Leader: Joel Bloom “Post Office Hill Reserve, Chewton”
The Post Office Hill Action Group is a Landcare group that manages 22.6 hectares of public land on behalf of the community, with a focus on preserving the natural, cultural and historical features of the Post Office Hill Reserve in Chewton, Victoria.
Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung people) have lived and cared for their traditional lands here on Djandak (Country) over many thousands of years, and there is evidence of this history with the rock water wells within the reserve.
Joel will lead us on a walk around the reserve explaining the work that is being done to complement the natural regeneration of indigenous plants through weed and erosion control, corridor plantings, and the improvement of wildlife habitat by the installation of nesting boxes. The reserve is now an eBird hotspot and recent sightings include Gang Gang Cockatoos. Wildlife cameras have been installed to monitor activity at nest boxes and water stations. Phascogales, Krefft’s Gliders and other exciting outcomes of the group’s work can be seen on their iNaturalist site.
Meet: for car-pooling and 1.30pm departure at the northern end of the car park, north of the Railway Goods Shed, Kennedy St. Castlemaine.
Or meet at 1.45pm at the old council tip site on Railway Street, Chewton. From the Castlemaine centre, travel 4.5k east along the Pyrenees Highway (B180) towards Melbourne. At Chewton, turn right into Railway Street and drive 650 meters to where you will see the parking area on the right before the railway bridge (Google Maps).
Bring: water, snacks, sturdy shoes (please remove loose dirt and scrub clean beforehand), chairs, afternoon tea.