Author: EJ

Sunday 12th December, 3pm-4pm, Muckleford train station

Stop by to say hello, vote in the committee, pick up some free guides, or buy the latest FOBIF book for only $10.

You might have heard on the news that Bendigo Golf Club alerted local residents of their plans to ‘eradicate’ the corellas who live in the trees on the golf course, shooting has already begun. Corellas are native to Australia and are charismatic, social birds who mate for life and rely on tree hollows for their safe nesting sites. Little do they know that the trees they have found as homes in their ever-diminishing habitat are on a commercial golf course — and that this has placed them directly in the firing line. Please contact the golf course operations manager Liam Carney and politely but urgently request the business to stop the shooting immediately and seek a kinder and non-lethal outcome for wildlife who share the golf course grounds. CALL: 03 5448 4206 EMAIL: gom@bendigogolfclub.com.au

Due to bad weather conditions, we have postponed the bike ride this Sunday, stay tuned for a new date…

This Sunday is the Muckleford Catchment Landcare Group’s annual bike ride. You can bring friends and family, and you can ride at your own pace. Meet at the Muckleford train station at 11am, we will ride to Maldon and have a picnic in front of the information building. The Maldon market will be happening where we can buy food (or bring your own). And after eating, we will ride home.

Sunday 14th November, 11am-2(ish)

We missed out on the bike ride last year because of covid. But this year we are definitely getting the bikes out and pumping up the tyres. Meet at the Muckleford train station, and we will do our group ride to Maldon. We will end up at the grassed area in front of the Visitor Information Centre in Maldon (next to the market) for a picnic. We can’t meet in the pub this year because it all has to be pre-booked. And then we’ll ride back!

Sunday 14th November, 11am, meet at Muckleford train station.

“The roadside which is bare of anything but the natural grasses, herbs and a sporadic shrub or two is much more interesting and refreshing than any artificial planting reflecting the suburban road or city street…” (Edna Walling, 1952)

Here is some advice for new and existing landowners in Muckleford – if you move to the bush, if you live in the bush, then leave the bush alone. The roadside vegetation is a valuable part of the ecosystem and contains precious and sometimes endangered plant species. If you remove this vegetation, you will open up the ground to weeds and grass that you will constantly have to maintain. Rather than planting exotics, consider enhancing the existing vegetation with some small flowering native shrubs and herbs.

Native Peas are beautiful shrubs and ground covers to consider planting more of – we can add them into garden beds for a spot of native colour.

We’ve put together a list of the rarer species that we need to try and bring back from the brink of extinction, as well as a list of other species that grow in the Muckleford/Walmer area.

Put in your order for next year from Francis at Newstead Natives https://newsteadnatives.wordpress.com

For a comprehensive guide to peas in our area, buy the book “Native Peas of the Mount Alexander Region” from Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests for $10 ($3 postage) https://www.fobif.org.au

Muckleford Landcare featured in this short video of Landcare in our area…

Interested in learning how can fire help us create healthy Country? What kind of fire? Used when, how and by whom?

Head over to the Talking Fire website to find out more about the latest project and upcoming workshops. 

Talking Fire is partnering with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to create opportunities for our community to deepen and transform our understanding of how to care for our local landscape. Djaara knowledge and experience will be shared through a practical experience of using fire as a way of caring for Country.

Together we want to enhance biodiversity, build community awareness and confidence in the use of fire, support new land holder skills, address community safety, and support Djaara in increasing their capacity to apply Djandak Wi to public and private land. A big agenda!

The project will be structured around three on-Country workshops – the first workshop is 14 August. Head over to Talking Fire to find out more.

To get updates, follow the Talking Fire website (talkingfire.org), Talking Fire on Facebook, or drop us a line at newsteadtalkingfire@gmail.com.