Category Archives: News

Don’t be put off by the big words

Posted on 10 August, 2020 by fobif

Prevailing wisdom in the political class envisages big population increases in Victoria in the next few decades. Whether these increases are a good idea, or will prove to be illusions after COVID 19 is not clear, but in any case … Continue reading →

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Send a card to stay in touch . . .

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

Our greeting cards are now available from Buda, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine, Friday to Sunday, 1-4 pm and Falkner Gallery, 35 Templeton Street, Castlemaine, Thursday to Saturday, 11-4 pm. We can also deliver them if you live reasonably close to … Continue reading →

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Cats, dogs and biodiversity

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

Readers of the daily press will have noted the damning report on Australia’s biodiversity protection laws, which concluded, among other things: “The EPBC Act is ineffective. It is not fit for current or future environmental challenges, such as climate change.” … Continue reading →

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Dogs, cats, chooks, biodiversity…and viruses

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

Which one of the above is the odd one out? Answer: none. The world is a pretty tangled place, and pretty well everything in it is linked. This is the gist of our recommended lockdown reading for the month: On … Continue reading →

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Want to do your bit for biodiversity? Do it in the garden!

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

You have to admire weeds: their tenacity is an example to us all. Every gardener knows that they don’t give up without a fight, and the struggle against them can seem to be both thankless and futile. Even talking about … Continue reading →

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Free spectacle on show now

Posted on 27 July, 2020 by fobif

This year has been a good one for mosses. Their bright green colours have been prominent, even dominant in many places. The roadside pictured below is a fair sample: With a bit of luck the season will get even better … Continue reading →

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FOBIF July walk: Exploring the valleys

Posted on 20 July, 2020 by fobif

Yesterday’s FOBIF walking group was divided into two for the expedition into the upper reaches of the Columbine Creek catchment—COVID 19 regulations obliging us to keep each group’s numbers below ten. The two groups approached the circuit from opposite directions, … Continue reading →

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Next FOBIF walk on 19 July

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

The planned FOBIF walk led by Jeremy Holland will take place next Sunday 19th July. We will meet as normal at Community House in Templeton Street, Castlemaine at 9.30am. Total walk distance will be 8.5 km and you will need … Continue reading →

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What is it? And where is it going?

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

So: what’s that grey discolouration in the water of Forest Creek at the Wheeler Street bridge, after rain last week? Answer: It’s pollution runoff come down the gutter from somewhere in the town. We won’t speculate as to exactly what … Continue reading →

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A track to nowhere

Posted on 13 July, 2020 by fobif

Speaking of tradition: we occasionally hear complaints that conservation reserves ‘lock up’ public land, and deprive people of their traditional rights, including the right to drive anywhere they like. The fact that millions of Australians visit our reserves each year … Continue reading →

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