Category Archives: News

Kalimna Park: the old might be new, and the new old…

Posted on 2 March, 2020 by fobif

A planned fuel reduction burn for Kalimna Park is due to take place this April. The burn will be in two sections on the western side of the tourist road, and total 34 hectares.   The burn will take place … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | 1 Comment

Here’s a new friend you may not want to meet

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

The harmless, even charming looking plant below is Tribulus terrestris—variously called Caltrop, bindii, cat’s head, goat’s head, yellow vine. It’s a native of North Africa, now naturalised around the world, including Australia. It’s thought to have been introduced here as … Continue reading →

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Fire 1: Here we go again?

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

The terms of reference for the national royal commission into bushfires contain some potentially fruitful lines of enquiry, including the ideas of national policy on biodiversity, land use planning, and indigenous land use practices. One of the challenges the commission … Continue reading →

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Fire 2: Around and around the burning bush

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

Another part of the terms of reference is to investigate the matter of ‘hazard reduction.’ Although this has been a favourite theme of commentators wanting to distract the public from the fact that climate change might be making bushfires worse, … Continue reading →

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Fire 3: the human factor

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

Here’s a factor which should not be forgotten: human causes of fire. We’re not talking only about arson: carelessness or sheer ignorance are factors. The fire which seriously threatened the Canberra suburbs recently was caused by an army helicopter…And it … Continue reading →

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Fire 4: here’s a side issue that’s not a side issue

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

We know the land is getting drier—well, most people know. Some politicians and commentators think this is just a passing phase. The rest of us have to deal with it, now. On this matter it’s worth quoting some draft findings … Continue reading →

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Nature photo show at the Newstead Arts Hub

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

Local photographers, Janet Barker, Patrick Kavanagh, Geoff Park and Bronwyn Silver, are holding an exhibition, Photographers of the Goldfields, at the Newstead Arts Hub in March. Frances Cincotta will be also contributing some recent macro photos of native plants. From … Continue reading →

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Launch of Trace Balla’s latest book

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

Come along to the launch of Trace Balla’s latest book — Landing With Wings — set right here on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Trace is the much loved creator of creator of Rivertime and Rockhopping, The Thank You Dish and … Continue reading →

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Alison Pouliot in Castlemaine

Posted on 24 February, 2020 by fobif

The Castlemaine Garden Club has invited FOBIF members and supporters to their March meeting: We have been lucky enough to secure Dr Alison Pouliot as our speaker. Alison is an honorary fellow at Australian National University, and has published The … Continue reading →

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Some good news . . .

Posted on 16 February, 2020 by fobif

The Andrews government has closed an “outdated” legal loophole that allowed people to kill wombats without a permit in eastern Victoria. More than 4000 wombats are killed each year, according to the Victorian Greens, because of a decades-old rule that … Continue reading →

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