This is one of the many things to think about during 'The Year of the Ocean' which has been declared for 1998.

The main messages for this Year are, that the ocean is a limited source of food; that it is not an unlimited garbage dump; that the oceans affect us all and we affect the oceans; and the ocean within Australia's responsibility is one of the most biologically diverse of all.

Verne Krastins (City of Port Phillip publicity officer) will present thoughts and ideas for people entering the photographic competition 'Wild Places in the City of Port Phillip', at the Earthcare meeting July 30 7.30pm "The House"corner Blessington and Herbert Streets St Kilda. This talk will explore the city from many different artistic angles.

 Breakwater repair

A true craftsman has been at work on the Breakwater during the latest, and last, of the earthworks.

'Marty' places each rock with exquisite precision and uses the fingers of the bucket as delicately as any human hand.

The penguins have nothing to fear, as he will carefully remove any rock to search for inhabitants of the crevices.

Marty has created beaches, rock platforms, and hundreds of perfect penguin residences over the four years he has been repairing the breakwater. He has enjoyed the creativity the job provided and is regretting that it is finished.

The penguins can now live in peace for a good many years.

Marty said the breakwater is now strong enough to land a plane on. I can assure you that for the last three years I have walked on the rock wall looking for penguins and its absolutely solid. - Zoe

 Litter removalists

Two gentlemen are now enjoying the Golden Years by spending their days on the Boardwalk at the start of the breakwater. They swim, talk to passers by and are well tanned. They have also put plastic bags in milk crates for people to throw away their litter. Martin collects litter from the water when they go for a swim. Say hello and 'thankyou' to this happy pair. They have reduced the fly population to zero.

Earthcare members are invited to look out for any particularly bad spots for littering in Port Phillip, places that could look so much better for an hour or two's concerted work.

The first choice is the embankment either side of Balaclava railway station at Carlisle St. The date is Sunday, July 5^th, 1pm-3pm. Russell is going to letterbox the immediate area beforehand to encourage local to join us.

Earthcare members, inspired by Cathy, have made the station embankment a very attractive site with plantings over the years. What a pity that so many other people have dropped rubbish off the platforms and from the walkways.

We could also do with two standard-sized bill posters for the station to explain why Balaclava station surrounds look so attractive. Earthcare will pay the cost of materials. Please check with Alison, Russell or Zoe first (see Directory).

The outline design for the community Permaculture site on the spare block at the back of the Elwood Neighbourhood House in Tennyson St is nearing completion.

The steering group has met several times and there have been two well attended public meetings. People have been asked to nominate for the working groups which will be responsible for such things as the worm farm, toolshed, the compost heaps, vegetables, fruit trees and the small pond. The project will also have to be incorporated soon and nominations will be called for official positions on a 'light handed' admin. Committee.

The draft design will now incorporate play space for children because so many attend the House before and after school.

The last meeting of the steering group heard that council funds scheduled for the 1997-98 financial year would not be available, but an allocation had been made to the project in the 1998-99 year, which starts next month. This allows a little more time for discussion about the design.

Further information from Patrick

12 sites across the City of Port Phillip will be explored in the exhibition - most of these sites will be well known to Earthcare members, perhaps less well-known to other residents, and some are hardly known by anyone.

The 12 sites are :

Each site reveals something about the original landscape of Port Phillip, as well as about the people who have lived in and shaped those landscapes. The Webb Dock saltmarsh for example is a site where an intact original vegetation community has survived only metres away from where huge container ships dock. Right next to the mouth of the Yarra, it is the last living connection with the landscape that the early settlers saw as they made their way up the river to the new settlement at Melbourne. The Corroboree Tree and Cleve Gardens have significant connections with Koori culture, past and present. Some sites provide visual links to a lost environment eg. the Elwood Canal is all that remains of the once large Elwood Swamp, and West Beach draws us back to a time before beach cleaners convinced us that beaches consist of sand, sea and nothing else (forget dune flora and fauna - beaches are for sunbaking). Others conceal what were once the great landmarks of the area ie. the Sandridge Lagoon and Emerald Hill. Some sites are significant for their animal habitat (eg. the Breakwater) or remnant flora (Alma Rail). 

Each site will be represented by a mixed media collage. Things that might be used in the collages include maps (current and historical), photos, drawings or paintings, objects found on-site, writings, plants, plant pressings, even stuffed animals! Past land use, current land use, management issues and potential for the future are what we’re looking at, as well as hoping to highlight environmental consciousness throughout the last century and a half. But most of all we’re trying to bring to the surface the hidden and mysterious nature of these sites.  

The second part of the project is the production of a calender for 1999. Each month will be illustrated by a site. The calender will be on sale by early December and officially launched at the exhibition opening. 

There is a core group of people working on the exhibition and calender, but we would like as many people as possible to be involved. If you have maps, photos, writings, reminiscences, found objects or thoughts about any of these sites, we want to hear from you! Other ways people can be involved include:

Coming next month - Find out about Cleve Gardens and The Corroboree Tree.

For more information or to get involved call Kylie 9530 6196 or Rosey / Vanessa 9527 4356

URGENTLY NEEDED - Advertising talent needed for this year’s Wild Places 98. We need a few people to publicise the photo competition and exhibition. There is already a resource folder with contacts and information to get you started so if a few people work together it won’t be too hard. Contact Kylie 9530 6196.

WANTED!

Alison Rowe 9531 3840

106244.622@compuserve.com

Russell Griffin 9527 3202

russg@melbpc.org.au

Zoe Hogg 9534 6981

zoem@starnet.com.au

Graeme Randall 9531 8886

Carol Knight, Barry Hart and Joe Samuel-King.

Wild places in the City of Port Phillip - Kylie 9530 6196

Penguin Action co-ordinator - Angela 9527 8450

Penguin bookings - Ros 9531 ????

Rakali Watch - Linda 9579 2286