Dear Member Groups,

You or your members may be interested in the following, apologies for any cross-postings. Please forward this email to any of your members who may be interested as these emails are only sent to the group contact and to Landcare support staff where listed.

FTLA NEWS:  LANDCARE CONF CALL for ABSTRACTS + BANKSIA AWARDS + TREE GRANTS + ENVIRONMENT & DIVERSITY CONF + REGIONAL CARBON MARKET SUMMIT + OHS WORKSHOP + LANDCARE WEEK RESOURCES etc.

COPIES OF PAST MAGAZINES AVAILABLE

The FTLA has a number of copies of past Victorian Landcare magazines available if you would like to use them for promotional purposes. We are happy to send them out in batches of ten or more. Let us know if you would find them useful.

GET INVOLVED: SUBMISSIONS & CONSULTATIONS

CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE METHODOLOGIES  - OPEN FOR COMMENT

The following draft funding guidelines for the development of carbon farming methodologies are open for comment at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/cfi:

• Avoided emissions from diverting waste from landfill through a composting alternative waste treatment technology: Closing 2 June 2012
• Destruction of methane from piggeries using engineered biodigesters: Closing 11 June 2012
• Measurement-based methodology for farm forestry projects: Closing 18 June 2012

For more information go to http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative/methodology-development/methodologies-under-consideration.aspx or call: 1800 057 590

NATIONAL LANDCARE CONFERENCE - CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The National Landcare Conference is being held at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3 to 5 September 2012. On behalf of the community the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is calling for submissions of abstracts for presentations to the thematic concurrent sessions or for a poster display at the conference.

The community survey highlighted an interest in presentations that give examples of innovation, new and different practices, applying science, lessons learnt and what practices work well and what doesn’t.  Presentations across the themes that highlight international experiences are also encouraged.

The call for abstracts closes on COB Tuesday 12 June 2012 for assessment by the National Landcare Conference Steering Committee.

For more information go to http://www.daff.gov.au/natural-resources/landcare/national_landcare_conference_-_sydney

AWARDS, GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES

THE BANKSIA AWARDS – 2012

The Banksia Awards reward Environmental Excellence and are awarded for initiatives that have had environmental impact (positive!) over the last two years. Categories include: Agriculture and Food; Built Environment; business sustainability for small to medium and large organisations; Clean Technology; Education; Land and Biodiversity; and Water.

All community group entrants into the Banksia category awards are automatically eligible for consideration for the Banksia Community Grant. The successful community group will be awarded $10,000.

Entry fees, ranging from $40 for Community Groups (Early Bird) to $690 for government bodies. Entries close 24^th August 2012, early bird discounts are valid until 15 June 2012.

For more information go to http://www.banksiafdn.com or attend the information sessions:

• Melbourne - Mon 28 May 2012
• Sydney - Wed 30 May 2012

NORMAN WETTENHALL FOUNDATION - SMALL ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT SCHEME.

The objectives of the Small Environmental Grants Scheme are to support Australian biodiversity projects that are concerned with one or more of the following: monitoring, collecting, and recording data; community education; community capacity building (training);  research and science. These grants do not fund on-ground works such as planting.

Closing date for Expressions of Interest is 28 June 2012.

For more information http://nwf.org.au/grants/small-environmental-grants/

MOHAMED BIN ZAYED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

The Fund has been established to provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives, to recognize leaders in the field and elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate.

Eligibility for grants will extend to all plant, animal and fungi species conservation efforts with priority given to those species facing a high threat of extinction (species listed as Endangered and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Redlist (www.iucnredlist.org) or Data Deficient or unlisted but are suspected as highly threatened). Two types of grants are available; $5000 or those between $5000 and $25,000.

The next deadline for applications is 30 June 2012.

http://www.mbzspeciesconservation.org/grant-applictions.php

GRANTS FOR TREE PLANTING ALONG WATERWAYS OR IN MELBOURNE

The 2 Million Trees Project will plant 1.5 million trees in parklands and other public open space in metropolitan Melbourne and half a million trees along waterways in regional Victoria.  Tree planting project proponents are encouraged to work with indigenous communities, local schools, community and environmental groups and residents to deliver tree plantings projects. This project is the culmination of the state election promise in 2010.

Applications for Round 1 close 5pm 2 July 2012

For more information go to http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/biodiversity/2-million-trees

SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL LEADERS

Rural Finance is offering three scholarships to young farmers and agricultural leaders:

- Vocational Education Program – offering payments of up to $2000 per annum to two recipients completing a diploma

- Undergraduate Scholarship Program – offering payments of up to $6000 per annum to six recipients completing an undergraduate degree course.

- Ian Morton Memorial Scholarship Program – offering payments of up to $6000 per annum to one recipient completing postgraduate studies.

Applications for all three scholarships close on 31 May 2012.

For more information contact Alana O’Shea 5448 2600 or scholarships@ruralfinance.com.au or visit http://www.ruralfinance.com.au/pages/Default.aspx?PageID=26&id=1

KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL, BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING COMMUNITY GRANTS

Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Community Grants provide financial support and guidance to individuals, communities and organisations for the implementation of projects which make long term impacts on the recycling of beverage containers.

Community groups are able to apply for funding between a suggested minimum of $3000 and a suggested maximum of $10,000 including GST.

Applications close 15 June 2012

For more information go to: http://www.kab.org.au/what-we-do/beverage-container-recycling-grants/

2012 REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT & COMMUNITY AWARDS:

Awards available in Victoria include :

• Parks Victoria Regional Achiever Award
• Parks Victoria Environment and Sustainability Award
• Department of Sustainability and Environment Water Efficiency Improvements Award
• Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award

The 2012 Regional Achievement and Community awards launch will be at Sale, 10.30-11.30am on Tuesday 8 May 2012. Nominations close Tuesday 17 July 2012.

For more information go to http://www.awardsaustralia.com/RACA_vic_criteria.html

TURF AUSTRALIA GRANTS

Turf Australia and Junior Landcare are offering 15 green makeovers to schools and youth groups across Australia. Grant recipients will be visited by a professional turf grower who will lay real turf in their recreational areas to provide natural grass coverage for kids to enjoy.

All schools, including preschools and kindergartens, as well as youth groups including Scouts, Girl Guides and other community organisations that involve and support young people are all eligible to enter the Perfect Patch of Green program.

Applications close on 31st July 2012.

For more information please visit www.juniorlandcare.com.au

EVENTS

VIC: For more events in your region go to: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/events AND / OR http://www.landcareonline.com.au/donate/events-calendar/. For bushwalking activities check out http://vnpa.org.au/page/bushwalking-and-activities/event.

IS: For more events in your state go to: http://www.landcareonline.com.au/donate/events-calendar/

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY  -  22 May 2012

The theme for 2012 is marine biodiversity to give everyone interested in marine life, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.

The CSIRO is planning social media activities around the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22nd May, including a Facebook album of images of species on the Great Barrier Reef, and a webpage highlighting some of the projects around marine biodiversity.

FARM DAY 2012

Registrations now open - FarmDay is an event that offers a city family the opportunity to spend a day on a working farm to learn how farmers produce our food and fibre. A city family is matched with a farm family for a day over the weekend of May 26 & 27, 2012.

Further information and registrations details are available at: www.farmday.com.au

COMMUNITIES IN CONTROL 2012 - GRANTS BOOTCAMP

Moonee Valley Racing Club, Melbourne, Victoria

Sunday, May 27, 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm

This one-day event, the curtain-raiser to Communities in Control 2012 conference, will bring together community groups from around the country with more than 30 leading community grantmakers from philanthropy and all levels of government.

Cost: $590 (including Communities in Control registration – separate registration not available).

For more information go to: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/training/training_article.jsp?articleId=5251

TALKING MY LANGUAGE - ENVIRONMENT AND DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

Friday, 1 June (9am- 4.15pm)

Share, learn, network and build capacity amongst those working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

The conference will include:

• Key-note address from Kate Auty, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
• A panel of practitioners will discuss their experiences of working with CALD communities on environmental issues:  MAV Multicultural Policy Advisor; Environment Victoria on GreenTown; Talking My Language; and Brimbank City Council.
• Peer to peer learning opportunities for participants

Register online before 25 May at http://www.cvent.com/events/talking-my-language-environment-and-diversity-conference/event-summary-fd1aea23f9d64c7dade275f466c8bfb4.aspx . Free!

Venue: Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Crn Bell St & St Georges Rd, PRESTON

CARBON FARMING INIATIVE ROADSHOW

Industry experts including Corey Watts from The Climate Institute, Graeme Anderson & Jon Graftdyk  from DPI Victoria and Ben Keogh, from Australian Carbon Traders, will discuss the potential opportunities in carbon farming at a series of free information sessions across regional Victoria.

Roadshow dates:

Register for a forum online at http://www.carbonfarmingvic.blogspot.com.au/p/register.html or RSVP as above.

VOLUNTEERING VICTORIA’S WORKSHOP SERIES

• Recruitment and retention of volunteers - 21 June (9am – 12.30pm)
• Induction and orientation of volunteers -  21 June (1 – 4.30pm)
• Managing volunteers - 28 June (9am – 1pm)
• Standards and best practice frameworks - 28 June (1.30 – 5pm)

The National Standards for Involving Volunteers in Not-for-Profit Organisations are Australia’s best practice roadmap for volunteering.  This workshop provides a guide to implementing the Standards, including how to gain recognition and commitment to volunteering across the broader organisation.

Costs:

$ 82 - Single half-day workshop ($ 64.50 Volunteering Victoria members)

$ 72 – per session for a single person registering simultaneously for more than one half-day workshop ($57 Volunteering Victoria members)

• Establishing a volunteer program - 2 August (Full-day session)

This workshop will guide you through all aspects of establishing a successful volunteer program, including how to recruit, manage and retain volunteers; best practice in volunteer program management; and legal and regulatory obligations.

Cost: $ 144  ($ 114 Volunteering Victoria member)

All workshops will be held at a venue in a Melbourne CBD fringe area; details will be forwarded upon receipt of payment. For more information go to http://volunteeringvictoria.org.au/whats-on/?ai1ec_cat_ids=15 or contact Kathleen Mather, k.mather@volunteeringvictoria.org.au or 03 8327 8500

NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION CONFERENCE

Melbourne, 26-28 June 2012.

This year’s conference focuses on the information needed to ensure Australia is adapting well to climate change. Speakers will include Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Howden, Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and Peter Cosier from the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.

Registration costs: $950, $500 for Students, or Day Registration $400

For more information go to; www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2012.

REGIONAL CARBON MARKET SUMMIT - Leveraging the Carbon Market For Regional Prosperity

25 - 26 July 2012

Carbon Farmers Australia have invited the knowledge brokers come to the regions and help accountants, solicitors, agribusiness managers, councils, NRM agencies and others to understand how to benefit from these new policies, and how to support farmers and landholders who are taking part.

There are government grants, there are carbon credits to be earned and there are risks and potentials to manage. The inaugural Carbon Market Summit will outline all the issues and answer all questions. It will also hold more extensive training on day two, for those who want to understand what the next steps are in getting moving.

For details, please go to www.regionalcarbonsummit.com.au

THE NEW MODEL WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT AND YOUR COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

In 2008, the Commonwealth Government, together with all States and Territories, committed to nationalise the work health and safety laws. In Victoria, the original commencement date has been deferred and the Work Health and Safety Bill is expected to be introduced by the Victorian Government by 1 January 2013.

To help organisations prepare for the introduction of Model Work Health and Safety laws, PilchConnect is offering a comprehensive seminar with leading OHS expert, Barry Sherrif of Norton Rose lawyers, on 23 August 2012 (9.30am - 12.30pm) at NAB, Docklands, 800 Bourke St, Melbourne

Fee (incl GST):

$50 per person for small organisations (up to 10 EFT employees)

$100 per person for large organisations (over 10 EFT employees)

For further information, and to register, go to http://www.pilch.org.au/Page.aspx?ID=898

PLAN YOUR OWN EVENTS AROUND THE “DAYS”:

Remember when linking your event to an official “Day” to register with the appropriate organisation to maximise your promotional opportunities

• 22nd May - International Day for Biological Diversity: Theme Marine Diversity: http://www.cbd.int/idb/
• 27th May to 3rd June - National Reconciliation Week:   http://www.reconciliation.org.au/
• 5th June - World Environment Day: http://www.unep.org/wed/
• 27th July - Schools Tree Day: http://treeday.planetark.org/schools/
• 29th July - National Tree Day: http://treeday.planetark.org/about/
• 22nd to 28th August - Keep Australia Beautiful Week: http://www.kab.org.au/

NEWS & RESOURCES

STATE BUDGET

In this year’s state budget the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE), which hosts the Victorian State Landcare Team, had a 20% cut in its budget which will flow through to programs, staffing and the Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs). The specific impacts on Landcare are as yet unclear but there was a welcome mention of the 60 Landcare facilitators in the budget papers.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI), which has responsibility for agriculture and for pests and weeds, also experienced cuts resulting in the well-publicised office closures and staff relocations. $7.9 million was allocated to enable local councils will manage roadside pests and weeds in response to the 2011 Bailey Report on Roadside Weeds and Pests

FEDERAL BUDGET

The continuation of the Caring for Our Country Program was announced in the 2012 Federal Budget, with $2.2 billion allocated over five years from July 2013 to June 2018 ($2.25 billion was allocated for the first phase July 2008 – June 2013). The second phase of the program will focus on contributing to:

• safeguarding nationally significant environmental assets and productive landscapes;
• meeting international obligations to protect and conserve environmental assets of international significance;
• the long term sustainability of Australia's food and fibre production; and
• the maintenance of healthy ecosystems essential to national wellbeing.

Consultation on the second phase of Caring for Our Country is expected in the next few months.

The Clean Energy Future plan was also  funded in the 2012 Federal Budget, including the $1.7 billion Land Sector Package. Funding under this plan includes: the Biodiversity Fund and the Carbon Farming programs.

Carbon Farming, the Australian Landcare Council and the Regional Landcare Facilitators fall under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio and all were funded in this budget. A review of the Regional Landcare Facilitators program is pending . See http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/2154406/2012-13-PBS-All-chapters.pdf for more information on the budget.

Other relevant initiatives in the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio include the:

-        Native Vegetation Framework

-        Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–30

-        Australia’s Strategy for the National Reserve System 2009–2030

-        National Wildlife Corridors Plan

-        National Plan for Environmental Information initiative

See http://www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/budget/2012/pbs.html for further information.

CHANGES FOR INCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS - REFORM ACT PASSED

The Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012. The Act incorporates reforms to the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 passed in 2009 and 2010 and consolidates them in a re-write of the Act.

It is expected that the new Act will commence operation by 1 December 2012, but could be brought into force as early as 1 August 2012.

We are still awaiting the release of draft Regulations, which will contain revised Model Rules, and the transitional arrangements. Consumer Affairs Victoria is expected to write to incorporated associations about the changes and provide guidance materials and information sessions to assist incorporated associations. The FTLA will inform member groups of changes as they come to light.

Further information is available on PILCH’s web portal http://www.pilch.org.au/AIA_Bill2010/#2 , below, or by calling the telephone advice service on 03 8636 4400.

FOCUS ON THE NEW DEFINITION OF "OFFICE HOLDER".

The new Act spells out legal duties applying to office holders (including former office holders), in addition to clarifying their current obligations. Under the new Act, an 'office holder' is defined as:

•     a member of the committee;

•     the secretary; or

•     a person, including an employee of the association, who is involved in key decisions that affect the operations of an association or who is influential in the affairs (financial or otherwise) of the association.

The practical effect of defining an 'office holder' will be minimal, as the common law (judge-made law) already imposes duties on those governing an incorporated association. However the new Act will clarify the exact nature of the duty as it applies to incorporated associations, including:

•     Clarifying the existing duty to not make improper use of information or position;

•     Introducing a legislative duty to exercise powers and discharge duties with reasonable care and diligence.

•     Introducing a legislative duty to exercise powers and discharge duties in good faith and for a proper purpose; and

•     Introducing a legislative duty to prevent the association from trading while it is insolvent. (An association is 'insolvent' when it cannot pay its debts when they are due.)

Further information on the definition of office holder and other changes can be found on the PilchConnect webportal, http://www.pilch.org.au/community_org/

NEW PILCH CONNECT INFORMATION SHEETS

Over the past few months, PilchConnect has been busy completing the new section of the webportal designed to assist your community organisation deal with some of the things that can go wrong.

New and updated information sheets are now available on the following areas:

•           Handling conflict in your organisation

•           Using mediation to resolve conflict and dispute

•           Being taken to court

•           Financial problems and insolvency

•           Incidents and accidents, and

•           Criminal conduct.

These resources are available at http://www.pilch.org.au/ifthingsgowrong/

LANDCARE WEEK 2012 GROUP RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE

Landcare Week celebrates the people, places and projects all over Australia who are making a difference.

If you are a group organising an event during Landcare Week, please register this by emailing events@landcareaustralia.com.au. Send the date, time and location of your event, as well as a contact name and phone number or email address and remember to also include what type of event you are running and what people need to bring on the day. Landcare Australia will advertise all events on our website and promote they are available through a comprehensive media and marketing campaign.

Landcare Australia Ltd has developed several resources for groups to use to promote their events for Landcare Week and they are now available from our website at http://www.landcareonline.com.au/donate/landcare-australia-campaigns/landcare-week-2012/

BIODIVERSITY FUND GRANTS ANNOUNCED

At least nine Landcare groups in Victoria were successful in obtaining funding under the first round of the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Fund grants. Congratulations to the successful recipients!

PEST AND WEEDS ENFORCEMENT

The State government has made a commitment to support sustained community led action on weeds. Nine compliance programs in conjunction with Landcare group actions have been announced by DPI between November 2011 and April 2012.

THE WEED'S NEWS

The Weed's News email digest for May 11, 2012 through to May 18, 2012 is available at http://invasivespecies.org.au/traction?type=digest_html&proj=WeedsNews&sdate=20120511&edate=20120518 . The Weed's News can also be read on-line at any time by visiting http://invasivespecies.org.au

12 NEW WEEDS ANNOUNCED

The Australian Weeds Committee has declared an additional 12 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS).

These additional weeds have been selected based on their economic, environmental and social impacts and their potential to spread:

•           African boxthorn

•           asparagus weeds

•           bellyache bush

•           brooms

•           cat's claw creeper

•           fireweed

•           gamba grass

•           madeira vine

•           opuntioid cacti

•           sagittaria

•           silverleaf nightshade

•           water hyacinth.

For more information on Weeds of National Significance visit http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/index.html

CORRECTION: apologies for the item in the last newsletter but the FTLA is not directly responsible for any weed program. The second paragraph was inadvertently and incorrectly copied from the original source.

LACHLAN SOIL CARBON PILOT ON YOUTUBE

NSW DPI research agronomist Warwick Badgery features in this YouTube clip about the soil carbon pilot project in the Lachlan catchment at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAMAInk-9cs&feature=youtu.be

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These newsletters are compiled from many sources, and thank-you to those who supplied the information.

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