Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

A walk in the Fryers Ranges

Posted on 20 September, 2024 by fobif

The weather and the wildflowers put on a fantastic show for September’s wildflower walk in the Fryers Ranges on Sunday September 15^th. After a cold start to Spring, the bright sun, hilly track and stunning array of flowering trees, shrubs and herbs were a welcome reminder of the change of season and the warm weather to come.

Pink Beard-heath (Leucopogon ericoides) and Rough Wattle (Acacia aspera) sharing a patch. Photo Chrissi Charles

Starting on the corner of Fryers-Taradale Road and Fryers Ranges Road, Christine Henderson led the group of around 20 keen walkers on a 7km loop. The group started in a patch with a Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) and Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) overstory, but eyes quickly started pealing to the ground to take in the array of flowering shrubs and herbs giving off a show of purple, pink, red, yellow and white flowers.

Twin-flower Beard-heath (Styphelia fletcheri) was in its full white flowered glory sharing space with it’s cousin Pink Flowered Beard-heath (Leucopogon ericoides). The bush was full with a variety of yellow flowering Wattles, yellow and red Dillwynia flowers, red Downy Grevilleas (Grevillea alpina) stunning Pink Bells (Tetratheca ciliata), and a scattering of teeny herbs including Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica), native Billy Buttons (Craspedia variabilis) and one solitary Dusky Fingers orchid (Caladenia fuscata).

The group moved at its own pace with the keen newbies picking the brains of the experienced locals and everyone enjoying the sunshine and changing landscape.

Exploring such a beautiful part of Djaara country was a reminder of the beauty that can be found in a landscape still recovering from its not so distant history of logging and the impacts of the gold rush.

Chrissi Charles contributed the above article

Birds noted by Noel Young
Grey Currawong
Grey Shrike-thrush
Yellow faced Honeyeater
Spotted Pardalote
White-throated Treecreeper
Grey Fantail
Rufous Whistler
Crimson Rosella
Scarlet Robin
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
White-winged Chough
Mistletoe Bird

: Parrot pea. Photo Noel Young

: Guinea flower. Photo Noel Young

: Grevillea alpina. Photo Noel Young

: Fairy Wax flower. Photo Noel Young

: Epacris impressa. Photo Noel Young

: Twin-flower Beard-heath. Photo Noel Young

: Scarlet Robin perched on the trunk of a Long-leaved Box. Photo Stanislaw Wawrzyczek

: At lunch. Photo Pam Connell

: Frances Cincotta explaining the difference between Silver Wattle & Black Wattle. Photo Chrissi Charles

Euan Moore will lead the last FOBIF walk for the year on 20 October to Crusoe Reservoir/Big Hill. Check out the walks page for more information.

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Vale Naomi Raftery

Posted on 13 September, 2024 by fobif

It is with regret and sadness that we report the death from cancer of Naomi Raftery, FOBIF committee member for several years, and secretary from 2014-2018. In that period Naomi was an important part of all of our work, including our publications, and especially in the running of our children’s programs. She exemplified the best qualities of an environmental activist: idealism and hard headedness, tolerance and firmness, thoughtfulness and good humour. Naomi was also involved in Connecting Country activities, and we fully endorse the following comments by Chris Timewell on her work in this area:

From 2011 to 2017, Connecting Country was extremely fortunate to have Naomi Raftery’s unwavering support and commitment towards achieving its conservation objectives – originally as a hardworking volunteer and member, and then also as a part-time staff member. Naomi was the unsung hero behind the smooth running of field days, guest speaker events, committee meetings, restoration activities, and much more that Connecting Country undertook over this busy period.

In her humble way, she was invariably generous, friendly, patient, diligent, and insightful, and took steps to ensure that no-one would feel excluded or under-appreciated. Naomi demonstrated a strong sense of fairness, social justice and ethical behaviour – and inspired her colleagues and others she met to raise their game.

Connecting Country, and many other organisations in Castlemaine and beyond, benefited from her passion for grassroots collaboration. She knew the power of community groups to take meaningful steps at a local level towards making the wider world a better place. Naomi was always among the first to put up her hand to offer help.

Her contribution and legacy is enormous, and she’ll be greatly missed. We extend our sympathy to her husband Sean and daughter Sophie.

Naomi speaking at a FOBIF children’s walk in Kalimna Park, 2014.

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FOBIF spring walk, 15 September

Posted on 6 September, 2024 by fobif

Christine Henderson will be leading the 6-8 km September walk in the Fryers Ranges. We will be meeting as usual at 9.30 am at the Community House in Templeton Street, Castlemaine and travelling by convoy to Taradale. If you would like to start at Taradale, meet at 9.45 am opposite the Metro service station in the main street. Contact Christine on 0417 529 392 for more information.

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Fire: paying attention to the detail

Posted on 25 August, 2024 by fobif

Over 100 people packed into the Senior Citizens Hall last Tuesday to hear fire behaviour scientist Phil Zylstra question the science and logic behind current planned burning systems.

The talk focused on current programs centred on the reduction of leaf litter, considered as a major contributor to forest fire. Dr Zylstra set out to show that fuel reduction programs designed to reduce surface fuel neglect the role of the shrub layer. He argued that a forest left to itself provides its own protection against fire, and that concentration on fuel loads oversimplifies the fire challenge: fuel reduction burns may actually increase the area of wildfire.

Wewak Track, Castlemaine Diggings NHP, management fire zone, November 2010: concentration on reducing ‘ground fuel’ may be misplaced, and may even be counterproductive–as witness the photo below.

A feature of Dr Zylstra’s experience in fire management is his learning from Wurrundjeri Woi Wurrung elder Uncle David Wandin on the purpose and nature of indigenous fire, as contrasted with post settlement practices.

Wewak Track management fire zone, January 2012: prolific shrub and sapling regrowth can be a consequence of inappropriate fire.

Dr Zylstra’s research on fire behaviour and fuel danger is becoming increasingly relevant to forest managers. You can find his 2023 address (with Uncle Dave Wandin) to the Royal Society, ‘Decolonising fire science’ here. A shorter version of the talk is here

Accessible written accounts of his argument can be found here and here.

We recommend that readers have a look at the detailed material in these links.

The talk was organised by the Kinglake Friends of the forests, in combination with FOBIF, Friends of Whipstick, and the Whroo Conservation Network.

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Wild discoveries: an exhibition of nature photography

Posted on 23 August, 2024 by fobif

Nature embodies breathtaking complexity, subtle and intricate relationships and ineffable beauty. Much remains hidden to the casual eye, yet much can be revealed through the photographic lens. Minute details of a feather or moss, connections in colour and texture, colours and vast plenty in the night sky invisible to the unaided eye. Four local photographers entranced by and enthused about nature present some of their most striking discoveries of the wild – visual testaments to and explorations of the natural world.

Hosted by Newstead Arts Hub, the exhibition will be launched by Geoff Park on Saturday 7 September at 11am. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided. The show will be open every weekend in September from 10am to 4pm.