Upper Gwydir Landcare Association P.O. Bo x 1 08 Bi nga ra 2404 Groundcover Feral Animal Control Field Day On Thursday 24th May the Feral Animal Control field day was held at Upper Horton. We had a large attendance with people coming from Narrabri, Barraba & Bingara. The day involved informative presentations from Stuart Boyd -Law -Pest Management Officer, National Parks, Phillip Gardner- Invasive Species Officer, NSW DPI, David Lindsay -North West LHPA and Mark Lamb -Professional Trapper. We also had a demonstration of pig traps and baits. It was a very successful day with a large number of landholders interested in doing group baiting for wild dogs, foxes and pigs. Native Vegetation Management in NSW Landholders with an interest in Native Vegetation management are invited to attend Native Vegetation Regulation Review Regional Information sessions. These sessions will explain the proposed changes to the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005, the associated methodology used by the Catchment Management Authorities to assess clearing proposals, and the Private Native Forestry Code of Practice. Submissions will be received up to Friday 24th August 2012. The information sessions will be hosted by the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA. Session will be held in: Inverell - Thursday 12th July at the Inverell RSM Club, 3pm Afternoon tea included Please RSVP for catering to Alice Devlin at the BRG CMA on 6757 2562 or alice.devlin@cma.nsw.gov.au Don t forget to check out our website What s on.and when is it on? Native Vegetation Management Information Session - Inverell. July 12th NBN Co Discovery Truck - Narrabri...July 12th Stakeholders Forum - The Carbon Tax, Armidale....August 2nd Compost Field Day - Barraba.......August 15th Ag Quip - Gunnedah......... August 21st - 23rd Tree Day - Bingara......September 1
Dung Beetle Colonies 4 farms that have been participating in the Dung Beetle Friendly Farms in the Bingara District for 2010/2011 have recently received 2 colonies of Bubas bison dung beetles each. Our aim is to add diversification to the beetle communities found in the district. The Bubas bison is a winter active beetle and not commonly found this far north. -Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited tertiary course at an approved Australian education provider -Demonstrate an active interest in rural affairs and a desire to contribute to the future of rural NSW -Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or training goal -Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident Applications close midnight 30th September 2012 Visit the RAS website for an application form http://www.rasnsw.com.au/820.htm Compost Field Day Employment Opportunities with Landcare NSW Landcare NSW Inc exists to be a strong representative body to work for all grassroots community driven natural resource management in NSW. It is our aim to support community organisations working to promote and encourage awareness and education in sustainable natural resource management and advocate ecologically sustainable development. There are currently two positions available that will support the work of the volunteer executive of Landcare NSW - Landcare NSW Project Officer & Landcare NSW Executive Officer (Location of the position is subject to negotiation). For further information and to access the employment information package please go to http://www.landcarensw.org.au/node/2671 RAS Rural Scholarships Rural scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Scholarships of $5,000 for full time study or $1,500 for part-time study are available. There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the applicant. You can be studying at University, TAFE or VET courses, on campus or distance learning. If you would like to learn more about compost, this is the day for you. Luke Bowman from Break it Down Composting will be spending the day explaining Compost Production overview Humus Compost site design Building a compost windrow Testing compost Materials for composting Designing a compost recipe Hand composting for Gardeners We will also be visiting the compost site to view the compost turner and equipment. When: Wednesday 15th August 2012 Where: The Playhouse, Barraba & then to Break it Down Composting site Time: 10am - 3pm There will be a bus running from Bingara departing at 9am. It is a FREE event, morning tea and lunch provided For more information please contact Brooke 67242052 or email ugla@gwydir.nsw.gov.au Applicants for a Rural Scholarship must: 2
Everyone Connected Grants Program The Telstra Foundation are celebrating their 10th anniversary they are donating $1 million to help Australian children and young people make the most of modern communication technologies. One hundred $10,000 Everyone Connected grants are available to local community organisations to support activities that help enhance digital inclusion - connecting disadvantaged children and young people to the internet, building their online skills and promoting cyber safety. For more information visit: http://www.telstrafoundation.com Rural Women s Gathering On the 12-14th October 2012 Parkes will host the Rural Women s Gathering. An extensive program is organised for the weekend with something to suit everyone. There is a vast range of workshops on offer, keynote speakers, delightful food, photographic exhibition, Waste 2 Art Display, Creative Market Stalls, Elvis entertainment and much more UGLA have received funding from the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority to run a rabbit control program in 2012. The project aims to Reducing the Impacts of Rabbits Form partnerships with landholders who will implement on ground works to reduce the impact of rabbits Engage and educate landholders Implement integrated holistic on ground control of rabbit populations Monitor program and record results. The project will include control measures such as fumigation, traps, deep ripping, supply of baits and supply of chemical for harbour removal. Expressions of Interest have now closed and we were very pleased with the response from landholders. On ground works will start shortly with the baiting program If you would like to know more please contact Brooke at the UGLA office 67 242 052 or email ugla@gwydir.nsw.gov.au Registrations are now open, get in early so you don t miss out. Early bird registrations close 24th August 2012. For more information visit: www.parkesruralwomensgathering.wordpress.co m 3
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Ebor Beef Carbon Tax Information Day Upper Gwydir Landcare Association will be providing a FREE bus service to the Ebor Beef - The Carbon Information day. The bus will be departing Bingara at 7am and will be returning to Bingara at approximately 4pm. Please RSVP to Brooke at the UGLA office 67242 052 or email ugla@gwydir.nsw.gov.au NBN Co Discovery Truck If you are interested in learning more about the roll-out of the National Broadband Network the NBN Co are hosting free information sessions in the NBN Co Discovery Truck which is travelling around the country. It will be in Narrabri Thursday 12th July, The Crossing Theatre Car Park, 117 Tibbereena Street Narrabri. 13th July - Gunnedah 16th July - Tamworth For more information visit the website http://www.nbnco.com.au/index3.html? icd=pub%3ahme%3a%3ahdr%3alogo Bob Hawke Landcare Award A new agricultural accolade will be named in honour of former Prime Minister and Landcare advocate, Bob Hawke. The inaugural Bob Hawke Landcare Award will be a highlight of Landcare week and will be presented at the National Landcare Awards 4 September 2012. The winner will receive a prize of up to $50,000 to develop their knowledge and skills in sustainable land management and will have an honorary position on the Australian Landcare Council for a period of two years. For more information visit : http://www.bobhawkelandcareaward.com.au/ National Landcare Conference Landcare - the future in our hands This year the 3 day event will be held from 3 to 5 September 2012 during Landcare week at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour. This event is a great opportunity to bring together individual Landcarers, Landcare and community groups, regional bodies, natural resource management (NRM) practitioners, international Landcare members and Australian Government representatives. The 2012 conference will provide delegates with an opportunity to learn about & share innovative practice approaches and solutions as well as opportunities to renew contacts, build new networks, share ideas and discuss challenges within the wider Landcare community. The award will recognise an outstanding individual effort in encouraging Australians to adopt sustainable and productive agricultural practices. 7
Pest Animal Management and Landholder Engagement in New England NSW Project The Pest Animal Management & Landholder Engagement in New England NSW project aims to reduce the threats to endangered ecological communities and threatened species in productive landscapes across the New England region of NSW. It aims to raise awareness about the impact of pest animals such as pigs, foxes, wild dogs and rabbits on our valuable natural assets as well as agricultural production. It also aims to involve landholders in co-operative programs to control and manage these pests, as a co-operative and integrated approaches have been recognised as the most effective methods for controlling pest animals. The project will be delivering support and assistance control programs as well as a number of field days and training workshops throughout the region over the next 12 months. The project has numerous project partners including Landcare networks - GLENRAC, GWYMAC, Granite Borders Landcare, Southern New England Landcare and Upper Gwydir landcare, New England LHPA, North West LHPA, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority. The project is also supported by the Regional Landcare Facilitator - Tablelands & Slopes. This project is being delivered by the New England North West Landcare Network Chairs and is funded through the Australian Government s Caring for Our Country program. We are currently seeking any persons that are interested in starting or joining a pest animal control group in their area. This can be for foxes, pigs, wild dogs or rabbits. Please contact Brooke at the UGLA office for more information on 67242052 or ugla@gwydir.nsw.gov.au Volunteers Grant 2012 Volunteers grant 2012 recognises the valuable work of Australian volunteers. Eligible not -for -profit community organisations can apply fro grants between $1,000 & $5,000 to -purchase portable, tangible, small equipment items to help their volunteers -Contribute to reimbursement of fuel costs for volunteers who use their car to transport others to activities, to deliver food, assist with medical appointments or help people in need -Contribute to the reimbursement costs of transport costs volunteers with a disability, who are unable to drive -Contribute to the cost of training courses and/or undertake background screening checks for volunteers Closing Wednesday 25th July 2012 at 5pm AEST. Call the hotline 1800 183 374 or visit the website http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/communities-and-vulnerablepeople/grants-funding/volunteer-grants-2012-call-for-applications-now-open 8
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From seedlings to Shelter Belts Please join us in September for a half day trip to see successful revegetation plantings in our area. More information to follow or contact the office 67242 052 Bounce Back A FREE workshop run throughout Australia which have proven of great value to people who are looking for practical, common sense skills in dealing with life s unexpected events or who are keen to find ways of building their own resilience and personal happiness. Tuesday 21st August - Moree 9.30 3.30pm Wednesday 22nd August - Inverell Thursday 23rd August - Rowena For more information call Jenny 0429 446 417 jenny.croft@dpi.nsw.gov.au Upper Gwydir Landcare, PO Box 108 Bingara 2404 Postage Paid The Landholder Bart Davidson Workshop Bart Davidson will be hosting a 2 - day workshop in Bundarra on Tuesday 17th July - Day 1 followed by Thursday 23rd August - Day 2. The workshop is offered under Caring for Our Country funding secured by the Gwymac Landcare office in Inverell as part of the Healthy Farms, Healthy Gwydir project operating in the area. Bart is biologically grounded agronomist and will cover strategies for pasture nutrient management, benchmarking soils and developing solutions to improve productivity and profits. This course is being heavily subsidised and at $40 per person to attend both days represents exceptionally good value. For further details please direct enquiries to Anya Salmon at Gwymac Landcare in Inverell on (02) 6721 3336 10