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Earthcare News

February 2001

 

Friends of Alma Rail Reserve

 

All are invited to the first friends day, on Saturday 24th February. This gathering will be a chance to have a look at the site and to discuss our plans for the year.

Please meet at around 10am at the Dandenong Rd end of Alma Park - East.

Morning tea provided, please wear sturdy footwear (as the site is quite steep in places), and no bright red or green clothing (it could confuse the train drivers!!).

 

Regular monthly working bees will be held on the Saturday following Earthcare meetings (generally the last Sat of each month) from 10 –12 pm.

 

Any questions, contact Jo Thyer on 9533 8707.

 

 

Seagrass Seastar Seajelly

Seahorse Seaweed

Nudibranch

 

Discover the Hidden Treasures

of

St Kilda Harbour

 

 

Sunday 18th February 12noon – 4pm

Official Launch 2pm

Presented by Earthcare St Kilda and Coast Action/Coastcare.

Report on Seagrass in the St Kilda Harbour,

Distribution of information booklet about the flora and fauna of the harbour

Display of many underwater photographs

Paintings of fish by Peter Baird

Coast Action/Coastcare display and organised children’s activities

Contact

Zoe at zoemh@bigpond.com or 0402 164 482

Judy on 9296 4524 or 0411 409 815

Zoe would appreciate some Earthcare volunteers to help make the day run smoothly

City of Port Phillip Eco-Centre in St Kilda Botanic Gardens

Corner Herbert/Blessington Streets St Kilda

 

Clean Up Australia Day

Sunday 4th March 10-12am

Around the start of St Kilda Pier

On the Sand and In the water

Please wear shoes, bring gloves if you have them, a wet suit if its cool and you are going snorkelling, bathers if its hot and you want a swim afterwards

There will be plenty of jobs for those of you who would rather administrate (give Jo 95345751 a call so that we can organise tables etc.)

Cool drinks and water will be provided

Seagrass in St Kilda Harbour books will be available for anyone wishing to identify the flora and fauna around the pier.

Make this a great start to a year full of many planned Earthcare activities concentrating on indigenous sites in the City of Port Phillip

 

YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS DUE

 

Many Earthcare people no longer have current memberships and soon will no longer be able to receive the many benefits associated with being a member. If on the base of the label on your newsletter it says / 02 you are paid up this year. Thanks to all those who have already paid.

It couldn't be easier, just fill out the form on the back of the newsletter, and post it to

Earthcare, PO Box 287 Elwood, 3184.

Or come to the next Earthcare meeting and pay in person to any Committee member

Just $30.00 family or $20.00 dollars individual

Help us to help the environment

Please make cheques payable to Earthcare,

 

 

Whats On

February 18th, Earthcare Launch -Seagrass and Fauna in St Kilda Harbour Report, 12noon- 4pm The EcoCentre

February 18th, Friends of Sandy Rail, Watering at Riddell Parade, Elsternwick. 10am-12noon

February 18th, Friends of West Gate Park, Working bee 4pm-8pm Details Naomie 9387 9041

February19th& 20th, West Beach weeding with Australian Conservation Volunteers. 9am-2pm

February 22nd, Earthcare Meeting, Adventures of the Underwater Research group followed by a stroll with a bit of legal graffiti, 'casual' clothes recommended

February 24th, Friends Of Alma Park Railway Reserve, Alma Park East, Dandenong Rd End, 10am-12noon. Details Jo 9533 8707

March 3rd, Brighton Air Monitoring station open day.10am-1pm Lindsay St carpark, Brighton. Jenny Bicknell 9596 2823

March 4th, Clean up Australia day, Meeting at the start of St Kilda Pier, on the sand and in the water. 10am-12 noonish

March 4th, Penguin Research, Meeting start of St Kilda Pier, 9pm

March 17th, Friends of Port Melbourne Foreshore, Sandridge Beach.9.30am-12pm Janet Bolitho 9645 2269

March 18th, Friends of Sandy Railway Reserve, mulching at Riddell Pde Elsternwick 10am-12noon

March 18th, Friends of Westgate Park, 4pm-8pm Confirmation Naomie 9387 9041

March 29th, Earthcare Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm the EcoCentre Corner Blessington & Herbert St, St Kilda

 

Earthcare Ph 0500 832 784 Postal PO Box 287 Elwood 3184

 

Come and hear the adventures and triumphs of the underwater survey group with their new report

Thursday 22nd at the EcoCentre

Corner Blessington and Herbert St, St Kilda

 

Take a stroll afterwards and spray paint

“Bin it or swim in it”

logos on drain covers in Pier Road

 

 

Jo-Anne gives Excel the flick! Our fantastic Jo-Anne Thyer has decided to leave Excel and has found employment with the City of Monash, in a similar role. This means that Jo-Anne will no longer lead and inspire us at West Beach and other Earthcare sites, she will however stay on as a committee member and will still organise the Friends of Alma Railway Reserve.

Taking over her role at Excel is Alf, who we look forward to having a fruitful working relationship.

 

 

Want a say in Earthcare's Future?

Earthcare's annual General meeting is in March (shifted from February)

With it is the election of the committee. All positions will be up for grabs.

To nominate, speak to an existing committee member, the sooner the better.

President: Alison Rowe alisonr@dolphinonline.com.au

Vice-President :Josephine Samuel-King   Josephine_sk@hotmail.com

Secretary: Alison Strachan kingcasey@one.net.au

Zoe Hogg zoemh@bigpond.com

 

 

Ecocentre membership

Earthcare has been asked to become an affiliate member of the EcoCentre. This would allow us to continue to meet there, and allow The EcoCentre to apply for external funding. The City of Port Phillip expects the EcoCentre committee to find external funds to become self-sufficient ASAP.  The one grant most suited to The EcoCentre's desired position as "umbrella environment group" is Environment Australia's funding program that covers admin costs for regional groups. To be eligible groups must have at least five affiliate groups from more than 2 local government areas.

However I personally have some problems with an increase on the financial burden placed on Earthcare. Earthcare is a non-profit organization devoted to the enhancement of the City of Port Phillip's wild areas. People giving their valuable time to help in various causes need to be supported by the governments they are supporting, not further taxed. Particularly as some small groups operate on a shoestring, and have no funds other than those from government grants.

Also at issue is the continual problem of access, which will get worse with the building works starting soon.

Despite this I want to support The EcoCentre's goals, and believe Earthcare and the EcoCentre should work out an arrangement to suit both parties. For Earthcare to best manage this I ask any member with concern, queries or opinions on this matter to email Alison S kingcasey@one.net.au or phone 9532 4138 or any other committee member. Queries about the EcoCentre position email Neil Nblake@portphillip.vic.gov.au or phone 9209 6491

 

 

Earthcare wish to welcome Adam Simmonds to the position of Sister city co-ordinator in the City of Obu.

Seirei (Dragonfly)

Seirei no Kai.  Bulletin no. 20001223

Construction of Waterwheel

The refreshing smell of timber, the rhythmic sound of hammers

From the 20th Century to the 21st…

Come along and lend a hand as we begin construction on the waterwheel!

December 31 – Finalise details of construction!

January 3 – Construction begins!

 

Making the Association more Active – Aiming for 100% participation

April ~ November participation in regular meetings: 53% (including apologies)

April ~ November participation in regular work activities: 34% (increase)

 

 

 

Membership or Renewal Form

Membership of Earthcare St. Kilda Inc. is per calendar year, February to January.

Membership includes a monthly newsletter and information about coming events.

 

I wish to join Earthcare St. Kilda Inc.

$20 individual      $30 family     I wish to make a donation $……

Please return completed form to PO Box 287 Elwood 3184

 

Name……………………………………………..New    Renewal

 

Address……………………………………………………………..

 

Suburb/City………………………………..P/Code………………

 

Phone Number………………………email…………………………….

 

My special interest is……………………………………………..

 

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