Latest Friends of TT Newsletter
Transcription
Latest Friends of TT Newsletter
Plains wandering and rocky rambling ! An occasional newsletter for supporters and members of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. Number 12 ! Open weekend: it’s on again! For several years now, the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. have held an “open weekend” in the national park on the first weekend of October. And this year is no exception. Once again, activities are to be based on the Davies Homestead site, Kow Swamp Road, in a grassland section of the park. The gates are to be opened by 3pm and free camping sites will be available. Planned activities include sheep shearing demonstrations, coach tours to various parts of the park, a display of indigenous plants, bird watching, grassland walks, forest walks, working bees, evening presentations, an astronomy session and a display of artwork by local primary school pupils. Keynote presenter is bird photographer Ian Bartels. Audrey Dickins will give a presentation about attractions of the Gunbower area. Terricks ranger Mark Tscharke will recall highlights and low points of a visit to Diamantine National Park in search of Plains-wanderer. There is to be an astronomy session on the Saturday night ($3 per head). Bendigo naturalist Matt Comer will lead walks in the forest and on grasslands. For those wishing to assist Parks Victoria, there will be working bees, e.g. to remove unwanted fencing and to carry out some tasks in the day picnic area. For the past two years, coach tours and most outdoor activities were cancelled owing to heavy rain and boggy roads. Hopefully this year will be a case of “third time lucky”! BELOW: LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL ON TERRICKS GRASSLAND (David Ong) September 2013 The 2013 committee Jill Millsom (Convener) Keith Stockwell (Secretary) Fred Belli (Treasurer) Mark Tscharke (Parks Victoria Ranger) Beau Kent Ian Mellier Russell Shawcross Jenny Spence Helen Stevens Graeme Stevens Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park is incorporated in Victoria; Australian Business Number 251 663 376 06 Contact details Secretary: [email protected] 11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA 2731 Phone: (03) 5480 9254 Contributions for this newsletter should be forwarded to the editor, Keith Stockwell, at the above address, preferably by email (e.g. as an MS Word document or jpeg). The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Victorian Government, Parks Victoria or any of its rangers. Date of “open weekend” 4pm Friday 4th October 2013 to 2pm Sunday 6th October 2013 In this issue • New display boards • Naturally Loddon: a wonderland in Spring Festival • Program for Open Weekend • Northern Plains CMN report • Loddon Plains Landcare report • Member discovers new plant species • Friends of Kooyoora weekend “Open Weekend” program FRIDAY 4th October 2013 2.30pm: Site preparation 3.30 approx: Gates open. Wildflower display in machinery shed. Posters and art work in machinery shed. 5.00: Working bee: weeding around plants at Davies homestead site. 6.00: Dinner break 7.00: Official welcome: Jill Millsom. 7.05: Terrick Terrick National Park Ranger’s Report: Mark Tscharke 7.30: Attractions of the Gunbower district: Audrey Dickins 8.00: “Terradome in the Mallee”: Bernie Fox 9.00: Night spotlighting survey (if conditions are suitable) SATURDAY 5th October All day: Plant and poster displays in machinery shed 7.20am: Early morning birding session in Terricks Forest 9.00am: Sheep Shearing demonstration: Russell Shawcross 9.30am: Working Bee at Terrick Terrick East to remove old fencing wire and to lay/check tiles 9.30am: Coach tour and nature walk to Mitiamo Rock and the Mitiamo Cemetery area (with Matt Comer) 10.00: (Wet weather only) Native birds of the Terricks area: Keith Stockwell 11.00: Morning tea 11.15: Coach tour to Reigel Rock with Matt Comer 12.30: Lunch break 1.15pm: Working bee in the picnic ground (day visitors’ area) 1.15pm: Coach tour to, and nature walk in, The Meadows (road conditions permitting) with Matt Comer 1.15: (Wet weather only) Barmah-Millewa Redgum Wetlands: Keith Stockwell 2.00: (Wet weather only) stand-by presentation 3.15pm: Afternoon tea 3.45pm: Grasslands botanical walk (native grasses) with Matt Comer. 3.45: (Wet weather only) “A visit to Diamantina National Park” (instead of 7.30) 5.30: Dinner break 7.00pm: Annual General Meeting 7.30pm: ”A Visit to Diamantina National Park”: Mark Tscharke 8.15pm: Photographing birds in the wild: Ian Bartels (to start earlier or later if necessary) 9.15pm: Astronomy Session: with members of the Bendigo District Astronomical Society ($3 per head) SUNDAY 6th October All morning: Plant and poster displays in machinery shed 8.30am: Coach tour to Rogers Track dam 10.15am: Morning tea 10.30am: Coach tour to places of historic interest in/near the Park 12.30pm: Lunch 1.30pm: End of activities. Dismantling of displays, signs, etc BASE: Davies Homestead, Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road (south of Jungaburra Road) Terrick Terrick (VicRoads Map 30 F3) Note: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road, which runs roughly parallel to Bendigo Creek, is not labelled in VicRoads Directory 7. GPS: 36º 05’ 55”S; 144º 17’ 02”E !"#$"%&#'()*%+),-'.% Over the past year or so, very few Plains-wanderers have been observed during grassland surveys within Terrick Terrick National Park. In general, the biomass has been too thick to meet the needs of Plains-wanderer and some other grassland animals. Mark Antos, Environmental Scientist-Fauna of Parks Victoria advises that: • Over 400 km of transects have now been formally surveyed; • Over 1,000 faunal records, representing 1,574 individual animals have been collected; • Over 250 birds of 5 different species have been caught and banded; • 1,452 habitat assessment plots have been completed at 484 different sites. Nine different grassland paddocks are now being surveyed on a regular basis along established grids. It is proposed to expand this in future. Page 2 ! !"#$%%$&'()**+,-'()**+,-'$.//'0'1//'22'345*675+'''$'''$.8/%8$&'''9:;9'!< About the park Above: NEW INFORMATION BOARDS HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR ERECTION AT TERRICKS Artwork by Marlene Thomas. New information boards Ranger Mark Tscharke, committee member Beau Kent and others recently updated information for the Park’s display boards. Marlene Thomas of DEPI laid the information out using a design template preferred by Parks Victoria. The new information boards will replace those at Mitiamo and in the picnic area of Terrick Terrick National Park. A third information board is to be erected at the Davies homestead site on a framework constructed by Pyramid Hill Men’s Shed. A grant was obtained to cover the cost of the information boards. We thank all those who have assisted with this project. Fox baiting Another round of fox baiting was recently carried out in the Park at the same time as fox baiting in the Northern Plains CMN area. However, fox numbers remain high. Creek Paddock slashed 200 acres of Creek Paddock has been slashed. This is to be followed-up with grazing. Pasture quality is currently poor and sheep, especially lambs, are struggling and in need of extra nutrients. Offer to sell land A financial institution wishes to divest itself of land it owns (as a result of another institution failing) in the old Terricks township. No buildings remain at the site of the Terricks township. A plaque marks the location. Dividing fences On-site meetings about fencing have been held with landholders of properties adjoining the length of Bendigo Creek recently added to the Park. It is hoped that funding will be forthcoming to allow the erection of fences between private and public land. It is hoped that fence lines will be to the mutual benefit of landholders and Parks. Logical arrangements will hopefully allow lineal access alongside the creek by management vehicles (e.g. for Box Thorn and weed control). If and when fences are erected, their upkeep will fall upon landholders, so logical fencing alignments will reduce maintenance costs. Assessing grass cover density A portable hand-held vegetation-structure device has been purchased. It should save time and overcome the use of golf balls that are currently used to evaluate bio-mass (and a grassland’s suitability for Plains-wanderers). Replacement signage New signage has been obtained to replace signage that has been vandalised. Unfortunately graffiti has already appeared on some of the replaced signs. Gates Two gates have been erected in the fence of Orchard Paddock. Orchard paddock adjoins the Davies homestead site. The gates will allow Orchard Paddock to be used as a camping area during the open weekend. Branches have been placed along a water pipeline to alleviate the danger of it being damaged by vehicles or tent pegs. Four Acacia oswaldii seedlings have been detected in the paddock and are protected by fallen branches. Grassland burns A number of burns on some of the Park’s grassland areas. To reduce biomass and help control exotic grasses, some weed-control burns have been carried out on some low-quality, weedy paddocks. Sometimes ecological burns are conducted on cooler, windless days to create a chequerboard of burnt and unburnt areas. Hopefully the burns should help improve habitat for some grassland animals that have been adversely impacted upon by a thick, high biomass cover. It may take over a year after a burn for conditions to be suitable to meet the needs of the fauna and flora the Park was created to protect. Page 3 Plains wanderer June July 2008talk Plain In this issue: May outings; the second part of a report on our TASalong; Tasmanian xword; Al and El on tour Local farmer discovers new plant species $250,000 greenhouse offset for Terrick Terrick? About 14 years ago, a former member of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park, local farmer Eris O’Brien became aware of Ata atype Friends of Terrick Terrick Nationalon Park meeting in March, DSE spokesperson Peter Morison announced that DSE has of Maireana (Bluebush) hisdinner family property at Pine Grove. Eris to also observed the plant growing on Terrick the grassland received an offer revegetate a degraded section of Terrick National Park as a greenhouse gas offset. The area concerned was plains of Terrick Terrick National Park andpark. elsewhere in the theapproval of Parks Victoria and traditional owners, if the funding cropped before being purchased for inclusion in the Subject to district. is forthcoming, the work is to carried out by contractors at no cost to either DSE or Parks Victoria. DSE will offer assistance with ground Just over year ago, O’Brien provided of be the plant to is finalised. preparation andawill liaise withMr stakeholders before the samples final area to rehabilitated Royal Botanic gardens botanist Neville Walsh. The plant was Such a grant enable about 150 hectaresof of weed-infested land inplant has culprits. In Nardoo Hills (Wedderburn area) for example, 20 metre by 40 found to would be an unnamed species Bluebush. The now the north-east of the Park to be revegetated. theinpaddocks been officially named MaireanaOriginally, obrienii recognition of metre its rabbit-proof and kangaroo-proof exclusion plats were constructed. contained Buloke but, today, very few remain. Peter suggested that the work They revealed that it was actually rabbits rather than kangaroos or discoverer. be undertaken on Ferris, Reigal and White Gate grassland paddocks. wallabies which caused by far the most damage to shrubs and young trees. Maireana obrienii has been observed on the Terricks/Patho Paddocks which support the endangered Plains-wanderer will not be plains, in the Moama and Mathoura area and in places near Remnant vegetation fencing affected. Nor will taller and shrubs be planted close to known PlainsJerilderie and trees Conargo. In April, work began fencing some areas of remnant trees on private land wanderer habitat lest a haven be created for predators such as foxes and near Terrick Right: ERIS O’BRIEN WITH THE PLANT NAMED AFTER HIM Terrick National Park. Much natural regeneration of Buloke cats. has occurred in the area over the past few months, and the fencing will help Members of the Friends group gave an in-principle support to the plan protect the regeneration from grazing by stock. The fencing is being funded but expressed concerns about including White Gate paddock. by the Northern Plains CMN and is being erected by farmers who are The Friends stressed that any work should allow for ongoing weed and For several years, Friends of Kooyoora has run a weekend of activities based at the Rheola Hall. This year, the weekend receiving drought relief funding. pestismanagement. In particular, oxalis may prove difficult to control. Ranger to be on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September. Once again there is to be a native flower exhibition, free coach Marktours Tscharke pointed that Parks Victoria does not Park have the resources into the out nearby Kooyoora State and activities Quail for children. But, some changes are in store. Friends of to undertake ongoing weed control and maintenance of the restoration. drought, Stubble numbers crashed Kooyoora have arranged for a camping area alongside the During hall. the Forcurrent the first time, theQuail group has have decided toinhave evening The question arose as to whether depleted plant species should be northern Victoria. The numbers of other quail species has also fallen. The presentations and an astronomy session. planted or whether an attempt should be made to recreate the original few remaining quail appear to be concentrated in just a few spots. Those For more details about the Kooyoora weekend are on the website www.kooyoorafriends.org.au or phone 0427 190 339. vegetation mix. Recognising that global warming is occurring, another who tried to stop this year’s quail hunting season were unsuccessful. In a possibility would be to plant native species capable of surviving in a hotter, healthy landscape there would be little impact from hunting on the drier climate. population of these birds but drought and habitat loss have imposed a great stress. It is feared that shooters may eliminate any quail which remain in Wildlife corridors the area. It is also feared that, unable to find quail, shooters may kill With the help of her daughter, convener JillBen Millsom Northern Plains Conservation Management Network ranger Thomas has Plains-wanderers instead. created a “Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park” also attended the meeting. Ben announced that he is working with Facebook page. Jill is administrator of the page. landholders to establish corridors of trees to link the woodlands in Terrick Open days If you would likeBullock to contribute the please Terrick National Park with Creek to thetowest andpage, Bendigo Creek toclick This spring, when the grasslands are in full bloom, DSE hopes to run the The “Like” button and Jill by email the east. wildlife corridors arecontact aimed at enabling existing Grey-crowned plant tours in the national park. Furthermore, on the weekend after the AFL <[email protected]> or telephone 042 7411 082 grand final, the Friends group intends to have a working bee plus Babbler colonies to interbreed, thereby enhancing their genetic diversity. Specific information about the location of orchids, rare interpretive field trips. Watch local area papers for details. Friends of Kooyoora weekend We’re on Facebook! Exclusion plots plants, reptiles, birds and other animals should not be PhD candidate Nathando Wong announced that grant money has picture been posted. Please not add photographs that obtained for the erection of exclusion plots on the indigenous grasslands trapped animals. Prior permission should be sought from section of the Park to helpfeature determinein theany impact of kangaroos and individuals who photograph. Jillsheep. retains the The right fence design was criticised as not being sufficiently and that is not to remove offensive remarks androbust content in accordance with thePeter above requests. modifications were recommended. Morison pointed out that the animals suspected of causingas thetomost damage are not always the mainentitled If you are unsure how to become a “friend” to access and add to the Facebook page, please contact Newsletter convener Jill. # 48 of the Echuca & District Branch, President: Peter Allan (03) 5484 1576 Parks Victoria haseditor: a page Terrick Secretary and newsletter Keithabout StockwellTerrick (03) 5480 9254 National Park. That page also allows registered persons to add Conservation Officer: Dallas Wyatt comments. The URL of Parks Victoria’s Terrick Terrick Auditor: John Land [email protected] is as follows: Email: <http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/terrick-terricknational-park> In addition, Secretary Keith has a page about Terricks on his own web site. The URL is: http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~stocky/terrick_terrick.html Visit to Kamarooka Tree Project: see page 3 MT. TERRICK TERRICK (MITIAMO ROCK) Photo: K Stockwell Mitiamo Store TakeawayAustralia ! Bird Observation && Conservation Located at 5 Joffre Street Mitiamo, the Mitiamo Vice President: Bev CurtisStore and Takeaway is the nearest shop Secretary: to Terrick Terrick Assistant Michele Dixon National Park. The store is open until 9am seven daysDixon a week for ice, Treasurer: Michele fuel, liquor, takeaway meals, basic Ave supplies, newspapers Mail address: 11 Hillview MOAMA 2731 and magazines. Phone 03 5436 5209. http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~stocky/boca_echuca.html Accommodation nearest to Terricks! Those who do not wish to camp out during the open weekend are advised that accommodation is available at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill (03 5455 7391; email: [email protected]); at Gunbower Hotel (03 5487 1214); at Gunbower Caravan Park (cabins); at Torrumbarry (hotel alongside highway and holiday park at weir) and in Echuca (many motels and caravan parks). Page 4 Terricks weekend: a part of “Naturally Loddon” festival *FREE EVENT Mount Hope The Hill The open weekend in Terrick Terrick National Park is a part of Loddon Shire’s “Naturally Loddon” festival Apart from our open weekend at Terricks, other activities include the Kooyoora Wildflower Show (7th & 8th September), bird watching at Wedderburn, canoeing the Loddon, photographic field trips, coach tours, bicycle riding and gold prospecting. The festival runs from 30th August to 27th October. 10 17 Activities are being advertised in the media by Loddon Wychitella NCR 3 5 14 15 Mt. Korong 16 20 SALISBURY WEST A wonderland in spring 9 The location of each numbered event is shown on the map to the right. 1 RHEOLA 2 6 7 8 11 13 18 19 4 12 1 Photo Exhibition* 9 Blue Eucy Heritage Festival Local landscape photos. Free admission. Mulwarrie Studios, 3 Serpentine Road BRIDGEWATER-ON-LODDON Heritage display; guided tours of museum. $5 adult. Infglewood Eucy Oil Distillery Park, 20 Grant Street INGLEWOOD. Enquiries: 0457 633 742 Friday 30th August to Sunday 8 September 2 Photographic Field Trip Sunday 1 September $30. Book with Mulwarrie Studios 0427 190 339 Sunday 29th September Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 September 10 Open weekend, Terrick Terrick National Park* Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson St WEDDERBURN Free bus tours of the park, displays, guest presenters, birding, grassland walks, working bees, astronomy session Saturday night ($3 per person), sheep shearing demonstrations. Davies Homestead site, Kow Swamp Road TERRICK TERRICK. 4 Kooyoora Wildflower Show 11 Nature Photography Exhibition 3 Wildlife of Wedderburn Display* Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 September Wildflower show, coach tours into the State Park, bird-watching. S5 admission to hall. Rheola Hall. Overnight camping sites. 5 Bird-watching Tour Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September $40 per person per day. Book with Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson St WEDDERBURN. 6 Landcare Bus Trip Saturday 21 September Tour of Landcare projects within Loddon Shire. Departs from Bridgewater. Book with Anthony Gallacher on line (www.lpln.org.au) by 17th September 7 Canoe the Loddon Sunday 22 nd September Instruction on canoeing followed by halfday canoeing on The Loddon. Canoe hire: $30 per person. $50 per couple. Bookings needed. 0427 190 339 8 Weekend canoeing the Loddon Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September $95 per person (including canoe hire). Bookings needed. 0427 190 339 or email [email protected] Friday 4 th to Sunday 13 th 15 Wedderburn Bush by Bike October Flora, fauna and landscape photographs. Free admission. Mulwarrie Studios, 3 Serpentine Road BRIDGEWATER-ONLODDON. Email [email protected] 12 Out ‘n about in Tarnagulla Sunday 6th October Detector key hunt, scarecrow competition, historic walk, wildflower walk, 10 am to 3pm. Tarngulla Community Centre. Enquiries: 5494 3489 13 Photographic Field Trip Sunday 6th October $30. Book with Mulwarrie Studios, 3 Serpentine Road BRIDGEWATER-ONLODDON 0427 190 339 Email [email protected] 14 Coach tour of Loddon Shire Saturday 12th October Book with Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson St WEDDERBURN Phone 5494 3489 Coach leaves 9am. Light lunch provided. Explore the forests and grasslands around Wedderburn on a Bush Heritage bike tour. Bring off-road bicycle, drinking water and packed lunch. Approximately 30km. Leaves Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson Street WEDDERBURN at 10am. Enquiries: 5494 3489 16 Naturally New Age* Saturday 19th October Market of the New Age. Loddon Visitor Information Centre, 24 Wilson Street WEDDERBURN. 17 Boort Wetlands Tour 10am Saturday 19th October Visit to indigenous sites and local wetlands, Meet Nolens Park, Godfrey Street BOORT. Cost: $15 18 Bridgewater Wool, Wheat and Wine Festival 11am to 3pm Sunday 20th October Speed shearing, sheep toss and races at the Bridgewater Recreation Reserve. 19 Weekend canoeing the Loddon Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October $95 per person (including canoe hire). Bookings needed. 0427 190 339 or email [email protected] 20 Gold Prospecting Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th October Venue: Mechanics Institute Hall, Reeef Street WEDDERBURN. Sessions for beginners; then team up with experts to seek metals in nearby goldfields. For details, phone 9850 6961 or email wmyoung@bigpond. * indicates free event Page 5 NEXT MEETING: Terricks Park Notes revised Updated map in Visitor Guide Parks Victoria has upgraded and reprinted its Terrick Terrick National Park Guide. One side of the A3-sized brochure is a map of the area that shows the location of not only the largest section of the park but the location of thirteen satellite blocks: Drainage Line Paddock plus Wanurp, Pine Grove, Kotta, Torrumberry, Roslynmead East, Roslynmead South, Roslynmead North, The Meadows, Tomara Gilgai, Terricks East, Canegrass and Patho West grasslands. The map includes land adjoining Bendigo Creek that was recently added to the national park. Fourteen grassland paddocks that are now part of the main block are labelled on the map. The location of Reigel Rock, Bennets Rock and Mount Terrick Terrick are labelled and major tracks within the forested area of the park are named. The forested area is 4km north of Mitiamo. The entrance to the picnic and camping areas in the White Cypress Pine forest is off Sylvaterre-Timms Lake Road. The old Davies homestead that is the base for this year’s open weekend is located alongside Kow Swamp Road about 13km from the Echuca-Mitiamo Road. Copies of the revised brochure have been placed in information boxes both at the park entrance and in the picnic ground. Some copies have been left at the Mitiamo Store. When this newsletter was prepared, the new guide was not on the Parks Victoria web site. However, a coloured copy of the new map, showing the satellite paddocks as well as the main area of the park, can be downloaded as a pdf from: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014 /604103/Map_Terrick_Terrick_NP.pdf Camping in the Park Notification requested Except on Code Red Fire Danger Days, those wishing to camp in the park may do so in the camping ground near the base of Mount Terrick Terrick. Campers should bring their own water as well as a gas stove for cooking. Please notify the Ranger at Echuca of your camping stay by calling 13 1963. During the open weekend, Orchard Paddock (Davies Homestead site) is to be made available for camping and no notification is required. Please note that Orchard Paddock is NOT available to campers at any other time. Northern Plains CMN News Well k feature meeting threaten and the Also at 2012 F projects RSVP t ben.a.th Dinner Meeting In June, a dinner meeting of the Northern Plains CMN was held in Gunbower. Guest speakers were David BakerGabb and Paul Foreman, both of whom spoke about management of grassland plains to meet the demands of the endangered Plains-wanderer. They stressed that the Plains-wanderer seems to prefer native grassland on redsoil. Therefore authorities might manage red soil areas for Plains-wanderer and grey soil areas for their native grasslands. Plains-wanderer Survey Project Northern Plains Conservation Management Network(NPCMN) has won funding (to $12,000) for a project to conduct surveys on private properties to assess Plains-wanderer numbers and habitat condition. Vehiclebased surveys on ten properties are to cover approximately 180km. Land-holders are to participate in the surveys and obtain advice about the suitability of habitat on their land for Plains-wanderers, and how best to manage the diminishing Plains-wanderer population. A final report summarising results, including management recommendations, is to be produced and circulated via the NPCMN’s mailing list. Improved Grazing Project Earlier this year, the Northern Plains Conservation Management Network (NPCMN) invited local landholders to take part in the Northern Plains Improved Grazing for Native Grasslands Project. Suitable sites are being investigated across the Patho Plains. The aim is allow The Northern Plains Improved Grazing for Native Grasslands Project aims to increase community capacity to sustainably manage the productive and environmental values of the critically-endangered Murray Valley Grasslands. The project aims to enable more-flexible and better grazing management. The project seeks to implement an adaptive, site-specific grazing regime resulting in: • reduced degradation on red soils; • increased productivity through improved grazing management; • reduced weed cover on grey soils; • increased protection and sustainability of red soil vegetation, and • increased habitat opportunity for local threatened species. Natural Newstead Great web site Convener Jill Millsom has discovered a terrific web site about the flora, fauna and landscapes of central Victoria. The bird photos on the site are truly outstanding. Created by photographer and blogger Geoff Park, the URL of the site is http://geoffpark.wordpress.com/author/geoffpark/ Images, prints and gift cards can be purchased from Geoff’s site. Email Beau <[email protected]>!if you would like to be included on the mailing list to receive the group’s quarterly newsletter. The committee of the group is as follows: Andy McGillivray (President), Bill McGillivray (Vice-President), Beau Kent (Secretary-Treasurer), Andrew Bail, Fred Belli, Faye Bail, Audrey Dickins, John Dickins, Drew Gailey, Peter Morrison, Michelle Miller, Jenny Spence and Mark Woods Page 6 LPLN News Loddon Plains Landcare News Landcare Bus Trip The Loddon Plains Landcare Network offers a bus trip in September, showcasing some of the works of Landcare in the Loddon Plains Landcare Network area. Communities for Nature Grants 2013 The Victorian Government is committed to supporting the Victorian community to contribute to practical on-ground solutions for local environmental issues. Small and large grants can be applied for until 13 September 2013. Issue 3. November 2012 The Communities for Nature grants program supports: What’s on… • Practical community action to deliver measurable environmental outcomes 14 November • Community groups and volunteers doing works Salisbury West & Mt Korong primarily focused on the environment. The bus trip will explore the efforts of Landcare in the Network area including Bridgewater, Inglewood, Salisbury West and surrounds. Saturday 21 September 10am-4.30pm Departs from the Comfort Station, Main St, Bridgewater on Loddon Northern Plains CMN joins This is a free event. Lunch is to be provided. Places are LPLN limitedthe so bookings are essential. RSVP by 17 September to facilitator Anthony Gallacher, The NorthernPh: Plains Management Network 0447 Conservation 095 501 or Farming with for Sustainable Soils dinner • Communities relevant and timely information to (NPCMN) is the newest group to become a member of the email [email protected]. Bridgewater Hotel, Bridgewater assess 7pm priorities at the local level to determine the best Loddon Plains Landcare Network. returns for on-ground works. This event is part of Naturally Loddon: A Wonderland in 29 November Spring Festival. • Communities for Nature grants are available to The eligible NPCMN works with communities, government Secrets to Successful Groups Training organisations, including local community groups and bus trip is supported by the Loddon Plains agencies andThis non-government organisations within theLandcare 10am-3pm of organisations, including Department schools. Network, through funding from the Australian regional landscape to protect, enhance and promote Sustainability and Environment, Government’s Caring for our Country. The program has up to $4,000,000 to invest for the 2013 and woodland ecosystems. This is done through grassland Bendigo for small grants of up to $10,000; and for large project To find out moreaabout the bus trip or to register your recognising and supporting workable balance between grants of $10,001 to $150,000. interest, pleaseand don'tsustainable hesitate to get in touch. biodiversity conservation farming. ThePlease 19 December forward to anyone who may be interested. network administers and promotes the implementation of To apply: Communities for Nature Small 1 Download the program guidelines and FAQs. If management you land techniques such as pest plant and animal Grants Round - Closes need assistance, please call the Grants Information Line control, fencing and revegetation with the aim of increasing Workshops on 1300 366 356 (during business hours). habitat qualityThe andLoddon extent.Plains Landcare Network is excited to be able 2 Contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 to run a workshop series, thanks to funding from the to be put in touch with someone in your region who ThecanNPCMN focal Government’s ecological communities the Now is Australian Caring for ourare Country. provide technical input into your application. the time endangered to get any workshop or topics on the list, nationally critically Natural ideas Grasslands of the we will be the making a decision on the workshops Murray toValleyasPlains and nationally endangered Buloke shortly. 3 Seek approval from the relevant land manager/owner undertake works and consult with your local Shire/Council Woodland of Athe Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression reminder that expressions of interest are open for regarding any permits for works you may need. Bioregions. protecting native vegetation on properties in the Network’s area. Forms can be downloaded on our website 4 Log on to www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-andwww.lpln.org/goanna-project/forms/. Theand Network will wildlife/community-programs/communities-for-nature"We are very at much looking forward to forging a strong be developing a project around respondents with the grants inspired partnership with the LPLN into the future to help assistance of member groups, as part of the GOANNA secure and manage our remaining native flora and fauna." 5 Submit your grant application by midnight Friday Project. Beau Kent, NPCMN Facilitator 13th September 2013. The Network ran a successful strategic planning workshop on the 4th of July. With 20 representatives from member Photo 2012-2013 LPLN Committee of Management groups, the workshop was a chance to bring together Left to right from back: Fred Belli, Laurie Maxted, Chris Rothacker, Andy Hay, different perspectives around one table to explore Anthony Gallacher (Facilitator), Jean McClymont, Michael Moore, Ian Penny. Absent: priority Bill Twigg. strategic themes and identify actions 1 that will Tenders invited hoto: Mal Brown guide the Network in the next 1-3 years. The strategic Graziers interested in helping to manage the grassland plan will be made available once complete. sections of Terrick Terrick National Park are invited to I attended two media training workshops in the past contact ranger Mark Tscharke regarding tender details. couple of months as part of the North Central CMA Mark’s email address is facilitators support. The workshops were a helpful [email protected]! reminder on targeting audiences and the key issues to think about with media and promotion Graziers Contributions invited If you have some interesting information about Terrick Terrick National Park that you think might be suitable for inclusion in this newsletter, please feel free to contact newsletter editor Keith Stockwell. Warm regards, Anthony Gallacher, Facilitator Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) website is http://www.lpln.org Email: [email protected] Page 7 NOTICE of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The annual general meeting of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. is to be held on Saturday 5th October 2013 in the machinery shed, Davies homestead site, Kow Swamp Road TERRICK TERRICK, commencing at 7pm. All committee positions are to be declared vacant. Nominations are now open for the following positions: Convener, Deputy Convener, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and other Committee Members. Please advise the Secretary prior to the open weekend if you would like an emailed copy of our annual report. A limited number of printed copies will be available at the time of the Annual general Meeting. Agenda: Reports (Convener, Secretary, Treasurer/Financial Statements, Contact Ranger) and election of office bearers for 2013-14. FRIENDS OF TERRICK TERRICK NATIONAL PARK INC. NOMINATION FORM Name of person being nominated: ______________________________________________ Circle position/s the person is being nominated for: Convener Deputy Convener Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Committee Member Mover (must be a financial member): _____________________________________________ Seconder (must be a financial member): __________________________________________ Acceptance of nomination/s (signature of nominee): _________________________________ Nominations (with the name of the mover and seconder, and agreed to by the nominee) should be forwarded (e.g. in person, by mail or email) to the Secretary, Friends of TTNP Inc, 11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA 2731 as soon as possible. If prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) no nomination is received for a position, nominations can be made from the floor during the AGM provided, however, that the nominated person agrees to accept the position.! ! Membership application/renewal form If you wish to renew your membership or become a member of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Incorporated, please fill in this form, and mail it along with a not-negotiable cheque for $10 (payable to “Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park”) to: The Secretary, Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc., 11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA NSW 2731 Name: _____ Title _____________________________ Given Name/s ____________________________________ Surname Year: 2014 Street/P O Box: ______________________________ Town/Locality _______________________ Postcode: _ _ _ _ Email address: _________________________________ Telephone Number: __________________________ Subscription rate: $10 per person. Please print clearly (especially important for your email address). Those who paid a membership fee after 1st July 2013 need not renew until October 2014.