FoTC Update: October 2009
Platypus Festival 2009
This Saturday 10 October from 12 – 4pm
Toolern Creek, Big Red Reserve, Tamar Drive and Raymond Street, Melton South.
Melways reference 337 A12 - Parking available
This edition of FoTC Update contains the following news:
- Additions to our Photo Galleries
- Changes to the FoTC Website
- Friends of Toolern Creek - Platypus Festival 2009
- Time to get planting - Melton Express Telegraph
- JOHN ROBINSON - People’s Choice Award winner at 2009 Victorian Landcare Awards
- Local business "Calson Park Alpacas" and "Spin City Alpaca"
- Future Shots Sustainability Film Challenge for young Victorians
- Earth to PM - Save forests for safe climate
- Almond Tree Frames receives funding through Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program
- Western water in awards final
- Melton duplication of Coburns Road works almost finished
- Padang Earthquake Relief Appeal
- Friends of Brisbane Ranges Biennial Wildflower Show
- Australian Plants Expo 2009
- Waterwatch Family Festival
- Fire Ecology Workshops
- Environment Victoria's 40th birthday celebration?
- Melton Historical Society coming events
- National Volunteer Week 2010
- 2009 Family Fishing Expo
- Gould League Centenary Muster Open Day
- Identification ecology and management of the grasses of the Western Basalt Plains
- Grassland Community Day
- Walk for "Pink Ribbon Day"
Photo Gallery: Most recent images
The following thumbnail images will open a new photo gallery tab or window.
BMD Toolern Creek Pipe Bridge (24 new photos)
Platypus Festival 
Birds by Nora Peters 
Bugs by Nora Peters(3 new photos)
Other recent bird images are Chestnut Teal family , Purple Swamphen and bubs , Black Swan , viewed in 'Birds of Melton'.
View all October photo gallery additions here.
View Nora's great photography at her website www.ozwildbirds.com.
News
Changes to the FoTC Website
We will be installing a content management system called Joomla! to maintain the FoTC website in the near future.
To read more about Joomla visit the Joomla! website.
There should not be any noticable differences to the site but will be much easier to add news articles, make changes and to implement
functionality such as the search function and news feeds.
Click here to read the story of the FoTC website so far.
Friends of Toolern Creek - Platypus Festival 2009
Saturday, October 10 at 12:00pm - 4:00pm 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 Birds of Prey will be bringing a live eagle, the Snake Man will be back.
- Snake man
- Minibeast Wildlife
- Mr Balloon man
- Full Flight Birds of Prey
- Vinnie the Platypus Mascot
- Gnarnayarrahe - Aboriginal performer
- Have your photo taken with Puggles the Platypus
- Melton Orchestra
Visit the Platypus Festival web page for details of all the attractions.
Click to download the flyer.
Visit the photo gallery to view last years photos.
Time to get planting - Melton Express Telegraph
THOUSANDS of trees have been planted along the banks of Toolern Creek ... Visit the Melton Express web site to read the article.
JOHN ROBINSON - People’s Choice Award winner at 2009 Victorian Landcare Awards
John Robinson was presented with the 2009 Victorian Landcare Awards People’s Choice Award at Government House in Melbourne. Visit the Landcare Heroes web site to read about John's contribution to Landcare. Click to view photo of presentation.
Local business "Calson Park Alpacas" and "Spin City Alpaca"
Calson Park Alpacas is a registered alpaca farm in Melton South Victoria. Calson Park Alpacas is a true cottage industry from breeding alpacas, down to the finished textile product.
Visit Mary-Rose Wilson and husband Glyn at their farm in Melton South, situated at the corner of Ferris Road and Strathtulloh Circuit. They have alpacas for sale and stud services available.
Current activities and events held at Calson Park:
- Spin City Alpaca Textiles Group — cost $2.00. Open Tuesdays
- Nuno-felting Workshops and Hand-spinning Tuition
- Farm Tours at Calson Park
- Alpaca Products
For more information click to visit the website and here to view activity and event information.
Future Shots Sustainability Film Challenge for young Victorians?
Young Victorians challenged to have their say for a sustainable future.
Deadline for entering is 6 November 2009.
Young locals are encouraged to enter Future Shots as they are very interested in receiving films about local initiatives.
If you are living in Victoria, aged 21 and under, Future Shots invites you to create a short film (three minutes or less) that
answers the question "Sustainability: What’s it all about?".
Budding filmmakers, environmentalists and students: grab a camera, grab your friends and get creative! Use whatever technology you have from mobile phones, webcams, home video
or professional cameras to make your films. All types of films (drama, documentary, animation, music video, advertisement) are accepted as long as the
theme of sustainability is addressed. If you don’t know what Sustainability means head to the Future Shots website to find out.
Entries are invited from individuals, teams and schools.
Awards Night screening the top 20 films will be held in December at ACMI one week before the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Talks.
Major prizes, valued at over $8000, will be awarded to the best short films in 10 award categories chosen by a judging panel of film and environmental industry VIPs.
Visit Future Shots website for more details about award categories and prizes.
Earth to PM - Save forests for safe climate?
The Wilderness Society's International Climate Team is at the UN climate talks in Bangkok and urgently need help.
Sign the forest pledge today and ask Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to secure a safe climate for our future, by making sure the next
global climate deal protects the world's forests.
Almond Tree Frames receives funding through Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program
Melton-based Almond Tree Frames has been given a $6,478.31 Federal grant to help meet the set-up costs of implementing family-friendly
arrangements for employees. The grant has been given under the Federal Government’s Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program.
Local Federal MP Julia Gillard said she hoped other businesses will apply for grants under this program.
Visit the Dept of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website for more information.
Western water in awards final
Western Water is a finalist in the annual 'National 2009 savewater! sustainability awards' Water Business category. It has been nominated for its work in smart-water urban development at Eynesbury in Melton South. It is contending with two New South Wales’ finalists MidCoast Water and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, and is among 31 national finalists in nine award categories, selected from more than 700 national and international entries.
Visit the savewater! awards website for information about the finalists.
Melton duplication of Coburns Road works almost finished
Works on the third stage duplication of Coburns Rd between West Melton Drive and Centenary Avenue are nearing completion. The $1.8 million project has included the construction of a new northbound carriageway from West Melton Drive to Centenary Avenue, full reconstruction of two roundabouts, drainage, footpaths, a school crossing and creek realignment. Minor works on guttering to the south of West Melton Drive and site clean up will take place during the two weeks.
Padang Earthquake Relief Appeal
For those wanting to direct some help to areas affected by the Indonesian Earthquakes, the SurfAid organisation has a long term commitment to this region. Bob Winters (Educating Options for a Sustainable Future) has been working with them on developing education materials and partnerships between schools in the region and Australian schools.
Bob can be contacted by email on wintersb@bigpond.net.au
SurfAid has launched an Emergency Response Appeal to help the people of Padang who were hit by a huge earthquake (7.6 on the Richter scale) on Wednesday 30 September. The Program Director, Dr David Lange, narrowly escaped death as he fled the Ambacang Hotel, which then collapsed, killing many and trapping others. Any donations you can make are greatly appreciated. Please donate at www.surfaidinternational.org
Events
Visit the FoTC Calendar of Events page to view events in calendar format
Friends of Brisbane Ranges Biennial Wildflower Show
Sunday 11th October from 10am at Anakie Hall, Staughtonvale Rd, Anakie 3221
This is a great opportunity to see the diversity of our Brisbane Ranges wildflowers.
For more information contact Helena Lindorff by email at helenal@pacific.net.au or Judy Locke on 5367 2922
Click to visit the FoBR website.
Australian Plants Expo 2009
Sustainable gardening with Australian Plants
Sat 10 October 9am-5pm and Sunday 11 October 9am - 4pm at
Templestowe College, Cypress Ave (off Lynnwood Pde) Mel 33 D7
Adults $4, children free
Official opening at 11am by John Patrick (ABC TV's Gardening Australia)
For more information click to download program.
Waterwatch Family Festival
Celebrate National Water Week at Lollypop Creek
Saturday 24th October from 10am – 2pm at Lollypop Creek, Ridge Drive, Wyndham Vale - Melways 205 A5
You're invited to the Waterwatch Family Festival on Saturday 24 October as part of the 2009 National Water Week celebrations. Come and enjoy the fun, free 'water-themed' activities and presentations celebrating the waterways in the West.
For more information click to visit the Waterwatch website and download flyer.
Fire Ecology Workshops
Greening Australia are holding three Fire Ecology workshops in Inverleigh, Barongarook and Anglesea. The workshops will focus on fire behaviour, different plant species’ response to fire; requirements for controlled burns; and the community fireguard program, plus there will be a field visit to a burn site after lunch.
Places and dates are:
Inverleigh Hall (High St) – Friday 16th October
Barongarook Hall (Barongarook-Gerangamete Rd) – Friday 23rd October
Anglesea Hall (McMillan St) – Thursday 5th November
Environment Victoria's 40th birthday celebration?
An invitation to anyone who has been a part of Environment Victoria's 40 year history.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 at 6.00pm at Abbotsford Convent, Rosina Room, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. Melways Ref: 44 G5
A delectable vegetarian banquet dinner, wine and non alcoholic beverages included, topped off by presentations from the past and present supporters and entertainment.
COST: $55.00 to cover costs (but if you would like to make a donation when purchasing your tickets or on the night we won’t say no).
RSVP by Friday, 16 October: to Triér Murphy by phone on (03)9341 8100 or email her at admin@envict.org.au.
Melton Historical Society coming events
Fashion Show: Tuesday 10 November at 6.30 pm (for 7pm start) at Melton Dart Club, 63 Reserve Road, Melton
Cost: Adults $15.00 Concession $10.00
Ghost Tour of the Willows: Friday 13th November 2009, from 8.30pm at Willows Historical Park, Nixon Street, Melton
Entry fee is $5 per person, including a light supper
RSVP required by 6th November by email: hsm@westconnect.com.au or phone (03)9747 3333 or 9747 920
National Volunteer Week 2010
Volunteering: Now, more than ever
May 10th to 16th 2010
National Volunteer Week is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.
Visit Volunteering Australia's website regularly for National Volunteer Week information.
2009 Family Fishing Expo
Sunday October 18 from 10am – 2pm at Navan Park Lake, cnr of Centenary Avenue and Coburns Rd, West Melton
For further information contact Melton Council Tourism and Events unit 03 9747 7200.
Gould League Centenary Muster Open Day
Sunday October 25th from 10am-2pm at the Gould League, Genoa Street, Moorabbin, Melway 77 J7
Gould League invites you to help celebrate 100 years of innovative environmental and sustainability education that has created real benefits to Australia's native fauna and flora, to a more sustainable future, and to hundreds of thousands of Australians who have enjoyed our work.
Visit the Gould League website to enjoy memories of the last 100 years.
Click to subscribe to the Gould League newsletter: Squawk!
Identification ecology and management of the grasses of the Western Basalt Plains
Sunday 15 November
Graeme Lorimer will be conducting a special one day course on the grasses of the western basalt plains. The course will cover grass species identification and the ecology and management of grassland. This event will be hosted by Parwan Landcare on a grassland property near Bacchus Marsh. Numbers will be strictly limited to a maximum of 12 participants so places are expected to fill quickly.
Cost: course fee is $100
Please contact Simon Jolly of Parwan Landcare by email simon.jolly@dhs.vic.gov.au or phone 8746 2083 (after hours) to reserve a place or request further information.
Grassland Community Day
Saturday October 17, 10am-4pm at Pinkerton Forest and Mulla Mulla Grassland, Mt Cottrell Rd, Mt Cottrell (halfway between Greigs Rd and Boundary Rd) Mel 221 E7
Join Western Melbourne Catchments Network, Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group, the Victorian National Parks Association and NatureWatch for a great day out in Melbourne’s grasslands.
Bring: Lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, hat, chair, sturdy shoes, wear long pants.
Visit the WMCN website to download flyer.
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.
For your diary: Coming Events
Visit the Calendar of Events to view these events
- Platypus Festival : Saturday, Oct 10
- National Volunteer Week 2010 : 10-16 May 2010
