Author Archives: fobif

Lifting the BBQ lid

Posted on 9 January, 2014 by fobif

When John Ellis and Marie lifted the top of their BBQ recently they exposed an impressive construction. A mud wasp had built a nest with cubicles and it was filled with live, paralysed prey for its larvae to feed on. … Continue reading →

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The colour of summer

Posted on 7 January, 2014 by fobif

Summer: it’s a time when the bush can look stressed and under siege—but also when it can offer some pretty good sights, especially in the late afternoon or early in the morning. Clouds of butterflies around flowering  bursaria come to … Continue reading →

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Summer reading: brace yourself

Posted on 2 January, 2014 by fobif

With grass growth pretty prolific around our region, it might be worth a look back at the 2009 Black Saturday Redesdale fire. As far as we know, Robert Kenny’s Gardens of Fire: an investigative memoir, [UWA Publishing 2013] is the … Continue reading →

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Forget about VCE results: here’s the DEPI report

Posted on 31 December, 2013 by fobif

DEPI has produced a report on its fuel management activity for 2012-13: Reducing Victoria’s bushfire risk on public land. The relevant sections can be found here and here. The report offers a four part scale of achievement: –‘fully achieved’ –‘achieved … Continue reading →

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FOBIF gets a gong

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

Over a hundred representatives of local volunteer organisations gathered at the Castlemaine Market Building in December as part of international volunteer day. Volunteers ranging widely in age and field of from Castlemaine Secondary students to visitors to care accommodation were … Continue reading →

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Bushfire ‘risk landscape’ forum in Castlemaine

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

This forum–focussing on the West Central district–was held in Castlemaine on December 11 for a disappointing attendance of only 8 community members, outnumbered by DEPI officers. The West Central district covers the area from Geelong to north of Bendigo, and … Continue reading →

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Ecology last?

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

The Castlemaine Forum was given a summary of the bushfire risk profile developed by DEPI in cooperation with various research bodies. The profile is a working document rather than a set of conclusions, and is about risk to human life … Continue reading →

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Quotable quote

Posted on 29 December, 2013 by fobif

From DEPI’s Risk profiles report, page 30: ‘Fuel reduction is much more effective in some areas than others in reducing overall bushfire risk [to life and safety].’ This common sense observation is yet another dig at the five per cent … Continue reading →

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Moss guide published

Posted on 9 December, 2013 by fobif

FOBIF’s publication, A field guide to the mosses of south eastern Australia, has been published. If you wish to place an order this form has all the details and includes a sample page.

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Common sense hammers at the door–again

Posted on 29 November, 2013 by fobif

The Victorian Commissioner for the environment, Kate Auty, has released her State of the Environment Report for 2013. It can be found online here.   A brief summary of the Report’s findings can be found in the Age of November … Continue reading →

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