Monthly Newsletter - supported by  Melbourne Water through an annual grant (No newsletter produced in January)
                    working bee aerial map with hyperlinks

November - 2009
The past month has been a mixture of weather starting with glorious rain which flushed out the creek and put sections of Winton almost under water.

The rain must have been extra strong over the Ringwood golf course because these young lads discovered a golf cart washed into the middle of the creek and set about salvaging it.  Passers-by enjoyed the show but were not a lot of help!

Once the storm water has gone, concrete lined creeks are an irresistible draw to enterprising young cyclists, while the rocks placed as overflow channels become sites of beauty.  Not so the ford over the Heatherdale Creek - it's been placed on the "out of bounds" register.

                                             
Pollution is obvious in the water about to enter Heatherdale Creek but see how good the billabongs along the tollway look.

The leptospermums in Borrie put on a particularly good display this year.

The Whitehorse Spring Festival was again another big success.  As usual, the bushland parks had displays and Greenlink Nursery had native plants for sale.

Another indigenous nursery, Bungalook, enjoyed a wet weather walk though CCAW and even the youngest visitor enjoyed being with his granddad.

The last working bee at Bridget turned into a "come when you can, if you can" but countless weeds and dead branches were cleared away and those areas mulched.

ParksWide have been through Campbells Croft and Abbey Walk noting and marking dead or dangerous trees which will be removed as part of the fire season preparations.  It was astounding just how much flammable material there was.  Those whose homes abut parklands can feel much more at ease knowing their boundaries are safe.


The Eastlink trail overpass at Ringwood is nearing completion.

Still more trees have suffered fatal damage but flowers like Salvation Jane add a cheery colour while mushrooms are always welcome.
 
               
Here are various ways to enjoy being outdoors - energetic or not.



As always there are a few odds things around.

Many of our readers knew Banda Card.  She reached the grand old age of 18 doggie years and has gone to the big kennel in the sky.
 

October - 2009
Last month when we had all the pictures of the wind damage in Abbey Walk, we forgot to show what has happened to the trees in Winton Wetlands.  It is  heartbreaking for us to see the old trees smashed down.  Imagine then how the birds must feel as these same trees are the ones with the nesting hollows - now gone forever!

                   
And speaking of things gone forever - Domie, the pure white domestic duck is missing.  The 3 ring-ins were inseparable swimming in the creek and never straying far from the bridge.  We can only think that a feral fox (or a two legged one) was hungry.

Unfortunately we had a camera malfunction for the working bee at Bridget and can show only what the weed content was like in a couple of places and how good it looked when we'd finished.  The team made a huge impact - clearing the centre and the perimeter and we're lucky that the rain held off while we toiled.

These freezias made a springtime carpet close by the footpath in Abbey Walk while the Capeweed turned grassed areas brilliant yellow.

Along with Domie, most of the Pacific Black ducks have moved elsewhere.  Not much for little ones to see when they come down but this young man is doing the community a service by attempting to catch the massive carp which lurk in the deeper pools.  His set up is formidable but works well and we appreciate it.  The catch did not go home for his mum's roses but stayed on the bank.

In between the showers the cyclists have been out.  We spotted one jogger, some walkers and those who take advantage of the seats.


 
School holidays brought the kids out to play.  Also brought out the rubbish dumpers and decorators.

Whitehorse staff held a Parks Forum recently.  Quite a few of the CCAW committee attended and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  The guest speaker was Sean Dooley talking on his favourite topic "Birdwatching" and he held our attention effortlessly.  Thanks Whitehorse and Sean. 
(In the show bag the hats and safety jackets for volunteers were a pleasant surprise).
         
  
All at CCAW have been saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Seidler - his help to us with deliveries of mulch and the collection of our green waste from working bees has meant a lot.  Another one gone to the "great park in the sky".  Vale.

Freesia
Native to South Africa.  A perennial herb growing to a height of 45cm from a corm.  The slender leaves are sword shaped and soft mid green in colour.  The  stem is erect and carries the creamy white (F. refracta) sweet perfumed,  funnel shaped flowers usually with 5 to 7 per stem, occasionally just 1 flower is produced.  Various other species come in different colours - not all perfumed.  Flowering time is late winter to spring.
Capeweed
An environmental  weed - noxious in Tasmania
Native to Africa.  An annual plant, growing to a height of 0.15m with a spread of 0.5m and having strong fibrous roots.  Stems are prostrate and branching with leaves deeply divided and hairy.  Flowers are yellow and daisy like with black or orange centres.

 
September - 2009
Last month will be long remembered for the ferocious wind (and rain) storms in our locale.  Abbey Walk and Rocky's Reserve took the full force of the wind with trees blown out of the ground and huge branches snapped.  Luckily the Croft, being semi-protected, had only 1 big pine tree uprooted.



In Centre Road right at St. James' School a mighty gum came down, thankfully after school hours when no school children were around.  Then a large branch fell very close to this picnic table, happily no-one was picnicking there.  Two lucky near misses.

In the calm that followed the storms the Dandenong Ranges Orienteering group had a day in Abbey Walk and a big crowd of children and adults enjoyed the course.  It is always great for us to see the park being used so well.

The daffodils were beautiful again this year and once we got the signs up no-one picked the blooms, leaving them there for all to enjoy.  This beautiful wattle at the bridge has been a picture and along the creek path regrowth from a fallen eucalypt is looking very healthy.

Envirotech people have also been busy in the remnant bushland and new gravel along the Borrie pathway makes for easier walking.

As usual, numbers of cyclists, joggers, walkers and scooter riders have been seen on the sunny days.




This family thought the ducks looked undernourished and fed them some choice morsels.

The "new" bridge crossing over the Heatherdale Creek only, along the Eastlink trail now has high safety rails and while our beloved concrete bridge has been banned!!!  We wonder why, as it has been and still is used steadily regardless!  Another crossing of the Dandenong Creek, after the swing bridge, is highly desirable.


The pedestrian overpass at Ringwood is now across Whitehorse Road (the Eastlink green colours showing through the side protective barriers) with the steel support cables attached to the side.


Ian Moodie from ParksWide led a group on a wildflower ramble through Yarran Dheran.  Despite overcast skies everyone enjoyed the walk and Ian's informative talk.  We were shown the site where the tollway could have cut through this lovely piece of bush and all agreed that tunnels were truly necessary.

                   
Our last working bee was at Effie and again we weeded and mulched.  Sue's Pandorea is in full flower and looking glorious, while the rest of the team's trees are coming along nicely.  It was lovely to have Alf (and Sue recovering from surgery) join us for morning tea.


The lone graffiti sprayer has been around again and marked his territory.  Think the blue mark is from the orienteering while the blue post is anyone's guess.

A&V met Bob (from Docking's) in Abbey Walk and he kindly gave us a booklet on the history of Vermont.  Bob also knew the Campbell family and we're hopeful of learning something more about them, from him.


August - 2009
The first Sunday in August is the national celebration of Tree Day.  At Abbey Walk we did our own little thing and all of the committee planted a tree.
                   
This was followed by the normal monthly working bee, this time at Effie where the tidy up continued - removing dead shrubs and trees, heavy mulch spreading in cleared areas and lots of vigorous weeding.

We welcomed  our Morack Ward rep., Cr. Mark Lane, on his first visit to a CCAW working bee and he surprised us all with  a generous donation to our funds.  Thank you, Mark (& Raylene).  Come again any time - extra hands are always very welcome.

The working bee closed with the AGM and no surprises here, the current exec. were re-elected unopposed.

The creek banks and floodplain of Maroondah are having extensive areas mulched, possibly by those doing Community Service.  All of it is greatly enhancing the hill next to Rocky's Reserve as well as the area adjoining the picnic table.

As usual we snapped lots of joggers, walkers and cyclists.


 


And lastly those who had done exercising and needed a rest.

We luckily don't get a lot of graffiti but a tagger has hit this concrete bridge post and water level installation.

The Chestnut teals are visiting - probably to nest - and the Pacific Black ducks are either ignoring or chasing them, giving entertainment to watchers from the bridge.

Have only seen one tree wearing plastic decorations and one bit of new kerbing which looks great.

A new, strong safety barrier has been erected on the Eastlink Trail bridge to keep users out of danger.  Those who walk the wetlands paths are not so strongly protected.

Detective work has solved the puzzle of the towering structure at Ringwood.  It will hold steel stress cables attached to the concrete of the Deep Creek pedestrian/cyclist overpass which will glow green at night ie the cables, following in the Eastlink colour tradition.


July - 2009
Our latest working bee was at Effie where we removed quantities of weeds and some of the unsightly dead small shrubs (still plenty left as habitat).  We celebrated and welcomed the "new" committee with a BBQ lunch and think if they're half as good as the "old" one CCAW is in good hands!!!


This is the time of year when the dreaded angled onion appears.  One sure way of eliminating it is - first get it out of the ground and then pulp the bulbs using whatever means is at hand.  Go Callum!

We have a few new signs.  One is at Willie I - so now people know who helps us while another encourages us to go the extra bit.  Pretty sure that the arrows and the  painted post have some significance.

Also of significance to someone we spotted sticks in a fence post and ribbons on trees.  The hot water cylinder appears to have been washed downstream.

There has been much work and planting done along the creek path.  If it's the First Friend's doing, congratulations.  The newly mulched beds look great and it's a pleasure to walk along by them.  This dramatic tree pruning and chain saw sculpture also brings a smile.


Some enterprising youngsters created their own water crossing here, and used it.  Another sextet of domestic ducks provided entertainment for this family.
N.B.  No bread!!!  Later Pete the Pied Cormorant was seen fishing in one of the deeper pools and then drying in the sunshine.

The fact that two sections of the pathway were covered with leaves made us think that maybe a little whirlwind had blown through.  Not so, a bit further on the culprits were going at it again while the rest of the flock watched.

Bad news when from somewhere upstream soap found its way into the water with obvious results.

We have snapped lots of park users at varying times and places and whether you walk, jog, cycle or scooter everyone benefits from the fresh air and exercise.



We also liked seeing "our rates in action" down at Abbey Walk.

Would have expected more damage from the recent punishing winds.  Only a few branches came down and they were from damaged or diseased trees.

We all talk about the way the seasons have changed.  Here in the Croft the oaks and birches are bare while the daffodils are already showing clear signs that spring is just around the corner.

Winton Wetlands
For the many people who constantly ask about the future of this special area we are pleased to tell you that there is hope.  Although the recent rains did nothing about raising the water level there is, quite literally, a plan in the pipeline whereby runoff water from the tollway should again flow into the main lagoon.  Can't be to soon for us and the ducks!

Finally - have you noticed the "thing" at Ringwood?  Are pedestrians going to have to scale it to cross the road?  Cyclists carry their bikes?  Perhaps sell tickets for the view from the top?  Time will tell.
 

June - 2009
The English/Scottish heritage of Campbells Croft is always to the fore in autumn when the trees are cloaked with colour.  The first rain, together with the warmth still in the soil has brought up quantities of mushrooms.  Not these last ones, we spotted them on the golf course.


Our latest working bee was again at Willie II where we planted grasses and cleared away some of the woody weeds.  Clearing revealed a hoard of very old bricks (some hand-made) and pieces of earthenware pipe.  As there is some tale of Abbey Walk having a dairy farm these would fit into that picture.  The work is slow and tedious but we are making progress and very happy about it as the group picture shows.  We missed David & Caroline at this split round working bee.


Despite all the recent good rain Winton Wetlands is becoming a thing of the past.  The main billabong with the viewing platform has only a muddy puddle and no water birds bother going there now while the ephemeral wetlands towards Boronia Road have  sprouted a regrowth forest.  What is needed is a good influx of water and a general tidy up to bring back the bird watchers and picnickers. 


Some things make us feel good.  One of them is the self-sown euc. underneath the tollway,  another is the burst of growth from the root of a downed giant in Winton or the bright yellow flowers on a goodenia.

We had a meeting with David Stewart and Margaret from ParksWide and Nichola from Practical Ecology about future work in the park.  The area along the creek path, in front of the farm gate wetlands, will get a new look with lots of dianella to be planted which should look lovely in spring.  We asked that the area between the end of Effie and the end of Willie be cleared of fallen trees and this has been done, making another point of access to the creek path from Abbey Walk and a line of division between the two "gardens".

Another meeting - Knox this time (discussing Yarrabing) took place further along the creek path.

Many walkers along the tracks - always good to be outdoors no matter what the weather.


Cyclists not to be outdone are riding there too.

Some eye catching new notices are up.

We must be due for a hard rubbish collection if the stuff that is being donated to us is any indication.

Everyone knows we are always asking for more seats in the park, and we even have approval from the birds!!  Not to mention doubling as a clothes dryer.

Autumn has also meant bare trees which show us bird nests like this one BUT the Vermont happy tree is wearing a hairy look to keep warm.
 

May - 2009
The latest working bee was held at Willie I where we weeded out the blackberries and other invasive plants, so the whole garden looks great. 


While Bill  was at an Anzac day reunion he called in at the Werribee aerial surveying company  and looked at pictures taken during old runs over Campbells Croft  Thanks for the trouble and the story Bill, but we still can't identify just exactly where the Campbell's cottage stood.  However, the chook runs and poplar were very clear.
                              
Future working bees on the next stage of Willie1 can only enhance the area but there is a lot to be done - clearing the woody weeds will be a good start and removing the bricks comes a close second.  Some weed control has been attempted (probably cancelled out by the very welcome rain) and will need repeating.

That self same rain caused quite a decent flood and the domestic ducks were washed downstream dreaming of how things were the day before.  This young lad pondered on how to cross over the submerged concrete bridge.
 
The winds that came at the same time dropped branches and snapped trees in and out of the park.

We've had a spate of memory prompters in the Vermont area with yellow ribbons around trees, fences and posts.

The mowing contractor had done a good job tidying up the creek banks prior to the flood.  We caught the mower taking a lunch break.

We (CCAW committee especially) were really happy to see the new sign telling the story of Rocky and formally naming the reserve Rockys Reserve.  It is a touching tribute to our old departed friend.
                     
Some other new signs around the park too, including one seeking new volunteers for CCAW committee.

On fine days it's always good to see people walking and enjoying our semi-rural environment.

The more energetic jog......

but bike riders do it faster.  

Parents find the seats handy while the youngsters play on one of the few level pieces of ground.


April -2009
Autumn has brought cooler weather and even rain so we are seeing tree re-growth and lots of weeds, while our popular poplar is beginning to shed its leaves.. 

During the last working bee at Paddy even with some of our people taking a "sabbatical" we managed to clear away debris and get a few new plants in the ground to replace those lost to summer's heat.  Nice to see Brian joining the team again.

                      
We recently had a meeting with David Stewart concerning the next stage of Willie.  The pittosporums, cotoneasters and hawthorns will soon be gone and at the May working bee the first of the new replacement trees will be planted.  This young volunteer can hardly wait to get started. 

Thanks to ParksWide for altering the entry  into the Croft.  Makes it easier for prams and scooters to go in and walk different paths and see different views.

We have walkers, walkers with dogs and walkers with prams all out and about on the trails.  When the exercising is done a pause for a chat on one of our seats or just along the path is a pleasant way to pass the time.




Another welcomed attention is from those who take the time to collect and remove litter from the creek bank.

Joggers and cyclists have been using the sunny days to keep fit - youngsters have also been encouraged to do the same thing on "Ride to School" day.  Most were to quick for our camera but we did catch one.



Koomba Park is also looking good, drainage pits have protective fencing and there are new signs galore.  Not enough seats over there so these friends brought  their own.

The mulch near Rocky's Reserve has been spread and the area along the path looks really good.  The people who did the spreading were working out their Community Service time and we congratulate them on the result of  their efforts.  We hope they got as much satisfaction from doing a fine job as we got from looking at it.

Strange signs have appeared again on the footpath with decorations in the trees or fence posts.

Back in Koomba a fallen tree has blocked the path, another near the Eastlink wetlands was tidily chopped up keeping the clear and clean look near the water edge

Flood waters have caused more erosion of the creek bank near the swing bridge.  The high tide line of debris shows to where the waters came.

CCAW committee was invited to a sister park, Cootamundra Walk, for an evening of music with a sausage sizzle.  A&V went along and it was a beautiful way to pass time with like minded people.  Happily this year the rain held off and we've reserved the same time next year for the next one!!  Thanks to Coota committee.

Kids have built another swing in the pines.  Lots of fun and soft needles to roll in.

Have you heard the yellow tailed black cockatoos?  They are in the park and circling over it morning and evening.  Listen for the distinctive call of  "Whee-ahh".


March - 2009
March working bee was held at Bridget where we made good use of the dry conditions to get old weeds - green and woody - out.  Bearing in mind the total lack of rain this native garden is looking good.  Sometimes a chat about what to do next gets things moving.


Although the park in general is extremely dry some plants surprise us with their tenacity.  Adiantum, our delicate maidenhair, continues to survive as does the tradescantia (which we could do without).  The creek banks always look better after a tidy up.

Lots of branches are down and more will fall as the trees continue to be under stress.  A number of radiata pines have fallen, some others have a pronounced lean which makes them look very temporary.  There is usually a bright spot and this coprosma sprouting up through the debris is just that.


Mild weather has meant lots of walkers and joggers along the tracks.  We hope this Photography group got lots of happy snaps.


Many cyclists too are about, some have puncture problems, some have very fancy vehicles and some just go riding along.


Early risers saw some rather spectacular sunrises when the smoke haze was over Vermont.  The sun rose blood red for several mornings.

We were intrigued to see this water truck and various oversee-ers at the pondage by the tollway.  Workers have been pumping water and using it to keep the more recent native plantings alive.  Whatever amount of water was removed has made no difference to the pond levels and the ducks are totally indifferent to the human intrusion.


Rocky's Reserve has come in for some attention and the new plants therein are also looking good.

We're not sure if there was an attempt to lever open this drain cover but the effort was in vain.

This year we were disappointed that the students form St. James didn't come to help out in Abbey Walk on Clean up Australia Day, however, First Friends of Dandenong Creek did their thing .  Everyone missed these two donations.

 
 
January/February - 2009
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
          At this time of national awareness of the tragedy of bushfires the Advisory Committee of
        Campbells Croft Abbey Walk Bushland Reserve offer their condolences to all people and
        communities hit by these disasters
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************

In Whitehorse, ParksWide had fire patrols operating last Saturday - throughout the day and evening at identified bushland sites for the protection of nearby residences, people and wildlife; for this we give them our thanks.
The February working bee was cancelled because of the weather but we'll be back in March at Bridget, combining our maintenance with Clean-Up Australia Day.
Despite the baking days this summer the park is looking good.  A lot of the new planting in Willie has survived and replacements will be planted as soon as the rains come.

Borrie's 'moonscape' has levelled out and trees and shrubs have matured so much that Boronia Road is invisible.  EnviroTech people have been busy removing weeds from within Borrie and clearing the seating areas.


Australia Day was celebrated locally with a flag raising by local guides and singing of the National anthem, followed by a community breakfast.  Nice to see our new Councillor Raelene Carr taking part in this celebration.  Stop Press:  Fay Monkhouse and her guides are showing their care for the bushfire victims by providing supplies of baked goodies.

Trees already under stress in the park succumbed to the raging winds during January - huge branches down and some snapped at the base.  Lucky that we were not working in Effie when this one came down.  A leaning eucalypt in Effie is waiting for the next high winds.

 
In Winton this falling tree just missed the picnic shelter and along the path at Yarrabing is badly drought affected.

Lots of people out on bicycles, scooters and even a tandem enjoying cooler days.


The walkers and joggers come early  to dodge the midday sun, and later have a rest in the shade.


 
A few strange articles have been spotted - the owners know where to claim them!!

MelbourneWater contractors have cut the grass along the creek banks (good policy in the snake season) although sometimes it's hard to see where the creek actually is!

The historic money tree is looking good as is the ancient poplar even without the planned mulch bed.  This angophora is looking beautiful in full bloom.

Maroondah council have a great system using yellow painted sticks to indicate where to place mulch deliveries in Rocky's Reserve.  Could this system be picked up by others because it works so well.
 
We've been fortunate to see and hear so many native birds in recent weeks.  Older and young birds possibly come to our permanent water supply, while more and more ducks are swimming in the Eastlink wetlands. 

Autumn

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