Monday 1st August 2011

Welcome to our 4th edition of the WSN Restoring Our Waterways Croaker Newsletter for 2011.
We had a busy start to June/July activities starting with World Environment Day. Celebrated on the 6th June at Councils Spotlight Tour at North Beaches where ROW had their first birthday (see article by Cynthia Bresnehan on page 3) and Wednesdays with the CLC students. Also filming areas along One Mile Creek so ROW can enter a short film in the Water Week Short Film Comp 2011 which I hope members will give their time and talents to and help make it a winner. This will be a ROW activity for August. Lights Camera Action any budding stars welcome. I went to the NAIDOC celebration on the 3rd July (see article on page 4). Cynthia and I attended the community forum on Open Spaces (report attached to ROW July minutes). ROWs August meeting will be on Monday 1st at 5.30pm at The Centre Chisholm Street Wangaratta Room 8 up stairs. All welcome.

WEDNESDAYS WITH CLC STUDENTS JAYDEN, SCOTT AND TRAVIS

Wednesday 1st June, 2011 I met with the boys at the area of One Mile Creek near Our Ladys where we firstly did an inspection of the creek between the White St Bridge and the Cribbes Rd Bridge on Our Ladys school side and walked back along the Yarrunga Primary school side. There were a lot of dry creek bed areas and the water in some areas was very green and not flowing. Interesting things like a syringe, a couple of single shoes, a baby blanket, a partly eaten possum, a dead juvenile carp and there was a lot of rubbish along both sides of the creek. We didnt have gloves or bags to collect the rubbish which is something we will have to remember to always carry with us. The water flowing through the old overflow pipe which was exposed on the dry creek bed was running swiftly and Travis put a stick down it to see how deep it was and the water mark was half way up the stick.
Contents

TERRYS PLATYPUS STORY

In response to an article in our June newsletter Terry had this to say Was sorry to hear Croaker staff could

not site a platypus so Im sharing mine! Snapped a photo of this fellow swimming amongst one of our Ovens River work sites recently. Excavator was thumping away driving in piles, lots of noise and vehicles etc .... who says they are shy?

Introduction Terrys Platypus Story Community Learning Challenge Project World Environment Day Spotlight Tour

1 1 1-3 3 3-4 4 4 5-7 7 8

There are plenty about but they do choose when to appear thats for sure. Platypus lives up and down (they move over large distances of river and visit/use many burrows at any one time) the reach of Ovens River around the Hume Freeway Bridge (he/she is probably trying to 'hitch-hike' interstate).

Barking Owl in the Lemon Scented Tree NAIDOC Celebrations Walk Cribbes Rd to White St Bridge Upcoming Events WSN Groups and Information Community Skillsbank Information

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Near the White St Bridge there was a trolley in the creek and a lot of rubbish near the large drain that enters One Mile creek. We got a sample of water to test and netted a sample for Macro checking. The water sample was normal and we found several little creepy-crawlies in our net sample batemans, worms, shrimp and of course Eastern Gambusia. It was a beautiful sunny day and the boys are learning a lot of things about our waterways. Wednesday 15th June, 2011 Kim McLeod (the boys teacher) and the boys picked me and the Waterwatch and Macro kits up at Apex Park in the mini bus and we headed out Oxley Flats Rd to firstly check out The Willows. Walking around this beautiful area and checking out the Ovens River, the water was rather clear and fast, it was also pleasing to see there was not much rubbish to be found. There is a rubbish bin from the Delimite Shire (not sure how it got there) and people were using it which was pleasing to know. We then headed for the Ovens Billabong to do our water testing and Macro check. It was a perfect day, the sun shining and no wind. Scott the adventurer of the group removed his shoes to enter the water to collect our water sample, he asked will it be cold No we all told him Jayden even told him to keep walking and go to the other side (they are such fun to be around they always make me laugh with their fun remarks they say to each other). The water was so clear Scott spotted a fishing hook next to his toe and threw it to Travis who skilfully caught it in the Macro net. When we finally got Scott out of the water with our water sample it was time to start to test the sample. Jayden (champion instrument reader) did the Temp (8.9 not that cold Scott) PH 7.9 and Elec Cond 60 and Travis stood on the edge of the river and did the Oxygen read 8.2. Then we moved along a bit to get our Macro sample. Travis (the expert at macro sample collecting) got a great sample first off; there was lots of macro in it. Shrimp, crayfish and something we could not identify. We got a couple of samples

more in the net and each time the crayfish in the net got bigger, it is great to see they are doing well and in different phases of growth. It was a great couple of hours where we all got to learn more about our waterways and what lives in them. Wednesday 22nd Native Fish and Ovens Reach project talk to WSN year 7 students. Scott, Jayden and Travis arranged for Fern Hames DSE to come and talk to the year 7 students at WHS. Fern and I meet up with the boys and their project teacher Kim McLeod at 11am then went and planed what would be talked about, then about 12noon we all went to Liz Crawfords year 7 class. An introduction was done and Fern gave a very interesting and informative talk. The students were very well behaved and all ears, at question time some of the information they asked about showed that they had paid attention and learned a lot about Native Fish and also the Alien Fish in our waterways mainly Eastern Gambusia. I showed Fern the article in the Chronicle about 3 Waterwatch environmental warriors catching Alien Fish in One Mile Creek and she was rapped and said she would send up some information on how to remove them by using fish traps. The boys did their thank you to Fern and me and the day ended on a very positive note. Wednesday 29th July CLC Presentation Night. Presentation night is where all the students attending CLC talk about the projects that they have done with a Community based organisation for the semester. It was a fantastic night and the great work that all the students had done and the success of all their projects would astound you, it should be published to the whole Wangaratta Community not just their parents and friends. Travis, Jayden and Scott did their presentation and did a rather good story about Waterwatch, fishing and Ferns visit. I presented the boys with a Thank You certificate

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as ROW is very grateful to them because if it was not for them taking ROW as their project we wouldnt have found out about how to remove Eastern Gambusia from One Mile Creek from Fern so early in the piece, just in time for the next CLC semester. Both their teacher and I have thoughts on doing that for a project next semester. Thank you Scott, Travis and Jayden for working with ROW on our local waterways it was very rewarding on both sides.
Diane Farmer, Coordinator, WSN Restoring Our Waterways diane.farmer@bigpond.com 0439 020 448 PO Box 772 Wangaratta Vic 3677

of all was a bush tailed possum sitting out in the open which didnt mind being in the spotlight and it was checking us out; it sat not moving for a long time. Near North Beaches Rhys pointed out the indigenes scar trees and the possum tree, it is believed that this tree was used by the local Koories to catch possums. They cut hand and footholds into the tree and climbed it to get possums from the hollows, it has been verified as only one of two in Victoria, it had native bees in it at some stage and the Aboriginals climbed it to get honey from the hives, the native bees don't sting and are a lot smaller than the European feral bees. We had such an interesting and full on time walking that the cold weather was not a deterrent at all so much so we extended our half hour walk to over an hour. Hopefully there will be more spotlight tours in the future as they are informative and free.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY SPOTLIGHT TOUR Monday 6th June 2011 by Cynthia Bresnehan There were about 60 people there the scouts from 3rd/4th Wangaratta group, many parents with their young children and some older members of the community. Bronwyn Chapman manager of the Councils Environment Department welcomed everyone and then there was a presentation from Scott Draper about the environment, what we can do to keep it healthy and how lucky we are to have such a wonderful wildlife living so close to us in town. Andrew Snowdon then gave an informative talk on the wildlife we may encounter on our walk. There was a display of a Barking Owl, Brush tail Possum, Sugar Glider and Platypus followed by ROWs 1st birthday cake in the shape of a frog surrounded by little patty cake frogs and of course the cake was green and delicious. A scrumptious Bar-B-Que tea was provided cooked by Tatum and her brother Tom Newton, and then it was off for our walk. Everyone was well rugged up and looking forward to our walk, we were divided up into 4 groups each with a guide and heading in different directions. It was not long before we had our first encounter, some white cockatoos and a pigeon snuggled up high in a tree. No sugar gliders were spotted but some micro-bates flew by and ringtail possums sighted but the best sighting

BARKING OWL IN THE LEMON SCENTED TREE

Friday 17th June 2011 by Margaret Pullen

In the evening on Thursday 2 June, as Clive was standing beside the barbeque cooking his dinner, he heard a most unusual noise coming from the direction of the lemon scented tree in the outer garden. Clive called come quickly and listen to this dog-like sound. At first I was unsure which eucalyptus tree or area in the garden I should focus on. Suddenly I realized the wook-wook barking was coming from the huge lemon scented eucalyptus in the outer garden near the red gum tree. I shone the torch high into the lemon scented and there on a branch was this most wonderful sight, a huge Barking Owl, with large yellow eyes. It seemed as though the owl was just calling to us; what an experience.

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When I read it is estimated there are only 50 pair left in Victoria, how fortunate to have seen such a creature in my garden at Chatsworth House, Wangaratta North. On 6th June I attended the councils World Environment Day Spotlight Tour on nocturnal animals in and around Northern Beaches and gleaned more information about Barking Owls and realized the true size and beauty of this of stunning bird.

sporting and entertainment events, lots of wide open spaces and lots of parking available. Well done to those who organised it.

WALK - CRIBBES RD TO WHITE ST BRIDGE

Wednesday 6th July 2011 by Diane Farmer

NAIDOC CELEBRATION
Sunday 3rd July 2011 by Diane Farmer

What a fantastic experience - entertainment, hands on workshops, food and networking with the Aboriginal culture and its members of our community.

Pictured left to right Pat Larkin and Ray Ahmat.

I caught up with Pat Larkin from Landcare and met Chris Mercier from Parks Victoria, they had a great display. Also met Ray Ahmat DSE Indigenous Partnership Facilitator and spoke to the Mayor Anthony Griffiths on quite a few things.

Pictured left to right Chris Mercier, Wally Cooper, John Atkinson, Anthony Griffiths and Jason Buck.

Wally Cooper was very busy cooking some delicious food; I had a taste of some Emu, Crocodile and my favourite Prawns. The Police, CFA were also there and a Health Kids food stall. The band was great and entertaining. It was great to see a constant flow of people coming to enjoy the delights that were available and it was free. It was held at Avian Park, what a great place for all sorts of Wangarattas

I met up with Terry McCormack from NECMA to inspect One Mile Creek and within 2 minutes of starting our walk I spotted a FRIDGE right out in the middle of the Reeds and one minute further along a Trolley in the creek next to the drain. Why do people do that sort of thing? Do they think it would just sink or float away or they just want someone else to dispose of their unwanted items? I thought that is what a Transfer Station is for as they now take white goods, or are some people just compulsive dumpers and dont care about our waterways and its environment or they just dont know any better. What are your thoughts? Anyway lets get on with the story of the walk along One Mile Creek. A little bit of rubbish empty drink containers and a few empty beer bottles but all in all rather clean. The creek was flowing very nicely and it was great to see it that way. Lots of areas ready for planting on either side and with all the rain we have been having the soil should be perfect when the time comes to plant these areas out. At the area near the White St bridge we caught up with Scott Draper and Andrew Snowdon from Council. Kelvin from NECMA also joined us to talk about a Frog Friendly area that ROW would like to start with Sally Colsons report. The idea to help keep an area clean of rubbish and weeds by volunteers and get the schools involved was considered a good idea. A project will be developed and put to Council about ROW assisting with the management of this area. It was a great day for talking, advising (and learning on my part).

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SES Stormsafe Awareness Week August 15th 21st

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PLANTING AND CARING FOR NATIVE PLANTS?
Then get involved on Sunday the 31st of July from 10:00am 2:00pm, for this years National Tree Planting Day. The day will focus on helping volunteers learn how to plant for success within their garden, by planting species best suited to Wangaratta. The event will also include hands on planting along Three Mile Creek to increase frog habitat and enable wildlife corridors, FREE plant give-aways and will conclude with a FREE hot lunch provided. The event will take place opposite St Johns Retirement Village between Williams Rd & Colleen Ct. All participants should wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. To register visit Planet Arks website www.treeday.planetark.org or contact the Rural City of Wangarattas Environment Department on (03) 5722 0888.
Tatum Newton, Rural City of Wangaratta, Technical OfficerEnvironment

Launch of WSN Website Saturday August 13th, 6pm

Sustainable House Day Sunday September 11th, 10am 4pm Sustainable House Day will be held Australia wide on Sunday 11th September. Homes on display will be opened between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Wangaratta Sustainability Network is organising the day in the Wangaratta area. Four homes in the town all within 15 minutes of the town will be opened by the owners and the EcoLiving Centre at the Barr Reserve will also be open.

www.wangarattasustainability.org

To celebrate the launch of the WSN website which has been developed by Peter Amor there will be a pizza night at Rowans, 12 Deakin Ct Wangaratta, at 6pm. Bring your own pizza to cook and drinks. Open invitation, RSVP info@wangarattasn.org by Wednesday August 10th.

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Dress as your Water Hero Competition Closes 19th August 2011 Children and parents can have fun finding water-related objects commonly found around the house or early childhood centre to dress in or use as props to be a Water Hero. Send in a photo of your Water Hero to North East Water: education@nerwa.vic.gov.au

North East Water Wangaratta Treatment Plant Tour and Breakfast Thursday 20 October 2011 7-9am Enjoy an egg and bacon muffin before touring your local water treatment plant. Learn how your water is treated and delivered to your tap 24/7. Location: Faithful Street Wangaratta Bookings essential. Contact: Diane 02 6022 0580 North East Short Film Competition Closes 19th August 2011 Sponsored by Environmental Group Limited Submit a short 3 theme of Water Resource. Open community in our areas. minute film on the Our Most Precious to schools & the North East service

All Things Water Mini Expo Friday 21st October 2011 The Rural City of Wangaratta and WSN Restoring Our Waterways presents the All Things Water Mini Expo. Come down to the Wangaratta post office arcade to learn more about water sustainability and conservation. The Regional Photo Competition Closes 21 August 2011 With so much happening in the world of water lately, you may well have that winning entry already in your collection. Categories are primary school, secondary school and open, with prizes for first place and runner up in each category. Contact: Diane 02 6022 0580

Poster Competition Closes 2nd September 2011 Entrants need to design a bright, informative A3 poster depicting a water issue. Categories are prep, grade 1&2, grade 3&4 and grade 5&6. Prizes are awarded to regional and state winners. Contact: Emma 02 6043 7616

Great cash prizes to be won! Contact: Diane on 02 6022 0580

OTHER WSN GROUPS

Publicity/Advocacy

Food Sustainability

Home Energy

Waste Action Group (WAGS)

12 Month Membership Now Due!

For more information contact: Dr Rowan OHagan - Secretary/Treasurer 12 Deakin Court, Wangaratta VIC 3677 Ph. (03) 5721 8231

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME ANY TIME

Family/Household/Organisation $10 per year Single $5 per year Student $2 per year
Under the umbrella of the Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group

Email: info@wangarattasn.org Website: http://www.wangarattasustainability.org

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Community Skillsbank (CSB) is a centralised Volunteer Referral Centre which (through an innovative easy-to-use database of information) matches volunteer skills and interests to available volunteer opportunities across North East Victoria. We have a range of interesting and diverse roles suitable for all ages and abilities. The Community Skillsbank team can assist you with training and pathways to future opportunities. Tell us what you are interested in and we can connect you. You too can assist us. If you have an idea for volunteer activities and opportunities, please contact us by phone or through the Feedback mechanism on our website www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au

How to Register

Welcoming the new Project Coordinator, Linda Phillis, to CSB Wangaratta

www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au

Email or post registration (form available from website or CSB)

Phone CSB to organise a person to person or telephone interview

From left Diane Farmer, Chantel Cook, Linda Phillis, Margaret Harvey and Joshua Newth. Absent: Anne Foley.

Phone

03 5721 0258 Wangaratta or 03 5762 4311 Benalla 03 5723 1380 Wangaratta or 03 5762 4311 Benalla csb@thecentre.vic.edu.au www.nevictoria.skillsbank.com.au

Fax

Postal Address Community Skillsbank The Centre Chisholm Street Wangaratta Victoria 3677 Visit us at The Centre Chisholm Street Wangaratta Victoria 3677

Email Website

This Newsletter designed by the Volunteers at Community Skillsbank, Wangaratta.