The word “Pollinators” immediately conjures up images of honeybees in the mind of most people, however this presentation takes you beyond the honeybees with an up-close look at our native pollinators. Australia has 2000 species of native bee, but what about the impact of the flies, beetles, butterflies and moths. Let’s not forget the birds […]
In place of our usual club excursion, we will join with staff and volunteers from the Visitor Information Centre to jointly host an informal gathering to remember Richard Piesse, who died on 28th December, 2024. Richard was a long-term active member of CFNC and loyal volunteer with the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre. He knew our
Come along and help us with our first clean-up for the year. Our club has been allocated a section of the Pyrenees Highway to keep clean, west of Castlemaine from the top of McKenzie’s Hill to Woodman’s Road. We do this four times a year. It is always a pleasant walk along some interesting roadside
Roadside Clean-up: Monday 17th February, 9am Read More »
Dear Members – sad news as we welcome the new year. Long-time member Richard Piesse died early on Saturday morning. He had been in Peter Mac for some weeks for pain management and palliative care as his long battle with cancer progressed. His daughter told us that the staff at Peter Mac had cared
Vale Richard Piesse Read More »
This is your chance for you to share a highlight of your nature observations from the year. Did you see some interesting wildlife behaviour? A new reptile for your property? What interests you will interest us! You can show photos, a power-point presentation, a video, a sound recording, or you can tell us a story
Meet on the lawn at the northern end of the Botanical Gardens to relax and enjoy good company in a beautiful setting. Peter Turner will update us on the activities of the CBG Powerful Owl family. BYO-everything (including chairs and insect repellent) Park in Downes Rd near the corner with Froomes Rd and enter by
End of year Picnic: Tuesday 17th December, 5pm onwards Read More »
Some recent ecological restoration projects in Hepburn Shire have demonstrated the value of ‘assisted natural regeneration’ and the benefits of leaving time to observe and work with a site’s natural resilience. A butterfly, the Bright-eyed Brown (Heteronympha cordace ssp. cordace) is emerging as a local flagship for this approach to restoration. Its story also interweaves
Monthly Meeting: Friday 8th November, 7.30pm, Uniting Church Chapel, Lyttleton St. Read More »
What are the habitat features that aid survival of the rare Bright-eyed Brown Butterfly? Brian will take us on a walking tour to inspect some sites around Trentham where habitat restoration has been carried out to support this special butterfly. We will then drive to Lyonville and follow the Domino trail east for about 700m
Come along and help do our bit for the community. More hands, quicker work. And you never know what treasure you might find! Meet: 9am near Tait’s Decorative Iron, corner of Willy Milly Rd and Pyrenees Highway, Castlemaine. Bring: Gloves, water, sturdy footwear. Garbage bags and safety vests supplied. Contact: Geoff Harris (mob 0418
Roadside Clean-up: Monday 11th November, 9am Read More »
Our October excursion is to a private property in Walmer that has uncommonly rich biodiversity and is not generally available to the public. The site is one of the few places where Bitter Cryptandra (Cryptandra amara) is in good numbers in the district. Our guide will be local environmentalist and plant expert Ian Higgins, who received
Excursion – Saturday October 19th,1.30pm, “Walmer biodiversity site” Read More »