Dear Member Groups,
You or your members may be interested in the following, apologies for any cross-postings. Please forward relevant items to your members who may be interested. These emails are only sent to the group contact, and to Landcare support staff where listed.
EVENTS & INFORMATION
SECRETS FOR SUCCESSFUL GROUPS TRAINING
We have now run three successful sessions of the new Secrets of Successful Groups training program with support the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE). The program is designed to assist Landcarers with improving the capacity and health of their groups and networks.
Sessions are open to all landcarers, Friends of etc, and are intended for anyone who is or wants to be involved in the decision-making of their group or network. All attendees enjoyed the sessions and recommended them to others so come along!
Each session covers two or three topics from a number of available modules including:
• Legal Duties of Committee Members
• Employment & Employer Responsibilities
• Effective Decision-making
• Health & Safety
• Managing the Books
• Volunteer Recruitment & Succession
The next five sessions have been confirmed for the following locations, please see the link for full session details:
Wangaratta – 27 November – 1 pm – 6 pm – Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Green St, Oxley 3678: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-wangaratta-2012/at_download/file
Shepparton – 28 November – 10:30 AM – 3:30 pm – Riverside Plaza, 8025 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kialla 3631: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-shepparton-2012/at_download/file
Bendigo – 29 November – 10 AM – 3 pm – DSE Office, Midland Hwy, Bendigo 3550: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-bendigo-2012/at_download/file
Lakes Entrance – 5 December – 10:30 AM – 3:30 pm – Fisherman’s Club, Lakes Entrance 3909: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-lakes-entrance-2012/at_download/file
Traralgon – 6 December – 10:30 AM – 3:30 pm – DSE Office, 71 Hotham St, Traralgon 3844: http://www.landcarevic.net.au/ftla/documents/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-2012/secrets-to-successful-groups-training-traralgon-2012/at_download/file
Lunch and refreshments provided. To RSVP for these sessions, please email ftla@vff.org.au or call 03 9207 5527 with your top preferences for sessions topics and the session location.
BLACKBERRY FIELD DAY - WEDNESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2012 - BRYANTS GAP
The Bryants Gap Landcare Group supported by the M2M Blackberry Action Group is running a Field Day on 28 November 2012 at the property of Phil and Christine Costello’s 180 Bryants Gap Road, Tallangatta from 10.00 am to 2.30 pm. Lunch will be provided and please wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing and bring your hat and sunnies. The agenda includes demonstrations and information on products for controlling blackberry and other woody weeds and will showcase the results of the use of some of these chemicals on trial plots on site.
RSVP by 25 Nov 12: John Maddock (02) 6071 2273 or Jim de Hennin 0408 978 847
BIOENERGY AUSTRALIA 2012 Conference
Mon 26 Nov – Wed 28 Nov: MELBOURNE Sebel & Citigate Albert Park
The conference will consider the many facets of bioenergy, having some 80+ presentations on:
• Biomass resources and supply aspects
• First and second generation liquid biofuels
• Algae and other future feedstocks
• Pyrolysis bio-oil and bio-char
• Anaerobic digestion and livestock wastes
• Energy-from-waste
• Heat and power
• Overarching aspects of bioenergy e.g. lifecycle emissions and sustainability.
The program will include a trade exhibition and technical posters and include a tour to bioenergy facilities in the region.
Details: www.bioenergyaustralia.org or call (02) 9416 9246. Registration for full-time farmers is $550 etc.
BOARD BUILDER CONFERENCE CONFERENCE 2012
MELBOURNE, Friday 30 November 2012 (Registration $295 / Westpac Social Sector Banking Customers $195)
The program includes:
Senator The Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Brett de Hoedt, Founder and Mayor, Hootville Communications
Susan Pascoe - Chair of the Implementation Taskforce for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission - will tell you all you need to know about the commission and how it will affect your organisation and your board.
Paul Ronalds -First Assistant Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet
Stephen Mayne, Councillor, Shareholder Activist, Governance Expert
For more information go to: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/boards/boards_article.jsp?articleId=3101
PARKS HAVE IT: YOUNG PEOPLE, ENVIRONMENT AND VOLUNTEERING, WHEELERS HILL
Young people who volunteer and organisations who work with them are invited to this forum which will explore young people’s engagement with the environment through volunteering. There will be a key note speaker followed by a panel discussion, examples of best practice and an interactive workshop - with a tour of Jells Park at lunch!
When: Wednesday 5 December 2012 10am-3pm *12pm: Tour of Jells Park
Where: Madeline’s At Jells, Jells Park Waverly Road – Wheelers Hill, VIC 3150
Cost: Free, but bookings are essential, places are limited to the first 50.
Bookings: email: nivy.balachandran @dpcd.vic.gov.au with the words, 'Parks RSVP' in the subject line. Include your first and last name(s), organisation, email address, and any dietary or accessibility requirements.
2013 FTLA ANNUAL FORUM AND AGM + Workshop EOI!
The FTLA Annual Forum and AGM is on Friday 22nd February 2013 at Level 16, Marland House, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne. As part of the Annual Forum we hold a number of workshops and if your group or network has a really great project or learning that you would like to share with the rest of the world we would be really interested in hearing from you!
All members are invited and observers are welcome. Also, if there are particular topics or interests you would like to see covered please let us know and we will try to source speakers!
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/
AWARDS, GRANTS, OFFERS & OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITIES FOR NATURE GRANTS 2012
The Communities for Nature 2012 Small Grants are now open, for applications up to $10,000. Applications close 19th December 2012.
The Communities for Nature grants program seeks to:
Communities for Nature grants are targeted towards local community groups and organisations, including schools. Projects that will be completed by 31 May 2014 are eligible for funding.
Projects are expected to address local environmental issues such as:
Applications close at midnight on 19 December 2012.
For additional information please see the Communities for Nature Funding Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions on the webpage or call the Grants information line during business hours on PH: 1300 366 356.
CARBON FARMING EXTENSION AND OUTREACH GRANTS
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is currently seeking applications for project funding under the Extension and Outreach Program, as part of the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Futures Program.
The Extension and Outreach grants funding will deliver information that is clear, consistent and current for farmers, land managers and their key influencers using a mix of traditional and new extension services.
Extension and outreach activities supported by the program will assist farmers, land managers and key influencers to reduce land sector greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in the landscape and participate in the CFI by:
To be included in the first assessment, applications need to be received by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by 5.00 PM AEDT on Wednesday, 19 December 2012.
For more information go to: http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/carbonfarmingfutures/extensionandoutreach email EandO@daff.gov.au or phone 1800 283 940.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA FUND GRANTS AVAILABLE TO NFPS
Round 3 to 'Support small towns' (populations less than 30,000 people) is now open for expressions of interest. Regional Development Australia Fund: Guidelines, Eligibility, Frequently Asked Questions and Expression of Interest Form are available at http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf_round_three.aspx
Expressions of Interest close: 6 December 2012
THE VICTORIAN YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARDS
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of young Victorians. The Awards recognise the achievements of Victoria's youth (up to 28 years of age) in six categories, with one of the category winners being named the Victorian Premier's Young Achiever of the Year.
Categories include:
Nominations close on Friday 7 December 2012
For more information go to: http://www.awardsaustralia.com/YAA_vic.php
2013 VICTORIAN HONOUR ROLL OF WOMEN ARE NOW OPEN
The Victorian Women's Honour Roll provides the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Victorian women who, through their vision, commitment, and persistence, have broken new ground or have achieved outstanding results in their field of work or endeavour.
Information and nominations available at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-business-and-community/community-involvement/women-in-the-community/women-as-leaders/2013-honour-roll-of-women-nominations
Nominations close: 7 December 2012.
INDIGENOUS CARBON FARMING FUND: GRANTS OPEN
The Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund assists Indigenous Australians to participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative.
Applications close 5pm 12 December 2012 (AEDT)
Category 1 - Feasibility and Assessment grants up to $50,000 are available to assist Indigenous organisations and individuals undertake feasibility assessments and develop carbon farming project ideas. Funding is available to:
Category 2 - Business and Project Development grants up to $300,000 are available to Indigenous organisations and individuals with an existing feasibility assessment or business plan to implement carbon farming businesses. Funding is available to:
For more information go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/icff/index.html
GET INVOLVED: SUBMISSIONS & CONSULTATIONS
TRUST FOR NATURE (VICTORIA) BOARD: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is seeking applications for members of the board of trustees of Trust for Nature (Victoria). Six positions are being advertised and, following appointment, the Trust will elect a Chairperson from among the trustees. Application forms are available the DSE website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/about-dse/on-board/board-vacancies#current.
Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Monday, 26 November 2012.
DRAFT VICTORIAN WATERWAY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY – OPEN FOR SUBMISSION
The draft Victorian Waterway Management Strategy has been released for public consultation and available http://www.water.vic.gov.au/environment/rivers/draft-victorian-waterway-management-strategy
Submissions close on 7 December at 5pm.
The draft strategy includes important direction for waterway management in Victoria including:
The last two information sessions are:
NEWS & RESOURCES
CONGRATULATIONS
We would like to congratulate to long-time committee member and Landcare advocate Alex Arbuthnot on his receipt of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Award of Honour. Alex was heavily involved with then NFF Executive Director Rick Farley in the establishment of the historic partnership between the NFF and the Australian Conservation Foundation that led to the Decade of Landcare. His contribution to Australian agriculture and to Landcare was acknowledged in 1998, when he was awarded an Order of Australia medal.
Alex is still very involved in Landcare, being a local member at Maffra and Nambrok, sitting on the FTLA Committee of Management, the Landcare Australia Ltd Board, the Victorian Minister’s Climate Change Adaptation Panel and is the current chair of the National Blackberry Taskforce.
COPIES OF PAST LANDCARE 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.
NATIONAL LANDCARE CONFERENCE VIDEOS
For those who weren’t able to attend the national landcare conference this year or who would like to relive it, conference plenary sessions are now available to view on YouTube via http://www.daff.gov.au/landcareconference/videos.
Videos and transcripts from the following sessions are available:
TREES FOR MUM – PROJECT KIT AVAILABLE
Trees for Mum is a series of Mother’s Day memorial tree-planting events, originally created by Lauren Adlam and Deena Raphael in May 2002 as they had both lost mothers to cancer and were interested in doing something positive for other people who do not have mothers. Mother’s Day was chosen as the ideal time to pay tribute to mums who have passed away, as well as mums living. Planting a tree is a symbolic and reflective gesture which allows us to honour and remember our mothers while also doing something positive for the environment. The events have since evolved into celebratory tree planting events for all mothers and take place annually on the second Sunday in May – Mother’s Day in Australia.
An instructional project kit and branded promotional flyers and posters are available via http://www.landcareonline.com.au/?page_id=8395, with the aim of making it easy for any local environmental care group or council to host their own Trees for Mum event.
If you are planning on hosting a Trees for Mum event, please be sure to email your event details to admin@treesformum.com and events@landcareaustralia.com.au to ensure that your event is added to the national Trees for Mum events calendar.
More information on Trees for Mum is available from www.treesformum.com or through its Facebook page.
FUNDRAISING FOUNDATIONS AND CHARITABLE TRUSTS FACTSHEET
PilchConnect has a new factsheet on fundraising foundations and charitable trusts that includes information on:
• what is a charitable trust or grant making foundation?
• how do you set up a foundation?
• are there simpler alternatives to setting up a foundation?
• where can you find an existing foundation to contribute to?
The factsheet is available at http://www.pilch.org.au/Assets/Files/PilchConnect%20resource%20on%20fundraising%20foundations%20-%20HSF%20draft%208%20October%202012%20(4).pdf
SURVEY FOR 16 - 19 YEAR OLDS WHO ACTIVELY USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES
If you are (or know) a young person between the ages of 16 - 18 who is actively using social media to teach and communicate with others about environmental issues you are passionate about? If yes, then please consider filling out this survey. This survey is being used to help identify 30 young environmental activists from around the world who will be asked to participate in a 6 month ethnographic study focused on how they use social media to communicate about the environmental and social justice issues that matter most to them. The study is being conducted by Ellen Field, ellen.field@my.jcu.edu.au, a PhD student at James Cook University, is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is in collaboration with Taking IT Global. The survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/youngenvironmentalactivists will take 20 minutes to complete.
MICHAEL JEFFREY ANNOUNCED AS ADVOCATE FOR SOILS
On October 23rd, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of former Governor-General, Michael Jeffrey as an Advocate for Soil Health to raise awareness of the importance of soil.
Since retiring as Governor-General four years ago, Sir Michael has established a new not-for-profit organisation Soils for Life, aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt a holistic, chemical-free approach to managing their precious soils, water and native vegetation for both their own financial benefit and the environment.
LANDCARE VOLUNTEERS RECOGNISED BY FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
In September the Federal House of Representatives unanimously voted to support a motion recognising the contribution that Landcare volunteers make to the local environment.
The motion which was put by the member for Gippsland Darren Chester was;
That this House:
1. notes that National Landcare Week (3 to 9 September) will celebrate the extraordinary contribution by volunteers to practical environmental projects throughout Australia;
2. highlights the outstanding contribution of Australian farmers and other rural landholders to enhance the environment on public and private land; and
3. recognises the need for ongoing public funding to: (a) employ Landcare facilitators and coordinators who manage volunteer programs; (b) support Landcare groups to achieve strategic goals; and (c) assist in maximising the volunteer effort.
MOBILE APPLICATION FOR AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS:
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has announced the release of a free iPhone application that makes information about agricultural and veterinary chemicals registered in Australia instantly accessible to people on the move. The tool, believed to be a world first, will give farmers in a paddock the ability to access a searchable database of the 10,500 agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia.
For more information go to: http://www.apvma.gov.au/products/databases/index.php
LANDCARE IN FOCUS
The current edition of Landcare in Focus is available to read on the websites www.farmonline.com.au and www.landcareonline.com.au
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These newsletters are compiled from many sources, and thank-you to those who supplied the information.