August - November 2009 Spring Outdoors A regional program of environmental events brought to you by Banyule City Council, Manningham City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.
As the sun returns and we all come out of hibernation, Banyule City Council, Manningham City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council are once again coming together to celebrate with a series of fun environmentally themed events. Offering something for everyone, the Spring Outdoors program encourages families and friends to spend time together while getting their hands dirty and learning about our natural environment. Please note that while almost all events are free, most require you to book ahead. Places may be limited, so please book early to avoid disapointment.
Saturday 29 August, 10.00am-12.00noon Designing and Maintaining a Native Garden and Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) Learn how to create and maintain a beautiful, healthy and neat indigenous garden with careful plant selection, pruning, appropriate fertiliser and some watering and mulching. Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Essential. Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Wednesday 2 September, 7.30pm-8.30pm Saving the Macquarie Perch Presented by Manningham City Council with Tim Curmi Native Fish Australia The endangered Australian Macquarie Perch have disappeared from much of their original habitat. A translocated healthy population in the Yarra River will be discussed. Where: South Warrandyte Hall, 66-68 Hall Road South Warrandyte. Mel Ref. 35 J8 Bookings: Not required. For details Lyn Meredith: 9840 9326 Wednesday 9 September, 7.00pm-9.00pm Compost and Worm Farm Workshop Starting up your own compost or worm farm? Wendy and Ross Mather share their secrets from 25 years of experience making compost and happy worm farms. Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Nillumbik Operations Centre: 9433 3500 Sunday 13 September, 9.00am-4.00pm Waterwatch Training Presented by Waterwatch Become an accredited Waterwatcher by attending this intensive Waterwatch training program. Learn how to test stream water quality and collect and identify water bugs. (BYO lunch) Where: Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, Reynolds Road Warrandyte. Mel Ref. 34 H6 Bookings: Essential. Megan Kemp: 9457 9816
Wednesday 16 September, 6:45pm-9.00pm Sustainable Homes Gardening Session Presented by Banyule City Council Fantastic presenters with amazing experiences will inspire you to grow your own food, introduce you to the best indigenous plants for your area, and even solve your composting dilemmas. Where: Centre Ivanhoe, McCubbin Room, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road Ivanhoe. Mel Ref. 31 F7 Bookings: Essential: 8470 8373 Saturday 19 September, 9.00am ride/10.30am artist talk Bike Tour D Art Learn more about the beautiful public artworks around Eltham on this bike tour along the Diamond Creek trail. Concludes at the Eltham Library Community Gallery with an artist talk on the Nillumbik Art Collection. (BYO bike, helmet, water bottle and sunscreen) Where: Eltham Library, Panther Place Eltham. Mel Ref. 21 J5 Bookings: Essential. Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Saturday 19 September, 7.00pm-8.30pm Park in the Dark Presented by Friends of Ruffey Lake Park Ever wondered what lies in the dark down at Ruffey Lake Park? It s more exciting than you might imagine! Friends of Ruffey Lake Park celebrate their 4th anniversary with a twilight wildlife hunt. Where: The Boulevard Entrance, Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster Mel Ref. 33 F10 (BYO sturdy shoes, torch and your family/friends!) Bookings: Essential. Tom Dowsley: 9846 7601 Sunday 27 September, 10.00am-12.00noon Catch a Carp Day Presented by the Greensborough Angling Club Join volunteers from the Greensborough and District Angling Club and Julia from Waterwatch to rid the Kalparrin Lake of a few carp. Enjoy a relaxing fishing experience close to home! Where: Kalparrin Gardens, Yando Street Greensborough Mel Ref. 10 H12 Bookings: Essential. Megan Kemp: 9457 9816
Saturday 3 October 10.00am-12.00noon Growing Organic Fruit and Veg in Nillumbik and Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) Come along and learn about growing your own food under Nillumbik conditions. The workshop will cover issues such as Nillumbik soils, possums and shading. Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Saturday 3 October, 10.00am-12.00noon Walk at Browns Reserve Presented by Banyule City Council Join local ecologist Doug Frood on a wildflower walk around Browns Reserve. Doug has extensive knowledge of this site and will highlight some of the indigenous plants found in the area. Where: Browns Reserve, Albion Crescent Greensborough Mel Ref. 11 C11 Bookings: Megan Kemp: 9457 9816. Sunday 4 October, 8.00am-10.30am Birds Along the River and Ridge Presented by Parks Victoria Join Conrad Annal (Warrandyte State Park Ranger in Charge) as we walk along the Yarra River stopping along the way to learn more about Warrandyte State Park s fascinating bird life. (BYO binoculars and bird book if you have them) Where: Pound Bend Reserve picnic area, Warrandyte. Mel Ref. 23 A11 Bookings: Essential. Manningham City Council: 9840 9348 Thursday 8 October, 7.00pm-8.30pm Composting and worm farming seminar Presented by Manningham City Council Ever wondered how to set up a compost bin or worm farm but unsure of where and how to start? This workshop that will assist you to set up and maintain your own compost bin or worm farm. Where: Manningham Council Depot, Blackburn Road Doncaster East. Mel Ref. 34 D2 Bookings: Essential: 9846 0579
Saturday 10 October, 9.00am-5.00pm; and Sunday 11 October, 9.00am-4.00pm Australian Plants Expo: Australian Plants for Sustainable Gardening Presented by Australian Plants Society Yarra Yarra Group Plant sale, book sale, huge display of Australian native flowers, presentations and displays. Cost: $4 per adult, children free Where: Templestowe College, Cypress Avenue Templestowe. Mel Ref. 33 D7 Bookings: 9435 7786 Saturday 10 October, 11.00am-1.00pm Celebrating Indigenous Culture: Darrabi Aboriginal Bush Food and Reconciliation Garden Join Trevor Gallagher, Aboriginal elder, to learn more about our indigenous culture and native seasons. Participate in a cleansing ceremony, learn about bush foods and make rope using traditional methods. Suitable for all ages. ( Native Flavours picnic lunch provided) Where: Darrabi Aboriginal Bush Food and Reconciliation Garden, Fergusons Paddock, Hurstbridge (behind Hurstbridge Primary School) Mel Ref. 263 A7 Bookings: Essential. Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Sunday 11 October, 10.00am-1.00pm Vegetable Seed Saving Come and learn about techniques of growing vegetable seeds. This workshop will cover seed selection, harvesting, processing and storing to ensure the conservation of genetic heritage in our heirloom vegetable varieties. Cost: $15 Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Living and Learning Nillumbik: 9433 3744
Tuesdays 13, 20 and 27 October and Wednesdays 14 and 21 October, 6.30pm-8.30pm Sustainable Garden Seminar Series Presented by Manningham City Council and Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) The industry-standard Sustainable Gardening Australia Seminar Series will cover all aspects of sustainable gardening from garden design to soil improvement and plant selection. Where: Manningham City Council, 699 Doncaster Road Doncaster. Mel Ref. 33 F12 Bookings: Essential. Manningham City Council: 9840 9348 Thursday 15 October, 7.00pm-9.00pm Green Your Home Retrofitting and Renovating Advice Whether you are retrofitting or renovating, this workshop will demonstrate affordable and creative ways to help improve the sustainability, design and comfort of your home. Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Saturday 17 October, 10.00am-3.00pm Managing a Bush Block for Biodiversity and Bushfire Management This field day will involve site visits to a small number of properties to discuss techniques for bushland management. The tour covers bushland ecology, basic plant identification, land management, fuel loads, habitats, revegetation, and assistance available to landholders. Where: Dunmoochin (location confirmed on booking) Bookings: Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210
Saturday 17 October, 10.00am-12.00noon Weedbusters with Friends of Salt Creek Presented by Friends of Salt Creek Join the Friends of Salt Creek and Associated Parklands for a Weedbusting Day in the Rosanna Parklands and learn about local weeds. Be one of the first 100 people to bring a weed from your own garden and receive an indigenous plant to replace it! Where: Rosanna Parklands, Lower Plenty Road end, Rosanna Mel Ref. 20 A12 Bookings: Not required Saturday 17 October and 14 November, 10.00am-12.00noon Compost and Worm Farm Workshop Starting up your own compost or worm farm? Wendy and Ross Mather share their secrets from 25 years of experience making compost and happy worm farms. Cost: $15 per person (includes morning tea) Where: The Food Farm, St Andrews (more details on booking) Bookings: Living and Learning Nillumbik: 9433 3744 Sunday 18 October, 10.00am-12.00noon Wetlands Planting with the Darebin Froggers Presented by Banyule City Council Join the Darebin Froggers to translocate wetland plants to another location along the Darebin Creek, creating more habitat for future frog generations. (BYO gloves and gumboots. Prepare to get muddy!) Where: Meet at the Darebin Parklands office, end of Separation Street, Alphington. Mel Ref. 31 C9 Bookings: Peter Grenfell: 9499 4454 Wednesday 21 October, 8.00pm Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary Spotlighting Walk Presented by the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary Enjoy a spotlight walk through the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary at La Trobe University. A high proportion of Australia s unique wildlife are nocturnal and emerge only at night. Cost: $10 per person Where: Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary at La Trobe University, Bundoora. Meet in carpark off La Trobe Avenue. Mel Ref. 19 G5 Bookings: Essential. Megan Kemp: 9457 9816
Wednesday 21 October, 7.00pm-9.00pm Evening Walk: The Sugar Glider Experience Learn more about local nocturnal wildlife, including micro bats, tawny frogmouths and brushtail and ringtail possums. With a bit of luck, we ll watch sugar gliders glide straight over our heads at dusk. Where: Wingrove Park, Main Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 21 J8 Bookings: Essential. Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210 Thursday 22 October, 6.30pm-8.00pm Community Frog Night with Warringal Conservation Society Presented by Waterwatch and the Warringal Conservation Society Join Waterwatch and the Warringal Conservation Society at the Warringal Wetlands for a night of discovery. Identify different frog calls, participate in the Melbourne Water frog census and take a walk through froggie habitat. Where: Old Shire Offices, Beverley Road Heidelberg. Mel Ref. 32 3D Bookings: Essential. Megan Kemp: 9457 9816 Saturday 24 October, 7.00am-9.00am Bird Week Bird Walk Presented by Friends of Ruffey Lake Park Calling all novice and life-long ornithologists! Come on down to Ruffey Lake Park during Bird Week 2009 and discover the diverse selection of birds that call the park home. Remember to bring a pair of sturdy shoes and your family and friends! (BBQ breakfast at conclusion of the walk provided) Where: The Boulevard Entrance, Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster Mel Ref. 33 F10 Bookings: Essential, Tom Dowsley on 9846 7601.
Saturday 24 October, 10.00am-12.00noon Walk Around the Edmund Rice Centre Amberley Presented by Banyule City Council Overlooking the Yarra River in Lower Plenty, Amberley is rich in both cultural and natural history. Explore the bushland and identify some of the species found there. The walk will include a visit to the unique buildings of Amberley. (Morning tea provided) Where: The Edmund Rice Centre Amberley Amberley Way, Lower Plenty. Mel Ref. 21 C12 Bookings: Essential. Megan Kemp: 9457 9816 Sunday 25 October, 10.00am-4.00pm Practically Green Festival A family-friendly festival featuring sustainability demonstrations, traders and suppliers, kids entertainment, food, music and more. Practical ways to change your lifestyle and reduce your footprint. Where: Edendale Farm Community Environment Centre, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Not required. For information: 9433 3216 Sunday 25 October, 7.30am Breakfast with the Birds Presented by Banyule City Council Join Bird Observation and Conservation Australia for an early morning walk with experienced guides who will help identify over 70 species of birds. Bring your binoculars and walking shoes. (Light breakfast provided) Where: Meet at carpark, Banyule Flats Reserve, Somerset Drive Heidelberg. Mel Ref. 32 F2 Bookings: Essential. BOCA: 9877 5342 Saturday 31 October, 2.00pm-4.00pm Wildflower Walk and Talk Presented by Manningham Council Join Dr Graeme Lorimer for an informative amble among the wonderful wildflowers of the 100 Acres Flora and Fauna Reserve. Where: The 100 Acres Flora and Fauna Reserve, Domeney Reserve, Knees Road Park Orchards. Mel Ref. 35 E9 Bookings: Essential. Manningham City Council: 9840 9348
Saturday 7 November, 11.00am-4.00pm Manningham Artists Studios Tour Presented by Manningham Council Join Manningham cultural services staff for a guided bus tour visiting some of Manningham s resident artists at work. The tour will include visits to the home studios of six well-known Manningham artists. Cost: $15 per person Where: Departing from Manningham Gallery, 699 Doncaster Road Doncaster. Mel Ref. 33 F 12 Bookings: Essential. Manningham Gallery: 9840 9367 Friday 20 November, 8.30pm-11.00pm Star Gazing Night Presented by the Astronomical Society of Victoria Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria as we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park. ASV astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and demonstrations. Bring a torch covered with red cellophane, and warm clothes. Where: Westerfolds Park, Fitzsimons Lane Templestowe. Mel Ref. 33 F2 Bookings: Essential. Manningham City Council: 9840 9348 Thursday 19 November, 7.00pm-8.30pm Create a Water Efficient Home and Garden Learn ways you can reduce your water use in the home and garden and find out how to select the right water conservation products and methods for you. Bring along your old showerheads on the night (maximum of two) and recieve free water efficient ones to replace them! Where: Edendale Farm, Gastons Road Eltham. Mel Ref. 22 A1 Bookings: Essential. Georgia Ramsey: 9433 3210
For more information: Belinda Moody Banyule City Council Phone: 9457 9821 Email: belinda.moody@banyule.vic.gov.au Web: www.banyule.vic.gov.au Nigel Philpot Manningham City Council Phone: 9840 9173 Email: nigel.philpot@manningham.vic.gov.au Web: www.manningham.vic.gov.au Alison Hickey Nillumbik Shire Council Phone: 9433 3328 Email: alison.hickey@nillumbik.vic.gov.au Web: www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au Proudly brought to you by: Printed on Australian made 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.