Category Archives: News

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if fairy stories were true?

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

How long should we plan for? An interesting hint can be found in the May issue of the newsletter of the Australian Forest History Society, in a story by Roger Underwood, about New College Oxford, founded in 1379: ‘The chapel … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Wouldn’t it be wonderful if fairy stories were true?

Celebrating gold…and other things?

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

Parks Victoria has flagged the possibility of ambitious celebrations to mark the 170th anniversary of the discovery of gold in this region. They would take place in spring 2021. Another celebration possibility could be the 20th anniversary of the opening … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 1 Comment

Tackling the intractable

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

Users of Expedition Pass reservoir over the last year or so have noticed signs of serious stress in the Red Gums at the south western end of the dam wall, near the Golden Point Road. Reasons for the stress are … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on Tackling the intractable

The promotion of lunacy 2: what are ‘prevailing community standards’?

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by fobif

A few weeks ago FOBIF wrote to several responsible persons/agencies complaining about car advertising which promoted unsafe and environmentally irresponsible driving. Recipients included the state Minister for road safety, the Federal Council for Automotive Industries, local MPs and the Ad … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off on The promotion of lunacy 2: what are ‘prevailing community standards’?

In a different light … an exhibition by David Oldfield

Posted on 3 June, 2019 by fobif

David Oldfield’s fascinating exhibition, ‘In a Different Light: Australian Native Flower Photographs in Ultraviolet Light’, opened last Sunday (2nd June) at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub. David points out in an introductory pamphlet that camera manufacturers go to great lengths … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Photo Exhibitions | Comments Off on In a different light … an exhibition by David Oldfield

Life and death in the fire zone

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

The brilliant green in the photo below is Funaria hygrometrica, a moss which flourishes in fire ash. If you look closely you can see it’s growing in the ashes of a fallen tree. Harder to see, but still there, are … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 2 Comments

Killing weeds, spreading weeds

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

Mount Alexander Shire decided last week to continue using Glyphosate as part of its weed killing programs. The chemical is a constituent of the widely used weedkiller Roundup. There is evidence that, at least in some usages, it may cause … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 2 Comments

FOBIF tilts at a very large windmill

Posted on 27 May, 2019 by fobif

Readers will remember our irritation at the plethora of Television commercials for recreational vehicles, encouraging irresponsible and environmentally damaging driving practices. We’ve decided to see if we can get an opinion on this matter from responsible authorities, and have written … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 1 Comment

Along the ridges

Posted on 20 May, 2019 by fobif

A small group of walkers embarked on FOBIF’s May expedition to the south end of the Diggings Park.  The group followed one of the little known ridges between Helge Track and Sebastopol Creek before angling up Stones Gully to return. … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Walks | 1 Comment

Mining in the Muckleford Forest?

Posted on 20 May, 2019 by fobif

FOBIF has supported an objection by the Muckleford Forest Friends group to a mining exploration application for the forest by Kalamazoo resources. Our objection is based on extreme caution about such exploration, mixed with bad experience with exploration and sampling … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 2 Comments