Category Archives: News

A stroll through the Metcalfe NCR

Posted on 22 August, 2022 by fobif

Good numbers rocked up for FOBIF’s August walk through the Metalfe Nature Conservation Reserve yesterday. This small reserve features beautiful open valleys of grassy woodland, the understorey dominated by Wallaby Grass. The reserve, unusually for this region, carries no Stringybarks, … Continue reading →

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Reminder about FOBIF AGM on 12 September

Posted on 15 August, 2022 by fobif

As outlined in a previous post, the FOBIF AGM will be held in the Ray Bradfield Room on 12 September beginning at 7.30. After a short time for AGM formalities Patrick Kavanagh will deliver on talk on Photographing Nature. Patrick … Continue reading →

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FOBIF’s walks guide: an update!

Posted on 8 August, 2022 by fobif

Parks Victoria is currently undertaking landscaping works around the Garfield Wheel in the Castlemaine Diggings NHP. These have changed the nature of the signage in the area, and therefore affect the directions we have given for Walk 8 in our … Continue reading →

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Roadside riddles

Posted on 8 August, 2022 by fobif

Mount Alexander shire conducted three poorly advertised consultation sessions through June and July on its draft Roadside fuel and bushfire risk strategy. The draft document can be found online here The draft, prepared by Fire Risk Consultants, proposes ‘treatment’ of … Continue reading →

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State of the environment: I don’t need to change, do I?

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by fobif

Australia’s State of the Environment report 2021 was belatedly released last week. The report’s grim findings have been widely publicised, and we won’t repeat what will be already widely known. It’s worth pointing out, however, that the report is peppered … Continue reading →

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State of the environment 2: some fun snippets

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by fobif

Here are a few details from the SOE report, relevant to our own region: 1. Paying attention to good on ground management matters. If you ever wonder whether Landcare is worth the effort, or if weed and feral animal control … Continue reading →

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State of the environment 3: this fact isn’t so fun

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by fobif

‘Species introduced to Australia from other regions and countries can have a crippling effect on economies and further impact the health and wellbeing of local communities. The cost to Australia of managing problem species over the past 50 years is … Continue reading →

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OK, things are not great. In the mean time, from day to day…

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by fobif

…From day to day, the signs of spring are popping up everywhere: And just as heroic: Eucalypts growing out of nothing, on mullock heaps at the slate quarry near the Welsh Village:

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Sunshine…and a few clouds

Posted on 18 July, 2022 by fobif

Long Walk A small group rocked up for FOBIF’s July long walk yesterday, undeterred by black clouds, sober weather forecasts and the prospect of an energetic 16 kms trek across hilly terrain. The weather actually delivered everything except snow: squally … Continue reading →

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Fire: more might be less

Posted on 11 July, 2022 by fobif

FOBIF has made submission to Forest Fire Management’s burning proposals for 2022-5. The submission is printed below. Our approach over the years has been to insist that all ‘fuel reduction’ exercises be carefully monitored, and that the results be used to … Continue reading →

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