Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

Honey is in the air

Posted on 11 July, 2025 by fobif

Walkers on the newly opened section of the Campbells Creek track can’t fail to have noticed the substantial patches of flowering Hakea by the trackside. Hakea is a highlight of the track, and of the hillside on the side track leading up to Campbells Creek suburbia. When it’s in full flower, the aroma of honey in the air is unmistakeable.

Hakea decurrens (Bushy Needlewood) beside the newly opened section of the track, July 7: the aroma of honey is in the air.

The new section of track is a welcome improvement to this outstanding example of creek regeneration. And another welcome change: it’s proposed to change the name of the track to ‘Watjarang Baring’, meaning ‘Platypus Track’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language.

FOBIF is about to do a new edition of its Twenty Bushwalks in the Mount Alexander Region, incorporating several changes in on ground conditions, including the new Campbells Creek route and new Parks Victoria ventures in the Diggings Park.

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June short walk: a leisurely mooch in a ruined waterway

Posted on 16 June, 2025 by fobif

A bleak forecast didn’t stop a smallish group of resolute walkers from taking on the June short walk yesterday. The route followed a quiet gully south of Chewton, much revitalised by recent damp weather. It’s quite amazing how even the little moisture we’ve had over the last ten days has brightened a grey landscape.

What better way to spend a Sunday? There is a universe down there, and you have to get down to see it. (Photo: Cassia Read)

Significant patches of ground stood out in bright colours of different moss and lichen species, and hand lenses were deployed enthusiastically and with great effect under the engaging guidance of Cassia Read. It should be said that a lot of bending, creeping and crouching was necessary to get the right observations, but the result was definitely worth the effort.

And another amazing, though apparently prosaic fact: the gully we traversed is the product of gold rush destructiveness, and is still struggling over a century later…definitely a candidate for World Heritage nomination?

Our thanks to Cassia for making her expertise so accessible in the field. Here’s a partial list of moss species observed:

Dawsonia longiseta (Small Dawsonia)
Polytrichum juniperinum (Juniper Moss)
Grimmia laevigata (Salt and Pepper)
Grimmia pulvinata (Cushion Moss)
Braunia imberbe (Green Hoar-moss)
Rosalubryum billarderii (Rosette Moss)
Sematophyllum homomallum (Bronze Signal Moss)
Hypnum cupressiforme (Plait Moss)
Triquetrella papillata (Common Twine Moss)
Triquetrella paradoxa (Messy Twine Moss)

: Polytrichum juniperinum

: Lichen

: Marasmus alveolaris

: Dawsonia longiseta

Photos by Joy Clusker.

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EVENT: The Deep History of the Loddon River, Volcanoes and the Guildford Plateau

Posted on 16 June, 2025 by fobif

The Loddon River is central to much of Central Victoria and the Northern Plains. As it has wended its way from the highlands to the Murray for countless millennia, it has shaped the land, its fauna and flora, the people (both First Nations and those that came after colonisation) and the history of all of the above.

Newstead Landcare is excited to announce that renowned local geologist, Clive Willman will take us on a journey through the deep history of this important river and its catchment. This is a story of cataclysmic upheavals and volcanoes. Clive will take us through the formation of the Guildford Plateau and the story of the deep deposits of gold that eventually upended the landscape. Don’t miss this remarkable story.

The presentation, organised by Newstead Landcare is on Tuesday June 17th at Newstead Community Centre at 7.30 pm.

All are welcome to attend. Gold coin donations would be appreciated.

Clive Willman

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Long Walk – Leanganook / Mount Alexander

Posted on 16 June, 2025 by fobif

The annual FOBIF Long Walk began bright and early as promised on Sunday June 15th, with a group of seven intrepid hikers setting off into the eastern reaches of Leanganook (Mount Alexander). Confidently leading the way off-track, Jeremy guided the group to some of the mountain’s hidden gems.

Much of the walk unfolded beneath a thick winter mist, which, while obscuring the anticipated lookouts, lent the landscape a cosy, almost mystical atmosphere, giving more than it took.

A visit to the mysterious stone circle.

Offering a glimpse into what the pre-European vegetation may have once looked like, several sections of the route passed through relatively intact woodland where mature eucalyptus trees (mostly manna gums or messmates with a scattering of river red gums) stood tall above a sparse tussock grass understorey.

A glimpse of the pre-European landscape with large eucalypts scattered around a sparse tussock understorey.

Less uplifting, however, was the number of dead or dying younger trees—likely a result of prolonged drought stress, particularly in areas where shallow soils cap granite outcrops.

Some highlights of the day included a side quest to a sculptural rock cave, a visit to the rock maze, admiring giant river red gums and manna gums and the joys (and pains) of tackling large hill climbs.

A view from inside one the hidden caves the group explored.

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Yoorrook Justice Commission Walk for Truth

Posted on 9 June, 2025 by fobif

Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara and Gunditjmara man, had the vision and conviction to walk from Portland, where colonisation began, to Parliament in Melbourne. There the Yoorrook final report will then be handed to the Victorian government.

He is walking now, alongside local First Nations people and others, who have joined the walk at various stages. As the Commission stated:

“The walk will be a powerful way to build shared understanding of these truths, talking together about our history, while walking together to transform our future. For First Peoples and for all Victorians.

https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/events/walkfortruth/

Two FOBIF committee members joined the walk on day 1 and day 2 at Portland. We arrived at the ‘convincing grounds’ at the end of day 1, the site of Victoria’s first recorded massacre of First Nations people. The second day, we visited Tae Rak Aquaculture centre and the UNESCO world heritage listed Budj Bim cultural landscapes. Stories were share by local First Nations people, stories of past, present and future aspirations.

As Victoria’s first formal truth-telling process, over the past four years, Yoorrook has heard powerful truths from people right across the state, giving evidence on the impacts of colonisation, including systemic injustice, as well as the strength, resistance and achievements of First Peoples. These truths form the basis of Yoorrook’s final reports, documenting the past and providing a roadmap to transform the future. The final report will be handed to the State Government at Parliament House on the final day of the walk, June 18. We urge anyone who is able, to join these walks & events. It is a meaningful way we can support our First Nations people and the movement towards Treaty.