Author Archives: fobif

Spring [1] a sobering forecast

Posted on 9 September, 2018 by fobif

It’s spring! Wildflowers are a bit slow to emerge this year, but there are signs–plenty of orchids, for example. And we can always hope, though it’s been dry, and doesn’t look like it’s going to improve. Here’s the Bureau of … Continue reading →

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Spring [2]: is this the way to get resilience?

Posted on 9 September, 2018 by fobif

So, dry or not, it’s still Spring, the time to get out and see what our bush can do. And, of course, we know that our forest managers are aware of the severe conditions, and keen to do everything they … Continue reading →

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The price of gold

Posted on 3 September, 2018 by fobif

Ian Higgins began his talk at the FOBIF AGM last Monday by showing a picture of the beautiful interior of Parliament House Melbourne, inlaid with pure gold. Then he showed this eloquent 1861 photograph taken near Guildford, most likely near … Continue reading →

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A walk in the winter sun

Posted on 20 August, 2018 by fobif

Occasional violent gusts of cold wind didn’t change the basic picture: Sunday was a bright winter day, perfect for a brisk stroll over to the Welsh Village from Chinaman’s Point via the Garfield Wheel and Sailors Gully, with a return … Continue reading →

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Fires: the themes are getting familiar

Posted on 20 August, 2018 by fobif

Fires have ravaged Greece, and are still burning California. Gippsland has had a large bushfire in the dead of winter, and NSW has had its earliest ever total fire ban day. We’re bracing for another serious fire season. If you … Continue reading →

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What’s all that intensely green stuff?

Posted on 19 August, 2018 by fobif

We haven’t had a huge season for rain. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, ‘Statewide rainfall was 33% below the long-term July mean of 70 mm, the driest July since 2002, and large areas in the north and east of Victoria, … Continue reading →

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FOBIF AGM: first notice

Posted on 16 July, 2018 by fobif

The FOBIF Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Monday August 27 at 7.30 pm. More details about the location, program and guest speaker are forthcoming. Do you want to play a role on the FOBIF committee? Or … Continue reading →

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For the birds

Posted on 16 July, 2018 by fobif

A large group rocked up to FOBIF’s July walk on Sunday, led by Damian Kelly, author of the recently published Castlemaine Bird Walks. The walk covered a section of the north eastern corner of the Maldon Historic area. The weather … Continue reading →

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Symptoms

Posted on 2 July, 2018 by fobif

Signs: they’re everywhere, maybe too many of them. But when they start to decay, you’d have to say they give the neighbourhood a neglected character. And the signs around our public land are definitely looking neglected: out of date, rotting, … Continue reading →

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Winter reading

Posted on 2 July, 2018 by fobif

Got a moment? Have a look at these two winter gems: First, the ever reliable Wombat Forestcare Newsletter, with high quality articles on  luminous fungi, fire in the Wombat, and a fascinating glimpse of the ‘world’s rarest fungus’, found on … Continue reading →

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