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The South Gippsland Conservation Society wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands we meet and work in – the Bunurong People - and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
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Conservation Society News
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Don't forget - it's time to renew your membership!
We value your support of the SGCS. Please renew your membership by 30th June.
If you are not a member, please consider joining. Membership entitles you to participate in all our activities; meet like-minded people who want to help our local environment; attend meetings and vote at the annual general meeting; and get a 5% discount on most items in the Bunurong Environment Centre.
All the details of fees and methods of payment are on the website.
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Our strategic plan is finished
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the creation of the South Gippsland Conservation Society Strategic Plan 2021-26 which was recently adopted by the Executive Committee. A special thanks to Coastcare who provided the funds to employ our professional facilitator Kate Paterson....and a big thanks to her too!
Of course the plan is just the beginning and we will be reaching out to our membership and partners for help to implement the plan. You can read the final plan here. Please email any queries (or offers) you have to info@sgcs.org.au.
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Project Updates
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Wonthaggi's Hidden Gem - Ecosystems for the Future - Carney's Road, Wonthaggi
Greeted by several resident kangaroos on arrival, the cold, foggy winter’s day merged into a windless, brilliant sunny day, with many birds flittering around through the bush with and the ever present resident Egret feeding in and around the sparkling water on the wetland. Perfect for our working bee on 20 June.
 A small enthusiastic group of nine, brandishing gloves, beanies and energy launched into the morning tasks at hand.
The morning focused on tree guard maintenance, including repair of guards with broken stakes and removal of guards on the non-surviving plants. We finished with a walk and talk around the perimeter of the newly constructed wetland.
With removal of the wrecked cars, rubbish and inappropriate vehicle access/use on the site since 2019 has been significant change in the vegetation with noticeable natural recruitment of the Melaleuca and Prickly Teatree occurring across the wetter area.
Planting on the site continues with an estimated 70% plus survival rate over the 3 years of planting. The 2020 planting has seen most of the planted Melaleuca survive. However, there was a poor outcome in the plantings on the sandy rises, likely due to drier conditions and competition from the Bracken Fern.
Combined with weed control, our plantings and natural occurring recruitment, the site is well on the way to a much improved ecosystem which, in time, will improve the biodiversity and resilience of the surrounding bushland.
The next phase will involve additional planting across the site, construction of the boardwalk and planting of the wetland when it has more water in it and has settled.
Thanks to the enthusiastic group of nine volunteers as well as past participants from the 2019 working bees. It was a great morning’s combined effort.
Everyone was delighted to re-visit and be engaged in this fabulous, ongoing project, initially funded by the State Government Pick My Project.
Thanks again for your efforts and hope to see you at the next working bee.
- Dave Sutton & Linda Pettit, Project Team
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 Bunurong Coast Education
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School holiday activities during Winter
Brrr! it's cold outside, and the tide times are not working in our favour. So you'll have to wait to September for the next school holiday program.
In the meantime, why not head over to the SGCS website where you'll find plenty of things to do:
Leaflets and guides has free downloadable guides with information on Indigenous people, environmental issues, local area interests, walking, cycling, plants, dinosaurs, the shell museum and activities for children.
Especially for Children provides free downloadable games, puzzle sheets, a book on activities around Inverloch for children, as well as the enthralling Shell Museum, the amazing hands-on Discovery Room, and fascinating tours to the Dinosaur Discovery site.
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Bunurong Environment Centre
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Latest from the shop
The shop will be open every day from 10am to 4pm through the school holidays.
We are well stocked on all of our popular field guide books, children’s books and indigenous material. We have also rearranged the shelving in the children’s book area to open up the view to the Shell Museum and allow flow of light.
- Paul Calvert, shop manager
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Talking Shop
After a group of SGCS volunteers toured the Shell and Marine DIsplay last month, we asked about good marine resources for kids and their families visiting the BEC. Mike Tesch told us about a great local resource for those who want to follow up on their marine creature knowledge.
The Bunurong Marine National Park Field Guide app has been put together by Parks Victoria in collaboration with Museums Victoria and can be easily accessed on your phone or tablet. Follow this link.
 There are beautiful images and information on over 300 species of marine and coastal animals and plants that can be seen in our local marine park.
Talking about all things marine, here are some anecdotes heard from visitors to the Shell and Marine Display:
“Still fantastic after all these years” (Tess and family 6/1/21)
“Very cool, will bring the baby when he’s older” (Dave, Tash and baby)
“Amazing collection, beautifully presented” (Tristan and Tilly 21/3/21)
Haven’t visited yet? Come and check it out and while you’re about it, the shop too.
- Linda Senhenn, shop committee
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NAIDOC WEEK 4-11 July
 The NAIDOC theme this year - Heal Country! - is calling for us all to continue to seek greater protection for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.
Look out for the local Indigenous Art Exhibition. It features Indigenous artists from both Bass Coast and South Gippsland. You'll find it at the Wonthaggi ArtSpace seven days a week from 10am - 4pm until 18 July. Go to the website for more information.
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Sign the petition online to Save Western Port Woodlands!
The Save Western Port Woodlands petition has been extended to 30 July, so you still have time to sign before it is presented to Parliament.
 This video shows how giant sand mines are destroying Western Port's last remaining coastal forest, home to rare and endangered plants and animals.
The Victorian Parliament has published the e-petition to stop sand mining, which is available to sign here.
Please sign it and spread the word.
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The bees are buzzing in Berlin
 More than 100 wildflower meadows have been planted in Germany’s largest cities over the past three years and they are coming into full bloom this summer to transform urban landscapes. The prime purpose of the scheme is the protection of Germany’s population of wild bees of which there are about 580 species, more than half of which are endangered or on the verge of extinction. |
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Eagles Nest, Bunurong Coast Reserve
Photo by Jose López Lechuga
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Think it's cold outside? This is Swedish Lapland in Summer!
Image from video Arctic Lines by Antii Autti.
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Wednesday 30 June Membership renewal due
Sunday 18 July Last day to view Indigenous Art Exhibition
Friday 30 July Last day to sign SWPW e-petition
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Deadline for contributions
We would love to share your photographs and stories in the newsletter. Please send your contributions by Friday 9 July. Email to info@sgcs.org.au.
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