ANGAIR Members were privileged to join the Anglesea Primary School Grade 6 students when they presented reports on their indigenous plants project.

 

Each student, with a partner, selected a plant to study, recorded their findings and then presented these to other students and to us. We had wondered how much they had learnt over the three years since the garden was planted. Our best hopes were realized; the enthusiasm and knowledge shown by the students were beyond our expectations.

 

The School is very grateful for our continuing input. So thanks to those are on the maintenance roster. If you are interested, the roster requires a session of gardening for one hour on a Tuesday 2.30 p.m., about every six weeks. If you interested please ring the School 52631231.

Hosting Wildflower Walks

ANGAIR has always had a reputation for hosting various other groups during the year. This year has been better than usual. In early October, we had a wonderful time showing some of Bendigo’s U3A around, on one Wednesday. On Friday of the same week, a group of eighteen from Torquay Probus Garden Group came with us, walking around Fraser Avenue, and then in the woodland near Forest Road. They kindly offered us lunch.

Over the weekend, the Keilor Plains Native Plants Group joined with ANGAIR. They are a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd. Margaret was brilliant showing orchids to them on the Saturday. We walked with them again on Sunday, around the Anglesea Perimeter Walk; they certainly kept us alert. Thanks to Chris Morrissey for generously sharing her knowledge throughout the week.

Bluebell Creeper Weeding Aireys Inlet

Many thanks to the eight Conservation and Land Management students from The Gordon Institute of TAFE, and their teacher, Amanda May, who came last Thursday, 16 October, to do battle with a Bluebell Creeper infestation at Aireys Inlet. They joined seven ANGAIR volunteers in pulling, cutting and spraying Bluebell Creeper plants up to 8 metres high. The creeper is spread over two private properties, and threatens the habitat of the rare Pterostylis striata Striped Greenhood, and the Diuris sulphurea Tiger Orchid. This was our second weeding session on these properties, and there is still a great deal more to be done.

ANGAIR, in partnership with The Gordon Institute of TAFE, has been successful in obtaining a Communities for Nature grant of approximately $4000, to assist in eliminating Boneseed in an area just north of the DEPI Office in Camp Rd, almost opposite the Anglesea Primary School. A severe infestation of mature Boneseed in the area will soon be fruiting and spreading its berries. A contractor will do some of the work, but ANGAIR volunteers and The Gordon Institute Conservation and Land Management students will follow up, removing smaller plants by hand, pulling, cutting and spraying.

Growth! Is bigger, better?

Surf Coast Energy Group invites ANGAIR members to listen to leading experts, and join the discussion on Sunday, 16 November at 2.30 p.m. at the Quicksilver Auditorium, 27 Baines Crescent, Torquay.

The event will be chaired by Rod Quantock, and speakers include:

 

• Emeritus Prof. Ian Lowe: Bigger or Better
• Prof. David Karoly: Climate Change & Coal
• Geoff Carr: Decline in Nature Here and Everywhere

 

There will also be a Q&A session for South Barwon candidates in the forthcoming State Election. For further information, email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Helen Tutt