FABULOUS FORUMS
LOVING COUNTRY
Bruce Pascoe & Vicky Shukuroglou in conversation
COMPLETED - 17 OCTOBER 2023
In partnership with Eltham Bookshop, Nillumbio supported a thought provoking conversation as Bruce Pascoe and Vicky Shukuroglou shared stories and experiences from their book Loving Country, a Guide to Sacred Australia. With a focus on Australia's indigenous cultures and local action, they discussed the significance of observation and care for our environment. Vicky present photographs responsive to the beauty and fragility of our natural world.
WILDLIFE OF THE NILLUMBIK SHIRE
COMPLETED - AUGUST 4 2023
With great enthusiasm we screened the premiere of Michael Smith’s documentary Wildlife of the Nillumbik Shire.
Compiled over years of careful observation and quiet filming, this informative work takes us on a rich visual journey as we meet a wonderful diversity of creatures that call Nillumbik home.
The screening was followed by Q&A with Michael, and the night went on with conversations, drinks & snacks. A big thank you to all 80+ people who attended and made this a great event, and to our excellent supporters who prepared such fabulous food for everyone to share.
There is much we can all do to support our ecosystems and ensure diversity and abundance. We will be uploading the video to our YouTube page soon. Register to receive the upload alert. Photo Michael Smith
NILLUMBIK'S PLATYPUS & RAKALI
COMPLETED - OCTOBER 18 2022
The platypus is widely recognised as one of the world’s most unusual animals. Along with echidnas, they are the world’s only known monotremes (egg-laying mammals). Their famous bill provides them with a unique ‘sixth sense’. By comparison, relatively few people know of Rakali. Also known as the Australian water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster), these beautiful natives have a thick coat of soft fur, splendid whiskers, blunt muzzle, partly webbed hind feet and furry tail. And they're cheeky!
Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy will outline the biology and key conservation requirements of these two fascinating species during our forum. He’ll also provide tips on spotting them and ways you can play a vital role in keeping track of local rakali and platypus.
Click for info/to donate to the Conservancy Photo: Carolyn Hall
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ANIMAL SPECIFIC INSTRUMENTS
COMPLETED - JUNE 9 2022
Have you ever thought about what a wombat might need to survive during a medical procedure, or how to treat birds' delicate bones? Come along to our forum on June 9th to hear about the people involved and what goes on behind the scenes in learning, designing, and making the relevant tools that help our beautiful animals!
We are thrilled to invite Girius Antanaitis, Melbourne-based industrial designer with a passion for wildlife, to talk about his wonderful and important work. 'I endeavour to develop and provide unique instruments that are needed to help the world’s wildlife. From the largest whales to smallest birds – I'm here to help make their lives pain free and enjoyable.'
Photo Girius Antanaitis
BIOBLITZ and beyond!
COMPLETED - DECEMBER 13 2021
Join us for a lively discussion as we share findings from the recent BioBlitz and related activity, along with photos of stunning flora and fauna of Nillumbik. We encourage those of you who participated in the BioBlitz to share your experience!
The importance of local flora, ways to protect and encourage the 'seed bank', and reversing local extinction, will be addressed. Importantly, simple and effective actions that immediately achieve positive change
will be shared, along with examples/photos from a recent 'test site'.
This is all seasonally specific, so be prepared to leave the forum feeling like you want to grab your work boots, gloves, & sun hat [or beanie!]
JOIN THE BIOBLITZ discussion
COMPLETED - OCTOBER 21 2021
Join us for an exciting conversation and contribute your ideas as we explore why a backyard focus during the upcoming Great Southern BioBlitz is a terrific opportunity for this beautiful area! Together, we can expand the practical and diverse steps we can all take to continue learning about, and reinvigorating, our local environment. It doesn't matter where you live, and your knowledge can be simple or advanced. Join the community effort to ensure Nillumbik proudly changes the course of local biodiversity loss, and sets brilliant new standards.
Do you have particular areas of interest you would like addressed?
Email us here - nillumbio@email.org.au
MAKE YOUR PLACE A HAVEN COMPLETED - OCTOBER 18 2021
Discover the joys of transforming your place, to become part of a great haven for local life - from tiny insects and daisies, to towering trees and owls. Michael Smith will offer insights from his own experience after deciding to take action at home. Learn about plant and animal relationships in your area, and how to consider these relationships for increasing biodiversity on your property.
Michael teaches ‘Conservation land management’ at Melbourne Polytechnic. Previously, he worked as a bush crew member managing reserves in the Yarra Valley and Nillumbik Shire. Michael has deep passion for systems thinking when it comes to conservation works.
Photo Michael Smith
BIODIVERSITY OF NILLUMBIK
completed - OCTOBER 9 2021
More than 1000 species of indigenous plants and 340 creatures also call Nillumbik home, and this wonderful biodiversity will endlessly surprise you. Come along and hear more about it from Julia Franco, who will discuss some key important species - some you may not have heard about before - and how we can all protect and reinvigorate the ‘lungs of Melbourne’. Julia has been working as an ecologist for many years, currently at Nillumbik Shire Council. She has a degree in Conservation Biology & Ecology with honours in Botany. Julia shares her strong passion for the environment and the diversity of life in varied ecosystems, as she encourages everyone to 'get out into nature'.
ORCHIDS
COMPLETED - OCTOBER 7 2021
Whether you know a lot or nothing at all about the tiny wonders of Nillumbik, this forum with Lydia Heap will present valuable information. Lydia will share photographs from her book, 'Orchids of Nillumbik', offering a colourful and intimate view of these local treasures.
Lydia is connected with Panton Hill Bushland Reserves, where protection and re-introduction of indigenous plants - including orchids -has had positive effect on animals, some of which are endangered. Lydia is committed to caring for the bush, which is why all except 3 orchids in her book can be seen from public pathways. You don't have to venture off the track to observe little treasures!
WOMBATS!
COMPLETED - SEPTEMBER 28 2021
Want to learn more about wonderful wombats, their habits, and how you can help keep them healthy?
Join Katja Gutwein as she shares knowledge and stories of this iconic Australian animal, and their role in ecosystems. Discover how you can get involved and better understand threats they face including mange, roadkill, loss of habitat and legal/ illegal culling. Katja is a wildlife carer and founding member of Mange Management Inc., who do terrific work raising awareness about wombat mange, and provide free treatment kits to landowners across Victoria. Happy healthy wombats!
