Newsletter of the Loch/Nyora Landcare Group

July  2007       

Member of the Western Port ‘Slow the Flow’ Cluster

LANDCARE  CARING  FOR  LAND

10:00 am. Sunday 30th September 2007          Henrys Creek Sanctuary

A great day out (hopefully the weather will be kind) for the family with friends from the district, including Mount Lyall, Poowong and Triholm Landcare Groups.  David Brindley is our guide for the day and lunch is provided (except BYO items.)

See next issue for details, but write it on your calendar NOW !!

Bookings essential for catering  RSVP Friday 21st September

Cluster Event     “Landcare Caring for Land”

Sunday 30th September 2007 at 10:00 am.       Henry’s Creek Sanctuary, Henrys Road, Loch, 3945.

The Loch/Nyora Landcare Group invites members of the Mount Lyall, Poowong and Triholm Landcare Groups to this cluster event.  This event, in this treasured piece of bush of our area, will have as the guest speaker, Daniel Brindley, Director, Environmental Restorations, of the “Wetland and Wildlife Creations Group.”  As his father before him, Daniel is in the business of creating viable wildlife habitat from the most degraded suburban drain or quarry.

            Suss Daniel out at either   at   www.awwc.com.au   or   www.environmentalrestorations.com.au

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Subscriptions Due:

A gentle reminder from your treasurer, that your annual subscription to the Loch/Nyora Landcare Group is due for fiscal year 2007/2008.  Annual subscription is $20, and covers all family members at that address.  For subscriptions paid in advance by 31st. August, $50 will cover three years to 2009/10, and $100 will cover seven years to 2013/14.

            Please return the form with your subscription.  Make cheques payable to the Loch/Nyora Landcare Group.  Payments, cheque or cash, can be left in an addressed envelope without a stamp, with Frank or Arch at the Loch or Nyora Post Offices.  Address to:   Treasurer,  c/o 23 Lesley Close,  Nyora, 3987.

            If you wish to cancel your membership, please tell me, so that neither of us is annoyed by constant reminders.

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Weed Mapping:  Jeff Clark is waging war on Paspalum clarkii found along the Highway roadside from the Bass River and up the Woodley and Dilgers Roads, and on ragwort etc.  Contact Jeff or one of the local committee if you know of significant weed infestations, as Martin Chattfield is mapping this information.  This will assist in applying for grants and in attacking the weeds to best effect.

Education:  A message from Jeff Clark:    As many of you know, I like to experiment with new types of natural fertilizers and soil conditioners. I have been looking at many properties where the owners are practicing sustainable farming ideas. The Internet is a good source of info and there is much interest world wide. I am going to hear a world renowned scientist speak at Trafalgar on the 22nd of June. It should be a good day. If any of you are interested in this subject, let me know and I will steer you in the right direction.  Ring Jeff on 5659 2384

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No Toast for Blackberry Spread in South Gippsland:  Press release

The South Gippsland Landcare Network with support from the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Melbourne Water and the PPWCMA are preparing to launch an initiative in Spring this year that will target the worst areas of Blackberry infestation in the district. The program is area specific, looking at the upper Bass and Lang Lang River catchments.

            Along with Ragwort and Thistle, Blackberry is one of the major weed concerns in our area: Loss of productive farming land, rapid and easy spread, smothering of native vegetation and harboring vermin just a few of the reasons why.

            Landcare facilitator Tony Gardner will be talking with landholders who have not managed Blackberry in the past. "Difficult sites, new or absentee ownership, lack of technical skills in managing weeds, lack of knowledge of the problem or even a lack of care about the subject may be some of the reasons why." Tony said "The fact remains that it is the legal responsibility of the landholder to prevent the growth and spread of blackberry by reducing the density, preventing reproduction and limiting the area of infestation on their land."

            The network is offering support and incentives to landholders which will vary depending on the project. If you have areas of infestation on your land, we want to talk to you.

            Tony can be contacted on 0429 629 212 or 5662 5759 

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Committee Meeting:  The next meeting of the Loch/Nyora Landcare Group Committee is on Friday 3rd August at the home of Ron and Carmen Barnacle, 180 Andersons Hill Road, Loch  (on right about 4 km up Loch-Wonthaggi Road.  7:30 start.  Bring small plate of nibbles for supper.  Members are welcome:  the meeting is almost as social as it is formal.

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Member Profiles:  The following are stories of what some of our members are doing with grants through the “Slow the Flow” programme.  It is a reminder to members of the value of your Landcare membership.  Where trees were once recommended and planted, Landcare now recommend planting a mix of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.  An even better way of achieving a richer mixture and coverage, is to use direct seeding, either by hand sowing in suitable prepared ground or with specialised machinery for large areas.  We have a direct seeding demonstration taking place in Henrys Creek Sanctuary this Spring.  Details will be in the next newsletter

Ray and Shirley Lester:  Ray and Shirley have been on their 230 acre farm for 40 years, and currently they use the land for fattening cattle.  Ray did a ‘Whole Farm Planning’ course and was moved to apply for a grant.  In work to stop incipient gully erosion, they have planted 1000 stems*.  This work will augment and protect remnant vegetation on their property.

Alan and Gloria Mort:  Alan and Gloria bought their 134 acre farm 11 years ago, just after the wet winter of 1996 left them with a land-slip that needed stabilising.  With the help of a grant, the area has been fenced off and 2000 stems planted.  It was a big family event, and they are looking forward to a changed and very much improved landscape over the next few years.

David Wanless:  It has taken David time to have everything in place to start planting the 200 acre farm he bought in 1988.  With Allsop Creek and five other small creeks, there was enough Hawthorn to remove, that over several years, it took weeks with an excavator to do the work.  The family are now ready to plant 2000 stems and another 1000 from Melbourne Water along Allsop Creek.  Next to go are willows and another 6000 stems to plant.

Gavin and Pam Carvill:  We had a dam in the gully on our property which was ineffective and was accessed by stock for water when there was some in it.  We had the dam cleaned out and made into a circular dam with an island left in the middle which we intend to make as a haven for birds etc and have fenced off the area now to restrict stock from getting access and wish to tree this area.  This also joins up two existing wildlife corridors.  The area is about 70 m x 50 m.

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Donation to Schools:  The Committee decided we should use some of our cash reserve built up over the years, for something for the benefit of the community, and where better to start than with the Loch and Nyora Primary Schools.  The offer of $500 has been made to each school for work with a Landcare theme around the school.  Both Greg Bull and Michael Smith have accepted the offer, and the cheques will be presented in the near future.  As both schools have time and again shown great skill in getting their stories in the various newsletters and newspapers, the committee reasoned we would leave that to the experts.  Watch various spaces for the stories.

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How ‘bout some stories folks?  I don’t want to hog the space flaunting my talent, we want to see yours !

Robert Vickers,  Phone:  5659 6496

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Next committee meeting:  Friday 3rd August at 7:30 p.m.