Banksia Bulletin winter 2012

issue number 45 — winter 2012

Boonwurrung and Bayside

Bayside City Council

Prepares for Climate Change

Spring Open Days 2012

Wildlife Carers in Bayside

banksia bulletin — winter 20122

From the Mayor

Front cover image

Allocasuarina verticillata

Back cover image

Rockpools at Ricketts Point

Photographs by Pauline Reynolds

Winter is now upon us and planting in Bayside’s bushland and foreshore reserves will soon be in full swing. I look forward to seeing the new growth of native grasses, shrubs and trees.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Bayside Community Nursery. The Nursery provides indigenous plants that are used by Council in our formal gardens and bushland reserves, various golf courses and by local residents. The Nursery has been in operation since 1978 and all the plants it provides are propagated from seeds and cuttings collected from plants throughout Bayside. Being indigenous to the area, these seedlings have a great start in life and help to contribute to the natural biodiversity of our area.

The Bayside Community Nursery is located at 319 Reserve Road, Cheltenham. I encourage you to go along on a Thursday or Saturday morning to browse the selection and purchase some plants for your own garden. You can also get involved in volunteering at the nursery and learn some new horticultural skills. This edition of the Banksia Bulletin contains a story about the history of the nursery so please read on to find out more.

We’ve also been busy recently with the green cone trial. A total of 200 green cones are being installed in backyards across Bayside for a trial period of six months.

A green cone is a backyard bio digester the size of a small rubbish bin. They use air and warmth from the sun to rapidly break down food scraps. It is suitable for a range of food wastes such as meat and dairy that cannot be readily composted. Studies have shown that over 90% of waste materials placed in a green cone will be absorbed as water by the soil. Up to 2.5 kilograms of food wastes can be easily processed by a green cone each week.

I firmly believe that this trial will provide us all with an excellent example of a simple way to reduce the amount of waste we produce that would normally go to landfill. A simple change from throwing all our food scraps in the bin can make a big difference to our environment. Over the course of this trial the 200 residents involved will reduce the amount of waste going to landfills around Melbourne by almost 10,000 kg. That’s what I call a good start; imagine if all of us had a green cone in our backyard!

Cr Louise Cooper-ShawMayorBayside City Council

banksia bulletin — winter 2012 3

In this ISSUEOther articles Special features

8

16

Using Technology to Beat the Winter Chill 5 Cheryl May

Friends of Balcombe Park 6Joan Couzoff

Bayside Coastal Strategy Review 6

Adios to an Unwanted 7 Invader

The Story of the Bayside 10 Community Nursery Erika Anderson

Winter in the Bushlands 11 Jo Hurse

Friends of Watkins Bay 13Di Pearce

Clean Up Australia Day at 14 Ricketts PointSue Raverly

Transformation at George 15 St Reserve Valerie Tarrant and Pauline Reynolds

Working Bee Calendar 18

4Wildlife Carers making a difference in Bayside

Bayside City Council Prepares for Climate Change Ken Blackman & Stephen Thorpe

Boonwurrung and BaysideValerie Tarrant

12 Spring Open Days 2012Jo Hurse

Rescued Ringtail Possums

Photograph by Rob Sinclair


Our modern way of life can often bring us into contact with native animals and more often than not they are injured when this occurs. Among many ways to get hurt or sick, possums and birds can be accidently hit by cars, get caught in netting around fruit trees or accidently poisoned by chemicals we use in our gardens.

Natural biodiversity the world over is in serious decline and it is up to us to learn to live in harmony with our remaining wildlife. So what do you do if you find an injured or sick possum or bird? Luckily there are wildlife carers

all over Melbourne volunteering their time to rescue and rehabilitate native animals in need.

Rob and Prue Sinclair of Hampton are passionate wildlife carers who have been active in this field for the past three years. They are aligned with the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter and Southern Animal Referral Centre in Highett. Working from their home, they rescue and rehabilitate injured animals such as Ringtail and Brushtail Possums, Rainbow Lorikeets and Pacific Black Ducks. People who find an injured possum or bird can call Rob and Prue who will come and

rescue them. In the case of possums, once rehabilitated they will be returned to within 50 metres of where they were found.

There are numerous introduced animals in Bayside such as pigeons, Common Myna birds, Blackbirds, foxes and rats. Rob and Prue are unable to assist if one of these animals is found injured. If you do find an injured introduced species, you should contact your local vet.

GET INVOLVED

If you find an injured Australian native animal in Bayside you can call Rob and Prue Sinclair between the hours of 8 am – 10 pm on: 0401 555 901

Please remember if you find an injured animal that is not an Australian native, please contact your local vet for assistance.

Wildlife Carers Making a Difference in BaysideAs Melbourne’s urban areas expand, the size of natural areas available for our native animals is decreasing. This decrease is resulting in more Australian wildlife such as possums and birds being seen in and around our homes.

Darrin Hunt using the thermal imaging camera in the home of Riyane Zimmerman


We are all well aware of the need to heat our homes while at the same time being conscious of rising energy costs. There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce energy bills. Some methods are expensive and complex and others surprisingly cheap and simple. To implement cost effective heating actions requires an understanding of the structural conditions in your home.

In 2011 the Bayside Climate Change Action Group (BCCAG) received a grant from Bayside City Council to purchase a thermal imaging camera for use in a home energy efficiency project. This Thermal Imaging Camera Assessment (TICA) project involves the use of thermal imaging to determine areas of heat leakage in houses. All interested Bayside residents can apply for a free home appraisal which will be performed by trained volunteer members of BCCAG.

An appraisal usually takes about an hour and residents are also able to discuss their energy bills with the BCCAG assessor. The appraisal is a simple process that requires no access to the ceiling or walls. The camera takes digital and thermal images which are used to compare areas within the home, highlighting where differences in temperature are occurring. Images can show where insulation may be missing or there are draughts. Images can also highlight where heat is produced by various appliances.

Following an assessment residents are sent a confidential report highlighting the main heat issues in their home. The report also provides some general recommendations on measures to rectify identified heat loss problems. BCCAG does not provide an endorsement of any particular products.

Using Technology to Beat the Winter ChillAs winter takes hold, it is nice to come home to a warm house after a day out and about in Bayside.

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

The BCCAG is a not for profit community group run by volunteers. They hold regular informative meetings to help educate the community on climate change action initiatives, and provide feedback to Bayside City Council on such issues. Membership and attendance is open to all.

If you are interested in joining the group or assisting with home appraisals (training provided), please do so via the contact details below.

For more information visit our website: www.bccag.org.au

Those who have already participated have been surprised by the issues identified through an appraisal. Involvement in this project is available to all Bayside households. If you would like to express an interest please contact BCCAG at:

[email protected] OR PO Box 1097 Hampton North VICTORIA 3188

Cheryl MayVice PresidentBayside Climate Change Action Group

Friends of Balcombe ParkAt the Friends of Balcombe Park working bee on 29 April we planted a large number of seedlings in an area south of the phone tower on the eastern boundary with the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. We would like to extend a big thank you to the bushland crew who did an excellent job in preparing the site for us.

The Parks ecological burn sites are continuing to regenerate well and the Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpos pinifolius) is slowly increasing its presence in these areas. The recent rainfall has increased the amount of weeds growing in the burn sites which is causing us some concern.

A planting of native species with Envirokids Bayside and the Parents Friends Group last year has survived and it has made a real improvement to the main entrance to the Park. These two groups visited us again on 28 May

and were very enthusiastic about seeing the results of their previous work and doing more planting.

We have had some exciting news regarding native wildlife at Balcombe Park. Spotted Pardalotes, a species of bird declining in our urban environment have been seen recently in the area. Over the past year home gardens adjacent to the Park have also been visited by a Buff Banded Rail and we hope that it continues to visit.

As the community continues to work on restoring Bayside’s remnant heathlands, we hope more birds will make this lovely place their home.

Joan CouzoffCoordinatorFriends of Balcombe Park

Spotted Pardalotes


Bayside Coastal Strategy Review and Coastal Management Plan Development 2012-2022Bayside City Council will soon be undertaking a review of the Bayside Coastal Strategy (1997) and develop a Coastal Management Plan for Bayside’s 17 km of foreshore.

The new Coastal Management Plan (CMP) will provide a long term strategic vision and direction for the future use and management of coastal land in Bayside. A CMP is a public document which establishes an agreement

between a Committee of Management (Council), the Department of Sustainability & Environment and the community.

This project will include comprehensive community consultation, which will begin over the coming months. Please keep an eye on the Bayside City Council website latest news for further information. www.bayside.vic.gov.au

Madeira Vine growing at Picnic Point Volunteers removing Madeira Vine

A volunteer removing Madeira Vine from Picnic Point


Over the years local residents have been volunteering their time to tidy up areas and remove weeds from Picnic Point in Hampton.

Building on the hours of volunteer work already completed at Picnic Point a weed control working bee was held in the area on Sunday 3 June. At this event volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Hampton and Sandringham and the community came together to remove the highly invasive Madeira Vine weed (Andreda Cordifiola). This weed is relatively new to Bayside and if left unchecked will smother large areas of native vegetation.

A truck load of Madeira Vine, including its underground tubers was removed by hand after two hours of hard work by all. Through the efforts of the volunteers the amount of Madeira Vine growing at Picnic Point has now been significantly reduced. This head start will now enable Council to continue the fight against this weed with a good chance of successfully removing it from the area.

The day was made possible through the generosity of the Rotary Clubs of Hampton and Sandringham who donated funds raised from the Bayside Farmers Market which is held nearby on Trey Bit Reserve on the third Saturday of every month from 8am to 1pm.

Thank you to all the volunteers who attended and for the kind support from the Rotary Clubs of Hampton and Sandringham who also put on a barbecue for lunch.

Adios to an Unwanted Invader!

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Did you know?

Madeira Vine is an invasive weed from South America that is growing rampantly in many coastal regions of Australia. It spreads quickly and smothers our native vegetation as it grows over it. Control of the weed is very difficult and a careful hand weeding approach is the most suitable method.

If you would like to get involved in further working bees to help remove it please keep an eye on the Bayside City Council events page at www.bayside.vic.gov.au/whats-on.htm


Bayside City Council Prepares for Climate Change ChallengeBayside City Council recently completed a Climate Change Strategy to meet the challenges of climate change. The Strategy will guide Council’s operational climate change adaptation across a diverse range of responsibilities, which cover many community facilities and services.


“Climate change research and projections for the region show that the City of Bayside is significantly exposed to climate extremes and natural hazards such as storm surges and coastal inundation, reduced rainfall, erosion and extreme temperatures. These hazards are expected to increase in severity and intensity.” - Bayside Climate Change Strategy 2012

Climate change will bring about a change in the way we care for our natural environment. As part of the process for developing the Strategy, Council completed a risk assessment of the impacts of climate change on natural assets. Some of the key risks include:

• Impactonnaturalareasasaresultof heat stress and reduced rainfall

• Increaseintherangeandoccurrence of pest plant and animal species

• Reductioninbiodiversity

• Lossofamenityvaluesassociatedwith open spaces

• Increaseinpollutantsinopenspace and coastal areas as a result of increased storm activity

In response to the risk assessment, Council has developed the following adaptation actions:

• Ensuringclimatechangeconsiderations are included in tree-planting programs

• Protectingbiodiversityvaluesalong the coast via coastal management planning

• Continuingtoplantdroughttolerant native species in open space and revegetation projects

• Participatinginprojectstoestablishbiodiversity corridors

• Workingwithrelevantagenciesand the community to monitor and reduce the introduction of invasive weeds and pest animals

In addition to adaptation actions the Strategy also draws attention to the ongoing effort of Council to reduce its carbon emissions. This includes programs boosting energy efficiency in its buildings and street lighting and improvements in waste reduction and management. Another key activity outlined will be to continue raising awareness of climate change and supporting the community to respond to the impacts of climate change. To assist with this Council has completed a Community Summary of the full Climate Change Strategy.

You can find the summary at: http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/climate_change_and_bayside.htm

In terms of implementation the Strategy has short, medium and long term actions that will be part of Council’s future planning and budgets. It is expected that half of the actions within the Climate Change Strategy will be initiated within the next two years and many have already begun.

There are still uncertainties associated with climate change impacts, for example the impact of sea level rise. For this reason the Strategy will need to be regularly reviewed as new information comes to light. It will also involve working in collaboration with governments and the community, particularly where there are shared management responsibilities such as coastal and drainage management.

Ken Blackman Bayside Climate Change Group

Stephen Thorpe Bayside City Council

Human sign in Bayside, 2007


The Story of the Bayside Community NurseryVolunteers have been working to protect and enhance the natural environment of Bayside for many years.

A key event in this history of community driven nature conservation in the Bayside area was the establishment of the Bayside Community Nursery.

The idea behind the establishment of a community nursery that provided plants indigenous to Bayside was developed in the 1970’s by members of the Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Association (BRASCA). BRASCA was founded in late 1969 with an objective to stop the construction of a car park on the cliff top near Half Moon Bay in Black Rock. The association also became involved in vegetation maintenance, planting and weeding along the foreshore.

The car park was stopped and the former City of Sandringham Council began to support BRASCA’s efforts to improve the condition of the natural environment. Initially, members planted any native flora that seemed appropriate for a coastal environment. However, with increasing knowledge, people wanted to add

to the indigenous vegetation already growing in the area.

A team consisting of Mrs. Jill Wilson, Mr Don Neale and Mr. Ken Rendell and others drew up plans for a community nursery. The eminent botanist Dr. Jim Willis also contributed his knowledge and advice. Council donated a site and building to the cause and in 1978 the Nursery was opened at the Council depot on the corner of Reserve and Talinga Roads. It was a pioneer in the field of propagating indigenous plants in Melbourne.

Growing plants for the revegetation of the foreshore was the original intent of the nursery. However other initiatives were quickly established including the encouragement of residents to plant indigenous flora in their gardens. In the first year of operation volunteers working with Council staff propagated about 7,500 plants. From this humble beginning this figure today is over 100,000 plants per year.

Nowaday’s volunteers arrive on Thursday and Saturday mornings

at 10am and work until 12pm with Council’s service provider, Citywide. The Nursery is also open to the public at these times.

In putting this article together I would like to acknowledge Dr Val Tarrant for the information she has provided on the history of the nursery.

Erika AndersonNursery Leading HandCitywide Open Space

GET INVOLVED

There are four public open days held at the Nursery each year:

• GalaOpenDayattheendofMarch

• ArborWeekOpenDayonthefirst Saturday in May

• NationalTreeDayinJuly

• NationalThreatened Species Day on the first Saturday in SeptemberStock for sale at Bayside Community Nursery. Photograph by Julie Shepherd


Winter in the BushlandsThe red, orange, yellow and brown leaves of autumn have fallen and winter is here!

Hang on this doesn’t sound like Bayside! It sounds more like a European setting and it takes my weekly travels to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne in autumn remind me that indeed it is (or was) autumn!

Autumn is the start of planting season and we plant 20,000 indigenous plant tubes annually. This is achieved with the assistance of the Friends groups, community planting days like National Tree Day and National Schools Tree Day, the involvement of school groups like Sandringham Secondary College, and the Bushland crew’s core daily works.

As is the nature of natural resource management most of the crew’s time is devoted to weed control. If the germination of weed species so far this year is an indication of the spring growth we certainly have our work cut out for us!

A community involvement program with Sandringham Secondary College is well and truly up and running. The students began at Bay Road Heathland in April removing one of the last stands of Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum). There are around six to nine students who volunteer on Thursdays between 9.30am and 2.30pm. They are now working at Black Rock beach removing Mirror Bush (Coprosma repens) at the northern most end of the beach. The group will slowly work their way along the beach and the site will be revegetated later in planting season.

As the Panic Veldt Grass (Ehrharta erecta), Annual Veldt Grass (Ehrharta longiflora) and Chickweeds (Stellaria sp) germinate the Bushland Crew are there to fight the battle of the weeds! They are often armed with a knapsack on their back for large scale spraying, ‘dabbers’ (shoe cleaning bottles) for painting the woody weeds and

‘flatweeds’, one or two litre spray bottles or simply a knife! Yes the knife is an invaluable tool for hand weeding in sensitive areas. By sweeping the knife under the grassy weeds there is less disturbance to the soil and less likelihood that soil stored weed seed will be bought to the surface and germinate. The benefits of hand weeding are greatly undervalued and can have very satisfying outcomes.

Over the coming months the crew will carry out a lot of hand weeding, especially in our heathlands. This manual method of weed control is time consuming and I once heard a member of the public remark that it was, “more like hairdressing than gardening”. So why do we do it? This is the only way to ensure that no ’off target’ highly sensitive plants are poisoned by herbicides. For example, a plant like Lepidosperma does not tolerate any herbicide at all and one small droplet will be to its detriment.

There is a great sense of satisfaction in hand weeding the invasive exotics from a heathland. Through hours of hand weeding the Bushland Crew have developed specialised identification skills of native and weed plant species at all different stages of their growth cycle.

If you would like to improve your plant identification skills and help to restore our natural environment come along to one of our working bees, you will always be welcome.

The indigenous vegetation of Bayside is a real Australian treasure to be retained for the benefit of future generations so they too can enjoy and learn from it.

Jo Hurse Bushland and Nursery Team LeaderCitywide Open Space

Clockwise from top left: Correa reflexa, Comesperma voluble, Aotus erricoides, Ricinocarpus pinifolius. Photographs by Pauline Reynolds


Spring Open Days 2012Bayside’s seven heathland reserves will be open again this spring so that we can all share in the beauty of the wildflowers.

Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary 2pm – 4pm Sunday 26 August – Sunday 28 October 2012 (inclusive)

Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary 2pm – 4pm Every Sunday in September 2012

It is well worth a visit to Gramatan Avenue to see the regeneration post the 2011 ecological burn – it is spectacular! The Common Flat-pea (Platylobium obtusangulum) is the biggest I have even seen! Last year the sanctuary was a sea of white and purple Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata) and Chocolate Lilies (Arthropodium strictum).

Cheltenham Flora & Fauna Reserve, Donald McDonald Reserve, George Street Heathland and Woodland Reserve, Balcombe Park and Long Hollow Heathland Sanctuary

All of these reserves will be open for guided tours and have information tables at the September working bee times (please see the Working Bee Calendar on page 18.)

Coming along to a Spring Open Day is a great opportunity if you have not been to a heathland before to speak to the staff that manage the Park and the volunteers who devote their time there.

Please feel free to contact me should you wish to find out any more information about the bushland reserves of Bayside.

Jo HurseBushland and Nursery Team LeaderCitywide Open Space


Friends of Watkins Bay The Friends of Watkins Bay have continued to work hard over a number of working bees to establish a low lying bed of native foreshore plants at Ricketts Point. We hope our work will turn what was previously a weedy grassed area into a beautiful natural area.

The views from this part of Ricketts Point are wonderful with sweeping views across the bay to the city skyline. Recently small children were seen running around the new pathways that have been created as if following a maze. It is very rewarding for us to see that our efforts are being enjoyed by people of all ages.

Our latest project is to establish a table and benches at this lovely viewing point and we hope to have it installed soon. We also hope to make this particular area more accessible for people in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties. Already, Daniel from Citywide has widened the path and now we need to have it graded. We are also going to investigate the possibility of having two designated disabled parking areas established close to the area so that everyone can enjoy this wonderful area.

Di PearceFriends of Watkins Bay

View of Watkins Bay. Photograph by Pauline Reynolds

Rubbish collected on Clean Up Australia Day at Ricketts Point. Photograph by Sue Raverty.


Clean up Australia Day at Ricketts PointA very successful Clean Up Australia Day was held at Ricketts Point on Sunday 4 March.

A total of 44 volunteers attended and managed to clean up the Landside area and the beach between the Beaumaris Lifesaving Club and the Beaumaris Yacht Club.

Eight cubs from the 1st Beaumaris Sea Scouts cleaned up the area next to the Beaumaris Lifesaving Club and nine Beaumaris Girl Guides cleaned up the

area near the Beaumaris Yacht Club. Thank you to all these enthusiastic volunteers, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Together we collected nine bags of general rubbish five bags of recyclable rubbish, one very smelly dead cat, one dehydrated rat, one blue car bumper bar, something large made out of wood from a boat and an orange Frisbee.

The volunteers commented that there was not much rubbish in the Landside area this year. This is a positive outcome and we hope to have even less rubbish next year.

We would like to extend a big thank you to all those who helped on the day and we hope to see you again next year.

Sue RavertyCoordinator Friends of Ricketts Point Landside

Transformation at George Street ReserveThe latest project by Friends of the George Street Reserve involves weed control alongside a fire break and replacement planting with heathland species. So far the success rate has been high and we are hopeful that the 250 tube stock propagated at the Community Nursery will settle in well. The heavy rain that occurred in May should help the plants to flourish.

The eastern section of the Tulip Street nature strip has been made ready for a mid-winter planting that will extend the existing stretch of indigenous heath that has grown well there over the past two years. Kangaroo Grasses (Themeda triandra) in this area are close to a metre and a half in height and create a fascinating effect as they wave in the wind.

We are pleased that Bayside City Council and the Bayside Environment Friends Network have almost finished making an information booklet that will showcase the work of the many Friends’ Groups. Beautifully illustrated, it will be an effective means of introducing the public to the reserves, as well as act as a reminder to members of the various groups of what they are conserving.

At the source of all the regeneration of woodlands and heathlands in Bayside lies the patient and dedicated efforts of volunteers and staff at the Bayside Community Nursery. For two hours every Thursday and Saturday morning, under the leadership of Erika and Elke, volunteers undertake a wide range of jobs. Depending on the time of year, people sort or plant seeds or prick out seedlings into tubes. These processes require care as some of the seeds are tiny, have grubs that need removal and some of the seed cases, such as those of the Grass trees (Xanthorhea spp.), are hard to crack open.

The reward for our volunteer work comes from seeing the new growth in the reserves and the interest and pleasure of the residents and visitors who enjoy wandering along the tracks of these bushlands.

Valerie Tarrant and Pauline Reynolds Joint CoordinatorsFriends of George Street Reserve

New plantings at George Street Reserve. Photograph by Pauline Reynolds


The Boonwurrung People were the ancient custodians of the land that stretches from the current day Werribee area to the west of Wilson’s Promontory and inland as far as Dandenong. These People, for many thousands of years, made their home close to the Bay we now know as Port Phillip, gaining an intimate knowledge of its land, waters, plants, birds, fish, animals and weather.

Boonwurrung descendents live in greater Melbourne and one of them, Elder Carolyn Briggs, has passed on the knowledge gained from her forbears. Recently at a gathering of the Sandringham Foreshore Association she spoke of Louisa Briggs from whom she is descended, and told the story of how this young woman was kidnapped in the 1830s by sealers and taken to one of the Bass Strait Islands where these men were based.

The story highlighted the difficulties and challenges faced by the Boonwurrung following the first encounter of some of their tribe with British seamen near present day Sorrento. Lieutenant Murray who sailed into the Bay in 1802 recorded in his log that he sent a launch ‘to see if any natives were there, ‘and had the satisfaction of seeing eighteen or twenty men and boys come out of the Wood and

seat themselves on a Green Bank waiting for the approach of the boat with which I had sent some shirts and other trifles to give them’. (Lieut. John Murray, H.M. Survey Vessel Lady Nelson and the Discovery of Port Phillip (The Banks Society, Melbourne, 2010). At first the encounter was friendly but then there was violence and the newcomers left. The clash of cultures continued to intensify after the establishment of Melbourne in the mid 1830s.

These original inhabitants of Bayside moved from one site to another throughout the seasons. They carried tools such as digging sticks with them and other possessions. In the winter they built shelters and found water in wells and soaks year round. This way of life provided them with all their requirements and they celebrated it with feasts and dancing. One source of water was at the base of the Red Bluff



Aboriginal Rock Well at Half Moon Bay

Bunyil Eggs above Half Moon Bay


and middens holding the remains of shellfish and ash from fires can still be found at Half Moon Bay. They had no need of fences, had no paved roads, they constructed no permanent dwellings, shops or churches.

Boonwurrung men were skilled hunters and able to provide food from large animals, including the kangaroo and emu, which they stalked and speared. Women cultivated plants with tubers, including Nodding Greenhood Orchids (Pterostylis nutans), then dug and cooked them. They made sure to leave a certain number of tubers so that there would be a supply in the following season. Women also captured small animals including possums and bandicoots and collected seeds from grasses to be ground and baked into delicious ‘cakes’.

Children discovered from their parents and other kin the skills of

food gathering, the ancient stories and dances and the lie of the land. They would have heard of how the Bay (known as ‘nairm’) was once a flat plain, over which flowed the Yarra and Maribrynong Rivers. They would also have learned of the great creative ancestor known as Bunjil.

The six Boonwurrung clans were a part of the Kulin Nation, which held land to the west, north and east of present day Melbourne and adjoined the Ganai in the east. Theirs was not a written language and therefore spelling varies. That used in this article; Boonwurrung is to be found in the work of Ian D. Clark, Aboriginal Languages and Clans (Monash Publications in Geography, Monash University, 1990). ‘Wurrung’ includes the concept of ‘tongue’ or ‘speech’.

An important Boonwurung leader was a man known as Derrimut. He was a linguist who mastered English

and was responsible for saving the lives of several colonists who, but for his warnings, would have been killed. He worked to gain recognition of the land rights of his people and lived for a time at Mordialloc where a reserve was created. To his great disappointment the right to live on the land was lost in 1863, and he died in 1864.

Today, the flag of Aboriginal Australians flies at Mordialloc, close to the bridge over the creek, on the inland side of the Nepean Highway – a reminder of the Boonwurrung and their life on the land.

Valerie Tarrant


Pterostylis nutans, an important food source for Boonwurrung people

LEARN MORE

Along Bayside’s foreshore you can walk a coastal Indigenous trail consisting of signs and sculptures. Based on stories from Elder Carolyn Briggs these installations demonstrate the relationship between the Boonwurrung and the coastal environment. For further information please visit the Bayside City Council website: www.bayside.vic.gov.au/walksandtrails _ indigenoustrail.htm


FRIENDS/ ENVIRO GROUPS MELWAY REF CONTACT DETAILS TIME JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Friends of Balcombe Park 86 C4 Coordinator: Joan Couzoff Phone: (03) 9589 1060 10am – noon 29 26 30

Friends of Bay Rd 77 B11 Coordinator: Michael Norris (Southern Ward Councillor)Phone: (03) 9521 0804 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 14 11 8

Bayside Environmental Friends Network

Coordinator: Barbara JakobMobile: 0408 032 963 Email: [email protected] 4.30 - 6.30pm 23 27 24

Bayside Bushwalking Club (Charman to Cromer Rds, Beaumaris)

Contact: Jo Hurse (Citywide) 9283 2052

Contact Jo Hurse (Citywide) 9283 2052

3

Bayside Community Nursery 77 D12Contact: Erika Anderson 319 Reserve Road, Cheltenham 3192 Phone: (03) 9583 8408 Open Thurs and Sat 10am - 12pm

10am - noon5, 7, 12, 14,

19, 21, 26, 282, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30

6, 8, 13, 15 20, 22, 27, 29

Beaumaris Conservation Society President: Chris SuttonPO Box 7016, Beaumaris 3193 Email: [email protected]

Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Association

Coordinator: Janet Ablitt Phone: (03) 9589 6646 Email: [email protected]: Bob Whiteway Phone: (03) 9502 0060 Email: [email protected] 10am - noon 3, 17 7, 21 4, 18

Friends of Brighton Dunes 76 C2Coconvenors: Elizabeth McQuirePhone: (03) 9592 6474 and Jenny Talbot Phone: (03) 9592 2109

8am – 10am3, 10,

17, 24, 317, 14, 21, 28

4, 11, 18, 25

Friends of Cheltenham Park 86 G1 Coordinator: Valerie TyersPhone: (03) 9588 0107 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 1 5 2

Cheltenham Primary School Sanctuary

Contact: Marg McIntosh Phone: (03) 9583 1614 Email: [email protected]

9am – noon Contact School 9583 1614

Friends of Donald MacDonald Reserve 86 B6 Coordinator: Kim Croker

Phone: (03) 9589 2443 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 1 5 2

Enviro Kids Enquiries to Barbara Jakob Phone: 0408 032 963 9.30am-11.30am 29 26 23

Friends of George Street Reserve 86 B1Coordinator: Val TarrantPhone: (03) 9598 0554 Email: [email protected]. Coordinator: Pauline Reynolds Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected]

10am – noon 15 19 16

Friends of Gramatan Avenue Heathland 86 C6 Coordinator: Ken Rendell

Phone: (03) 9589 4452 1pm – 3pm 1 5 2

Friends of Long Hollow Heathland 86 D5 Coordinator: Ken RendellPhone: (03) 9589 4452 1pm – 3pm 29 26 30

Friends of Merindah Park & Urban Forest

77 B12 Coordinator: David Cockburn Phone: (03) 9598 6148 Email: [email protected] 10am - noon 8 12 9

Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc 86 C9 Phone: (03) 9589 4452

Friends of Native Wildlife Coordinator: Michael Norris (Southern Ward Councillor)Phone: (03) 9521 0804 Email: [email protected] 9.30am 7 4 1

NED (New Environment Directions) at Elsternwick Park

Coordinator: Neil Blake, Port Phillip EcoCentrePhone: (03) 9534 0413 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Ricketts Point Landside 86 C9Coordinator: Sue RavertyPhone: (03) 9589 2103 Email: [email protected]

12.30pm – 2.30pm 17 21 18

St. Leonards College Conservation Group

Contact: Luisa IngramPhone: (03) 9909 9300 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Table Rock 86 E10 Coordinator: Ken RendellPhone: (03) 9589 4452 12.30pm – 2.30pm 31 28 25

Friends of Watkins Bay 86 D9 Coordinator: Moira LongdenPhone: (03) 9589 2725 10am – noon 25 29 26

Working Bee Calendar


FRIENDS/ ENVIRO GROUPS MELWAY REF CONTACT DETAILS TIME JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Friends of Balcombe Park 86 C4 Coordinator: Joan Couzoff Phone: (03) 9589 1060 10am – noon 29 26 30

Friends of Bay Rd 77 B11 Coordinator: Michael Norris (Southern Ward Councillor)Phone: (03) 9521 0804 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 14 11 8

Bayside Environmental Friends Network

Coordinator: Barbara JakobMobile: 0408 032 963 Email: [email protected] 4.30 - 6.30pm 23 27 24

Bayside Bushwalking Club (Charman to Cromer Rds, Beaumaris)

Contact: Jo Hurse (Citywide) 9283 2052

Contact Jo Hurse (Citywide) 9283 2052

3

Bayside Community Nursery 77 D12Contact: Erika Anderson 319 Reserve Road, Cheltenham 3192 Phone: (03) 9583 8408 Open Thurs and Sat 10am - 12pm

10am - noon5, 7, 12, 14,

19, 21, 26, 282, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30

6, 8, 13, 15 20, 22, 27, 29

Beaumaris Conservation Society President: Chris SuttonPO Box 7016, Beaumaris 3193 Email: [email protected]

Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Association

Coordinator: Janet Ablitt Phone: (03) 9589 6646 Email: [email protected]: Bob Whiteway Phone: (03) 9502 0060 Email: [email protected] 10am - noon 3, 17 7, 21 4, 18

Friends of Brighton Dunes 76 C2Coconvenors: Elizabeth McQuirePhone: (03) 9592 6474 and Jenny Talbot Phone: (03) 9592 2109

8am – 10am3, 10,

17, 24, 317, 14, 21, 28

4, 11, 18, 25

Friends of Cheltenham Park 86 G1 Coordinator: Valerie TyersPhone: (03) 9588 0107 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 1 5 2

Cheltenham Primary School Sanctuary

Contact: Marg McIntosh Phone: (03) 9583 1614 Email: [email protected]

9am – noon Contact School 9583 1614

Friends of Donald MacDonald Reserve 86 B6 Coordinator: Kim Croker

Phone: (03) 9589 2443 Email: [email protected] 10am – noon 1 5 2

Enviro Kids Enquiries to Barbara Jakob Phone: 0408 032 963 9.30am-11.30am 29 26 23

Friends of George Street Reserve 86 B1Coordinator: Val TarrantPhone: (03) 9598 0554 Email: [email protected]. Coordinator: Pauline Reynolds Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected]

10am – noon 15 19 16

Friends of Gramatan Avenue Heathland 86 C6 Coordinator: Ken Rendell

Phone: (03) 9589 4452 1pm – 3pm 1 5 2

Friends of Long Hollow Heathland 86 D5 Coordinator: Ken RendellPhone: (03) 9589 4452 1pm – 3pm 29 26 30

Friends of Merindah Park & Urban Forest

77 B12 Coordinator: David Cockburn Phone: (03) 9598 6148 Email: [email protected] 10am - noon 8 12 9

Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc 86 C9 Phone: (03) 9589 4452

Friends of Native Wildlife Coordinator: Michael Norris (Southern Ward Councillor)Phone: (03) 9521 0804 Email: [email protected] 9.30am 7 4 1

NED (New Environment Directions) at Elsternwick Park

Coordinator: Neil Blake, Port Phillip EcoCentrePhone: (03) 9534 0413 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Ricketts Point Landside 86 C9Coordinator: Sue RavertyPhone: (03) 9589 2103 Email: [email protected]

12.30pm – 2.30pm 17 21 18

St. Leonards College Conservation Group

Contact: Luisa IngramPhone: (03) 9909 9300 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Table Rock 86 E10 Coordinator: Ken RendellPhone: (03) 9589 4452 12.30pm – 2.30pm 31 28 25

Friends of Watkins Bay 86 D9 Coordinator: Moira LongdenPhone: (03) 9589 2725 10am – noon 25 29 26

July 2012 to September 2012

Editorial Policy The purpose of publishing the Banksia Bulletin is to circulate information, report on events, and to profile relevant environmental issues important to our community. The Bulletin is also published to support the network of people involved in enjoying and protecting our local environment.

Bayside City Council encourages people from our local community groups to submit articles of interest, share experiences and news about any upcoming events. All articles are reviewed prior to publication and Council reserves the right to omit or edit submissions.

AcknowledgementsThank you to all the people who have contributed to this issue of Banksia Bulletin.

DisclaimerThe views expressed in the Banksia Bulletin are not necessarily those of Bayside City Council nor its representatives.

EditorStephen Thorpe, Manager Environmental Sustainability and Open Space.

Copy deadlines 2012Copy deadlines are set for the first Friday of the month of release:

Spring 2012 Friday 24 Aug for release end Sept.

Summer 2012 Friday 16 Nov for release Dec.

Banksia Bulletin is published quarterly by Bayside City Council to service people interested in enjoying and protecting the local environment.

If you would like to be added to the Banksia Bulletin mailing list, please contact Bayside City Council on 9599 4444 or email: [email protected] Please indicate whether you would prefer to receive your Banksia Bulletin by post or via email.

Corporate CentrePO Box 27 Royal AvenueSANDRINGHAM VIC 3191Telephone: 9599 [email protected] of business 8.30am – 5pmMonday – Friday (except public holidays)

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Documents

Banksia Bulletin winter 2012