GRANTS, AWARDS & OPPORTUNITIES:
2011 VICTORIAN LANDCARE LONG SERVICE HONOUR ROLL
This year, to mark the 25th Anniversary of Landcare, we are taking nominations for a 2011 Victorian Landcare Honour Roll. The honour roll provides a once only opportunity for groups and networks to acknowledge the work of their longest serving and most committed members. NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 22 JULY
For more information go to: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/25years/news/the-2011-victorian-landcare-long-service-honour-roll
REMINDER: LANDCARE AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED
Nominations are now open for the 2011 State and Territory Landcare Awards, giving everyone across Australia the opportunity to honour the people who make a positive difference to their local environment. Nominations for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards are until Friday 22nd July 2011. Please go to http://www.landcareonline.com.au/?page_id=4244 for more information.
BENDIGO BANK COMMUNITY GRANTS
The Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation is offering community grants to local organisations in the following areas.Charitable and Not-for-profit Organisations can apply for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities contributing to their development in building social capital, community welfare, environmental, health, education or cultural areas
For more information go to:
http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public/foundation/grants/grants_and_guidelines.asp
East Ivanhoe and Heidelberg : Applications close 21 July 2011
Dandenong Ranges: Applications close 22 July 2011.
San Remo, Cowes, Grantville & District: Applications close 28 July 2011.
Beaufort Community Grants: Applications close 29 July 2011.
Nathalia & District: Applications close 24 August 2011.
Numurkah & District: Applications close 24 August 2011.
Mooroolbark: Applications close 26 August 2011.
REMINDER: 2011-12 COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS round now open
Community groups around Australia can now apply for grants of between $5000 and $20 000 to help protect and conserve their local environment and natural resources. $5 million will be available in the 2011-12 Community Action Grants round to help local communities undertake activities such as revegetating landscapes, rehabilitating dunes, removing weeds, controlling pests, and improving sustainable land management practices. In response to community feedback, eligibility has been broadened this year to include all community groups that deliver environmental and sustainable agriculture projects.
Applications for the 2011-12 Community Action Grants will close on Monday 1 August 2011.
Information on how to apply is available at www.nrm.gov.au or by calling 1800 552 008. If you need the FTLA to act as a sponsor organisation please let us know as soon as possible, before you start the online registration.
2011 AUSTRALIAN FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers, showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australia. The nomination closing deadline has been extended until Monday, 1st August 2011
Winners will be placed in the final round of interviews in the esteemed Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) valued at $50,000 . The finalists for each award category are also invited to attend the Farmer of the Year Awards dinner in Sydney on September 7 – costs are covered and this includes air-fares for two people and one night’s accommodation in Sydney.
Categories include Farmer Industry Leader, Biosecurity Farmer, Diversification Farmer, Grain Grower, Wool Producer, Livestock and Young Farmer. Why not nominate for these and the Landcare Sustainable Farming Award at the same time and get two for one!
GORSE TASKFORCE GRANTS
For more information go to http://www.vicgorsetaskforce.com.au/news/community_support_grants_201112
REMINDER: JUNIOR LANDCARE GRANTS ROUND 3 CLOSING SOON
The third round of Junior Landcare Grants in 2011 is closing soon! Coles has been providing School Garden Grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens. More information at http://www.juniorlandcare.com.au/grants-2
Round 3: Coles School Garden Grant Friday 5th August, 5pm (EST)
NSW LANDCARE AWARD PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Voting is now open, closing 5th August 2011. Nearly 100 nominations for awards have been received for the 2011 NSW Landcare Awards. It is now time for you to have your say by voting online for the nomination you believe represents the most outstanding contributions to Landcare this year.
For more information or to vote please go to : http://www.landcareonline.com.au/news/archive/votingopen-nsw-landcare-peoples-choice-award
OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR LANDCARE WEEK ACTIVIES
Landcare Week is September 5th-11th.
Landcare Australia is promoting Landcare Week group activities and encouraging the community to donate themselves to their local group and lend a hand. Landcare Australia promoting Landcare Weeks and is offering to list activities on their website for people to find a group or an event in their local area using the Find A Local Events section on the home page or Find A Local Group link to the National Landcare Directory.
They will promote Landcare group activities in NSW and Victoria with an advertising supplement in the Sun Herald and Sunday Age on September 4th
If you have a Landcare Week group activity we would like to promote this so people in your local area can volunteer or contact you for more information, please send information to Melissa.whitelaw@landcareaustralia.com.au including Group name, Date of activity, Time, Brief description of activity, Where volunteers meet you, What volunteers need to bring with them, Contact name and number for further information
Deadline for this information is Friday August 19th.
Landcare Australia is looking for interesting stories to be published in the Landcare In Focus magazine and to pitch to other media outlets for Landcare Week. Please send information about your project or group activities to Melissa.whitelaw@landcareaustralia.com.au
EVENTS
NUTRISOIL ANNUAL OPEN DAY LIVING SOIL 2011
Thursday 28th July, Speakers:
Dr Christine Jones – Restoring Subsoil
Nicole Masters – Biological Farming – The New Zealand Experience
Graeme Hand – Grazing Management
Friday 29th July, One-day Seminar
For limited numbers to do more indepth workshopping:
Christine & Nicole – Transitioning to Biological Farming
Graeme Hand – Grazing Management with paddock session (including a monitoring exercise)
For further info go to their website: http://www.nutrisoil.com.au/the-news/
NATIONAL & SCHOOLS TREE DAY
Each year, around 200 000 Australian school students participate in a special National Tree Day event designed just for children – Schools Tree Day!
National Tree Day is on 31st July. You can organise a tree-planting site in your local park or school, at a nearby creek, roadside or bushland area, even in your own backyard!
To find or register an event or for more information: treeday@planet.org, 1300 885 000 or http://treeday.planetark.org
REMINDER: PROJECT PLATYPUS 2011 PLANTOUT
The twelfth annual Project Platypus plantout series will be held throughout July in the Wimmera. Help other volunteers to plant and guard plants. Camping available. Jobs for all abilities.
Dates are Sunday 17th July (Crowlands), Sunday 24th July (Northern Grampians), Saturday & Sunday 30-31st July (Great Western).
For more information or to register for plantout 2011 contact:
PROJECT PLATYPUS
PO BOX 838
STAWELL 3380
PHONE: 5358 4410 FAX: 5358 4441
ONLINE REGISTRATIONS http://www.platypus.org.au/plantout-registration.php
BOARD MEMBERS: ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, LIABILITIES, AND PROTECTIONS
Throughout the year, PilchConnect and the VCOSS Clearinghouse will continue to work together to run governance training for individuals involved in not-for-profit organisations throughout regional Victoria. This month we will be running a seminar entitled 'Board Members: Roles, Responsibilities, Liabilities and Protections'.
This training is suitable for new or existing not-for-profit board/committee of management members that are seeking a refresher on the roles and legal responsibilities that come with helping to run an effective community organisation in Victoria. Attendees will work in small groups on practical, hypothetical scenarios which are common to many community organisations. We encourage multiple board members to attend this seminar.
Torquay: Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm
Venue: Surf Coast Shire Council Offices Council Chambers
25 Grossmans Rd, Torquay
Cost: $50 (incl. GST)
Morwell: Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Venue: Nambur Wariga Room, Latrobe City Corporate Headquarters
141 Commercial Road Morwell
Cost: $50 (incl. GST)
To book or for more information please go to http://www.vcoss.org.au/clearinghouse/resources/R&R2011.html or contact hayley.peck@vcoss.org.au or call (03) 9654 5050.
OPEN GARDEN: A PERMACULTURE GARDEN IN WOODEND
On Sat, 6 August the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group is opening one of its members impressive permaculture garden. Arrive at the Woodend Hub bw 9:30 and 10:30am to collect map and instructions on how to get to the open Garden along Ashbourne Rd. Garden open until 12 noon
Info: 03 5427 1000 mrsg@woodendweb.org
REGIONAL TOOLBOX FOR THE ENVIRONMENT FORUM
Greening Australia and Sovereign Hill will present the third annual Regional Toolbox for Environmental Change forum in Victoria on Friday, August 19 this year.
The event will be held at the Narmbool Environmental Discovery Camp, 30km south of Ballarat near Elaine, and is designed to inspire and support education for sustainability in regional schools.
For more information visit the Greening Australia website.
2011 NSW LANDCARE AND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT FORUM
Registration is now open to all members of the community with discounted rates for the entire forum package which includes attendance at the Welcome Reception, full attendance at the two day forum including field trips/workshops, morning teas, lunches and afternoon teas for both days, breakfast in the Park on Tuesday and the attendance at the highly anticipated NSW State Landcare Awards Dinner.
Registrations will be accepted up until Friday 19th August. A registration form and draft program is available on the Landcare Australia website.
HINDMARSH TREE PLANTING WEEKEND IS ON AGAIN
Every year people from around the state travel to the Little Desert Nature Lodge near Nhill to take part in the annual Hindmarsh Landcare Network planting weekend. Now in its 14th year this fabulous event has helped create 2000 kilometres of wildlife corridors and established more than 2 million native trees, shrubs and grasses.
This year’s event will be held 20-21 August. For more information http://www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=201
BROLGAS – ENDANGERED ICON OF THE PLAINS
Want to find out everything you never knew about brolgas? This is the day for you!
Presented by Greening Australia and Corangamite Shire this terrific event will help you find out what brolgas eat, where they live, how many are left, the threats they face and how we can help brolgas survive and flourish in the future.
The event will be held in Lismore on Wednesday, August 31, and will include a tour of a local brolga site. You can register your interest by calling Anna on 03 5231 6913 or email ac.westernlakes@bigpond.com.
SUBMISSIONS INVITED:
YOUNG FARMERS INQUIRY
The Inquiry into the Capacity of the Farming Sector to Attract and Retain Young Farmers and Respond to an Ageing Workforce is holding public hearins in Mildura and Swan Hill. Members of the public with an interest in the Inquiry are welcome to attend the hearings as observers. During regional hearings the Committee may invite members of the public to make comments from the floor, should they so wish, at the end of the hearing.
NCS Room, TG35, Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, 453 Benetook Ave, Mildura
Meeting Room 2, Swan Hill Town Hall, 49 Splatt St, Swan Hill
For more information go to http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rrc/inquiries/article/1430
SUBMISSIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY
The Federal Government has launched an inquiry into the impacts of climate change on Australia's biodiversity and is asking for submissions.
The inquiry will have a particular focus on connectivity between ecosystems as well as strategies to "enhance climate change adaption, including promoting resilience in ecosystems and human communities". Submissions are due by July 29.
Read more: Inquiry into Australia's biodiversity in a changing climate
REMINDER: AUSTRALIAN FRAMEWORK FOR LANDCARE
The Australian Framework for Landcare was released during Landcare Week. The framework is intended to guide Landcare over the next ten years and form the basis of a Landcare Action Plan. The Action Plan can be downloaded via http://www.daff.gov.au/natural-resources/landcare/the_australian_landcare_framework if you would like to take a look. Submissions on the action plan are due 29th July2011.
The FTLA will be making a submission, as we did for the framework and during the consultation process, highlighting the unique role of Landcare in sustainable land management and the importance of local decision-making and peer-to-peer learning. We would welcome input from members to include in the submission. We would also encourage you to make your own submission to the process.
CHEQUES INQUIRY
There is an inquiry being conducted on the importance and prevalence of cheques. The use of cheques has dropped considerably in the past ten years and the Australian Payments Clearing Association is seeking comment on the future of cheques. Submissions close Friday 29 July 2011
For more information please go tohttp://www.apca.com.au/consultation/Index.html
STATUTORY ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY REVIEW
EPA and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are jointly reviewing the framework for statutory policies. State Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs) and Waste Management Policies (WMPs) are made under the Environment Protection Act 1970. These policies set in law the standards for clean air, water, land, noise pollution and waste management. They are the only policies in Victoria that set these standards and are fundamental to environment regulation and enforcement. The EPA and DSE are jointly reviewing the framework for these policies (this is not a review of individual policies, they will be reviewed separately).
EPA and DSE welcome your comments by Friday 19 August 2011 on the discussion paper which can be found at: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/statpolicy
VICTORIAN PLANNING REVIEW
The Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee is consulting with the community and industry to consider all parts of the planning system. This is the chance for all Victorians to make their views known about what works and what does not work with the system and how it should be shaped for the future.
The Advisory Committee will consider the whole planning system including the provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and how it works; the State and local policy provisions; the operation of zones and overlays; the use of incorporated and reference documents; and the way permit applications and rezoning requests are dealt with.
For more information go to http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/panelsandcommittees/current-planning-panels-and-committees/victoria-planning-provisions-and-planning-schemes-review Submissions are due by 31 August 2011.
NEWS
NEW CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY CHAIRS
The strong emphasis placed on an active involvement in Landcare in the selection of the Chairs has been welcome and the FTLA wishes the chairs success in their new roles.