| FROM THE CHAIR Our AGM, held at the fun and welcoming outdoor space at Trulli’s in Meeniyan, was a great success. Dan Miller, CEO of the Gurnaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, led a fascinating conversation about the recognition of traditional ownership, GLaWAC’s plans for its new Yanakie property and the potential for our organisations to work closely in the future. His talk preceded our formal meeting where we accepted the financial reports for both SGLN and the Fund, agreed on the SGLN independent membership fee for individuals ($33) and elected our Board. I’m thrilled to welcome Graham Ross from the Corner Inlet Landcare Group and Mike Williams who is an SGLN independent member with a property in Mirboo, and am confident that they will both make a positive contribution to the Board. Our executive remains essentially the same, with me as Chair, Alex Daraio as Deputy, Mark Matthews as Secretary and John Currier as Treasurer. Thankyou to everyone who attended, Trulli’s for the wonderful food and venue, and Mark and our staff, especially Andrea, who worked hard behind the scenes to make the evening happen. Andrea also played a large role in pulling together our Annual Report (available online soon) which includes the financial reports and a great summary of the projects and activities of both SGLN and our Groups over the past year. It’s amazing how much we have all achieved and I am really excited for the next 12 months! Regards, Jillian Staton |
 Chair, Jillian Staton with AGM Guest speaker Dan Miller, GLaWAC CEO. |
 SGLN Board members (left to right): Mark Matthews, John Currier, Herb Wildes, Graham Ross, Sam Stringer, Mike Williams, Graham Ross, Jillian Staton and Alex Daraio. |
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| SGLN FAUNA MONITORING PROJECT Our citizen science fauna monitoring project has concluded. Through this project, landholders from Venus Bay to Walkerville placed camera traps in their bushland to monitor fauna. SGLN worked with volunteers who also helped place the cameras and sorted through over 10,000 photographs. 56 landholders and volunteers participated in the project which captured photographs of 21 bird species, eleven native animals and five pest animals. One highlight was recording mountain brushtail possums (also called Bobucks) in two spots – this species has not been recorded in our area before so this is exciting news! The wildlife records have been submitted to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas to help with biodiversity planning in our region. For more information and to watch wildlife videos from the project please follow this link |
| NEW SOIL BIOLOGY FACT SHEETS SGLN’s Enhancing Soil Biology project has closed after running for the last four years. We have created ten videos on topics including farmer case studies, soil biology, multispecies pastures, regenerative grazing management, and carbon trading. The videos can now be accessed at the following link We’ve also created some new fact sheets to help farmers learn more about these topics. The five fact sheets cover: 1. About the project. 2. Actions to improve soil biology. 3. Monitoring tools. 4. Introduction to Multispecies Pastures. 5. Multispecies Identification For more information please contact Cassie Wright |
| DEER, OH DEER In just 30 years, farmers have seen feral deer go from being a novel addition to the landscape to a widespread and established pest across much of Australia. The spread of feral deer across Australia, is leading many farmers and conservationists to regard them as Australia’s next rabbit. The third instalment in our series of deer videos has been released. The video titled Exponential Growth of Deer is the most enlightening (and daunting) regarding deer in Victoria. View the video here. The video materials have been produced in partnership with the National Feral Deer Action Plan which aims to limit further spread of feral deer into new areas and reduce the impacts of large populations of feral deer on primary production, communities and the environment. The Plan encourages the reporting of wild deer in your area via this link and has some fantastic resources for landowners here. The South Gippsland Deer Action Group is also doing significant work in this area. To view some of the projects including videos please follow this link. For more information contact Nick Stephens. |
| Feral deer are increasing in population and spread across Australia, taking their impacts with them. In order to protect our environment, agriculture, and societies from the impact of feral deer we need to act together, and we need to act now. Learn more about feral deer in Australia by visiting https://feraldeerplan.org.au/ |
| NEW SHELTERBELTS MANAGEMENT GUIDE Sustainable Farms’ brand new management guide Managing natural assets on farms: Shelterbelts has been released. The guide details the science behind shelterbelts and the many benefits of diverse, well-managed native shelterbelts. The 12-page booklet outlines science-based recommendations to optimise shelterbelt management for livestock productivity, crop and pasture growth, carbon storage and biodiversity. The guide can be viewed online here, or you can order a hardcopy to be sent to to you here. |
| VICTORIAN LANDCARE GRANT SUCCESS Congratulations to the four Landcare groups that secured a Victorian Landcare Grant for the following projects: – Arawata Landcare Group: BioLinking Arawata’s Vision and Purpose – Nerrena Tarwin Valley Landcare group: Community conservation in the Tarwin Valley – Tarwin Landcare Group: Monitoring the impact of community led deer control on native vegetation around Cape Liptrap – Fish Creek Landcare (FCL): The Fish Creek Catchment Project (“Putting the fish back in Fish Creek”) South Gippsland Landcare Network also secured a VLG grant for a project called ‘Protecting Wildlife and Habitat in South Gippsland Through Camera Trapping’, which will allow SGLN to continue camera trapping efforts across the network. |
| WHAT’S ON |
| GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP Are you thinking of applying for a grant but need some knowledge? This workshop run by South Gippsland Shire Council might be just what you are looking for! When: Wednesday 9 November 2022 Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm Where: South Gippsland Shire Council Chambers Michael Place, Leongatha Cost: This workshop is free and a light dinner will be provided to those attending. Register here |
| CONTROLLING WOODY WEEDSInformation & Training Session Landcare members are invited to attend an information and training session on identifying and controlling woody weeds, hosted by SGLN. The session will include woody weed identification and a practical session on the various techniques to tackle woody weeds. It is also an opportunity to visit the Meeniyan Community Garden.When: Saturday, 12 November 2022 Time: 9.30am-1.00pm Where: Tanderra Park, Tompkins Rd, Meeniyan. Register: Please RSVP to Nick Stephens Contact: Nick Stephens or phone 0499 271 251 (Tues-Thurs). For more information please see the link here. |
| MT LYALL LANDCARE AGM Mt Lyall Landcare are holding their Annual General Meeting on November 16 and invite members and new faces to join in. When: Wednesday, 16 November 2022 Time: 7.00pm Where: The Poowong Hotel RSVP: By13 November to Leesa Williams |
| CONTROLLING BLACKBERRIES AND OTHER WEEDS SGLN and the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce invite you to a free workshop which aims to demonstrate mechanical, chemical and organic methods for blackberry control and discuss weeds which need to be controlled in South Gippsland.When: Wednesday, 30 November 2022 Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm Where: Treases Farm 85 Trease Lane, Mirboo North Register here by Thursday, 24 November 2022 Learn more This workshop is part of the Weed Control in South Gippsland: Your Backyard, Our Backyard project. It is funded by the South Gippsland Shire Council’s 2021-22 Community Grant Program and is supported by the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, AgVic and the West Gippsland CMA. |
| FRIENDS OF TURTONS CREEK MEETING The Friends of Turtons Creek are holding a meeting of its members and guests on Sunday, 11 December. Guest speakers include Peter Gannon who will speak on the Burrowing Crayfish at Turtons Creek Reserve and Alex Daraio on Monitoring Deer by the Prom Coast Landcare Group. FoTC welcomes other Landcarers or perspective Landcarers to their meetings. When: Sunday, 11 December 22 Time: 1pm – 3pm Where: Mirboo on Tarwin Hall, Clear Creek Road, Mirboo. More info: Libby Anthony, Secretary for FoTC: 0448 814 400 Soup and scones will be available. |
| GRANTS |
| PATAGONIA AUSTRALIA – ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS This program aims to support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities. The typical grant size varies from program to program, but generally ranges between USD5,000 and USD20,000 (approx. AU$31,000) Applications close 1 December 2022. For more information please follow this link. |
| STRENGTHENING RURAL COMMUNITIES – PREPARE & RECOVER PROGRAM The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover program supports communities in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters through the medium to long term process. Grants up to $25,000 are available. Applications close 5pm AEST 29 November 2022. For more information, please see the link here. |
| STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT – STEWARDSHIP AND VOLUNTEERS The recent release of Australia’s State of the Environment (SoE) 2021 report has highlighted the significance of environmental stewardship in caring for and protecting our shared natural landscapes. The SoE findings emphasise that“immediate action with innovative management and collaboration”is key to improving the future prospects of our environment. The report identified that “the scale of volunteer work in management of protected areas and heritage places is significant”. A light is shone upon particular volunteer initiatives, including the incredible work of Landcare, amassing more than 140,000 volunteers since its conception in 1986. This report is a celebration of the dedicated, passionate and meaningful work environmental volunteers do across the country for our local environments. To view the SoE report see the link here. |
| PLANTS AVAILABLE Strzelecki Plant Farm at Allambee Reserve have 1,500 eucalypts and 1000 understorey available for purchase. For more information please contact the plant farm via 5668 7209. |
| SGLN STAFF CONTACTS Andrea Clifford: Landcare Facilitator (Western Sector) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Nick Stephens: Landcare Facilitator (Eastern Sector) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (half day) Cassie Wright: Projects and Education Coordinator Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Kirsty Richardson: Projects Officer Tuesdays |
