South West Environmental Volunteerism Initiative

10 months ago I met with Matthew Ebden (lecturer from the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin Uni) and Emily Lee-Ack (South West Volunteerism Initiative) to discuss an idea that we had for an environmental volunteering project. It turns out that Matthew and I had had similar ideas for some time.

The aim of the project will be to connect participants in local Welfare and Community Service Groups (such as Aspire, Brophy's, Community Connections, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative, Correctional Services, MPower & WRAD) to on ground environmental works. Individual groups will be matched to specific public sites, that we hope will provide them with a sense of connection and stewardship. Groups will be offered a suit of environmental options, including revegetation, weed mapping, seed collecting, bird search, frog search, flora and fauna mapping. In essence project participants will become knowledge makers and play a critical role in building local environmental knowldge and raising awareness of local environmental issues. In addition we anticipate their will be significant social, psychological, spiritual and physical health benefits for all those involved in on ground projects.

I am pleased to announce that after many meetings between myself, Matthew, Bernadette Northeast (Emily's replacement) and Marty Gent (Greenhouse Officer for the South West Sustainability Partnership), this project is almost ready to be launched. Next Friday we will meet with members of what we hope will form the groups steering committee. Bernadette is currently looking for funding for a project officer and who we hope to have employed by the end of the year. We have tentatively called the project Feel Blue, Touch Green but the name has yet to be finalized.

Thus far the environmental aspects of the project will involve Basalt to Bay Landcare Network and Heytsbury Landcare Network but it is anticipated that additional local environmental groups will also come on board.

This is a significant regional project and we believe that it is the first of it's kind nationally.
Stay tuned for more in the local media. For further information please contact myself, Matthew or Bernadette.



Richard : richardb2b@gmail.com
Matthew : matthew.ebden@deakin.edu.au
Bernadette : bnortheast@comconnect.com.au

Further information will be posted in time on our blog http://swevi.wordpress.com/and Ning site : http://southwestevi.ning.com/

Western District Tree Muster Update

The final stage of planning for on ground works in the Western District Tree Muster project are now taking place. Thus far we are on track to deliver some 100,000 trees, including 18.76 ha of direct seeding and 14,730 of seedlings.

Port Fairy Consolidated Primary School will be involved in plantings on 4 sites, Hawkesdale College will be planting on 1 site, while Warrnambool College, Brauer College and Jamieson Street Primary School will be involved in planting at Tozer Reserve.

We also hope that participants from the Mens Health Group at Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative will be involved in plantings at Hopkins Falls and Tozer Reserve.

4 Public Sites will be involved in the project including : Hawkesdale Common, Tozer Reserve, Hopkins Falls and Lake Gillear. These public sites make great projects for involving a broad range of community groups and should be good for generating local interest in revegetation works.

Thansk to Mobile Muster (http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/) and Landcare Australia (http://www.landcareonline.com/)for the funding for this project.

NATIONAL TREE DAY GROWS TO NEW HEIGHTS

Organiser of National Tree Day, Planet Ark, is calling on Warrnambool, Killarney and Port Fairy residents to join the pursuit to plant the campaign’s 15 millionth native seedling.

To achieve this significant milestone, Planet Ark is urging all local residents to get growing on National Tree Day on Sunday 2 August and on Schools Tree Day on Friday 31 July.

Entering its 14th year, National Tree Day, has to-date seen more than 13.4 million native trees and shrubs planted around Australia.

“Aside from the benefits to the environment, growing native plants and shrubs is a great way for the people to make a positive contribution to their local community,” said John Amor, local Coastcare facilitator who is helping to co ordinate 4 local plantings. “With the 15 millionth seedling expected to be planted since the campaign began, this year’s National Tree Day is sure to be an historic one”.

National Tree Day is Australia’s largest community tree-planting event, each year mobilising more than 300,000 volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at local tree-planting sites. Planet Ark is urging individuals, schools, community groups and businesses to come together and get growing for the future.

Local National Tree Day events are taking place at the Granny’s grave area in Warrnambool, east of the Killarney Boat ramp, Griffiths Island Port Fairy and north of Warrnambool as part of the on going Koaladoors Project on Sunday the 2nd of August. Activites start from 9.30

National Tree Day is organised by Planet Ark in partnership with Toyota and Its Dealer network which provide on-the- ground support at local and community tree-planting sites Australia wide.

For further information, contact: John Amor 55619988 or 0429 976 189 john.amor@dse.vic.gov.au

Michelle Cook Emma Franklin
p. 02 8484 7209 | m. 0414 702 697 p. 02 8484 7200 | m. 0413 695 759

michelle@planetark.org emma@planetark.org

Dung Beetle Information Session

With national expert John Feehan

Koroit Football & Netball Club, Victoria Park - Koroit

Tuesday 11th August 1-3 pm.

John Feehan, operates Soilcam dung beetle consultancy out of Canberra, where he coordinates the largest and most efficient collection and redistribution of dung beetles in the world.

John has worked for 26 years with CSIRO’s dung beetle program & is recognised as the national dung beetle guru.

During this talk John will talk about :

• The benefits of dung beetles in restoring soil nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous) & soil structure
• Dung beetles & farm sustainability
• Different types of dung beetle species (including both autumn and winter active species) for specific regions

To quote John : “Half a litre of cow pat is probably equivalent to a good double handful of super phosphate”

To reserve your place, RSVP Margie Finnigan at Glenelg Hopkins CMA on 55 626 104 or for further information call Richard Hudson on 0458 268 119.

Proudly sponsored by Fort Dodge (makers of Cydectin), Basalt to Bay Landcare Network and Dean Suckling from Agri-Doo.

The End of Suburbia

Port Fairy Film Society are tonight showing The End of Suburbia - A film which looks at the results of a consumption driven society and it's impact on soil, society and the soul.

Check out their blog http://portfairyfilms.blogspot.com/, for more information.

Smart Living Community Forum

Thursday 16 July, 7-9pm

Southern Way, 181 Fairy St, Warrnambool

You are invited to attend a forum to explore the ways in which our community can respond to the challenges of climate change and peak oil.

The aim of the forum is to work together to develop projects that will help our community to become socially, economically and environmentally sustainable in the face of climate change and peak oil.

The forum will include a short introduction followed by a facilitated discussion and workshop.

By sharing our skills and resources we will be able to work together to strengthen our community and find solutions for a happy and healthy future for the Warrnambool Region.

Please call Marty to confirm your attendance:
(03) 55648881 or 0428141599