Author Archives: fobif

State of the forests, 1870

Posted on 19 November, 2012 by fobif

Doug Ralph has supplied us with the text below, as evidence of 19th century attitudes to forest use. The report is from the Argus newspaper, and can be found on the National Library’s Trove website: “The following report of the … Continue reading →

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Questions to the minister…and answers

Posted on 18 November, 2012 by fobif

In October FOBIF wrote to the Minister for Bushfire Recovery, Peter Ryan, the Minister for Conservation, Ryan Smith, and the National Party member for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum, regarding the government’s planned burning program. We asked how the Government was … Continue reading →

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Fire meeting

Posted on 13 November, 2012 by fobif

On 1st November a concerned group of people from Castlemaine, Bendigo and surrounding areas, meeting in the Chewton Town Hall, decided to form a network to lobby and campaign for major changes to the State Government’s current and forthcoming fuel … Continue reading →

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A Spectacular Orchid

Posted on 2 November, 2012 by fobif

Three FOBIF members recently went to Old Coach Road in the Fryers Ranges to have a look at the Giant Sun Orchid Thelymitra aristata. In contrast to our normal small orchids this one was 81 cm (32 in)  and can apparently reach … Continue reading →

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Last walk for 2013

Posted on 30 October, 2012 by fobif

The last FOBIF walk of the year was to the Fryers Ranges on Sunday 21 October. Twenty-three people enjoyed a sunny walk along a series of paths including the interestingly named ‘No Name Track’ and onto Fryers Ridge. Richard Piesse … Continue reading →

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Honeyeaters raise the alarm

Posted on 25 October, 2012 by fobif

Sitting quietly in my garden I get to watch Silvereyes as they go about their foraging. These beautiful little birds are quite common in local gardens. If you remain still you can often be rewarded with very close views. Silvereyes … Continue reading →

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Woolley Bear munches on a Greenhood

Posted on 15 October, 2012 by fobif

Doug Ralph has taken another terrific photo of a Woolly Bear, this time upon a Greenhood. The two holes you can see suggest feeding has begun. The caterpillars of the Arctiidae are mostly covered in dark hairs, which gives them the name … Continue reading →

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What’s On In October?

Posted on 15 October, 2012 by fobif

20 October – Presentation on Indigenous Plant Use by Dr Beth Gott of Monash University. Event organised by Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group. 21 October –  Free Community Event organised by Campbells Creek Landcare Group. 22 October – Last FOBIF walk for the … Continue reading →

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Bendigo fire meeting [1]: what’s happening on the ground?

Posted on 14 October, 2012 by fobif

On Tuesday October 9 DSE officials met with about 30 individuals and representatives of conservation groups to discuss outcomes of the consultation process around the Fire Operations Plan. The discussion was limited by the fact that the biggest factor in … Continue reading →

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Bendigo fire meeting [2]: zones and other problems

Posted on 10 October, 2012 by fobif

Some anguish was expressed in the meeting about the inflexibility of the zones. Members will recall that we are concerned at the large Zone 1 area on Mount Tarrengower, and the Zone 2 south of Guildford. The fact is that … Continue reading →

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