Home

Earthcare Newsletter

January 1999

Hidden Nature

A mixed media exhibition. An expose of hidden histories of well known and lesser known sites in the City of Port Phillip. Discover surprising aspects of familiar places in the local environment.

Opening night Friday 5 Feb 1999 6pm

Dates: Sat 6 Feb-Sun 14 Feb

Hours: 12-4 Weekdays, 12-5 Weekends

Musicians Union Gallery,

ground floor

65 Wellington Street, Windsor.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Annual General Meeting of Earthcare St Kilda Inc.

7.30 pm Thursday 25 February 1999 "The House" corner Blessington and Herbert Streets St Kilda

Election of the Committee of Management

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Its January and membership renewal is due.

Please don’t forget to fill in the form and send your $10

 

 

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.

$10 individual $20 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…………………………………………………………..

 

If you have /00 beneath your address on the envelope, you have already paid.

 

Thursday 28th January Earthcare Meeting

Meet at "The House" corner Blessington and Herbert Streets St Kilda Botanic Gardens 7-7.30pm then go to Wild Rice Restaurant Barkly Street for a simple meal and open discussion of Earthcare issues.

This is the first stage in the vision and implementation of Earthcare activities for the coming twelve months.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Rakali Watch

Linda has moved out of the city and is no longer watching Rakali.

Is there anybody out there who would like to continue this research and add their own ideas to the information collected.

You will need to spend about one and a half hours each fortnight on the project.

Ring Zoe 041 384 3594 for more information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

WILD PLACES IN THE CITY OF PORT PHILLIP

PHOTOGRAPH AND PAINTING EXHIBITION

This was a great success with Earthcare’s activities being showcased to a wide and numerous cross section of the community, and many requests to repeat the exhibition next year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alison Rowe

President Earthcare,

 

Dear Alison

I enclose a cheque from the Council of Education for $928.00. This is payment for eight CAE classes conducted by Neil Blake and myself during 1998 and 1999. I’d like to elaborate if I may on this Earthcare project as not all members may be aware of its existence.

The class is called Penguin Sanctuary in St. Kilda and runs about four times a year. Up to 12 people pay fees to attend the class. A typical class commences with Neil and I talking about the purpose of the tour at about 7 p.m. in the rotunda in the Catani Garden. We try to set the group at ease, establish a climate of anticipation and excitement and try to find out the particular interests of the group. Sometimes we also take a stroll down to West Beach. We then head out to the breakwater. If it is early we sit quietly on the rocks waiting for the birds to come in and enjoying the sunset. Alternatively we meet up with the research group and follow them as they weigh, sex and band the birds.

We try to encourage a relationship between the researchers and the class members. Over the years the research team has become accustomed to the classes and enjoy demonstrating their knowledge and skills. It is enjoyable for everybody all round. The class members are usually fascinated by the research process and the extraordinary opportunity to view the birds closely and to ask questions of experienced volunteers. The fact that this project is supported by Earthcare a local community group and that the colony is also supported by a sister city in Japan is also of great interest.

What we are trying to demonstrate to the class is how community action can deliver a successful model of sustaining a wildlife colony in the midst of an urban environment under intense pressure. We also try, of course, to educate people about the range of environmental issues which need to be addressed to sustain the ecology of the bay.

After an hour or two with the research group we return to Catani Gardens and provide supper of coffee, tea and biscuits often sitting on the grass with the brushtail possuns all around us. We often follow up with a possum count by the group. Sometimes the possum feeding volunteers join us and talk to the group about their work to save and protect the possums. We give then a free Earthcare poster before they go home.

People generally come from all over the city and often bring international visitors. I have run 17 different urban ecotours for the CAE and the penguin tour is the longest running one (five years). All profits are forwarded to Earthcare for inclusion in the penguin protection fund.

The tour provides a deeply satisfying form of engagement between people and wildlife and promotes the values of wildlife protection to the wider community.

I would like to thank the research group for their patience and support of this worthwhile activity. And also Neil Blake for his usual leadership and support in his tutor role.

Any Earthcare member can attend the class to support Neil and myself and learn about how to run an urban tour. Just phone me on 9690 9584.

 

Meyer Eidelson