kingfishertheQuarterly magazine of the East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc.

Issue

19Community Groups on the Attack!

Working together for Pelican Island

Biodiversity boost for Dargo Creek

Fox Control Rebates Available NOW!

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contentsCalling for Landcare Calendar Photographs 3

Grazing Management Bus Trip 4

Community Groups on the Attack! 5

Celebrate! 30 years of Landcare 6

Working together for Pelican Island 7

Biodiversity boost for Dargo Creek 8

Fox Control Rebates Available NOW! 9

2016 EGLN Equipment for hire 10

If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em 11

What is Landcare?Landcare is a unique community driven organisation that strives to ‘do something practical’ about protecting and repairing our environment. All sorts of people take part in Landcare projects and activities – farmers, small landholders, schools and their students, professionals and visitors from Australia and around the world.

Landcare contactsEast Gippsland Landcare Network Inc. PO Box 1498, 574 Main St, Bairnsdale 3875 Phone: 03 5152 0600, Fax: 03 5152 6865

Web: www.egln.org.au

ABN: 98 434 926 368 Incorporated no. A0051001V

Staff contacts: Natalie Jenkins - Network Coordinator 03 5152 0612 natalie.jenkins@delwp.vic.gov.au

Paul Harvey - Group Facilitator 03 5152 0608 paul.harvey@delwp.vic.gov.au

April Wilkins - Group Facilitator 03 5152 0602 april.wilkins@delwp.vic.gov.au

helloThe end of the financial year is fast approaching and many Landcare Groups will be wrapping up their projects and reflecting on all the great activities they have achieved. I think this time of year is fantastic, as it gives time to reflect and highlights the large amount of work that can be achieved by the combined efforts of the dedicated members of the East Gippsland Landcare Groups.

WELL DONE EVERYONE!

This time of year is also when Landcare Groups start of planning for the next project. Please remember, if any Landcare Group needs assistance with planning or resourcing projects, your friendly Landcare Coordinators are here to help.

Regards Natalie Jenkins, Network Coordinator

from the Landcare team

© East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc., 2016. This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor can any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc. Published June 2016

Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc. and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims any liability for any error, loss or other consequences that may arise from you relying on the information in this publication.

Cover photo: Wild dog in Omeo. Photos by Landcare staff unless otherwise stated.

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The theme for the 2017 Landcare calendar is “Reptiles and Amphibians of East Gippsland”.

Do you have any great photos that would look good in the Landcare Calendar, if so the Landcare staff would love to hear from you.

Photos will be gathered throughout the year, so if you do not have any now, no problem, we will be gathering them until October 2016.

Photo requirements:

▪ Minimum 300 dpi (high resolution quality)

▪ Landscape format

▪ Location where photograph was taken

▪ Who took the photograph

▪ Media and marketing release form signed and returned

Please forward your photographs to Natalie Jenkins at 574 Main Street, Bairnsdale or email to natalie.jenkins@delwp.vic.gov.au.

Calling for

Sample photographs submitted for consideration

so far…

Top to bottom: Water dragon -

John Gwyther

Frog - Ken & Marcia Rook

Goanna - Ros Seymour

Landcare CalendarPhotographs

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Over the past couple of years, the East Gippsland Regional Landcare Facilitator Project has bought a number of producers to East Gippsland to discuss their grazing management principles. We thought it was time to actually visit these producers on their own properties and see their principles in action.

A busload of East Gippsland farmers will be travelling from Bairnsdale to six properties in NSW on the 21st – 24th of June. All these properties are renowned for working on smart ways to reduce costs, match stocking rate to carrying capacity, optimise farm production, and market their product. It is also a great opportunity to get together with other farmers to discuss plans, problem solve, and dream.

Dick Richardson’s (Jugiong) experience and knowledge comes from a wide base and is very practical. He is especially adept with balancing animal performance and ecological improvement with quality of life issues.

Nigel Kerin (Kerin Poll Merinos) focuses on matching stocking rate to carrying capacity at all times, and never drought feeds. Nigel strives to have 90 to 120 days of feed on hand, depending on the time of year. When the ewes are running in one flock, a stocking rate of about 400DSE/ha can be achieved. Nigel was the NSW 2008 farmer of the year.

Grazing Management Norm & Pip Smith (Glenwood Merinos) graze their 4000 wethers in one mob over 30, 130-150 hectares paddocks, with the stud ewes and lambs grazing in two separate cells. Norm & Pip were the NSW 2011 farmer of the year.

David Marsh (Allendale) owns an 814 hectare cattle property at Boorowa. In high-input days David carried 12 DSE/ha, today with zero input he has achieved 11 DSE/ha. He keeps two herds: one of breeding cows, the other a mob on agistment that can be quickly moved off farm.

Martin Royds (Jillamatong Beef) 450 hectares cattle property is holistically managed and he has diversified to other cottage industries (truffles, yabbies, garlic, and native grass seeds).

Charlie Maslin (Gunningrah - Bombala) owns a 4200 hectare property on which they stock cattle, sheep and goats. Native grasslands make up approximately 60% per cent of the farm area. The Maslin’s try to evaluate what the land has to offer and then attempt to stock it accordingly.

If interested in finding out more about this tour please contact (farmers only): Emma Orgill on: 0400 467 921 or emma.orgill@fevl.org.au Cost: $100

BusTrip

Grazing Management Field Day - Sam Shannon

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What started with one community group wanting to do something about controlling wild dogs, has evolved into in excess of 20 Community Wild Dog Baiting Groups across Victoria.

The latest group to form has been in Buchan, with the support of the local wild dog controller Geoff Hodge, who said “there has been a record uptake by the farmers of the district”, 90% of landholders from Murrindal to Canni Creek are involved in the program. Baiting in the Buchan area started on the 5th May and to date approximately 1,100 baits have been laid, with baiting to continue for the next three months.

Along with the Buchan area, East Gippsland also has Community Wild Dog Baiting groups in Glenaladale, Gelantipy, Dargo, Ensay, Swifts Creek, Omeo, Benambra, Tubbut, Deddick River, Bonang and Bendoc. Last calendar year the East Gippsland groups put out in excess of 21,000 baits, utilised

trap kits as well as purchased canid pest injectors (another mechanism of delivering 1080 poison.)

All of the community action would not have been possible without the support of the Australia Wool Innovation (AWI), through their community baiting program. AWI have financially supported the employment of Community Coordinators (Brian Dowley and David Krajca), who directly assist groups as well as helping with the purchase of poison baits and supporting control methods.

The Community Wild Dog baiting program has highlighted what can be achieved when community bands together to tackle a common problem. Within East Gippsland, all of the groups have recorded a reduction in wild dog sightings as well as stock-related deaths, and have also recorded a significant increase in native fauna populations, in particular emus and goannas. The Glenaladale area has also been lucky enough to record sightings of two Spotted-Tail Quolls, an endangered species which has not been seen in the area for many years.

Working together to control Wild Dogs

Community Groups

Attack!on the

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2016 marks the 30th anniversary of Landcare in Victoria. As part of the festivities the East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc., Far East Victorian Landcare Inc., the Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee and Landcare Victoria are joining forces to celebrate and share their stories.

Together we are organising a Short Video Competition. Entry is free and open to everyone. You don’t have to be a member of a Landcare group, although your story must reflect Landcare principles and address the topics presented. There are six categories including:

▪ Landcare Legends – His-tory, Her-story, Out-story

▪ Innovation – new ideas or approaches to Landcare

▪ Farming Flair – Sustainable approaches to farming practices

Celebrate!30 years of Landcare

▪ Group Gossip – Who you are, how you started or why you are involved in Landcare.

▪ A Youth Perspective (13-18 years and Under 13 years old) – Stories from a younger generation – open theme – addressing your take on Landcare principles.

For those wishing to learn how to create a video, or brush up on their skills, training will be offered in June. More details to come.

Competition details are available at www.egcma.com.au including opening and closing dates and Terms and Conditions of Entry. Also included is information on copyright and royalty free music.

To enter, go to www.egcma.com.au click the link for a copy the application form, and submit form and memory stick to:

Amanda Bartkowski EGCMA 574 Main Street, PO Box 1012 Bairnsdale, 3895

Winners will be announced at the Landcare 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on September 10th, 2016 in Lakes Entrance.

Illustration - Drew Griffiths

Working together for Pelican Island

Pelican Island, located off Nungurner in the Gippsland Lakes has just had 5,000 seedlings planted thanks to the Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund and the collective efforts of Nungurner Landcare, Parks Victoria, Greening Australia and a local Green Army team.

The Island has just had its area almost doubled with Gippsland Ports maintenance of the nearby channel providing a lot of new sand that has renourished the site. The purpose of the planting is to see the older area of the island tied into the new and high water wave action slowed down. But most of all it is to help provide shelter for the roosting and nesting shore birds that require the island habitat including fairy and little terns that are of such high value to the lakes system. Of particular note is that a pair of hooded plover’s nested on the site already and with only around 400 of these birds left, the sand renourishment project has already been a success!

With planting gear, plants and a plan provided by Greening Australia, the four days saw 19 Nungurner Landcare members and Parks Victoria staff board the ever reliable Lakes Explorer and head out across the water to get to the site. Joining 13 of us on Wednesday, 9 Green Army staff lead by Roger Smith helped us complete the planting. Thursday had a small group translocate some phragmities within the site and reassess the permanent monitoring plots that have been created that the group will monitor at each seasons change.

With the larger team of the Department of Land Water and Planning, Birdlife, Gippsland Ports and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority all helping Parks Victoria to manage the site, it was the 130hrs of collective voluntary labour provided by Nungurner Landcare that sure made this part of the Pelican Island story a success.

Article and photos by M. Potts Greening Australia Gippsland

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The Dargo Landcare group has completed a long-running project to revegetate and tackle weeds at Grady’s Creek in Dargo, which complements other agencies’ work in the area.

The initiative was funded through the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA).

The project wasn’t without challenges and took almost two years to plan and deliver. Funding was initially assigned in 2014, and the group then spent considerable time with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to plan the proposed work to ensure it supported the healthy biodiversity of the site.

The Dargo Landcare group and DELWP met on site to discuss the revegetation species choices and the proposed infrastructure for the site. The revised program works included the recommended species and DELWP consent was given to proceed in 2015.

The site had been heavily infested with Blue Periwinkle and an assortment of other weeds. The Landcare group has done a great job in reducing the weeds onsite, although there will be ongoing weed maintenance required.

Machinery was used in Grady’s Creek to clear old willow debris and weeds. The group then held a working bee to revegetate the site.

Grady’s Creek which runs into the Dargo River, had seen the EGCMA undertake previous willow control, weed control and revegetation works opposite and further along the Dargo River from 2013.

The EGCMA has ongoing revegetation and weed control program sites on the opposite bank of the creek and upstream of this site and continues to work with DELWP and other stakeholders to handle riparian health.

The success of the Dargo project shows the value of Landcare groups working in partnership with the government agencies to address whole-of-site issues.

Article and photos by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

Dargo Landcare group works with agencies for best outcome

Biodiversity boost for Dargo CreekTop to bottom:

Before weed control

Before revegetation

After revegetation

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Assistance & reimbursements are available for eligible land managers in the Meerlieu and Perry River areas to carry out fox control.

▪ Dog muzzles are available free of charge to landholders /residents in the target area to ensure your dog is safe.

▪ Partial reimbursement for contractor costs to lay 1080 baits, conditional to the use of a compliant program and records detailing number and location of bait stations.

▪ Kilometre reimbursement for landholders to contract shooters. Shooters must verify number of foxes shot and mileage log book to be signed by the landholder.

▪ A 50% subsidy to undertake training to obtain accreditation to use 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products. Payment of the subsidy will be given upon successful completion of the courses, with proof of course payment required.

▪ Reimbursement for the cost of purchasing 1080 baits for land managers carrying out their own 1080 compliant baiting programme.

BandiLink is a joint project between private landholders, East Gippsland Landcare Network, Trust for Nature, Meerlieu Reserves Committee, Wellington Shire, Parks Vic and Agriculture Victoria with the aim to reduce fox numbers and assist recovery of the Long-nosed and Southern Brown Bandicoot populations across the Gippsland Plains.

Fox Control Rebates Available NOW!

Attention Meerlieu & Perry River District Land Managers

Red Foxes are not native to Australia and a major threat to our wildlife and our ecosystems.

For information regarding eligibility and rebates contact: Neil Stringer on ph. 0419 116 165

WORKING BEE EQUIPMENT ITEM DEPOSIT HIRE FEE

Auger for tree planng $50 $30

Flashing Light—Magnec, 12 Volt $20 NIL

Hamilton Planters—Forestry (square) $10 NIL

Hamilton Planters—Hiko (round) $10 NIL

Hard Hats—w/ face screen & ear muffs $20 NIL

Smoke Machine for rabbit burrows $50 $20

Water Tank—250 Litre $50 $10

Work Sign—Metal “At Work” w/ stand $20 NIL

CATERING & ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT ITEM DEPOSIT HIRE FEE

AirPot—Hot water storage & dispenser $20 NIL

Banner—Outdoor, “East Gippsland Landcare Network” $20 NIL

Banner—Indoor, various themes $20 NIL

BBQ Trailer—6x4 trailer w/ water storage, exnguisher, 5 burner plate, 9kg gas bole x2, detachable side burner, shade umbrella, stainless steel fold-out tables x2, plates, cutlery, utensils.

$100 $40

Data Projector $100 NIL

Dung Beetle ID Box $50 NIL

GPS Unit—Garmin $50 NIL

Indoor Display Boards $50 NIL

Marque—4 metre x 4 metre $200 NIL

Portable PA System w/ Microphone $100 NIL

Sandwich Blackboards $20 NIL

Soil Test Kit—Kelway Moisture $20 NIL

Soil Test Kit—NPK $20 NIL

Soil Test Kit—pH $20 NIL

Trestle Tables—Plasc $20 NIL

E F H

To book equipment please contact Landcare staff on 5152 0600.

Hire of equipment is available to Landcare Groups and their members.

Items may be hired for one week.

The hire fee is charged per week and payment may be made via cash or

cheque. Deposits are refunded on return of items in good, clean condion.

The money generated from hire goes towards the maintenance or

replacement of items.

Items need to be booked in advance to ensure availability. Motorised items

require an OHS inducon session, demonstraon and signed agreement of safe use by the hirer prior to being hired.

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If you can’t beat ‘em – eat ‘em!Fillet of venison with red wine and wild mushroomsServes: 4

Prep Time: 2 hrs 25 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients: 13

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients ▪ 600ml red wine (such as shiraz)

▪ 1/3 cup (80ml) Madeira or dry sherry

▪ 1/3 cup (80ml) balsamic vinegar

▪ 6 eschalots, sliced

▪ 1 fresh bay leaf

▪ 1 thyme sprig

▪ 2 cups (500ml) cranberry jus or good-quality beef stock

▪ 10g dried chanterelle or porcini mushrooms

▪ 1kg venison fillet

▪ 1 tablespoon olive oil

▪ 30g unsalted butter

▪ 1 tablespoon plain flour

▪ Redcurrant jelly, to serve

Method1. To make the sauce, combine the red wine,

Madeira, balsamic vinegar, eschalots, bay leaf and thyme in a bowl and set aside for 2-3 hours. Place in a saucepan with jus or stock and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced by three-quarters (this will take about 20 minutes). Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

3. Place the dried mushrooms in a small bowl, pour over a little boiling water and set aside to soak for 10 minutes.

4. If the venison fillet is long, cut it in half. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

5. Heat the oil in a large frypan over high heat and sear the venison on all sides. Transfer to a baking tray and roast for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and set aside to rest for 10 minutes.

6. Drain mushrooms, reserving the liquid. Heat the butter in a frypan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Add flour to the pan and cook, stirring, for a further minute. Add red-wine sauce and reserved mushroom liquid, and simmer for 5-6 minutes until well-reduced. Season to taste.

7. Slice the venison and serve with sauce and redcurrant jelly, accompanied by salad.

Source: http://www.delicious.com.au

Fillet of venison - Mark Roper

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Membership formWant to join Landcare?Please complete this form and return to: East Gippsland Landcare Network Inc. PO Box 1498 Bairnsdale 3875

Note: If sending a cheque, please make it out to your choice of Landcare Group - as listed below

Surname name (s)

First name (s)

Mailing address

Phone no. Mobile no.

Email

Property address (If different to mailing address)

Signature

Membership type

ð Family ð Individual

Note: For insurance purposes, all members of a family membership must be listed.

ð Bairnsdale Urban $20.00

ð Bengworden $22.00

ð Bruthen $20.00

ð Buchan $16.50

ð Clifton Creek $20.00

ð Dargo $20.00

ð Eagle Point $20.00

ð Eastwood $25.00

ð Flaggy Creek $10.00

ð Friends of Picnic Point $25.00

ð Gelantipy $20.00

ð Glenaladale $25.00

ð Lakes Entrance Community $20.00

ð Lower Tambo $25.00

ð Nicholson River $25.00

ð Nungurner $20.00

ð Paynesville $20.00

ð Raymond Island $20.00

ð Romawi $25.00

ð Swifts Creek/Ensay $11.00

ð Tambo Bluff $20.00

ð Timbarra $20.00

ð Toms Creek $20.00

Which group would you like to be a member of?(subject to accepting the aims and philosophies of the group)

Please tick box