Southern Otway Landcare Network (SOLN)

Dutch style venison braise, from the 2011 Feral Feast

Important: change of venue for Feral Feast,  details below.

On Sunday the 29th of April, Southern Otway Landcare will again be celebrating our AGM and Feral Feast.

This year, more than 50 members of our local community will gather to celebrate another year of hard work enhancing and protecting the environment of the Southern Otways. We will experience a unique local lunch that will showcase local pest animals, introduced plants and invasive weeds. We are extremely fortunate this year to be joined by Steve Earl, head chef from Apollo Bay’s own La Bimba. La Bimba showcases local produce, including pasture fed, free-range meat and truffles from Steve’s own property.

Steve will be revealing his menu when he’s recovered from a big weekend serving up Paella at the Apollo Bay Music Festival. We can tell you that local farmer Peter Gardiner is out spotlighting for rabbits to make his own sausages and that Steve is hoping for a chance to find some of the feral deer that inhabit the Otways. Nasturtium seed pods (an alternative to capers) have been collected by Townies for Landcare and pine mushrooms are in the process of being foraged. Otway Herbs will be donating culinary herbs from their extensive collection.

The opportunity to gather around a meal of feral foods and local produce is an amazing way to celebrate the year that’s been and plan for the work ahead of us. The Feral Feast will be a three course sit down lunch. We are fortunate to be sponsored this year by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and so all we ask for is a $5.oo donation at the door.

For those of you who have already booked, please be aware that there has been a change of  venue and the AGM and Feral Feast will be held at the RSL, corner of Gallipoli Parade  and Pengilley Ave, from 12.30 pm on Sunday April 29th. No BYO thanks – the bar will be open.        

Celebrating 25 years of the Bambra Agroforestry Farm

The Otway Agroforestry Network will be holding its Farm Tree Expo on Friday the 27th of April. This year’s farm tree expo is at the place where it all started – a bare eroded landscape that is now an exciting and dynamic haven. Covered in masses of native and exotic trees for – furniture; shade and shelter for sheep; thinnings for firewood and shiitake mushrooms; oaks for truffles;  redwoods for timber and erosion control; mountain pepper for spices; banksias for cut flowers – the list is endless.

Within this vibrant setting, OAN brings together exhibitors and guest speakers from Victoria and Interstate. You can talk to a wide range of experts on the many different aspects of sustainable vegetation. With everything from bees to trees, natives to exotics, plus bush tucker, shiitake mushrooms, tools and guest speakers – it’s a must do for everyone.

Open 10am – 4pm. Entry by gold coin donation.

Bambra Agroforestry farm – 165 Bambra – Boonah Rd, Bambra. Follow signs.

Dress for weather and wear sturdy footwear (and please leave your dogs at home!)

Food – buy, bring your own, or pre-order a delicious bush-flavoured picnic hamper ($20) and enjoy your lunch, perhaps with a glass of local wine, beneath the trees.

For more information or to pre-order your picnic hamper contact OAN on 5236 2086 / contact@oan.org.au / www.oan.org.au

To download the event flyer, follow the link below.

OAN

The Fight Against Foxes

Introduced foxes have a devastating impact on many Australian wildlife species and are a great threat to the endangered Tiger Quoll in the Otways.

With the help of a State Government Caring for our Country Community Action Grant and the expertise of the Otway Coast Committee, the Conservation Ecology Centre is undertaking a humane soft-jaw trapping program on private land, complementing the existing fox control programs carried out by Parks Victoria and DSE.

Landcare are strong supporters of the Conservation Ecology Centre’s fox control program and we encourage you to get involved.  The Centre are holding an information session where you can learn more about the project and how to be a part of this important conservation effort.

When: 10am – 3pm Monday 30^th April 2012 (lunch provided)

Where: Conservation Ecology Centre, 635 Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway

RSVP: By 25^th April Ph: 5237 9297 Email: lizzie@conservationecologycentre.org

It’s a big edition of Southern Otway Landcare eNews this week as we move into one of the busiest times on our calendar. To make sure you don’t miss out anything, here is a quick snapshot of events. Read on for full details:

• Southern Otway Landcare Annual General Meeting, 11.30 am April 29. We want YOU!
• Feral Feast, 11.30 am April 29. Catered by Steve Earl from La Bimba.  Now taking bookings.
• Community Seed Collection Day with Judy Forrester, April 17.
• Fungi workshop with Alison Pouliot, May 19. Funded by Landcare Australia Limited. Book now.

Announcement of Annual General Meeting, Southern Otway Landcare Network,  11.30 am Sunday April 29.

The Southern Otway Landcare Network will hold it’s Annual General Meeting at 11.30 am on Sunday April 29 at the Youth Club in Moore St, Apollo Bay. All positions on the Committee of the Southern Otway Landcare Network will be declared vacant. We encourage all Landcare members to consider nominating for a position on the Committee of Management. Positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Committee of Management meets once a month to discuss directions for local Landcare. Standing for a position offers you the opportunity to be involved and build your management experience by working with an effective, community – driven organisation. Please contact Libby Riches or Quenton Gay on 5237 6904 and we will put you in touch with a Committee member who can give you more information.

Feral Feast

The Southern Otway Landcare Network is thrilled to have received funding through the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to again run the Feral Feast. We are excited in 2012 to be joined by Steve Earl, head chef from local restaurant La Bimba and owner of Otway Harvest Truffles. Steve will be designing a full 3 – course lunch menu that incorporates local wild harvest and feral foods, as well as showcasing local produce more broadly. Come along and learn what the Otways have to offer. Entry is by $5.00 donation – there is no way you will get a better lunch for a better price! The Feral Feast will be held in conjunction with the AGM, so please come to the Youth Club in Moore St at 11.30 am on Sunday April 29th.

Please note: bookings are necessary. This is proving to be a very popular event. If you wish to attend the feral feast you will need to book. We also request that you inform us of any cancellations. Contact Libby Riches on 5237 6904 or email solnlibb@vicnet.net.au.

Fungi Workshop with Alison Pouliot

What do Icicle Fairy Fans, Dog Vomit Slime Mould, Curry Punks and Golden Jelly Bells have in common? They are all fungi local to the Southern Otways. Folk of the Southern Otways are looking set to become among the most fungi-literate people on the planet. We are thrilled to announce the return of Alison Pouliot to run another of her immensely popular Fungi Identification workshops. Despite their beauty, diversity and the fact that fungi underpin the survival of almost every terrestrial ecosystem on earth, they receive little recognition and are rarely considered in biodiversity management. Due to the diversity of habitats and plant species, the Otways also support a great diversity of fungi and the region is known as one of Australia’s ‘fungal hotspots’.

An autumn stroll through the Otway forests can reveal all manner of bizarre and beautiful mycological gems. Foraying for fungi has a magical treasure-hunt quality that can become truly obsessive! Alison will lead us through a day-long workshop on May the 19th, 2012. If you haven’t previously attended one of Alison’s presentations, this will be an excellent introduction. For those who have previously attended a workshop, this years event will build on previous knowledge to grow your understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Numbers are strictly limited and we are not able to accommodate children. Due to the popularity of this event, we will request a booking deposit of $30 which will be returned in full on the day. Please contact Libby Riches on 5237 6904 to book or for further details.

Southern Otway Landcare would like to acknowledge the most generous support of Landcare Australia Limited who are sponsoring this event