FoTC Update: March 2009
This edition of FoTC Update contains the following articles:
National Volunteer Week - CVA Volunteers
On the 28th March Friends of Toolern Creek invited volunteers from Conservation Volunteeers Australia (CVA) to help restore native streamside vegetation creating a biodiversity corridor for native wildlife along the Toolern Creek and improving water quality flowing into the Werribee River and Port Philip Bay.
CVA volunteers helped plant 220 plants, Marcus was the leader of the group, they did a great job and all volunteers received the National Volunteer Badge for their wonderful efforts. Three members from FoTC helped out. They were John Smith, Christine Mac Kensie and Lyn Holdsworth and Kane our little friend helped out as well
Click here to view the photos in the National Volunteer Week photo gallery.
Melton and Wyndham Landcare and Friends Forum 2009
To be held on Wednesday, April 29th at 5:30pm – 9:00pm at Melton Civic Centre, Melton.
The Port Phillip and Westernport CMA together with Wyndham and Melton Shire Councils would like to
invite Landcare, ‘Friends of’ and other volunteer based groups to come together for a night of
fun, food, networking and education. This event is being held to celebrate and acknowledge the
contribution groups and individuals make in helping to protect, manage and enhance our natural
resources within the Melton and Wyndham Shire area.
View the Events calendar for more details.
Toolern Creek Regional Park - Community Update
A 'site visit' for community groups will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 4 April, 12.30pm - 3.00pm. The ranger staff who will be looking after the park in the longer term will be in attendance. BBQ lunch provided. Meet at gate in Bridge Rd, Melton South.
Click here to download the March Community Update from Parks Victoria
Love of the bush is in her nature
Mrs Lyn Holdsworth is a great example of the philosophy behind the Pride of Australia environment award. Lyn was disgusted by the condition of Toolern Creek on her regular drives up the road to Melton. So she decided to do something about it, and formed Friends of Toolern Creek three years ago. Since then, her group has planted about 10,300 indigenous trees, grasses and shrubs, and transformed a 1km stretch of degraded creek into a haven for residents and wildlife.
Click here to read the full article on the Herald Sun website
Bush Fire Appeal BBQ - Wednesday Feb 25, 2009
A BBQ was held to help raise funds for those affected by Bush Fires. The Friends of Toolern Creek combined their February meeting with the Bushfire BBQ to raise funds for the victims of the recent Victorian bushfires. Melton councillors Sophie Ramsay and Bob Turner were present to give their support. Local Melton radio station 97.9FM conducted a live outdoor broadcast. Simon, a 97.9FM Community Radio announcer, offered to donate $100.00 for anyone to come down and get the trolley and bike out of the creek, with $50.00 going to Friends of Toolern Creek and $50.00 to Bushfire Appeal. Jason Priest, a member of FoTC, took up the offer and braved the smelly muddy water to removed them both.
Other local environmental group members attended including Frances Overmar, Daryl, Flo and Janet Dyke. Daryl from Melton Environment Group donated 100 indigenous plants to sell and the BBQ raised $280.00 for the Bushfire Fundraiser Appeal. The appeal is on going until the end of April, contact Lyn for bank details. Thank you to all FOTC members who helped out on the night, Simone & Lyn Holdsworth, Judy & John Smith, Andrew & Yan Nugara, Christine MacKensie, Catherine & Orion Meeson, Richard Akers and Laraine Collins. A special thank you to Chris for chopping up the onions, Lyn & Simone for getting the sausages, sauces, drinks, bread, tables, BBQ cutlery, and to Jason for loading the marquee a BBQ and gas bottles in his car, and Laraine for making the Devonshire Teas
Click here to view the photos in the Bushfire BBQ photo gallery.
