Have your say on nature strip plantings

Posted on 11 March, 2025 by fobif
Our nature strips could host much more nature, such as our local Sticky Everlasting Daisy, beloved by butterflies
 
Mount Alexander Shire has put out draft guidelines for what we can and can’t plant on our nature strips.  
 
The guidelines are quite restrictive about what residents can do.  Without a permit you can only plant grasses and  strappy plants (native or exotic).  With a permit plants can be no higher than 60cm and there are various other restrictions such as the use of spiky or prickly plants is prohibited.   The deadline for submissions is 17th March. 
 
Have your say!
 
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First walk for the year

Posted on 10 March, 2025 by fobif

This Sunday 16 March Frances Cincotta will lead a walk in the Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve. The walk is only 5km, in case of very hot weather and is all on wide, well-formed tracks, with some up and down but nothing steep. Bring morning tea and lunch. We will get back to Castlemaine approximately 1.30pm.

If you live near Taradale you may like to meet us at the entrance to Roderick Street off the Calder Hwy at Taradale, opposite Ox-Art HQ, at 9.45am. Otherwise meet at front of Continuing Ed in Templeton Street Castlemaine as usual, at 9.20am, to organise car pooling and leave promptly at 9.30am.Frances 0491 108 766

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Alison Pouliot book launch: Funga Obscura

Posted on 26 February, 2025 by fobif

Alison’s latest book is about fungi, and the photography of fungi. The title, Funga Obscura, unites the two.

Alison Pouliot

Beginning in elemental landscapes of ice and rock, the book traces the evolutionary path of fungi as enablers of life on land and creators of soils and forests.

Crossing continents and ecosystems, we navigate lichen-covered landscapes, crawl in the fungal undergrowth, scale glacial extremes and duck between rainforest shadows.

Everyone is welcome at the launch and there is not charge but please register. You will hear some stories of her travels in the photographing and writing of the book, and enjoy a glass of bubbles.

DATE: FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025

LOCATION: – RADIUS ART GALLERY, 76 MAIN ROAD, HEPBURN SPRINGS VIC 3461

TIME: 6:30PM–8:00PM

Funga Obscura and Alison’s previous titles will be available for purchase.

A selection of Alison’s fungi photos below. 

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Farewelling two FOBIF committe members & invitation to join the committee

Posted on 17 February, 2025 by fobif

We want to thank two members of our committee, who are both leaving due to personal commitments. Asha Bannon joined the committee in 2023 is a former Landcare coordinator and NCCMA employee. She was a valued committee member who contributed to FOBIF a broad range of knowledge and experience. Cassia Read brought her expertise as an ecologist, educator, garden designer & Moss book colaborator, to FOBIF over a number of years.

We invite anyone who is interested in joining us, to get in touch; we meet each monthly for one hour. 

We are also looking for a Treasurer and are happy to support you in this role (no previous experience necessary, apart from the ability to work a calculator!).

Committee members play a critical role in furthering the goals of the organization, ensuring the forests are well-protected and fostering strong community involvement in local environmental issues.

Call Lisa Hall, Secretary 0488 102 191 or email info@fobif.org.au

Castlemaine spider orchid, photo by Noel Young

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Workshop on culture, white privilege and racism (14 free spots available)

Posted on 17 February, 2025 by fobif

The FOBIF committee will be participating in a workshop with John Bonnice (Co-Chair of the Bendigo Reconciliation Committee) on Thursday 13th March at 10am in McKenzie Hill. The workshop takes 2.5 hours.

We have free spots available for the first 14 people to email us on info@fobif.org.au.

  • This workshop emerged from feedback from Aboriginal colleagues that groups/organisations need to promote self-reflection within staff regarding their attitudes and beliefs surrounding white privilege and racism as these beliefs and attitudes were a barrier to the partnership work with Aboriginal people and organisations. It was also expressed that non-Aboriginal people needed to carry responsibility for this conversation.

    The aim of the workshop is to enable people/groups/organisations to reflect on mainstream culture/white privilege/racism and its impact on the relationship and work with Aboriginal people and communities and our understanding of what has happened/is happening for First Nations people.

  • The workshops are a conversation using a self-reflection process
  • It is not cultural awareness training but does certainly help people prepare for cultural awareness training and further learning.
  • The workshop works best when it is done in person and not online.Sedimentary rock. Photo by Frances Cincotta 
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