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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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Let's ensure we speak up for the environment!
For more information visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/ourfuture.
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Yallock-Bulluk Community Consultation closing soon!
As part of the $105.6 million to Victoria’s Great Outdoors investment, the Victorian Government is creating the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park. It will combine existing parks and reserves along 40kms of coast from San Remo to Inverloch on Bunurong Country.
An Access and Infrastructure Plan has been drafted for Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park. Parks Victoria is seeking community feedback on the draft plan. Consultation is open now and will close on 16 May 2021.
Don't forget to have your say to help shape the future access and infrastructure in the park.
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Conservation Society News
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Working with children check
As you probably know, SGCS has a close relationship with Parks Victoria in both on-ground activities and education. This year, Parks Victoria has introduced a mandatory requirement that everyone who works on the Parks Victoria estate, all paid employees and volunteers, must hold a Working with Children Check by 30 June 2021. We have no discretion with this directive, there are no exceptions. This is a State Government requirement that came out of the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
This Parks Victoria guide will take you through the process step by step and we are happy to assist you if you need help.
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Project Updates
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Grant applications
Regional Roads Victoria has recently introduced a pilot grant funding program and SGCS has made two applications:
Control of Pittosporum in the Inverloch Reserves. We have applied for funding to engage contractors to remove this invasive plant from the five kilometre town frontage roadside between Ullathornes Road and Townsend Bluff Road.
Installation of a 'Virtual Fence'. The second application is to install a 'virtual fence' from the Screw Creek Bridge to beyond Coastal Way to minimise impact events with wildlife crossing the highway in this area.
 Clic k on these images to see demonstrations of the virtual fence technology.
Working Bee - Ayr Creek, Inverloch
 The monthly working bee is scheduled for Ayr Creek on Sunday May 16 to prepare the site for the spring planting. We will be hand pulling woody weeds such as Pittosporum and Mirror Bush, as well as cutting the stems of larger plants and applying chemical with a dabber.
 Time: 10am-12pm
Meet: Royal Parade, Inverloch (just below the wetland) - angle park on the grassed area.
Bring: Gloves, handsaws (if you have them) and your own water
Wear: Sturdy footwear, long sleeves
Any enquiries please ring or text Bronwyn 0428 559 582 or Ed 0407 560 324
Working Bee - Thompsons Reserve, Inverloch
 After the previous Thompson Reserve day, it was noted of the weed reseeding into the area from outside sources. A meeting was held with the Tennis Club, the neighbouring residents and the Bass Coast Shire to address the situation at the Tennis Club entrance. The outcome is to be a selective removal of problem plants, and contract weed control in preparation for a spring planting day.
To initiate this we have scheduled a working bee on Sunday May 16 between 10am and 12pm. As this is a smaller site we only require about five or six helpers. Please email johncuttriss57@gmail.com if you wish to attend.
The two working bees are scheduled for the same day so we can co-ordinate the contract chipping of the removed plants.
Assisting with Andersons Inlet Landcare
Some members had a great day with Andersons Inlet Landcare on the Connor’s property over the highway on the east side of Screw Creek, again removing Pittosporum. Two thirds of the site was dealt with. Another day in about four weeks is proposed to finish this area. It is expected we will assist again with Andersons Inlet Landcare and the landholders on the west side of Screw Creek in the future.
- John Cuttriss, projects committee
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 Bunurong Coast Education
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Walking on Dinosaurs
 Look out for the two new Walking on Dinosaurs tours hosted by Melissa Lowery on the long weekend in June.
Bookings are open for Sunday 13th and Monday 14th at 8.30am-10.30am
You can book them on Eventbrite.
Rod Webster, education committee
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Bunurong Environment Centre
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We’re back to our regular trading hours
The shop is now open 6 days a week 10am – 4pm every day except Tuesday.
On the bookshelf
After a long absence, the popular little publication, Life on the Rocky Shores of South Eastern Australia is back in stock.
Other interesting local references books, Gippsland – people, a place and their past by John Wells and Shallow Gold Occurrences in Eastern Victoria by Luke Steenhuis are also available.
Parks Vic has just given us a copy of the Yallock-Bulluck Marine and Coastal Park Draft Access and Infrastructure Plan. You are most welcome to read this valuable resource but it is strictly to remain in the shop!
Volunteers always in demand
We are always looking to add volunteers to the shop roster. One three hour shift per month is all we ask. Full training is provided. Call shop manager Paul Calvert (03 5674 3738) on Tue, Wed or Thu or email shop@sgcs.org.au if you are interested.
- Paul Calvert, shop manager
Talking Shop
Debbie Williams, a long standing member of SGCS, has announced her retirement from the shop committee this week. Debbie will continue on as a valued shop volunteer. A hearty thank you for your contribution Debbie!
 This month we will be holding a Shell Museum Walk and Talk for volunteers interested in learning about this wonderful resource. The session will be run by curators Joan and Janet. Meet at Bunurong Environment Centre on Tuesday 18th May at 1.45 pm. The shop is closed on Tuesdays, so come to the Discovery room door (court yard) and we'll be there to greet you. Afternoon tea will be served afterwards.
- Linda Senhen, shop committee
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Save Western Port Woodlands
Save Western Port Woodlands is holding its first public meeting, at the Corinella Hall on Saturday, May 22, 2.30-4.30pm.
 The meeting will include the launch of the Save Western Port Woodlands short video, speakers from SWPW and allied groups and a chance for the local community to express their views on the impacts of sand mining.
A State Government report has identified large parts of the coastal forest corridor between Lang Lang and Grantville as “Extractive Industry Interest Area”. If approved, sand mining in these areas would take precedence over conservation of this crucial biolink, home to endangered species including the southern brown bandicoot and powerful owl.
It would also remove the right of communities, farmers and local government to object to sand mining in this area.
With the Government pushing a construction-led COVID recovery, time is running out to save Bass Coast’s last remnant coastal forest.
You can find more information at www.savewesternportwoodlands.org
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Act on Climate - People's Climate Strategy for Victoria
Friends of the Earth have released their citizens’ Climate Strategy for Victoria and are planning to deliver it to state MPs and key stakeholders on Delivery Day: June 4.
You can read the full document on the website. Here you can also view a video, sign up to hand-deliver a copy of the Strategy to your local MP with hundreds of others around the state, or donate to their crowdfunder.
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World Bee Day - May 20
Here are a few reasons why we need bees.
For more information and ideas visit the World Bee Day (Australia) website or read this article in the Guardian about bee hotels in the Netherlands.
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We'd love to hear from you
Do you have photographs or ideas or items you'd like to share? The deadline for the next newsletter is Friday 21st May. Email to info@sgcs.org.au.
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