Category Archives: News

Reminder: Launch of FOBIF Eucalyptus ID book on 24 September

Posted on 19 September, 2016 by fobif

Next Saturday (24th September) the new FOBIF publication, Eucalypts of the Mount Alexander Region, will be launched by Geoff Park in the Castlemaine Library foyer at 10.30. Refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome. The book is a community project … Continue reading →

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Brilliant walk despite the weather

Posted on 19 September, 2016 by fobif

Our September FOBIF walk was led by local environmentalists, Elaine Bayes and Damien Cook, in the Chewton area off Dingo Park Road. Although the weather didn’t look promising, the rain held off and walkers enjoyed slowly wending their way through masses of Early Nancies … Continue reading →

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OK: Now it’s a lake, sort of…

Posted on 14 September, 2016 by fobif

Another 40 millimetres of rain on Monday, added to the previous week’s drop, gave a bit of extra push to local waterways, which at the time of writing had approached, but not quite reached, the levels of the flood years. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Observations, News | 1 Comment

A Magnificence of Raptors

Posted on 13 September, 2016 by fobif

It’s always a special feeling – that tingling mixture of excitement and awe when you catch sight of a bird of prey on the wing. And then the question comes – “what is it?”. If you’ve asked yourself this question, … Continue reading →

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Launch of FOBIF Eucalyptus Identification Book

Posted on 12 September, 2016 by fobif

On Saturday 24 September the new Friends of the Box-Ironbark publication, Eucalypts of the Mount Alexander Region, will be launched by Geoff Park, well known local environmentalist and author of the Natural Newstead blog. This 90 page guide aims to help … Continue reading →

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Pop-up kids walk this Sunday 18th September at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

Posted on 12 September, 2016 by fobif

Join us on Sunday 18th September as we take a look at the lesser known but most beautiful bush section of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. WHEN: 10am – 12pm WHERE: Tea rooms in the gardens (near the carpark closest to … Continue reading →

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Water

Posted on 12 September, 2016 by fobif

Forty five millimetres of rain fell at the Castlemaine Prison over the two days September 9 and 10. After good winter rains [63 mls in June, 73 mls in July and 63 in August] the streams were ready to run, … Continue reading →

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An eloquent silence

Posted on 12 September, 2016 by fobif

Last Friday [September 9], the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council held a briefing session in Chewton on its Historic Places Investigation report. At the end of the briefing, this question came from an audience member: ‘If the Government accepts and implements … Continue reading →

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Wetland Plant ID

Posted on 7 September, 2016 by fobif

There are still some places available in the October 2016 Wetland Identification Course run by wetland expert, Damien Cook, and facilitator, Elaine Bayes. You can find out all about it by clicking on the image above. Damien and Elaine are … Continue reading →

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Oh no! It’s spring!

Posted on 5 September, 2016 by fobif

Is this the best [that is, worst] year ever for the Oxalis weed? Since autumn we’ve seen the dense mats seem to get denser, to spread more widely, and to cover areas the weed’s never been strong in before. And now … Continue reading →

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