Category Archives: News

Farewelling two FOBIF committe members & invitation to join the committee

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 … Continue reading

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

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 … Continue reading

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Remembering Richard Piesse

We remember Richard Piesse, Champion Castlemaine Naturalist and Volunteer Saturday 15th February, 3-5pm. Tea Rooms, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens You are invited to join with the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and staff and volunteers from the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre for … Continue reading

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So: what might World Heritage status mean?

Readers will have noticed prominent coverage in the national press of Federal support for the proposal to get UNESCO world heritage nomination for the Victorian goldfields. FOBIF has taken a keen interest in the ongoing work on this proposal. You … Continue reading

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Online talk tomorrow-Grasslands, burning and the CFA

Although outside our area, this talk should be interesting. Dr Joshua Hodges will talk about the CFA, covering its structure, officer roles, the politics, decision-making, funding, the ecological consequences of fire (or its lack) in grasslands, what you can do, … Continue reading

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2025 FOBIF walks and subscriptions

FOBIF subscriptions for 2025 are now due. If you are a FOBIF member but haven’t received a subscription form in the mail or would like to become a new member you can find the relevant form here. Members who haven’t … Continue reading

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Vale Richard Piesse (1942-2024)

Richard Piesse died peacefully on Saturday, December 28, after a short stay in palliative care at Peter Mac. Richard was a contributor to our community in multiple ways—he was a volunteer for the Chewton Domain Society and the Tourist Information … Continue reading

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Have your say on the future of our State Forests

Changes are afoot in the management of Victoria’s state forests.  VicForests (the government-backed logging company) has been wound up and the government has released a survey on the future management of state forests. Here is a link to the survey … Continue reading

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Good News! MASC Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan

In early December FOBIF sent a letter to Mount Alexander Shire Council requesting the adoption and resourcing of a Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan in the next budget. The letter prepared by Asha Bannon (& endorsed by 21 local environmental … Continue reading

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More than just grass!

In Djaara country, we are just coming into Wurrumuk and Dhurung time – Long-necked Turtle and seed time. As the weather continues to warm in the early summer period, Long-necked Turtle is laying its eggs, while native grasses are producing … Continue reading

Posted in Nature Observations, News | 1 Comment