A Winter Walk in Black Hill Reserve

Posted on 19 August, 2024 by fobif

Our August walk took us further afield than usual, to Black Hill Reserve near Kyneton. Lionel Jenkins and Barb Guerin lead a dozen other walkers on a loop of just over 5km. The dominant tree species are Manna Gum, Messmate Stringybark and Yellow Box with an understorey of Silver, Black and Lightwood Wattles. In the ground layer we saw Prickly Starwort, Spiny-headed Mat-rush, two specimens of the threatened species Arching Flax-lily, and some ferns ringing the boulders.  A lightning strike in January 2015 caused a bushfire that went through 80 percent of the reserve, and it is still recovering.

A liverwort (Chiloscyphus species) on burnt log, by Bernard Slattery

From the 1960s to the turn of the century efforts at revegetation after gravel extraction and bushfires saw the introduction of non local native species (e.g. Sallow Wattle) but in more recent years any plantings done are of local native species in accordance with the three Ecological Vegetation Classes found within the reserve.

Huge, coarse-grained granite boulders are a feature of the walk, some monolithic in size. We enjoyed  morning tea in some “caves” (shelters really), and lunch on a grassy slope in the sun. Mosses were in abundance, and Joy Clusker pointed out and photographed for us several species of fungi, and gum exuding from Black Wattles:

‘Twas a very enjoyable walk on a beautiful Winter’s day. Thanks to Lionel and Barb ad the walkers who contributed photographs for this report.  There were not many flowers to be seen – a little bit of Common Hovea and Purple Coral-pea. It would be good to re-visit in Springtime when the orchids and other wildflowers are out (as featured on the beautiful interpretive signs in the rotunda near the main entrance to the reserve). 

Posted in News, Walks | Comments Off on A Winter Walk in Black Hill Reserve

A huge thank you to retiring committee members

Posted on 17 August, 2024 by fobif

We would like to acknowledge the immense contribution of the six FOBIF committee members who chose to stand down at the 2024 AGM. Between them, these members served for over 75 years on the committee, creating a powerful legacy of environmental advocacy and education. We would like to thank:

  • Marie Jones, a founding member of FOBIF and the 2024 recipient of the Joan Kirner Landcare Award, who served for 25 years on the committee.
  • Bernard Slattery, who served for over 20 years on the committee.
  • Bronwyn Silver, who served for over 15 years on the committee.
  • Neville Cooper, who served for over 10 years on the committee.
  • Lynette Amaterstein, who served for over 5 years on the committee.
  • Jeremy Holland, who served for over 5 years on the committee.

We congratulate these wonderful people on their amazing efforts and hope they will still be around to assist the committee in the future, while taking a well-earned rest!

Here is a link to a summary article by Bernard on FOBIF’s achievements since 1998: FOBIF Since 1998.

Posted in News | 1 Comment

FOBIF 2024 AGM

Posted on 16 August, 2024 by fobif

Fifty-three  members and supporters came along to the FOBIF AGM on Monday 12 August. The evening began with a terrific presentation by local bird expert Geoff Park,Woodland birds in central Victoria – historical observations, current status and future prospects. A summary can be found here. minutes

This was followed by the formal part of the meeting. Minutes can be found here. The new committee members are Christine Henderson (President) and Lisa Hall (Secretary). Asha Bannon, Gen Blades, Frances Cincotta, Karl Just, Jo Matthews, Cassia Read, Sarah Day were elected as ordinary committee members. The positions of treasurer and vice president are currently unfilled.

Everyone is welcome to come to FOBIF committee meetings which are held on the second Monday at 6pm at the Community House in Templeton Street, Castlemaine. Contact Christine Henderson 0417 529 392 for more information.

The photos below were taken while people were chatting and enjoying the supper after the meeting. 

Posted in News | Comments Off on FOBIF 2024 AGM

Reminder: FOBIF AGM Monday 12 August 2024

Posted on 3 August, 2024 by fobif

Our FOBIF AGM will take place at 7.30 on 12 August in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane (next to the library). After a brief AGM, Geoff Park will give a presentation on Woodland birds in central Victoria – historical observations, current status and future prospects. 

There are several vacancies on the FOBIF committee for the coming year and we are encouraging interested people to consider joining. There is a link to nomination forms and more information on the Geoff’s presentation  here.

Posted in News | Comments Off on Reminder: FOBIF AGM Monday 12 August 2024

Rethinking Planned Burns – Philip Zylstra, August 20th 2024

Posted on 3 August, 2024 by fobif

Kinglake Friends of the Forests, Friends of Box Ironbark Forests, Friends of the Whipstick and the Whroo Goldfields Conservation Network have engaged Dr Zylstra to speak at a public meeting at the Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre at 7pm on Tuesday 20th August to explain his studies and model of bushfire behaviour. We are hopeful that a greater understanding of fire behaviour will lead to a review of the practice of prescribed burning, greater protection for the flora and fauna of the forests and a reduced risk of bushfires for communities.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) plan to burn 10,000 Ha of forest in the Murray -Goldfields districts in the next 2 years. This is despite acknowledgement by the Victorian state department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, DEECA that “Box-Ironbark forests are considered not prone to recurrent fires, making them possibly atypical of dry, sclerophyllous vegetation in Australia.” Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off on Rethinking Planned Burns – Philip Zylstra, August 20th 2024