Category Archives: News

The promotion of lunacy 1: ‘let’s drive through those flood waters in our flash car!’

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

Last year Macquarie Uni’s Andrew Gissing and Fran Molloy offered this comment on driver behaviour and flood deaths: ‘Research by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre found that most of the 178 flood-related deaths in Australia since 2000 have … Continue reading →

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The promotion of lunacy 2: what are ‘prevailing community standards’?

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

A few weeks ago FOBIF wrote to several responsible persons/agencies complaining about car advertising which promoted unsafe and environmentally irresponsible driving. Recipients included the state Minister for road safety, the Federal Council for Automotive Industries, local MPs and the Ad … Continue reading →

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In a different light … an exhibition by David Oldfield

Posted on 3 June, 2019 by fobif

David Oldfield’s fascinating exhibition, ‘In a Different Light: Australian Native Flower Photographs in Ultraviolet Light’, opened last Sunday (2nd June) at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub. David points out in an introductory pamphlet that camera manufacturers go to great lengths … Continue reading →

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Life and death in the fire zone

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

The brilliant green in the photo below is Funaria hygrometrica, a moss which flourishes in fire ash. If you look closely you can see it’s growing in the ashes of a fallen tree. Harder to see, but still there, are … Continue reading →

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Here’s an unexpected fire problem

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

The photo below shows solar panels at the foot of the Fryers Forest fire tower. One has been smashed by rocks tossed over the quite high fence surrounding the tower. Attacks on fire towers are not unheard of—reports from Gippsland … Continue reading →

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Killing weeds, spreading weeds

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

Mount Alexander Shire decided last week to continue using Glyphosate as part of its weed killing programs. The chemical is a constituent of the widely used weedkiller Roundup. There is evidence that, at least in some usages, it may cause … Continue reading →

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FOBIF tilts at a very large windmill

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

Readers will remember our irritation at the plethora of Television commercials for recreational vehicles, encouraging irresponsible and environmentally damaging driving practices. We’ve decided to see if we can get an opinion on this matter from responsible authorities, and have written … Continue reading →

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Along the ridges

Posted on 20 May, 2019 by fobif

A small group of walkers embarked on FOBIF’s May expedition to the south end of the Diggings Park. The group followed one of the little known ridges between Helge Track and Sebastopol Creek before angling up Stones Gully to return. … Continue reading →

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Mining in the Muckleford Forest?

Posted on 20 May, 2019 by fobif

FOBIF has supported an objection by the Muckleford Forest Friends group to a mining exploration application for the forest by Kalamazoo resources. Our objection is based on extreme caution about such exploration, mixed with bad experience with exploration and sampling … Continue reading →

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An indigenous management plan for Kalimna Park?

Posted on 13 May, 2019 by fobif

Dja Dja Wurrung project officer Harley Douglas met with representatives from the Friends of Kalimna Park last weekend to discuss a projected management plan for the park. FOBIF was represented at the meeting. The state government has allocated $200,000 for … Continue reading →

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