Grassy Plains conference

A conference for the community, professionals and all who share an interest in conservation of Melbourne’s Grassy Plains. The conference will explore the three themes of ‘Respect, Protect and Reconnect’ Melbourne’s Grassy Plains. Friday 12th October (9am – 5pm) and Sat 13th October, 2018 (1pm-5pm, lunch 12pm-1pm) At Wyndham Council Chambers, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee.…

Significant site handed to traditional owners

A great bit of news. This story comes from the Bendigo Advertiser. OWNERSHIP of one of Victoria’s most significant Indigenous sites was handed to the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation on Friday. The 46 hectare Mount Barker property, at Harcourt North, contains rock formations and a scarred tree describing a critical part of the Dreaming…

as the river goes by

The following intro blurb to the site As the River Goes By is from Ben Courtice: Two rivers meet in a valley between the ranges and the plains. Bacchus Marsh is the modern name of the valley. The ranges to the west are bounded by the abrupt escarpment of the Rowsley Fault, dissected by the…

What’s wrong with Bill Gammage’s book?

The following story is taken from Green Left Weekly, January 2015. By Ben Courtice & Emma Murphy Ngadju Conservation Coordinator Les Schultz near a traditional burn. Photo: Ngadju Conservation A popular argument suggests Aboriginal people always burned country so non-Aboriginal Australians should too, albeit for modern purposes, such as fuel reduction burns. Historian Bill Gammage…

Indigenous fire farming and vegetation

The following story from the ABC by Stephen Pincock looks at Indigenous ‘fire farming’, and draws the conclusion that “the idea of ecological collapse resulting from people arriving and burning Australia to a crisp isn’t supported by (the) data.” Genes extinguish Aboriginal fire theory Wednesday, 30 October 2013 A study of Australia’s native cypress trees…

Bay in the Balance is hosted by  Balnarring Village Common. Please feel welcome to come along to this screening of an old documentary about Westernport Bay and a talk by a fabulous speaker: Chris Chandler.

Jess’s Wetland Walk for Tootgarook Swamp

The following comes from the Southern Peninsula Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association. Many of you are aware of the current community actions to protect the ecologically important Tootgarook Swamp (wetland) from development and preserve it for future generations. This brings us to me, Jessica Durrant, long-time local resident, environmental activist and huge Tootgarook Swamp supporter…

a new threat to the Red Gum National Parks

The Red Gum forests of Barmah-Millewa – along the banks of Australia’s iconic Murray River – are a haven for threatened species and a homeland of deep significance to Indigenous Traditional Owners. This rich landscape of forests, wetlands, floodplains and woodlands is internationally significant. Together, the Barmah forests, on the Victorian side of the Murray…