Vale Pam Douglas

Pam Douglas died last month. She was a regular walker on FOBIF’s monthly walks since 2016, though ill health limited her participation this year.

Pam came to live in Castlemaine around then, and it became common to see her walking from her house in Grumont Street to the town, train station or library.

Pam told FOBIF walk leaders that she enjoyed and looked forward to the walks.  She died alone, but we hope that the pleasure she took in the walks made a difference to her difficult life. Pam left no family connections; her affairs are in the hands of the Public Trustees, who will organise a funeral at a time and place to be announced.

Pam often commented on the FOBIF website about walks:

‘It was another fantastic walk, and the usual crowd e.g. Bernard, Bronwyn, etc. (and even myself, Pam), love our walks. Looking forward to the walking again with FOBIF next year.’ 2024

‘A very nice relaxing walk. Bernard’s sense of humour was greatly appreciated. The weather was hot and I love the goldfields forests.’ 2018

‘Beautiful walk & beautiful people.’ 2017

‘The best thing about Bells Swamp was going into the swamp. I loved walking around there in the swamp. I was surprised that Damien was only wearing sandals as the rest of us had gumboots. It was all a very good experience.’ 2016

 

 

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Fire in the landscape, much to learn…

Mount Korong Eco-Watch have been conducting a series of conversations among private landholders and others over a 10-month period about ecological practices of fire and their roles and uses in our landscapes. Conversations will be part of a community forum on September 13th in Inglewood. The aim is to explore the potential for establishing a sustainable process for sharing fire experiences and learning together for the benefit of ecosystems and communities.  

Leaders of discussion at the forum will include Paul Foreman (Bluedevil Consulting/Biolinks Alliance), Terri Williams (landholder and teacher Bendigo TAFE), Oli Moraes (Galk-galk Dhelkunya Program Manager, Djaara), Peter Morison (conservationist), Karen Tymms (Trust for Nature), Dale Tonkinson (biodiversity officer CFA).

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This stone lithograph could be yours!

Bev Lewis; Anticlinal Fold

Bev Lewis, artist has donated some beautiful stone lithographs which we will raffle at our AGM, Monday 8th September, 6pm at the Castlemaine Senior Citizen’s, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. All welcome.

Instagram: @bevlewis_art
 
 
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Do you have you have a bird attacking a window, a possum in the roof, phascogales harassing your chickens, or a visiting venomous snake in the backyard?

Event: talk by Tanya Loos: LIVING WITH WILDLIFE
Date & time: Monday 8th September, 6pm
Venue: Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. 

Tanya Loos loves sharing nature knowledge about how to live more harmoniously with the animals that live where we live – and how our homes and backyards can be safe havens in a time of climate breakdown.  Tanya believes there are simple steps we can take that are wildlife friendly and make sure your place is a haven.

Tanya lives in central Victoria and is passionate about wildlife and nature! In her presentations, Tanya loves drawing from ecological science to educate and inspire people to care about wildlife and wildlife habitat. She has worked as a Woodland Bird Project Coordinator for Connecting Country and Biodiversity Projects Officer for Macedon Ranges City Council – and at present she is Avian Influenza Response Coordinator at BirdLife Australia. 

Tanya will be sharing her passion through an entertaining presentation at the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests AGM at 6pm on Monday 8th September at the Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine. This will be followed by a light supper and the opportunity to buy Tanya’s book ‘Living with wildlife’, FOBIFs excellent field guides and a raffle ticket for  gorgeous lithographs of the anticlinal fold, hakea or banksia by local artist Bev Lewis.

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‘Scientists on the goldfields, 170 years of geoscientific discoveries’

Clive Willman

There will be a free presentation ‘Scientists on the goldfields, 170 years of geoscientific discoveries’ by leading geologist Clive Willman.

Venue: Northern Arts Hotel, 359 Barker St Castlemaine
Date: Wednesday 20th August
Time: 6.30pm

This will be repeat of the presentation given at ‘The Alchemy of Gold – the Golden Transformation of Victoria’ conference in May 2025.

This event is hosted by the ‘Castlemaine Society Inc’ (CASSOC), which will be holding its AGM at 6pm before the guest speaker at 6.30pm.

 
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