Summer is a crazy time to live inland and north of the divide. I have heard that the Wurundjeri people, whose country extends up the Yarra and north to the great divide, recognise six seasons in the year. But in mid summer in Central Victoria, it seems to me that there are only two: Summer.…
Late spring, last light. The sky is pale but the colours haven’t leeched out of the land yet. The wind swirls through the trees, like a stick in muddy water, stirring languid but not yet hot air through the canopy. Last spring was wet and we had fields of chocolate lilies. This year is drier…
My latest installment from Castlemaine. DECEMBER 2015 SUMMER OR DROUGHT? It’s summer and the fear has set in. Yes, fear about the fires but after a warm winter, dry spring, and a baking early summer I wonder if we’re wheeling back into a long drought. Friends in the Chewton forest are already buying water. The…
The first in the Love of Place series at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine includes Don Watson, Tony Birch, Raimond Gaita, Hannie Rayson, Alex Miller, Barry Hill and Robyn Annear talking and reading from their work. With a performance by Rose Bygrave. November 14, 2015 This is a fundraiser to fight the development of a…
16 – 18 October, 2015 One of the reasons humanity faces so many ecological problems is because so many of us have forgotten about Place. Increasingly, humans who can afford to do so are living consumer lifestyles that draw resources from a globally connected market of production and consumption. Local production and manufacturing is allowed…
A chance to find out about the Forest Creek and Moonlight Creeks, and how to be involved in restoring these riverways. Hosted by Castlemaine Landcare Group. Sunday August 9 From 9.30am – 3.45 pm Contact Elizabeth 0438 015 264 Full details available here. http://northcentral.landcarevic.net.au/castlemaine/events/keepers-of-the-creek-forum Castlemaine Tennis Club, Wheeler St, Castlemaine PROGRAM 9.30 am Registration,…
Bringing people together to dream, champion, advise and sustainably manage the future of the Barkers Creek between the Botanic Gardens and Camp Reserve, Castlemaine You are invited to a creek side lunch to focus attention on the Creek.What would we like to see here in the creek’s riparian zone?People will have the opportunity to make…
I love the story below about an un-named town where interesting, alternative and sustainable economic ventures are thriving and transforming the local culture. The landscape is completely different, but here in Central Victoria, we have the same thing happening: Castlemaine has such fresh energy and activity as people’s hopes and ideas turn into new ventures.…
Saturday. Market day. Its about 3 ks from home. Out over Kalimna Point, down into Happy Valley and along Forest creek, then a quick wander up through the houses to coffee and company at Wesley Hill. The week’s craziness dissipates with every step, evaporating and blowing away. Another wave of clouds come through and I…
an appreciation of the Bogong bioregion 