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FoTC Update:    July 2009

This edition of FoTC Update contains the following:

Photo Gallery: Most recent images

The following thumbnail images will open a new photo gallery tab or window.

  • Keep Australia Beautiful Awards
    (5 new photos)
  • Staughton College MYCAL students
  • Birds by Nora Peters
    (7 new photos)
  • Bugs by Nora Peters
    (10 new photos)

    • Other recent bird images are Australian Magpie , Red Capped Robin , Barking Owl , Swift Parrot , White Faced heron , Pacific Black Duck , Willie Wagtail viewed in 'Birds of Melton'.

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    News


    Friends of Toolern Creek's next meeting

    Monday 10th August, 7.30pm at Woodgrove shopping centre community rooms

    We will be having a AGM with special guest Andrew Shannon from Parks Victoria, and Melton Environment group talking on the outcome of the survey for Toolern Creek Regional Park.

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    Our Website Story

    We have received many wonderful compliments about our web site. The web site was developed by Helen Snee, and has evolved to its present state over 2 years.

    Click here to read about the story of the FoTC website and how it has evolved from the original, with the development of the Photo Gallery, Birds of Melton District database and gallery, the Google Events calendar and the electronic newsletter and mailing list.

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    FoTC Platypus Festival Secondary Schools Photographic competition

    All entries must be received by 5pm September 18th

    This year our focus is the Bunjil (the Wedge-tailed Eagle) and the Birds of Melton. We are asking the students to photograph the birds of Melton. The most original, according to the judges, will be awarded the prizes.
    Click here for information on submitting an entry.

    FoTC are holding a colouring competition for local Primary Schools, sections are Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6 There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for both age groups.

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    Friends of Toolern Creek - Platypus Festival 2009

    Saturday, October 10 at 12:00pm at Toolern Creek

    Celebrate with us! It was an incredibly successful day last year, great fun for kids and adults. This year The Full Flight Conservation will be bringing a live eagle. The snake man will be back, the kids loved having snakes around the necks.

    Visit the photo gallery to view last years photos.

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    Day of Planting with MYCAL Students from Staughton College

    The following is an account of the day which was placed in their newsletter

    On Wednesday the 29th of July the MYCAL students went to Tamar Drive and helped the Friends of Toolern Creek. The students were keen to get in and get the job done, planting over 250 plants for the morning. The students helped Lynne to put up tree protectors to help the plants have more chance of surviving. The students worked really hard as a team to complete the work. Standing back at the days end some of the students were heard to say ‘Wow, did we do all that today?’. Well done to the boys, Lynne was very glad to have your help and is looking forward to our next visit!

    Click to view page with photos.

    Click to view images in the Photo gallery

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    Puddles in the Plains - Werribee Plains Waterwatch Newsletter

    Werribee Plains Waterwatch’s newsletter, with articles on recent events in the Waterwatch program, as well as exciting upcoming events!

    Click to download.

    Contact Mikala Peters, Waterwatch Coordinator – Werribee Plains on 9742 9254 with any queries.

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    Planting Days with Conservation Volunteers Australia

    On the 2nd July and 12 July, FoTC again were joined by volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia.
    One of the best things about volunteering is the people you meet. We are very fourtunate to have met Doowon Seoone English, name Danny. He lives in Chung-Ju in Korea, served two years in the Korean Army, then he came to Australia to study English for one year at Geos academy in Melbourne. He is returning home at the end of August. We wish him well and thank him and the other volunteers for helping us with planting along the Toolern Creek.

    Click to view images in the Photo gallery

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    Indigenotes July 2009 is out

    Visit the Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association website to download or view the newsletter.

    This month's edition includes articles:

    • A Load of Bullants - an account of the field trip to Melton to look at the Bull Ants, by Brian Bainbridge
    • An article on the Frogs of Melton by Daryl Akers

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    Job vacancy: Geelong Botanic Gardens - Horticulturist

    Applications close 5pm on Friday, 7 August.

    A permanent full-time position exists for a Horticulturist to perform a wide range of maintenance and development activities to ensure the high standards of the Geelong Botanic Gardens are upheld.

    To apply or obtain a position description, visit the City’s employment web page or contact Annette Zealley by phone on (03) 5272 4273, or email azealley@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.

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    My Victorian Waterway Survey

    The Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victorian Government), the Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and Melbourne Water want to inform you about an important survey that is being conducted State-wide and is open to all Victorians, and we particularly need your opinion. The on-line survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/myvicwaterway takes only 15 minutes to complete, and we would greatly value the participation or as many people as possible.

    This project aims to provide Victorian waterway managers with knowledge they haven’t had before, including a comprehensive understanding of community expectations, attitudes, and behaviours towards waterway management.

    Click to download more information

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    Grassland E-News

    Colleen Miller, Facilitator of Western Melbourne Catchments Network has put together a list of contacts interested in “grasslands”. With changes to the Urban Growth Boundary proposed by the state government it is a good time to pool resources and communicate. In future this list will be used to keep you informed of grassland related topics, projects, spring walks, etc.

    If you would like your name added to the list please email colleenmiller@optusnet.com.au. For information about the Western Melbourne Catchments and the network, please visit www.wmcn.org.au (Still in its early stages of development)

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    Vision for Werribee Plains (V4WP) - Newsletter

    The newsletter has information about V4WP and the projects being funded.

    If you would like to receive the latest V4WP newsletter information please register your interest at werribee.plains@dse.vic.gov.au

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    WaterLinks: A New Water Knowledge Exchange Program

    WaterLinks is a joint initiative of Environment Victoria and Waterkeepers Australia. It is designed to bridge the gap by facilitating communication and learning between community-based environment advocates and a range of technical experts on any water-related issue or enquiry. WaterLinks gives water-focused people access to free advice and assistance from a panel of experts of diverse backgrounds, including engineering, ecology, water management, media and law.

    Visit WaterLinks Program at Environment Victoria website.

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    Victorian Landcare Gateway

    FoTC news and events can be found at www.portphillipwesternport.landcarevic.net.au/fotc/news known as the Victorian landcare Gateway. This web site allows our activities to be listed among other Friends and Landcare group activities and can be very informative in sharing information among the landcare community.

    Friends Digital Storytelling at Footscray City Films
    Keep Australia Beautiful - 2009 Sustainable Cities Awards

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    Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Magazine - Latest issue now online

    Issue 46, Winter, 2009: Planning for Changing Times

    View the latest issue – or any of the back issues – of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Magazine at www.dse.vic.gov.au/victorianlandcaremagazine

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    Final edition of the Corangamite Revegetation & Seed Supply newsletter

    Producing the Corangamite Revegetation & Seed Supply newsletter and sharing our knowledge across the catchment has been wonderful, as well as the opportunity to learn about the other good work people have been doing in the region. There may be potential for a statewide revegetation newsletter. We'll keep you posted if that does eventuate.

    Click to download the newsletter.

    Contact: Simon Heyes, Corangamite Revegetation Coordinator, Greening Australia Victoria
    Email: SHeyes@gavic.org.au

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    Events

    Visit the FoTC Calendar of Events page to view events in calendar format


    Werribee Catchment eTree Seed Bank - Native Seed Industry Forum

    Wednesday 12th August from 9.15am - 1.30pm (lunch provided), 1.30pm Ecolinc Tour (Optional 1hr duration)
    at Ecolinc - Science and Technology Innovations Centre, 17-23 Labilliere Street, Bacchus Marsh, Melway Ref. 333 G9

    This Forum has been designed to engage people dealing with native seed (e.g. seed collectors, nurseries, NRM practitioners, landcare and "friends of" groups).

    RSVP by Friday 7th of August to Tim Bloomfield by phone on 9218 5615 or email tim.bloomfield@ppwcma.vic.gov.au

    Click to download flyer.

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    Toolern Vale Landcare - Planting Day

    Sunday 9th August from 10am to 1pm

    Will take place at Holden Rd, Crown Land Reserve Along Kororoit Creek. Melway Ref. Map 332 H9
    On south eastern side of the creek. There will be signs placed on the road side.

    BBQ Lunch Will Be Provided. Please RSVP To Jason Summers on 0400861703.
    We have organised for some ATCV (Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers) volunteers to be in attendance but we would also love to have some locals along. If you can come, bring a friend with you. It will be great to get together and complete some local works.

    Click to download.

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    Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre Winter Open Days

    Three sessions at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm each Saturday and Sunday commencing June 13th and continuing through to last weekend in August.

    Book into an encounter and education session and help to socialize the Dingo babies for their new lives at zoos and fauna parks around the world.

    Click to download more information or visit the Dingo Discovery website.

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    Victorian Environment Friends Network - 13th Biennial Conference

    When the going gets hot ... Volunteering in a Greenhouse World

    September 11–13 at Grantville Lodge, 200 Grantville-Glen Alvie Rd, Grantville

    Click to download the Program and Registration Form.

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    Global Financial Crisis? - No, Global Environmental Crisis!

    Sunday 30th August at 2.00 pm at Victoria University City Campus, 11th floor, room 1101.
    300 Flinders Street Melbourne (opposite Flinders Street Station)

    Presented by: Dr Roger N Jones, Professorial Research Fellow of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University (previously with CSIRO)

    "Climate is changing faster than anticipated, and even if the world manages to reach a peak in emissions and global population around 2050, the world is likely to have a population of about 9 billion and be 2°C warmer than pre-industrial temperatures. In Victoria, since 1996 climate has already reached levels of change that were projected for 2030-2050 ... "

    All welcome. Enquiries to Michele Arundell, phone (03) 9755 3347 or
    email michelearundell@yahoo.com

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    Walk for "Pink Ribbon Day"

    Sunday 25th October

    The Diggers Rest Walking Group have invited our Walking Group to participate in a walk on 25th October 2009 for the Breast Cancer Foundation's "Pink Ribbon Day" to help raise funds for breast cancer research.

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    For your diary: Coming Events

    Visit the Calendar of Events to view these events


    • Schools Tree Day : Friday, July 31
    • National Tree Day : Sun, August 2
    • Land Care Week : Mon, September 7 to Sun, September 13
    • Clean up the World Weekend : Fri, September 18 to Sun, September 20
    • Platypus Festival : Saturday, Oct 10

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    Past Editions


    Local News from

    Other News


    Regular Activities

    Walking Group
    Walking group meets every Monday at 10.30 ...more

    Water Testing Days
    10.30am - meet at Big Red. ...more

    Tree Planting and Clean up Days
    Monday and Thursday afternoons ...more




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