering purposes by 19th August. Dr Kaye Rodden Landline: 0352651241 Mobile: 0438317499 Email: nidgee@reachnet.com.au
Nine of the 12 positions on the Committee Of Management are up for election. Current COM members are eligible for re-election, having completed just one 2 year term. Please consider nominating at this very important time for the VLC. A time when we need really committed Landcarers to help guide our organisation through this next transition period, the merge with the FTLA and formation of a new single peak Landcare organisation.
For those interested copies of the Minutes, Agenda and Nomination Forms for The Committee of Management are available from Rowan Wallace 02) 60275227
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NEW VICTORIAN LANDCARE WEBSITE (replacing the Landcare Gateway)
Below is a link to an “update” from the designers of the new Landcare website for Victoria.
It is absolutely essential that we are as involved as possible in this process, so that the new website reflects how we and our communities want to use it.
SO please if you have any queries or would like to comment, contact the Victorian Landcare Program Team…. Please click below for their message regarding the next steps for the redevelopment of your new Victorian Landcare website.
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2016 National Landcare Conference
Further your knowledge and engage with your fellow Landcarers at the 2016 National Landcare Conference and Awards 21-23rd September. Be part of Australia’s key knowledge sharing event for the Landcare movement.
Landcarers are invited to join in Melbourne for three days of knowledge sharing, insightful discussion, as well as informative presentations by pioneers, leaders of NRM bodies, scientists, academics, government, and environmental, climate and biodiversity experts.
For Landcare volunteers: One day registration $250pp or two day $450pp (does not include Gala Dinner $85pp or the Friday Field Trips).
The Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday, 22 September 2016 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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Grants
NECMA has recently announced its support for Landcare and other community-based NRM groups.The following components can be separate, or combined into larger projects. Please note they are looking for Expressions of Interest are due 5pm 31st August 2016.
For questions call NECMA on 1300 216 513.
FRRR
Small Grants for Rural Communities opens 22nd Aug - Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities in rural, regional or remote Australia. Priority is given to communities of 10,000 or fewer.
Support for Dairy farmers and impacted communities
On 3 August 2016 the Victorian Government announced it is going beyond the $4.5 million commitment made in May and providing $6.7 million more support for dairy farmers and impacted communities.
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Contact info:
Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups
incorporating Baranduda, Kergunyah-Gundowring, Kiewa-Bonegilla, Upper Kiewa & Yackandandah sub-groups and Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group
Website: http://northeast.landcarevic.net.au/kiewa
Membership: https://kiewacatchmentlandcare.org.au/index.php
Phone: 0407 227 814
Email: megan.hughes@landcarevic.net.au
Post: PO Box 50, Wandiligong, VIC 3744
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Committee:
President - Peter Serpell 02) 6028 9356
Vice President - Rowan Wallace 02) 6027 5227
Treasurer - Julie Pearce 02) 6027 5286
Secretary - position vacant
Groups:
Upper Kiewa: Alan McDonald 03) 5754 1000
Kergunyah - Gundowring: Rowan Wallace 02) 6027 5227
Kiewa - Bonegilla: Pam Davis - Jones 02) 6027 3356
Baranduda: Glen Johnson 02) 6020 8667
Yackandandah: Edith Nicholls 0418 494 101
Upper Ovens: Peter Stokie 0409 356 426
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Equipment hire for Landcare members:
Organic spray unit with Quik Spray & Wick Wiper - Brian Lane 02) 6027 1433
Trailing seed drill & chemical spray unit - Peter Serpell 02) 6028 9356
Chemical spray unit & rabbit ripper - Rod Mitchell 02) 6027 5155
Chemical spray unit - Michael Bonhote 03) 5754 4714
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