Category: General

Jacky Lizards

These guys are everywhere, living in the wood pile, under the tank pump, in stumps of wood, under the caravan. They don’t seem fussy about their homes, and they are incredibly friendly. In fact, we often nearly step on them as they are in no hurry to flee.

Talking Fire Events

Returning cultural burning to Country – Djandak Wi
Thursday 29 November 7.30pm
Newstead Community Centre (9 Lyons Street, Newstead)
All welcome – no need to book.

Come and hear Scott Falconer (Assistant Chief Fire Officer with FFMVic) share his experience in the United States and Canada where he explored the involvement of Indigenous people in land and fire management, with a focus on how Traditional Owners are working with agencies to reintroduce cultural burning to Country, establishing strong relationships with Traditional Owners and creating employment opportunities.

Scott’s research was supported through The Lord Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal Churchill Fellowship. He was accompanied by Trent Nelson, Dja Dja Wurrung man and Parks Victoria Ranger Team Leader for part of the research trip. Read more here …

Reviving Indigenous Burning Practices in a Changed Landscape: Community Search Conference
Friday 30 November 9am-5pm.
Newstead Community Centre, 9 Lyons Street, Newstead
All welcome. Free event but please book your place by Monday 26 November via Eventbrite.

How we manage fire is an important conversation for rural and bush communities. What can we learn from how Aboriginal people used fire? Are those techniques applicable today in local landscapes that have changed a lot over the last 200 years?

At this one-day event we will discuss how we can connect Indigenous fire traditions with current approaches to fuel reduction and planned burns to shape new ways to protect our landscape and communities.

This event is for everyone with an interest in this topic: community, government, academics, researchers. Read more here …

For more information go to Talking Fire on Facebook or our website or drop us a line at newsteadtalkingfire@gmail.com. Read more about the 2016 Talking Fire event. This project is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council Community Grants Program.

Talking Fire is an initiative of the Muckleford Forest Friends Group
Chris Johnston 0354762457, 0418 512 471

Muckleford Landcare Update

We had a lovely bike ride on Sunday 11th November, and enjoyed a meal at the Kangaroo Hotel in Maldon before riding back to Muckleford Station. Thanks to our members, some of their friends, and even a new member for attending.

During lunch we had a very informal Landcare meeting which included the following points, and will suffice as official minutes:

-Present: Nev, Beth, Dave, Chris, Eleanor, Albi, Paul F, Kylie, Deane, Maree, Brona, Matt, Richard, Ann, Sally, Simon, Michael (and all the children)
-Apologies: Paul H, Lisa, Deanna
-the Bassett Creek Stage 2 project funded by the NCCMA has been finished, the report submitted, and acquitted. We have a bit of money left which we will use to buy more plants for Bassett Creek residents. A formal financial acquittal report will be presented at the AGM, along with a Treasurer’s report.
-Matt from BushTech has been paid for the weed treatment as part of the MASC Roadside Weed Grant 2018. Applications are open for the 2019 grants and Matt and Beth will work on the map of areas to be treated and what weeds are present.
-We have finished our community education for the year with our final event being the water in the landscape workshop (notes will be made available).
-Our next event is the Christmas party and AGM. All committee members who hold positions are willing to stand again (Nev, Dave, Beth and Eleanor) as well as our ordinary committee members (Richard, Chris, Paul H, Albi) with Emma stepping down. Members who want to join the committee as ordinary members are welcome. Details of the Xmas event posted separately.