Author Archives: fobif

Let’s go and tear up some country, fellas

Posted on 2 October, 2017 by fobif

There’s something very striking about advertisements for SUV’s: almost every one contains an image of a car either tearing up some country, plunging through a waterway, or driving along a remote beach. TV advertisements of these cars will sometimes do … Continue reading →

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Fires and misfires 1: how does a planned burn happen?

Posted on 11 September, 2017 by fobif

DELWP fire officers had two info sessions in this region last month to brief residents about the upcoming fire season, and planned burning operations. To see where these burns are taking place on the Department of Environment’s interactive map, click … Continue reading →

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Fires and misfires 2: don’t be put off

Posted on 11 September, 2017 by fobif

In spite of these gloomy considerations, fire managers can point to some significant advances over past practices. Community consultation and information is certainly taken more seriously than it was 15 years ago. And the cautious reintroduction of indigenous burning to … Continue reading →

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Fire consultations start

Posted on 15 August, 2017 by fobif

Fire Management officers are holding ‘open house’ sessions in our region in the next couple of weeks. Want to ask questions about about fire operations plans, project firefighter recruitment, firewood, pest plants and animals, traditional burning and related matters? Rock … Continue reading →

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Good news! You’re getting a pay rise–something between $0 and $1 million!

Posted on 12 August, 2017 by fobif

Parks Victoria has released the results of its engagement activity,   ‘Strengthening Parks Victoria’. FOBIF had a go at this process last year [see our posts here and here]. As is the way of these things, a lot of energy … Continue reading →

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Mystery garden: who was the gardener?

Posted on 12 August, 2017 by fobif

At the junction of the Old Coach Road and the Fryers Ridge Road there’s an old fenced area, about 200 metres square. The fence isn’t in bad shape, but has been knocked down in a couple of places by falling … Continue reading →

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Comeback

Posted on 24 July, 2017 by fobif

It’s always good to have an excuse to mention Silver Banksias. This time it’s the fact that they’re flowering on the Campbells Creek track right now. Readers will remember that the once abundant species was almost wiped out in this … Continue reading →

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FOBIF mosses go to China

Posted on 24 July, 2017 by fobif

FOBIF’s guide to mosses of dry forests in south eastern Australia is being tabled at the International Bryological Congress in China this month as a model of public education efforts to bring scientific knowledge to the wider community. The presentation … Continue reading →

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Monster meeting site gets heritage recognition

Posted on 23 July, 2017 by fobif

The site of the 1851 Monster Meeting near the junction of Golden Point Road and the Pyrenees Highway has been placed on the state heritage register. The Monster Meeting is recognised as the first time workers had stood united in … Continue reading →

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FOBIF AGM: Blue Banded Bees, and other stuff

Posted on 20 July, 2017 by fobif

A healthy crowd of 35 people turned up to the FOBIF AGM on a bitter winter night last week to hear Brian Bainbridge talk on revegetation of Melbourne’s Merri Creek. Brian’s presentation was a model ecological narrative, focusing on efforts … Continue reading →

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