Two inspiring presentations, an extraordinary afternoon tea, and a delightful community feel left us motivated for the year ahead at Woodend Landcare’s recent AGM.

Annual Report – Krista Patterson-Majoor

It’s been another busy year for Woodend Landcare with the culmination of the large grants we received in 2015. We organised two community planting days and four education events, developed a black gum brochure, held our monthly working bees and supported the Thursday’s Crew weekly efforts around town. None of this would be possible without the great team effort that is Woodend Landcare. Thanks to everyone who has given so much during the year. After a big year of works along Five Mile Creek, we now intend to focus on the maintenance of these efforts as well as furthering our plans for the Lake Earnshaw area.

There are also a few people I’d like to acknowledge and thank in particular:

• Kate Daniel – for her outstanding presidency for two and a half years and overseeing a couple of large projects.
• Jo Clancy – for being such a passionate advocate for our local environment and a very dedicated member of the team. Jo is standing down from the committee after 13 years of executive roles.
• Bob Sullivan, John Newell, and Barry Clarke – for giving such a huge amount of energy to the Thursday Crew over the years. John, Bob and Barry are standing down from the committee.
• Peter Yates and Adam Barber – for their on-going and invaluable support for Woodend Landcare behind scenes.
• Pene Rice and Doug Dalgliesh – for joining our 2016-2017 committee.

Click here to view our 2015-2016 Annual Report

Click here to view the minutes from the 2016 Woodend Landcare Annual General Meeting

Lake Earnshaw Plan – Pene Rice

Pene Rice and the Thursday Crew have developed a fabulous plan for the Lake Earnshaw area. Of particular note are the revegetation sites, picnic shelter, and the proposed pathways: with asphalt paths linking to the Gilbert Gordon Oval to the town, and the granitic or mown paths encircling four distinct recreational and natural areas. The draft plan will be displayed in the Coles window and on our website. We will also consult with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council over the coming months on our proposals. We invite any comments about the plan. Please email your feedback to woodendlandcare@gmail.com.

Click here to read more about our Lake Earnshaw proposal

Macedon Ranges Koala Project – Linda Healy

Linda is a local koala carer and has set up a web site to get statistics on koalas living in the Macedon Ranges. Koalas have been recently recorded right in the heart of Woodend along Black Forest Drive and in the rail reserve along Quarry Road.

Although there are other koala registers, she hopes the community sends sightings to her first to build our local knowledge on the species, and she will pass on details to the national registers. The statistics that she hopes to gather will allow her to present her case to the authorities for action in regard to protecting the local koalas.

The local density of koalas is low. Landcare has been asked to support the project by looking for scats at the base of eucalypts at our project sites and by spreading the word about the project. We will put up a notice about the website in the Coles window and provide a link from our blog.

Click here to visit the Macedon Ranges Koala Project Website

Save the date: Slatey Creek Working Bee on Sunday 28th August

Our next working bee will be at the Slatey Creek Black Gum Reserve. More details coming soon.

Reminder: memberships now due

A huge thanks to all those who have renewed their Landcare membership. If you are not a member or have not yet renewed, please show us your support and do so as soon as possible. Click here for details on how to pay the $20 membership fee and to download a membership form.