croaker newsletter - aug 2011 final - final
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
1/8
Welcome to our 4thedition of the WSN Restoring
Our Waterways Croaker Newsletter for 2011.
We had a busy start to June/July activities starting
with World Environment Day. Celebrated on the 6th
June at Councils Spotlight Tour at North Beaches
where ROW had their first birthday (see article by
Cynthia Bresnehan on page 3) and Wednesdays with
the CLC students. Also filming areas along One Mile
Creek so ROW can enter a short film in the Water
Week Short Film Comp 2011 which I hope memberswill give their time and talents to and help make it a
winner. This will be a ROW activity for August. Lights
Camera Action any budding stars welcome. I went to
the NAIDOC celebration on the 3rd July (see article on
page 4). Cynthia and I attended the community forum
on Open Spaces (report attached to ROW July
minutes). ROWs August meeting will be on Monday
1st at 5.30pm at The Centre Chisholm Street
Wangaratta Room 8 up stairs. All welcome.
TERRYS PLATYPUS STORYIn response to an article in our June newsletter Terry
had this to say Was sorry to hear Croaker staff could
not site a platypus so Im sharing mine! Snapped a
photo of this fellow swimming amongst one of our
Ovens River work sites recently. Excavator was
thumping away driving in piles, lots of noise and
vehicles etc .... who says they are shy?
There are plenty about but they do choose when to
appear thats for sure. Platypus lives up and down
(they move over large distances of river and visit/use
many burrows at any one time) the reach of Ovens
River around the Hume Freeway Bridge (he/she isprobably trying to 'hitch-hike' interstate).
WEDNESDAYS WITH CLC STUDENTS
JAYDEN, SCOTT AND TRAVIS
Wednesday 1st June, 2011
I met with the boys at
the area of One Mile
Creek near Our Ladys
where we firstly did an
inspection of the creek
between the White St
Bridge and the Cribbes
Rd Bridge on Our Ladys
school side and walked back along the Yarrunga
Primary school side. There were a lot of dry creek bed
areas and the water in some areas was very green and
not flowing. Interesting things like a syringe, a couple
of single shoes, a baby blanket, a
partly eaten possum, a dead
juvenile carp and there was a lot of
rubbish along both sides of the
creek. We didnt have gloves orbags to collect the rubbish which is something we will
have to remember to always carry
with us. The water flowing
through the old overflow pipe
which was exposed on the dry
creek bed was running swiftly and
Travis put a stick down it to see
how deep it was and the water
mark was half way up the stick.
Contents
Introduction 1
Terrys Platypus Story 1
Community Learning Challenge Project 1 - 3
World Environment Day Spotlight Tour 3
Barking Owl in the Lemon Scented Tree 3 - 4
NAIDOC Celebrations 4
Walk Cribbes Rd to White St Bridge 4
Upcoming Events 5 - 7
WSN Groups and Information 7
Community Skillsbank Information 8
Monday 1st August 2011
-
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
2/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 2
Near the White St Bridge there was a trolley in the
creek and a lot of rubbish near the large drain that
enters One Mile creek. We got a sample of water to
test and netted a sample for Macro checking. The
water sample was normal and we found several little
creepy-crawlies in our net sample batemans, worms,
shrimp and of course Eastern Gambusia. It was a
beautiful sunny day and the boys are learning a lot of
things about our waterways.
Wednesday 15th June, 2011
Kim McLeod (the
boys teacher) and
the boys picked me
and the Waterwatch
and Macro kits up at Apex Park in the
mini bus and we
headed out Oxley Flats Rd to firstly check out The
Willows. Walking around this beautiful area and
checking out the Ovens River, the water was rather
clear and fast, it was also pleasing to see there was
not much rubbish to be found. There is a rubbish bin
from the Delimite Shire (not sure how it got there) and
people were using it which was pleasing to know.
We then headed for the
Ovens Billabong to do
our water testing and
Macro check. It was a
perfect day, the sun
shining and no wind.
Scott the adventurer of
the group removed his shoes to enter the water to
collect our water sample, he asked will it be cold No
we all told him Jayden even told him to keep walking
and go to the other side (they are such fun to be
around they always make me laugh with their funremarks they say to each other). The water was so
clear Scott spotted a fishing hook next to his toe and
threw it to Travis who skilfully caught it in the Macro
net. When we finally got Scott out of the water with
our water sample it was time to start to test the
sample. Jayden (champion instrument reader) did the
Temp (8.9 not that cold Scott) PH 7.9 and Elec Cond
60 and Travis stood on the edge of the river and did
the Oxygen read 8.2. Then we moved along a bit to
get our Macro sample. Travis (the expert at macro
sample collecting) got a great sample first off; therewas lots of macro in it. Shrimp, crayfish and something
we could not identify. We got a couple of samples
more in the net and each time the crayfish in the net
got bigger, it is great to see they are doing well and in
different phases of growth. It was a great couple of
hours where we all got to learn more about our
waterways and what lives in them.
Wednesday 22nd Native Fish and Ovens Reach
project talk to WSN year 7 students.
Scott, Jayden and
Travis arranged for
Fern Hames DSE to
come and talk to
the year 7 students
at WHS. Fern and I
meet up with the
boys and theirproject teacher Kim McLeod at 11am then went and
planed what would be talked about, then about
12noon we all went to Liz Crawfords year 7 class. An
introduction was done and Fern gave a very
interesting and informative talk. The students were
very well behaved and all ears, at question time some
of the information they asked about showed that they
had paid attention and learned a lot about Native Fish
and also the Alien Fish in our waterways mainly
Eastern Gambusia. I showed Fern the article in the
Chronicle about 3 Waterwatch environmental warriorscatching Alien Fish in One Mile Creek and she was
rapped and said she would send up some information
on how to remove them by using fish traps. The boys
did their thank you to Fern and me and the day ended
on a very positive note.
Wednesday 29th July CLC Presentation Night.
Presentation night is
where all the students
attending CLC talk
about the projects that
they have done with a
Community based
organisation for the
semester. It was a
fantastic night and the
great work that all the students had done and the
success of all their projects would astound you, it
should be published to the whole Wangaratta
Community not just their parents and friends. Travis,
Jayden and Scott did their presentation and did arather good story about Waterwatch, fishing and Ferns
visit. I presented the boys with a Thank You certificate
-
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
3/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 3
as ROW is very grateful to them because if it was not
for them taking ROW as their project we wouldnt have
found out about how to remove Eastern Gambusia
from One Mile Creek from Fern so early in the piece,
just in time for the next CLC semester. Both their
teacher and I have thoughts on doing that for a
project next semester.
Thank you Scott, Travis and Jayden for working
with ROW on our local waterways it was very
rewarding on both sides.
Diane Farmer, Coordinator, WSN Restoring Our Waterways
0439 020 448
PO Box 772 Wangaratta Vic 3677
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY SPOTLIGHT TOUR
Monday 6thJune 2011 by Cynthia Bresnehan
There were about
60 people there the
scouts from 3rd/4th
Wangaratta group,
many parents with
their young children
and some older
members of the
community. Bronwyn Chapman manager of theCouncils Environment Department welcomed everyone
and then there was a presentation from Scott Draper
about the environment, what we can do to keep it
healthy and how lucky we are to have such a
wonderful wildlife living so close to us in town. Andrew
Snowdon then gave an informative talk on the wildlife
we may encounter on our walk. There was a display of
a Barking Owl, Brush tail Possum, Sugar Glider and
Platypus followed by ROWs 1st birthday cake in the
shape of a frog surrounded
by little patty cake frogs and
of course the cake was green
and delicious. A scrumptious
Bar-B-Que tea was provided
cooked by Tatum and her
brother Tom Newton, and then it was off for our walk.
Everyone was well rugged up and looking forward to
our walk, we were divided up into 4 groups each with
a guide and heading in different directions. It was not
long before we had our first encounter, some white
cockatoos and a pigeon snuggled up high in a tree. Nosugar gliders were spotted but some micro-bates flew
by and ringtail possums sighted but the best sighting
of all was a bush tailed possum sitting out in the open
which didnt mind being in the spotlight and it was
checking us out; it sat not moving for a long time.
Near North Beaches Rhys pointed out the indigenes
scar trees and the possum tree, it is believed that thistree was used by the local Koories to catch possums.
They cut hand and footholds into the tree and climbed
it to get possums from the hollows, it has been verified
as only one of two in Victoria, it had native bees in it
at some stage and the Aboriginals climbed it to get
honey from the hives, the native bees don't sting and
are a lot smaller than the European feral bees.
We had such an interesting and full on time walking
that the cold weather was not a deterrent at all so
much so we extended our half hour walk to over an
hour.
Hopefully there will be more spotlight tours in the
future as they are informative and free.
BARKING OWL IN THE LEMON SCENTED TREE
Friday 17thJune 2011 by Margaret Pullen
In the evening on
Thursday 2 June, as
Clive was standing
beside the barbeque
cooking his dinner, heheard a most unusual
noise coming from
the direction of the
lemon scented tree in
the outer garden.
Clive called come
quickly and listen to
this dog-like sound.
At first I was unsure
which eucalyptus treeor area in the garden
I should focus on.
Suddenly I realized
the wook-wook
barking was coming
from the huge lemon scented eucalyptus in the outer
garden near the red gum tree.
I shone the torch high into the lemon scented and
there on a branch was this most wonderful sight, a
huge Barking Owl, with large yellow eyes. It seemed
as though the owl was just calling to us; what an
experience.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
4/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 4
When I read it is estimated there are only 50 pair left
in Victoria, how fortunate to have seen such a creature
in my garden at Chatsworth House, Wangaratta
North.
On 6th June I attended the councils WorldEnvironment Day Spotlight Tour on nocturnal animals
in and around Northern Beaches and gleaned more
information about Barking Owls and realized the true
size and beauty of this of stunning bird.
NAIDOC CELEBRATIONSunday 3rdJuly 2011 by Diane Farmer
What a fantastic experience - entertainment, hands on
workshops, food and networking with the Aboriginal
culture and its members of our community.
I caught up with Pat Larkin from Landcare and metChris Mercier from Parks Victoria, they had a great
display. Also met Ray Ahmat DSE Indigenous
Partnership Facilitator and spoke to the Mayor Anthony
Griffiths on quite a few things.
Wally Cooper was very busy cooking some delicious
food; I had a taste of some Emu, Crocodile and my
favourite Prawns. The Police, CFA were also there and
a Health Kids food stall. The band was great and
entertaining. It was great to see a constant flow of
people coming to enjoy the delights that wereavailable and it was free. It was held at Avian Park,
what a great place for all sorts of Wangarattas
sporting and entertainment events, lots of wide open
spaces and lots of parking available. Well done to
those who organised it.
WALK - CRIBBES RD TO WHITE ST BRIDGE
Wednesday 6th July 2011 by Diane Farmer
I met up with Terry
McCormack from
NECMA to inspect
One Mile Creek and
within 2 minutes of
starting our walk I
spotted a FRIDGE
right out in the middle of the Reeds and one minute
further along a Trolley in the creek next to the drain.
Why do people do that sort of thing? Do they think itwould just sink or float away or they just want
someone else to dispose of their unwanted items? I
thought that is what a Transfer Station is for as they
now take white goods, or are
some people just compulsive
dumpers and dont care about
our waterways and its
environment or they just dont
know any better. What are your thoughts? Anyway
lets get on with the story of the walk along One Mile
Creek. A little bit of rubbish empty drink containersand a few empty beer bottles but all in all rather clean.
The creek was flowing very nicely and it was great to
see it that way. Lots of areas ready for planting on
either side and with all the rain we have been having
the soil should be perfect when the time comes to
plant these areas
out. At the area near
the White St bridge
we caught up with
Scott Draper and
Andrew Snowdon
from Council. Kelvin
from NECMA also joined us to talk about a Frog
Friendly area that ROW would like to start with Sally
Colsons report. The idea to help keep an area clean of
rubbish and weeds by volunteers and get the schools
involved was considered a good idea. A project will be
developed and put to Council about ROW assisting
with the management of this area. It was a great day
for talking, advising (and learning on my part).
Pictured left to right Chris Mercier, Wally Cooper,
John Atkinson, Anthony Griffiths and Jason Buck.
Pictured left to right Pat Larkin and Ray Ahmat.
-
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
5/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 5
UPCOMING EVENTS
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PLANTING
AND CARING FOR NATIVE PLANTS?
Then get involved on Sunday
the 31st of July from 10:00am
2:00pm, for this years
National Tree Planting Day.
The day will focus on helping
volunteers learn how to plant
for success within their
garden, by planting species best suited to Wangaratta.
The event will also include hands on planting along
Three Mile Creek to increase frog habitat and enable
wildlife corridors, FREE plant give-aways and will
conclude with a FREE hot lunch provided.
The event will take place opposite St Johns
Retirement Village between Williams Rd & Colleen Ct.
All participants should wear suitable clothing and
sturdy footwear.
To register visit Planet Arks website
www.treeday.planetark.orgor contact the Rural City of
Wangarattas Environment Department on (03) 5722
0888.
Tatum Newton, Rural City of Wangaratta, Technical Officer-
Environment
Launch of WSN Website
Saturday August 13th, 6pm
www.wangarattasustainability.org
To celebrate the launch of the WSN website which has
been developed by Peter Amor there will be a pizza
night at Rowans, 12 Deakin Ct Wangaratta, at 6pm.
Bring your own pizza to cook and drinks. Openinvitation, [email protected] Wednesday
August 10th.
SES Stormsafe Awareness Week
August 15th21st
Sustainable House Day
Sunday September 11th, 10am4pm
Sustainable House Day will be held
Australia wide on Sunday 11th
September. Homes on display will
be opened between 10.00am and
4.00pm. Wangaratta Sustainability
Network is organising the day in
the Wangaratta area. Four homes in the town all
within 15 minutes of the town will be opened by the
owners and the EcoLiving Centre at the Barr Reservewill also be open.
http://www.treeday.planetark.org/http://www.treeday.planetark.org/http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/http://www.wangarattasustainability.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wangarattasustainability.org/http://www.treeday.planetark.org/ -
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
6/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 6
-
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
7/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 7
OTHER WSN GROUPS
Publicity/Advocacy Food Sustainability Home Energy Waste Action Group (WAGS)
12 Month Membership Now Due!
For more information contact:
Dr Rowan OHagan- Secretary/Treasurer Email: [email protected] Deakin Court, Wangaratta VIC 3677 Website: http://www.wangarattasustainability.org
Ph. (03) 5721 8231
Poster Competition
Closes 2nd September 2011
Entrants need to design a bright,
informative A3 poster depicting a
water issue.
Categories are prep, grade 1&2,
grade 3&4 and grade 5&6.
Prizes are awarded to regional
and state winners.
Contact: Emma 02 6043 7616
The Rural City of Wangaratta and
WSN Restoring Our Waterways
presents the All Things Water Mini
Expo. Come down to the
Wangaratta post office arcade to
learn more about water
sustainability and conservation.
All Things Water Mini Expo
Friday 21st October 2011
North East Short Film
CompetitionCloses 19th August 2011
Sponsored by Environmental Group
Limited
Submit a short 3 minute film on the
theme of Water - Our Most Precious
Resource. Open to schools & the
community in our North East service
areas.
Great cash prizes to be won!
Contact: Diane on 02 6022 0580
The Regional Photo
Competition
Closes 21 August 2011
With so much happening in the
world of water lately, you may wellhave that winning entry already in
your collection.
Categories are primary school,
secondary school and open, with
prizes for first place and runner up
in each category.
Contact: Diane 02 6022 0580
Children and parents can havefun finding water-related
objects commonly found around
the house or early childhood
centre to dress in or use as
props to be a Water Hero.
Send in a photo of your Water
Hero to North East Water:
Dress as your Water Hero
Competition
Closes 19th August 2011
Enjoy an egg and bacon muffin
before touring your local water
treatment plant. Learn how your
water is treated and delivered to your
tap 24/7.
Location: Faithful Street Wangaratta
Bookings essential.
Contact: Diane 02 6022 0580
North East Water Wangaratta
Treatment Plant
Tour and Breakfast
Thursday 20 October 2011
Under the umbrella of theWangaratta Urban
Landcare Group
Family/Household/Organisation $10 per year
Single $5 per year
Student $2 per year
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME ANY TIME
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wangarattasn.org/http://www.wangarattasn.org/http://www.wangarattasn.org/mailto:[email protected] -
8/4/2019 Croaker Newsletter - Aug 2011 Final - Final
8/8
The WSN Restoring Our WaterwaysCROAKERNewsletter Page 8
This Newsletter designed by the Volunteers at Community Skillsbank, Wangaratta.
Community Skillsbank (CSB) is a centralised Volunteer Referral Centre which (through an innovative
easy-to-use database of information) matches volunteer skills and interests to available volunteer
opportunities across North East Victoria.
We have a range of interesting and diverse roles suitable for all ages and abilities. The Community
Skillsbank team can assist you with training and pathways to future opportunities. Tell us what you are
interested in and we can connect you.
You too can assist us. If you have an idea for volunteer activities and opportunities, please contact us by
phone or through the Feedback mechanism on our websitewww.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
Phone 03 5721 0258 Wangaratta or
03 5762 4311 Benalla
Fax 03 5723 1380 Wangaratta or
03 5762 4311 Benalla
Email [email protected]
Website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
How to Register
www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au
Email or post registration
(form available from website or CSB)
Phone CSB to organise a person to person
or telephone interview
Postal Address Community Skillsbank
The Centre
Chisholm Street
Wangaratta Victoria 3677
Visit us at The Centre
Chisholm Street
Wangaratta Victoria 3677
Welcoming the new Project Coordinator,
Linda Phillis, to CSB Wangaratta
From left Diane Farmer, Chantel Cook, Linda Phillis, Margaret
Harvey and Joshua Newth. Absent: Anne Foley.
http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/http://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/mailto:[email protected]://www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au/