The JourneyProject Platypus and Landcare

in the Upper Wimmera Catchment

Acknowledgements

The publication of this booklet was made possible with funds from the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority for the Celebration of

25 Years of Landcare in Victoria.

Jane Marriott from Project Platypus wrote and collated the Project Platypus history with editing by Phil Williams and others. Members of

Landcare Groups who researched and wrote their histories for this publication - Alan Green, Annette May, Michael Greene, Rosie Nater,

George Holden, Harold Thomas, Liz Kelleher, Rob Shea and others are thanked for their valuable contribution.

In publishing this history of the organisation, Project Platypus recognises the hundreds of people who have been involved in many ways in

the Project Platypus and Landcare journey.

Photo Credits

Photos by Project Platypus staff, Management Committee and Landcare group members. Front cover photo by David Fletcher.

Part 1 - History and Development o f the Project Platypus Organisation 19 94-2012

1.1 Beginnings............................................................................................................4

1.2 Project Platypus Management Committee ...........................................................6

1.3 Project Platypus Staff ...........................................................................................9

1.4 Sponsors, Funding and Partnerships .................................................................11

1.5 Volunteers and Works Teams.............................................................................14

1.6 Project Platypus Projects....................................................................................16

Integrated Sub Catchment works - Astons, Six Mile,

Mt Drummond, Glendhu

Platypus, Bandicoots & Biodiversity

Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink

Weed Control

1.7 Engaging the Community ...................................................................................21

1.8 Plantouts.............................................................................................................24

1.9 Reflections on Project Platypus and Landcare...................................................29

Part 2 - History o f Landcare Groups in the Upper Wimmera Catc hment 1987 -20122.1 Moyston Landcare Group ...................................................................................30

2.2 Black Range Land Management Group .............................................................32

2.3 Concongella Landcare Group.............................................................................34

2.4 Northern Grampians Landcare Group ................................................................36

2.5 Great Western Landcare Group .........................................................................38

2.6 Navarre Landcare Group....................................................................................40

2.7 Jallukar Landcare Group ....................................................................................42

2.8 Elmhurst Landcare Group ..................................................................................44

2.9 Stawell Urban Landcare Group ..........................................................................46

2.10 Crowlands Landcare Group................................................................................48

2.11 Landsborough Landcare Group..........................................................................49

2.12 Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group.....................................................................50

2.13 Perennial Pasture Systems ................................................................................52

2.14 Project Platypus and Landcare Milestones .......................................................53

Contents

1. 1 Beginnings

4

Multiple issues rabbits, weeds, erosion,loss of biodiversity - ripe for a project!

The Wimmera River in Western Victoria forms part of the MurrayDarling Basin. It is a large land locked system with its source in theMount Cole Range above Elmhurst and terminates at Lake Hindmarshand Wyperfeld National Park beyond Lake Albacutya. The UpperWimmera Catchment refers to the 3,027km2 catchment area upstreamof where the Mt William Creek adjoins the Wimmera River nearDadswells Bridge.

The main land uses in the region are mixedfarming, mostly sheep and dryland cropping,but also includes enterprises such as grapes,olives, forestry, vegetable production, cutflowers and other livestock such as goats,cattle, pigs and poultry. The population of theUpper Wimmera is estimated to be around15,000 people with over 800 farming familiesand a population of 6000 in the largest townof Stawell.

The region is home to an extensive array offlora and fauna including a large number ofthreatened and endangered species. SinceEuropean settlement, private land has beensubject to significant clearing of nativevegetation, primarily for agriculture and alsogold mining, which has resulted in numerousenvironmental issues. These include loss ofbiodiversity, soil erosion, salinity, loss of soiland soil fertility and reduced water quality.

Landcare in Victoria was established in 1986by a group of farmers in Winjallock near StArnaud to encourage a concerted responseto land degradation and was a formalrecognition of a movement that had beenevolving for many years. Initially the focuswas on planting trees, reflecting Landcare’sorigins in the Farm Tree Groups that sprangup in Victoria in the 70’s and early 80’s. Overits 25 years Landcare has engaged thesupport of thousands of Victorians and morethan 700 groups work together to shape thefuture of Victoria’s land, biodiversity andwaterways with a broad focus on sustainablemanagement.

In 1994 when Landcare in Victoria was 8years old, the movement had been embracedin the Upper Wimmera catchment by ruralcommunities centred in Moyston, Elmhurst,the Black Range, Concongella, GreatWestern, Jallukar, Navarre, Crowlands andby the Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group.These local Landcare groups met regularly

and undertook on-ground works with grantsmainly through state government funding,primarily the Land Protection IncentivesScheme. Works included pest plant andanimal control, revegetation, salinity controland erosion control works.

However, Landcare groups were struggling tomaintain their enthusiasm, because the tasksof applying for and administering grants aswell as participating in the labour andmanagement component of projects couldbecome overwhelming. The workload of anactive group could be so onerous it became adisincentive to take on major or moreprojects. Mary Bignell and Dave Munday,facilitators from the Dept Natural Resourcesand Environment, Barry Clugston from theUpper Wimmera Farm Tree Group and anumber of far sighted Landcare memberssaw the benefits of establishing an umbrellagroup to take on some of the grantapplication and project management tasks.This group could provide a broader andprioritised focus for potential projects to bestaddress the land degradation issues acrossthe whole of the Upper Wimmera Catchment.

During 1994 regular meetings ofrepresentatives of all the Upper WimmeraLandcare groups, Julian King and AlexArbuthnot from the VFF and DNRE staffdiscussed how such an organisation couldwork. It is a testament to the commitment andenthusiasm of this group that by June 1995,after numerous meetings, many late nightsand a lot of hard work, Project Platypus wasborn. The organisation now had a clear andunique identity - the platypus symbolismsuggested by Barry Clugston reflected theproposed land rehabilitation works whichwould improve the environment and waterquality for platypus and guarantee their longterm survival as well as the long term healthand future of the rural communities. The

Vast areas of sub catchments needingland rehabilitation works

Saline discharge areas with low production values

Massive erosion problems, silting streams,reducing productivity

Steep bare, overgrazed hills causing erosion and salinity

Issues. . .

5

easily recognised Project Platypus logo wasdesigned by Lindsey Williams.

The boldly stated aim of the fledgling ProjectPlatypus was “To improve land and waterquality in the Upper Wimmera RiverCatchment, so achieving enhancedbiodiversity, a sustainable catchment and asustainable catchment community.” By 1995the now familiar structure of a ManagementCommittee and several subcommittees wasin place, with Michael McMurtrie as the firstchairman. Work on making the idea a realitybegan in earnest and over the next few yearshundreds of volunteer hours were devoted toshaping the organisation, seeking funds andplanning projects. A document ProjectPlatypus – A Major Landcare Initiative for theUpper Wimmera Catchment was produced toshowcase the plans, commitment andcredibility of Project Platypus to potentialsponsors. This was complemented by adetailed Action Plan by Mary Bignell fromDNRE which outlined and costed a 5 yearplan for pasture establishment, tree planting,vermin and weed control, salinity and erosioncontrol projects. It was estimated that therewas 3000km of gully and stream bank erosionand 2283ha of salinity affected land in theUpper Catchment. The massive extent of theland degradation and management issues inthe region has ironically played a part in the

longevity of the organisation and its ability toattract funds to address these issues.

The heart of the organisation was andcontinues to be the Management Committee,made up of representatives of each of themember Landcare groups and meetingregularly to guide the structure anddevelopment of the organisation and setpriorities for actions. The Project PlatypusLandcare journey from the initial meetingsand discussions to the present has been acollaboration involving individual landholders,Landcare Groups, state and federalgovernment departments involved in naturalresource management, local business, localgovernment, sponsors, philanthropicorganisations, schools, other environmentalorganisations and thousands of communityvolunteers, supporters and friends.

The journey has not been without itshiccups but has been an overwhelminglyrewarding one for the many people whohave been involved and has madesignificant improvements to the health ofthe environment. This publicationdescribes and celebrates theachievements of Project Platypus and theLandcare Groups and recognises thecontributions made by those who havebeen part of the Project Platypus journey.

Advice, support and partners have guidedthe journey of Project Platypus

Sponsors, Project Platypus and landholders planting trees and addressingthe issues

People willing to research, plan and act

Landholders willing to address land degradation, early revegetation site atMoyston

A group of people with a vision and thepassion to make it happen

Assets. . .

The Upper Wimmera Catchment - Landcare Groups

1.2 Project Platypus Management Committee

6

The Project Platypus ManagementCommittee has been the driving force for theorganisation for 18 years, developing thestructure of the organisation and overseeingits direction and operations.

The basic role and structure of the PPManagement Committee evolved over thefirst few years and has been reviewed atregular intervals to respond to changingneeds and conditions, particularly as part ofthe development of the Project PlatypusStrategic or Corporate Plans.

Project Platypus ManagementCommittee Members

The 1994 committee - subsequently theProject Platypus Management Committee -contains many names that feature in ProjectPlatypus and Landcare Groups throughoutthe following years.

The original executive committee memberswere Chairperson Michael McMurtrie,Secretary Jane Williams and Treasurer ScotDouglas with representatives from eachLandcare Group on the committee. Themember representative was often theregular attendee but could be substituted byanother group representative at the monthlymeetings.

The Chairpersons of the ManagementCommittee over the lifetime of ProjectPlatypus have all been committed to ProjectPlatypus and have made valuablecontributions of their time, energy, expertiseand enthusiasm.

Michael McMurtrie steered the ship for 5productive and busy years. Michael was,and still is an outspoken champion forProject Platypus and never misses anopportunity to promote the organisation topoliticians, potential sponsors and boardmembers. Michael recalls “The thing Iremember most about those early meetingswas the absolute commitment and

enthusiasm of all involved. There was somuch energy and excitement that we feltnothing was going to stop us!”

In 1999 Michael Greene from ElmhurstLandcare Group was elected as chair andworked towards the consolidation of theorganisation. During Michael Greene’sleadership the inaugural Plantout was heldwhich went on to become an annualhighlight of the Project Platypus calendar.

Great Western farmer, Bill Kilpatrick tookup the baton in 2002 and celebrated the 10year anniversary of Project Platypus in 2004.Bill recalls “Steering the organisationthrough the difficult time following the end ofthe Rio Tinto Partnership requiredconsiderable energy and vision by theManagement Committee.”

Having been heavily involved with ProjectPlatypus since its inception and with awealth of experience, Phil Williams took onthe Chairperson position in 2005. He recalls,“The highlight of my term as chairman wasseeing Project Platypus settled into its new‘shop front’ in Stawell’s Main Street. Thelowlight was the terrible bushfires whichravaged the area in 2006”. Phil was the alsothe editor of the newsletter that served as amonthly communication of Project Platypusprogress and happenings to ManagementCommittee members and for many yearscompiled the informative and more widelydistributed Project Platypus News.

Alan Green has also been involved inProject Platypus since its inception and waselected to lead the Management Committeein 2007. He brought his business acumenand agricultural experience to theorganisation and helped raise the profile ofProject Platypus.

Current chair, Leanne Jackman bringsstrong people skills and thoughtfulleadership to the organisation. She believes“A focus to strengthen and buildpartnerships with Local, State and Federal

Alan Green showing a visiting group someof the improvements on his Great Westernfarm

Phil Williams took on many roles includinghere as MC at a Jallukar Plantout

Michael Greene on his Elmhurst farm Karingal

Great Western farmer Bill Kilpatrick at aLandcare display

Inaugural President Michael McMurtrieand George Holden

Translating a good idea into a reality doesn’t just happen and the ideaof forming an umbrella group to represent regional Landcare Groupswas a novel concept in 1994. Fortunately the region had enoughpeople with a passion for the idea, the environment and Landcare toturn the idea into a reality.

7

Government and Corporate organisationswill see Project Platypus better placed tosupport the sustainability and growth of ourLandcare Groups and Projects into thefuture.”

Many Management Committee membershave been long serving and theircontributions have been wide and variedincluding serving on sub-committees,representing Project Platypus on variousexternal committees and makingdelegations to politicians and potentialsponsors.

Scott Douglas was the inaugural treasurerand served on the Management Committeefor 7 years.

Jane Williams held the position asSecretary for 8 years and worked diligentlyand with a passion for the organisationwhich would play an important role inimproving natural resource management inthe region. As well as being Secretary, Janealso served as a member of the ProjectPortfolio subcommittee and, along with Phil,used their local knowledge and expertise toencourage revegetation and remnantprotection , including writing many of theearly submissions and other documents aswell as being a driving force behind JallukarLandcare Group.

George Holden has been a longstandingmember of the Management Committee anda number of sub committees. He has been amentor to the organisation and landholderson agricultural and erosion issues.

Other members of past and presentManagement Committees whose volunteercontributions have contributed to the growthand development of the strong ProjectPlatypus organisation we have todayinclude –

Ross MacPhie, Graeme Price, Greg Dean,Emile Wilkinson, James Brady, KenReadwin, Ray Graham, Neil Marriott, FergAnderson, Colin Snooks, Vern Hutton,Rupert Bibby, Paddy Bourke, PatrickMonaghan, Ken McPhee, Dominic Browne,Ron Bibby, Leigh Blackmore, Lil Isles,Howard Frampton, Mark Farrer, BernardBoatman, Robert Vance, Jan Ibsvon Seht,Peter Laidlaw, Jon Wilkinson, Barry

Clugston, Phil Hall, Athol Mackay, LyleDriscoll, Peter Brazier, Lisa Moore, RosieNater, Phil Hall, Richard Kelleher, StevenWare, Harold Thomas, Stephen Start,Tristan Kennedy, Howard Frampton andMark McKew.

To round out the expertise of theManagement Committee, ex officiomembers are invited to participate in andcontribute to the monthly ManagementCommittee meetings and typically include alocal DPI officer, a local Landcare facilitator,a representative from GWMWater, arepresentative from the WCMA and fromRio Tinto when they were partners. JulianKing (VFF) attended many early meetingsand provided much needed guidance andsupport in the early days of ProjectPlatypus.

Peter Jackson and Nigel Binney fromGWMWater have been involved with ProjectPlatypus and have applied their expertise tothe decisions of the ManagementCommittee since the inception of theorganisation and have made a valuablecontribution to the development of theorganisation as well as supporting our bidsfor continuing sponsorship from GWMWater.

As representatives of sponsor Rio Tinto,Helen Fenney and John Smart attendedManagement Committee and Sub-committees and worked hard to ensure thatProject Platypus projects maintained theirintegrity by using the best science availableand drew on their corporate experience tomentor Project Platypus.

Staff from the Department of PrimaryIndustries (and its predecessor departments)and the Wimmera Catchment ManagementAuthority have been close partners oftenserving on the Management Committee –informing, guiding and participating in thedevelopment of Project Platypus. JulieAndrew and Max Skene in particular werelong serving and supportive members.

The Project Platypus Manager has alwaysbeen a vital contributor to the ManagementCommittee, and as an employee is able toprovide the administrative support,background to issues and the links betweenpartners, sponsors, staff and themanagement committee.

Bill Pyke consulting engineer on a bus tourwith the Management Committee 2011

Max Skene, Regional Landcare Facilitatorand great supporter of Project Platypus

The late Jane Williams, inaugural secretary and plant guru smiling despitethe very wet 2005 Plantout

The present Management Committee

Leanne Jackman at home on the farm

8

Sub-committees or Action Groups havebeen an ongoing feature of the ProjectPlatypus structure. They have functioned togarner the expertise of landholders, sponsorsand agencies to develop plans, projects andpriorities and make recommendations to theManagement Committee. Typically subcommittees have included groups such asRevegetation and Biodiversity, ErosionControl, Climate Change, Project Oversight,Implementation and Scientific Accountability,Partnerships, Funding & Finance,Organisational Development andCommunications. Many members havemade valuable contributions to the directionand actions of Project Platypus byparticipating on these committees.

Management CommitteeAchievements

The Project Platypus we see in 2012 is atestament to the successful management byprevious and present ManagementCommittees. To take an idea of an umbrellalandcare group and develop this into theorganisation we see today with a full timeManager and a dozen staff, an annualbudget of $800,000, up to a hundred projectsites per year and regular community eventsall funded through successful applicationsfor grants and sponsorship is an outstandingachievement.

The Management Committee continues tosupport “a strong and innovative community-driven organisation, providing leadership inimproving the environmental health of theUpper Wimmera Catchment and contributingto the prosperity and health of thecommunity.” Some of their majorachievements have been

• Obtaining funding to employ managers andto undertake on-ground works. Without thefunds for projects, for project facilitators anda manager, not much can happen on-groundor in the office. The committee hassuccessfully achieved their aim tosupplement funds from government grantswith funds from sponsors and philanthropicorganisations to increase the resilience ofthe organisation.

• Developing an organisational model whichhas grown and responded to changingcircumstances. Ensuring appropriate

governance through legal compliance,producing an up to date constitution,instituting financial tracking andaccountability have all contributed to theviability and credibility of the organisation.

• Building a strong financial base andaccounting system to serve the growingorganisation has been an ongoing task ofManagers, Management Committees andbook keepers. Running the Project Platypus“business” effectively has only beenachieved by constantly reviewing accountingsystems and procedures.

• Promoting and building a credible profilefor the organisation is important for sponsorswant to see a well run organisation,Landcare Groups who want to deal with aneffective umbrella organisation and theManagement Committee and staff who wantto work for an efficient and responsibleorganisation. Project Platypus continues tobe viewed as an innovative and skillednatural resource manager and an effectiveleader for its rural communities.

The 2012 Management Committee hasrecently completed the Strategic Plan for2012-2014, which reviewed the Vision,Purpose and Guiding Principles of theorganisation and listed the objectives for thenext 3 years and the measurable outcomeson which the success of the organisationcan be judged. The relationship between the11 member Landcare Groups and ProjectPlatypus and the function and membershipof the 5 sub-committees has also beenrevised to ensure a continuing healthy andmutually beneficial relationship.

The present committee continues to reflecton the past and plan for the future of theorganisation. Current Chair LeanneJackman acknowledges all the committeemembers who have generously volunteeredtheir time and skills over the years “For allthe energy and enthusiasm freely given, wehave been rewarded with a wealth ofstimulating social and community interactionwith the added bonus of enjoying andenhancing our beautiful naturalenvironment. The mix of experienced andfresh faces on our current committee seesus not only enjoying our time together, butalso well placed to make the most ofchallenges and opportunities for the future.”

Three Management Committee chairs and Emily at Project Platypus 10th anniversary

Meetings of staff, Landcare Groups andManagement Committee are important

One of the most enjoyable tasks – releasing platypus back into the river

Management Committee regularly undertake site visits to look at projects

Julie Andrew from DPI in discussions withAthol Mackay

9

Jane Marriott at a seed collecting workshop

Leigh Blackmore the current managermaking a presentation to Landcare

Manager Luke Scott directs proceedingsat a Plantout

Project Platypus manager Peter Hilbighands over the reins to Emily Tyson

First full time Manager Kerryn Shrank gotthe organisation off to a great start

Project Platypus Managers

Whilst the Management Committee overseesthe development of the organisation, the dayto day running of the business requires theregular and constant attention of a Managerwho also provides leadership for the ProjectPlatypus team. Project Platypus has beenextremely fortunate in the calibre of itsManagers, each making a unique andvaluable contribution to the organisation.

The first person to fulfil this part time role withthe title of Project Officer was SherrieChristian in early 1996. Sherrie’s role was tocontact landcare groups about possibleprojects and try to find potential sponsors. InAugust 1996 Kerryn Shrank was appointedas the first Manager. Kerryn was secondedfrom the NRCL (Natural ResourcesConservation League) which operated out ofthe Wail Nursery. Kerryn organised thelaunch of the partnership with CRA atSeppelts in 1996 and was instrumental inbedding down that partnership in its first year.One of the biggest events organised byKerryn was a weekend workshop at HallsGap in July 1997 at which the ManagementCommittee priorities and objectives for thenext 3 – 5 years were developed. Throughdiligent applications for funding ProjectPlatypus was able to employ Kerryn full time.At the end of 1997 Kerryn took up anotherposition after having set up an excellentframework for the structure and operation ofProject Platypus.

In 1998 Project Manager Peter Hilbig, ascience teacher and assistant principal atStawell Secondary College began the task ofconsolidating and expanding the role andactivities of the organisation. Setting up thesystems and structures to take theorganisation forward and looking for avenuesfor funding were Peter’s key tasks. Peterrecalls “When exploring the possibility ofapplying for the manager position at ProjectPlatypus I visited work in progress at Aston’sScour and spoke with landholders and otherstakeholders. I was struck by thecommitment of the people, their concern fora sustainable future and the scope of theirprojects. Their infectious passion inspiredme to proceed with my application and I wasexcited to join Project Platypus to support its

significant vision. This was turned out to be avery rewarding opportunity.”After a stintteaching in Malaysia, Peter returned toStawell Secondary College as Principal.

When Emily Anderson (nee Tyson) beganwork as Manager in 2004, she broughtexperience as a Landcare facilitator and anenthusiasm for engaging with the community.Up until this time Project Platypus had beenhoused in the DPI/DSE office in Patrick St,occupying a space about six square metres,so with the steady growth of the organisationlooking for a new office was a priority. In2005 an old building on the corner of Patrickand Main St was secured, renovated and itsthree rooms set up as a display area, a fivedesk office area and a kitchen meeting area.Emily describes the office “This space,coined the ‘Project Platypus LandcareCentre’ really established Project Platypusas an independent leader in the NRMindustry, it was a wonderful place to workand encouraged many people such asLandcare members, colleagues, volunteersand the general public to drop in and find outwhat Project Platypus was all about.” TodayEmily lives with Nick and two children on thefarm near Willaura and keeps in touch withNRM issues as a board member of theWimmera Catchment Management Authority.

Luke Scott began in 2007 and he capablyfilled the shoes of previous incumbents usinghis background as a zoologist to addressbiodiversity in revegetation projects andpromote our icon, the platypus. A humorouspresentation on platypus with a variety ofprops at an AGM was typical of Luke’s senseof humour. Luke found that commutingbetween family living in Warrnambool andwork in the Wimmera took its toll and at theend of 2007 he resigned to take on asustainability role at Warrnambool TAFE.This was followed by two years as storemanager on a NT aboriginal community.Luke is presently working in the Dept ofClimate Change, Canberra.

Having served as Stawell Urban LandcareGroup representative on the Project PlatypusManagement Committee and as the localWaterwatch facilitator Leigh Blackmore wasable to hit the ground running when he wasappointed as Project Platypus Manager in

1.3 Project Platypus Staff

10

2008. Leigh’s first task was to review theaccounting system of the ever growingorganisation, organising the payment of thewages for up to twenty employees and adozen different funding sources at any onetime. Leigh has overseen the biggest growthin the organisation since its inception and hasdeveloped and implemented streamlinedsystems for managing the organisation thathave improved the efficiency of ProjectPlatypus. Leigh recalls “Relocating ProjectPlatypus to the Western Highway site whichwould house the office based staff and theincreasing number of vehicles andequipment in one location was an importantstep in the consolidation and efficientoperation of Project Platypus.”

Project Platypus Staff

Since its inception more than 30 staffmembers, many of them part time or casualemployees have made contributions toProject Platypus. The nature of theorganisation has attracted people withpassion and enthusiasm for their role and theorganisation. Because of the ephemeralnature of landcare funding jobs are oftenshort term, part time, seasonal and projectbased.

Jane Marriott, one of the first employees,began as Seed Bank Co-ordinator in 2000and is still working part time on variousprojects. Jane recalls “The seed collectionrole saw me out and about the catchmentand I loved exploring the region looking forremnants to collect from and for potentialrevegetation sites.” Other roles and projectsthat Jane has applied her passion for theenvironment and organisational skills includeWorks Co-ordinator, Engaging SmallLandholders, Community Engagement,organiser Agrifest 2011 and author of theProject Platypus & GWMWater Partnership15 year celebration book and the SouthernBrown Bandicoot Recovery Plan.

Bernie Rudolph began as a part timeNavarre’s Rabbit Facilitator and in March2004 commenced as ‘Weed facilitator andrevegetation support’ but became full timeWorks Co-ordinator when Adam Merrickresigned. Bernie’s relaxed and friendlymanner led to many landholders signing upfor revegetation and remnant protection

projects and the annual plant and hectaretotals reached new records each year.Although the roles of project officers could bedescribed as Natural Resource Managementpositions, it is the people management andinteraction that determines the success ofprojects and Bernie’s record was excellent.Bernie left the organisation in 2010 for abreak from the hectic round of WorksAgreements, Plantout planning, compilingtree orders, organising plantings etc. Hereminisces “I spent a lot of time chatting withlandowners about projects, the weather etcbut it is critical to build rapport,understanding and trust to ensure thesuccess of projects long after the project iscompleted.”

Sean Malloy worked on weed and rabbitcontrol projects for almost 10 years. Sean’sannual Bridal Creeper spraying program hasseen a dramatic reduction in the spread ofthis invasive weed. Sean has also beeninvolved in facilitating rabbit and weed controlfor Landcare Groups and otherorganisations. The capacity of ProjectPlatypus to address pest plants and animalshas increased dramatically and today twospray trailers operate for a large part of eachyear with six part-time staff. These wellresourced and experienced work teams arein a good position to undertakecomplementary weed and rabbit control forlocal councils or for landholders undertakingindependent works.

Other people who have been employed byProject Platypus and made valuablecontributions to rabbit or weed control,administration, revegetation works,bookkeeping, are - Judy Sheppard, AllistairJohnson, Linton Argall, Anne Dempster,Tristan Kennedy, Joe Facey, MichaelMcMurtrie, Peter Greenberger, Lisa Moore,Jacqueline Young, Victoria Leeke, MichelleSimpkin, Colin Snooks, David Margetson,Cathy McDermott, Bronwyn Bant, GraemePearson, Angela Jones, Bob Wallace, BarryCurtis, Adam Merrick and Allistair Stephens.There has been a number of casual staff whohave undertaken short term projects andtasks, as well as participants in LabourPrograms who have all contributed gettingthe jobs done at Project Platypus.

It is hard to escape the mobile phone!Peter Hilbig and volunteer

Current staff members in the bush behindthe office

A staff BBQ meeting at Halls Gap in 2010

Project Platypus staff and volunteers in2006

Bernie Rudolph out on site discussing erosion projects with Bill Pyke and GeorgeHolden

1 .4 Sponsors, Fund ing and Partnerships

11

Sponsorship celebrations by the Management Committee and John Smartfrom Rio Tinto

The official launch of Rio Tinto ProjectPlatypus partnership with Minister PatMacNamara and Michael McMurtrie

The signing of the major sponsorship dealwith Rio Tinto (CRA)

Landcare Australia and Rob Youl havebeen long term supporters and promotersof Project Platypus

The launch of one of the first projectscompleted at Ron Bibby’s hill

Worthy projects don’t just appear and canrequire considerable research and groundwork often beyond the scope of LandcareGroups to prepare and execute. In addition,the sources of funds and their pre requisiteshave and continue to be ever changing andrarely ongoing. Having an umbrella groupsuch as Project Platypus to negotiate, applyfor and administer the funding of projectshas greatly reduced the workload ofLandcare Groups.

The common theme of early ManagementCommittee meetings was applying for grantsand seeking sponsorship. Project Platypusrelied on the enthusiasm and vision of theinaugural Management Committee,Landcare Group members and supporterssuch as Dave Munday and Barry Clugston toattract funds. In 1994 a Project Platypusnewsletter described the need forsponsorship “... so we can accelerate theadoption of Landcare solutions to theproblems of the catchment.” A talk by SusanHolmes from Telecom in 1995 detailed therequirements of a potential sponsor, how toapproach a sponsor and what a companywould expect to receive for their sponsorship.In early 2005 a two day SponsorshipWorkshop facilitated by Landcare Australiaclarified some of the issues and approaches.The support and sourcing of sponsors byRob Youl, Landcare Australia and theLandcare Foundation has contributed to thesuccess of Project Platypus.

To provide potential sponsors with theinformation on which to make a decision thecomprehensive document Project Platypus –A Major Landcare Initiative for the UpperWimmera Catchment was producedidentifying the aims of Project Platypus,Landcare targets and potential budgets. Thisdocument along with persuasiveconversations, meetings and presentationsestablished the bona fides that sponsorswould require to fund the new organisation.

GWMWater

In late 1994 Wimmera Mallee Water wasapproached for sponsorship and in 1995Project Platypus efforts were rewardedwith funds for undertaking ‘The UpperWimmera Catchment Support Initiative’,described by Wimmera Mallee Water as“an investment in land rehabilitation works... sparked by the need to improve waterquality in the Wimmera River.”

GWMWater (previously Wimmera MalleeWater and Grampians Water) annualfunding has continued, typically for erosioncontrol works which have taken place inthe Six Mile Catchment, Astons Scour,Ironpot Creek, Mt Drummond, Glendhu,Daves Avenue, Salt Creek Elmhurst andsmaller projects across the catchment.Funds also supported the setting up andoperation of a seed bank which suppliedseed for the ever growing revegetationprojects undertaken by Project Platypuseach year. Over a 16 year period annualfunding from GWMWater has providedover $400,000 to implement projects onover 100 different sites.

Besides the GWMWater financialcontribution, the input of the staff and theboard of GWMWater has enhanced theoperation of the Project Platypusorganisation and the quality of projects.The ongoing advice, expertise andcommitment by Nigel Binney and PeterJackson from GWMWater have beenanother positive and rewarding componentof the partnership. A publication ProjectPlatypus and GWMWater - Celebrating the15 year Partnership in Landcare Works1995 - 2010 describes the history anddetails of the GWMWater and ProjectPlatypus partnership. As the first andcontinuing sponsor of Project Platypus,GWMWater has played a pivotal role in thehistory of Project Platypus.

A major driver for establishing Project Platypus as an umbrellaLandcare Group or network was to reduce the workload of LandcareGroup Office bearers and members in keeping up to date withLandcare initiatives and applying for and administering funds,particularly for broad scale projects across several Landcare Groupareas and whole of catchment projects.

12

Rio Tinto

In 1995 when CRA Limited (later Rio Tinto)was undertaking exploratory work formineral sand extraction at Burnt Creeknear Dadswells Bridge, local CRA managerJohn Smart was approached and thepossible sponsorship of Project Platypuswas discussed.

In subsequent discussions with HelenFenney, the PR consultant for CRA, apartnership agreement was developedwhich was mutually advantageous. Theirsponsorship would fund the setting up ademonstration site(s) which would facilitatethe establishment of a credible andscientific response to catchment problems.The list of issues to be addressed indocumenting the partnership agreementwas daunting but with good will on all sidesand extensive communications, apartnership was forged. In November 1996CRA Project Platypus – A LandcarePartnership was launched by the Hon PatMcNamara at Seppelts, Great Western.This certainty of funding with $100,000each year for the next three years, andlater a further three years, gave the ProjectPlatypus organisation a very welcomeboost in morale and capacity.

A requirement of the partnership was thatall projects should have a scientific basisand that they should be monitored toassess their success or failure. The AstonsScour and Ironpot Creek projects weredeveloped and became the two fundeddemonstration sites. Bores and othermonitoring methods were incorporated intothe projects to measure their success. AScientific Advisory Committee wasestablished in 1996 and recruited a rangeof experts in their field, Project Platypusmembers and CRA representatives toensure that these and future projectsfulfilled the requirements set out in thepartnership agreement.

In addition to the generous fundingagreements, the valuable mentoring andsupport from Helen Fenney and JohnSmart in particular continued throughoutthe 8 year life of Rio Tinto involvement.The certainty and on-going nature of Rio

Tinto funding allowed the Project Platypusorganisation to grow, consolidate, developand enhance its professional profile.

Federal and State GovernmentPartnerships and Funding

Since the inception of Landcare in 1986there has been bipartisan support fromFederal and State Governments. However,periodical changing of the funding prioritieshas led to Landcare operating in anuncertain environment. Without continuityof funding and changeable overarchingstructures, Project Platypus and Landcarehave at times struggled to maintainmomentum.

Today funding for Landcare activities hasincreased and the need to supportLandcare is better recognised. WhilstProject Platypus has been fortunate toobtain sponsorship funds and grants fromPhilanthropic Trusts, it is funds such as thefederal Natural Heritage Trust, NationalLandcare Program, Caring For OurCountry and state initiatives such as LandProtection Incentives and 2nd GenerationLandcare Funding which have enabledProject Platypus to undertake large scalerevegetation and remnant protectionprojects across the Upper Catchment.

The support of state government officersfrom DSE and DPI (and their previousincarnations) has been crucial to thesuccess of Project Platypus. In the earlyyears Mary Bignell promoted the formationof Project Platypus and she developed thefirst Project Platypus Action Plan whichprovided clear direction for future projects.Project Platypus and the Landcare Groupsare fortunate to have had an excellentsequence of state government fundedLandcare facilitators - Dave Munday,Felicity Brown (now Christian), EmmaBayley Stark, Jayne Holmes (now Drum),Victoria Leeke and presently Bob Wallace.For a number of years Julie Andrew fromDPI provided the Management Committeewith an important link with stategovernment initiatives and helped ensurethe co-ordination of works across thecatchment. Max Skene as the regionalLandcare facilitator with the WCMA madean outstanding contribution to the

A bus trip around the catchment with theWCMA and Management Committee onboard

A booklet was produced and launched tocelebrate the 15 year partnership withGWMWater

Nigel Binny and Barry Clugston from longterm sponsors GWMWater were shownprospective works

Signs reflected the new partnership withRio Tinto

Rio Tinto guided some on-ground workssuch as here in the Iron Pot catchment

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development of the Project Platypusorganisation. Joel Boyd is now theRegional Landcare facilitator supportingProject Platypus and the LandcareGroups.

Developed from the previous Catchmentand Land Protection (CALP) boards, theWimmera Catchment ManagementAuthority (WCMA) is the regional StatutoryAuthority Natural Resource Managementbody in the Wimmera. Funded by the StateGovernment, it is responsible for creating ahealthier and more sustainableenvironment in partnership with a range oforganisations and stakeholders such asProject Platypus.

Philanthropic Trusts

Government funding requirements mayexclude important projects that have beenidentified by Landcare Groups or ProjectPlatypus as having merit. To this endobtaining Philanthropic Trust grants haveenabled a broader range of worthwhileprojects to be achieved across the UpperWimmera Catchment. These funds havealso been used to leverage governmentgrants when matching funds were requiredor to fund wages for project managers orco-ordinators.

Project Platypus is extremely grateful tothe trustees of the following organisationsfor their confidence in the organisation to

deliver a wide variety of projects whichhave contributed to the environmental andsocial health of the catchment.

• Mazda Foundation – part fundingmanager position

• Myer Foundation – to establish theProject Platypus website, to undertakeplatypus surveys

• Ian Potter Foundation – part fundingmanager position

• Helen McPherson Smith Trust –Protecting Paddock Trees project

• Norman Wettenhall Foundation –Southern Brown Bandicoot Recovery Plan

• William Buckland Foundation – partfunding manager position

• Reichstein Foundation - early support forsetting up Project Platypus

Other Sponsors and Partners

Project Platypus has been privileged toenjoy excellent relationships with otherorganisations and businesses, many ofthem local, and with other NGO’s involvedin natural resource management. Wethank the following for their past orcontinuing contribution to Project Platypusand the Landcare community.

For many years local seed was collectedto provide diverse revegetation plants

Funds provided materials for volunteers toconstruct and erect nest boxes

Rabbit control is an essential componentof land management

Aerial flights over the catchment havebeen pivotal for planning and monitoring

Besides funds for revegetation sponsorsand grants have funded a wide range ofprojects

Greening Australia Woolman/Advance Coles Petroleum

Grampians Community Ararat City Council Pyrenees ShireHealth Council

University of Ballarat Workco Stawell Gold Mines

Conundrum Holdings Seppelts /Southcorp Powercor

SP AusNet Pomonal Wildflower Vicroads Nursery

Conservation Volunteers Parks Victoria Northern GrampiansAustralia Shire Council

Foundation for Regional RACV Landcare Australia and Rural Renewal

Victorian 4WD Mobile Warratah Fencing Trust for NatureLandcare Group

Green Eggs SES Landmark Australia

1.5 Volunteers and Work Crews... getting the work done

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The contribution made by volunteers and various works crews to theoperation, development and success of Project Platypus is perhaps themost outstanding feature of the organisation. From the manythousands of hours spent by Project Platypus and Landcare Groupcommittee members attending meetings to the hundreds of peopleparticipating in Plantouts, the contributions of volunteers is what makesProject Platypus and Landcare happen!.

Some of the teams who have featured inprojects and tasks are

Schools have been involved in a rangeof Project Platypus activities. JaneSchmidt from Skene St School hasorganised students to help with treeplanting, painting nest boxes, foldingnewsletters and catering. John Pye, pastteacher from Stawell Secondary Collegehas given students the opportunity to beinvolved in tree planting, erosion controlwork and catchment studies. Studentsfrom the three Stawell Primary schools,Marian College and small rural schoolshave been involved in planting days andhave done a great job assistinglandholders getting a large number oftrees planted and guarded. Theseactivities with local schools are mutuallyrewarding partnerships that contribute tothe future health of our environment.

Project Platypus has regularly hadGreencorps and ConservationVolunteers Australia teams assisting withvarious projects from seed collecting toplanting and spraying weeds. Anexperienced team leader comes with theteam who can work independently of

Project Platypus staff. These crews withtheir comprehensive training are able toachieve significant outcomes in fencing,revegetation and weed control projects.Adam Blake, Joel Hastings and BobWallace are some of the Greencorpsteam leaders who have taken a group ofteenagers and developed them into a“green team”.

Part of the Scouting experience involvesparticipating in community projects andProject Platypus is fortunate that theAvoca and Ararat scouting groups havecontributed to our annual planting effortssince 2001 at sites at Glendhu, Elmhurst,Bulgana and Dadswells Bridge. Anovernight camp out and camp food is partof the environmental experience whichhas enhanced the horizons of the scoutsand contributed to the success of anumber of revegetation projects.

The Landmate prison works crew haveprovided thousands of hours labour,assisting landholders undertaking largeprojects. Several thousand kilometres offences to protect vegetation or fence outerosion control works from stock havebeen erected and their skill andorganisation in planting thousands oftrees a day is something to be seen -often in harsh weather and with tough siteconditions! For many years Keith Pricewas the Landmate supervisor, followed byWilber Wilde - both skilled in motivatingand organising Landmate teams.

Because of the variety of work availableand its willingness to involve thecommunity, Project Platypus hasbenefited from many individuals engagedin employment projects. Participantshave joined weed spraying teams,planting, fencing and office work and

The Landmate crew undertake the hugetask of spreading hay to stabilise an erosion site

The Avoca scouts and their leaders are agreat planting team

A Greencorps spraying team prepare sitesfor planting by eradicating weeds

Green Corps crews undertake fencing,planting and in this case seed collecting

Skene St students can turn their hand tomany tasks including folding and staplingnewsletters

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have increased the labour available toassist landholders to complete theirLandcare projects. Some of theparticipants have gone on to full timeemployment based on their positive workexperiences at Project Platypus.

The Men’s Shed in Stawell led by BrianWinters, built dozens of bird and mammalnest boxes as part of a Stawell GoldMines grant to Project Platypus and thesewere distributed across the region. Thenest boxes and the picnic tablesconstructed for a walking track projectwere completed to a high standard.

Plantout Volunteers account for thegreatest number of people involved inProject Platypus activities. Volunteerscome from far and near attracted by theopportunity to make a real contribution tothe environment and have fun being partof a large, well organised team. Manyplanters return each year for theexperience and some go on to becomeinvolved in Project Platypus in otherways. (See Plantout section)

The Landcare movement is essentiallyfounded on the volunteer activities of allthe Landcare Groups and their individualmembers – putting their hand up as officebearers, attending meetings, participatingin working bees, undertaking works ontheir own or members’ properties,organising or participating in communityevents, catering!

The contribution and achievements ofeach of the Landcare Groups in theUpper Wimmera Catchment are detailedand further celebrated in Part 2 of thispublication.

Project Platypus acknowledges thewonderful contribution that thousands ofvolunteers have made to all aspects ofProject Platypus operations and toLandcare in the region. All the volunteersgroups and individuals are thanked.Because Project Platypus values theirvolunteers they have set in place systemsto ensure the volunteer experience isrewarding and safe, so volunteers willreturn for more of the same!

In response to the 2006 fires CliveCrouch and volunteers constructed anddistributed nest boxes

Hundreds of Plantouts volunteers haveplanted thousands of trees

The Stawell Mens Shed group made nestboxes as part of a wildlife project

Volunteers hard at work planting andguarding in freezing conditions at Warrak

A variety of employment projects havebenefited participants, Project Platypusand landholders

1.6 Project Platypus Projects

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Engaging works facilitators and consultants, implementing OH&Smeasures, purchasing and maintaining equipment, supplies andvehicles, applying for grants and sponsorship, researching, planningand prioritising projects are all prerequisites to the efficient roll out ofthe all important on-ground works Project Platypus undertakes.

Hundreds of landholders from across thecatchment have undertaken projectsfacilitated by Project Platypus to addresssalinity, erosion, loss of habitat, remnantprotection, pest plant and animal control,sustainable farming practices and carbonfarming on their properties.

Once funding is secured, landholders aresought who fit the funding criteria and whoappreciate the benefits of the project to theenvironmental health and productivity oftheir land. Sites are then inspected by aProject Platypus Works Co-ordinator, worksagreements are drawn up detailing thecommitments of both parties, sitepreparations commence, plants forrevegetation sites are ordered and projectsare underway.

Some of the first projects in 1995 and 1996were erosion control works and plantingfunded by Wimmera Mallee Water on theDarbyshire and Greene’s property at SaltCreek at Elmhurst, hill planting and erosionworks on Ron Bibby’s hill at Navarre, andsaline revegetation on Ian Brady’s Moystonproperty.

Some key areas where projects which havebeen undertaken over the last 18 years are

• Integrated Sub Catchment works

- Astons Scour Catchment – integratedsub catchment works

- Six Mile Catchment – integrated subcatchment works

- Mt Drummond – erosion control

- Glendhu Catchment – integrated subcatchment works

• Protecting Platypus, Bandicoots andBiodiversity

• Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink -Revegetation and Remnant Protection

• Weed Control across the catchment

Astons Scour Landsborough

The high silt loads entering the WimmeraRiver from the 5200 ha Astons Scourcatchment near Landsborough, and theerosion on the lower slopes and flats belowMt Struggle prompted its nomination in1995 as a Pilot Project to demonstrate awell planned and scientific response to avariety of long standing land degradationissues. Funds from Rio Tinto, GWMWater,federal and state governments along withlandholder commitments allowedcomprehensive planning and mapping ofthe Astons Catchment, followed bybattering of gullies, installation of gully plugdams, fencing of waterways, establishmentof perennial pasture, rabbit control andrevegetation works. With Rio Tintoinvolvement, Project Platypus wasencouraged to adopt a scientific approachto projects involving comprehensiveplanning, costing, recording and monitoringof works. Records from stream gaugingstations, site visits and photographic

Repairing Mt Drummond’s eroded gulliesand retaining trees posed some issues

Starts Glendhu property magnificent butwith many issues

Water rushing off Glendhu’s steep clearedhills causes massive erosion

The after photo tells the success story witheroded banks healed and water managed

Works on Col Deans Astons property including flood retention dams, batteringand sowing down banks

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comparisons have been useful tools inassessing the improvements in thefunctioning of the landscape from projectsundertaken across Astons Scour. Thepositive impact of works was the result of aproductive partnership between committedlandholders, consultants and advisors, theConcongella Landcare Group, thesponsors, contractors, volunteers andProject Platypus. Works in the Iron PotCreek catchment were part of a secondPilot Project.

Six Mile Creek Catchment

The Six Mile Creek sub catchment of theWimmera is more than 10,000ha and risesin steep hills of the Dunneworthy Forestand enters the Wimmera River near JoelJoel. Landholders in the Concongella andGreat Western Landcare Groups wereparticularly concerned with their seriouserosion. This led to these landholderscoming together with Project Platypus toidentify the areas of degradation, draw upa plan of action and determine priorities forundertaking works.

The first plan collated by Mary Bignall wasbased on landholder input and was laterreviewed and updated by Lisa Moore inconjunction with landholders.Revegetation works on the steep bare hillsof the catchment were followed by erosioncontrol on the lower slopes and flats,fencing off creek lines and establishingperennial pastures and native vegetation.

In 2005 works in the catchment werefunded through a NLP grant “Saving theSoils of the Six Mile” and boosted in 2008with a $300,000 State Government Grantwhich saw prioritised works undertakenacross more than 12 properties. Workcontinues but today the much healthiercatchment reflects the substantialinvestment of state and federalgovernments and GWMWater, the effortsof a group of motivated landholders andthe securing of funds and co-ordination ofworks by Project Platypus.

Mt Drummond

Northern Grampians Landcare Group sawthe degradation of Mt Drummond and its

lower slopes as a priority for works. Apartnership between the Landcare Group,landholders, engineering consultant BillPyke, GWMWater and Project Platypushas seen extensive works undertaken over10 years.

The results have been dramatic – shiftingsoils on slopes have been stabilised bycontrolling grazing, active gully erosionhas been repaired, areas have beenrevegetated with trees or grasses andvarious water diversion measuresinstituted. Because site works take time tostabilise, the site has required continuedmonitoring to ensure that works are notcompromised by heavy rains. TheNorthern Grampians Landcare Groupregularly undertakes monitoring andmaintenance works to ensure the projectcontinues to be successful.

The on-going partnership with GWMWaterhas allowed minor repair works to beundertaken when needed and highlightsthe value of a long term commitment froma sponsor organisation.

Glendhu

The steep cleared hills of the GlendhuCreek catchment contribute significant siltloads to the Wimmera River. A largeportion of the catchment is occupied byJack and Lyn Start’s 2400ha visuallystunning Glendhu Station. Jack’s ambitionis to restore the property by fencing outand revegetating the steep hills to reducerun off and erosion, repair eroded gulliesand farm the lower slopes and flatssustainably.

This massive undertaking is assisted byJack’s fleet of earthmoving equipment torip planting lines and repair eroded gulliesand through a variety of funding sources.With contributions from DPI, the WCMAand Project Platypus and volunteers thepartnership has been productive.Landmate has erected fences and plantedtrees, the Avoca scouts have contributedto several plantings and Project PlatypusPlantout volunteers have planted over50,000 plants across the steep rocky hillsand along eroded gullies. The works on

Trickle pipes capture the excess flow anddirect water to the base of the gully

Site visits with landholders of the 6 MileCreek Catchment and engineers determining the best solutions

Aerial photos of the Six Mile Creek Catchment are a graphic way to see theextent of the problems

Some solutions at Mt Drummond were assimple as establishing contour banks and intercepting with lines of plants

Engineer Bill Pyke and Works CoordinatorBernie Rudolph are happy with the results at Mt Drummond

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this property have been ground breakingand provide a dramatic example oflandscape scale rehabilitation. In years tocome these works at Glendhu will make asignificant contribution to biodiversityconservation.

Complementary erosion control work,perennial pasture establishment andrevegetation have also taken place on theadjoining properties of Perry Richards,Harold and Edith Thomas and Allen andAndrea Hart and have contributed to asubstantial reduction in silt loads enteringthe Wimmera River.

Platypus, Bandicoots andBiodiversity

It is fitting that the subject of the ProjectPlatypus logo and namesake, theplatypus, has been the basis of severalProject Platypus studies in the UpperWimmera Catchment since 1997.Historically platypus had been recorded ina number of stretches of the WimmeraRiver, Mt Cole and Nowhere Creeks butrigorous studies had been few andsightings largely anecdotal. During RioTinto’s sponsorship, the AustralianPlatypus Conversancy (APS) inconjunction with Earthwatch Australiaconducted a series of live trappingprograms to determine the presence ofplatypus in the Upper Wimmera catchment.Melody Serena and Geoff Williams fromthe APS invited community members toassist with the trapping program. Thisinvolved two hourly checking of trapsovernight and next day if you were luckyviewing the endearing creatures beingweighed and recorded.

Reports on the health of the population andtheir environment were published over theseveral years of trapping. In the late 1990’sgood numbers were reported in the upperreaches of the Wimmera River, Mt ColeCreek, Nowhere Creek but verydisappointing numbers between 2006 and2010 when rivers and refuge pools driedup and surveys ceased. Just prior to thebreaking of the drought a limited trappingprogram recorded two platypus in a deeppool near Dadswells Bridge but their wider

return since the drought broke is unknown.A 2012/2013 project will look at the affectof the prolonged drought on platypuspopulations, ways to secure populations,improve platypus habitat and develop alocal platypus management and recoveryplan.

The Southern Brown Bandicoot was oncecommon in the Black Range, in theGrampians National Park and on theGrampians fringes centred on Pomonal. Bythe early 1990’s Black Range LandcareGroup members had noted their dramaticdecline and received a grant fromEnvirofund for surveys to determine thepresence of bandicoots, to increase andlink areas of bandicoot habitat and topromote community awareness.Unfortunately a fire across the BlackRange in 2006 is believed to have all butwiped out any remaining populations. Thefocus for the group subsequently shifted toproviding refuges for the bandicoots andother wildlife remaining and to undertakingfox control to reduce predation onvulnerable wildlife.

In 2009 a Project Platypus revegetationproject was undertaken to commence alink/corridor of continuous vegetationbetween the Black Range and theGrampians. Presently Project Platypus isfocussing on efforts to recover thenationally threatened bandicoot byimplementing a large scale and long termfox control program on private property inconjunction with controls on public land.This was the priority action listed in thelocal bandicoot recovery plan produced byProject Platypus in 2011.

Maintaining and improving biodiversity isa key pillar of Project Platypus works. Inparticular, its revegetation and remnantprotection works aim to provide thediversity of habitat needed to maintainfauna populations. Other biodiversityprojects have included nest box makingand distributing, bandicoot refuges, Faunaand Birds on Farms Workshops,information sheets on Mistletoe, promotionof the habitat values of logs and hollowsand paddock trees, revegetation andremnant protection.

The ultimate goal of revegetation! In thiscase a site protected by fencing out stock

Increasing the linkages between theGrampians and Pyrenees will increase theresilience of fauna

Communicating the results of trapping andinvolving the community increases awareness

Researching platypus in the waterways inthe Upper Wimmera has been a focus ofbiodiversity projects

Paddock trees are important aestheticallyand for biodiversity

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Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink

Historically erosion control works were themajor projects undertaken by ProjectPlatypus. Today however revegetationworks and remnant protection are themajor on-ground activities of ProjectPlatypus, closely followed by weed controlactivities. Each year when the call forinterest in revegetation works are made,many landholders from across the regionrespond and the Project Platypusrevegetation manager inspects sites andwith the landholders develops a worksplan. This typically involves the landholderreceiving a subsidy per metre to erectfences, the landholder ripping and sprayingplanting lines and Project Platypuspurchasing plants and guards. Assistancewith labour from volunteer groups andworks teams is available for all aspects ofa project if the project is large or if thelandholder is unable to undertake the work.

In 2008 Project Platypus commenced apartnership revegetation and remnantprotection project with the WCMA calledthe Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink.Project Platypus has revegetated about300ha each year based on the need toconnect fragmented landscapes, toprovide habitat for fauna and to respond toclimate change. Projects typically involve arange of preparations prior to planting asuite of species from grasses to treeswhich help provide the diversity necessaryto sustain healthy ecosystems. Projectswhich provide the greatest benefits receivea greater subsidy per metre for fencing.Projects can vary from a 1 ha fencing outof a paddock tree to fencing off andrevegetating a 50ha site. A tentative smallfirst project often leads to furtherinvolvement in projects by the landholder.

Providing habitat for nationally or statethreatened fauna species and protecting orenhancing nationally threatenedvegetation communities are the principlesof funding from the Caring For OurCountry Federal Government funding andinclude the restoration and protection ofBuloke and Grey Box Grassy Woodland.

It is estimated that since its inceptionProject Platypus revegetation projects with

over 800,000 plants planted over 1500hain the Upper Wimmera catchment.Revegetation or remnant protectionprojects are changing the landscape in theUpper Wimmera but there is a long way togo before the issues of habitat loss,threatened species and restoringbiodiverse habitats will be adequatelyaddressed.

Weed Control

Environmental and agricultural weeds areclassified by regional, state and nationalauthorities according to their potentialthreat or spread. Farmers, LandcareGroups and the community have their ownpriority weeds depending on their situationand the extent of infestations. ProjectPlatypus aims to support community weedprojects by accessing funds to addresstheir priority weeds and providingfacilitators and equipment.

Weeds which have been on the ProjectPlatypus agenda are Bridal Creeper, SpinyRush, Patersons Curse, St Johns Wort,Broom, Horehound, Bathurst Burr, CapeTulip, Gorse, Blackberry and ChileanNeedle Grass. Sean Malloy headed thefirst weed control team and over manyyears has reduced the spread and extentof Bridal Creeper in particular. Researchinto the control of Spiny Rush led to thepublication of a booklet recommending themost efficient controls.

Mapping has become an integral part ofweed control with comprehensive recordsof the location and extent of weedpopulations and control actionsundertaken. Today Project Platypusoperates two weed spray trailers. From2008 -11 Colin Snooks developed theprogram from a two day a week projectover six months to a 5 day a week all yearwar on weeds! Allistair Stevens now co-ordinates works with Graham Pearson andDene Marshall and the two weed controlteams which operate throughout the year.Project Platypus also provides weed andrabbit control for councils, VicRoads andother land managers. Rabbit control worksare usually initiated by Landcare Groupsand Project Platypus offers experiencedfacilitators to co-ordinate the works.

Gorse on roadsides and in degraded siteshas been mapped and is sprayed annually

Volunteer Col Povey and Project PlatypusWeed Co-ordinator got stuck into thecolourful Pattersons Curse

Well equipped spray trailers make thework a little easier for spraying crews

Large hill planting sites will create the susbstantial nodes of vegetation requiredfor many birds and animals

Creek lines are an obvious site to revegetate, banks are protected, water filtered and corridors created

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Map of Project Platypus Work Sites 1994 - 2012

LEGEND

N

0 12.5 25 kilometres

Locations

Rabbit Control

Remnant Protection

Weed Control

Perennial Pasture

Revegetation

Erosion Control

WCA Major Waterways

1.7 Engaging the Community

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Encouraging the Landcare community and the general public to beinvolved in both the practical and theoretical aspects of naturalresource management is seen by Project Platypus as an importantrole. Besides regular informative articles in the media and innewsletters, Project Platypus engages speakers and presenters forworkshops, conferences and field days and has mounted manydisplays to give the community an opportunity to receive up to datefarming and landcare information.

These community events are a regularfeature in the Project Platypus calendarand besides being opportunities toincrease knowledge and understanding,they also provide social and networkingopportunities for rural communities.

Some of the regular or memorable eventsare:

Annual General Meetings are anecessary component of anyincorporated community group and tomaximise the benefit of getting a group ofpeople together to achieve anadministrative outcome, Project Platypususes the AGM as an opportunity to gatherpeople together socially as well asproviding motivational guest speakers.The number of people attending ProjectPlatypus AGM’s indicates that Landcarein our region is alive and well. Some ofour best attended AGM’s werepresentations by

• Alex Gartman in 2011 spoke about thereasons for the success of the BirchipCropping Group during her time as CEOwhich saw a dramatic growth in thatorganisation and which in some waysmirrors the Project Platypus journey.However there were significantdifferences in structure and operationsuch as their focus on research and theirability to maintain community drive whichprovided useful food for thought theProject Platypus organisation. Kate Auty,Sustainability Commissioner for Victoriaalso spoke at this meeting.

• Ben Keogh from Australian CarbonTraders presented to a packed room thebackground to Carbon Trading andAgriculture. In 2008 the time was right for

such a presentation and an extendedquestion time demonstrated the interestin the topic.

• Peter Andrew has trialled a number ofalternative approaches to managing soilerosion, poor water quality and loss ofbiodiversity. His book Back from the Brinkand belief in natural sequence farmingprovoked some controversy and hispresentation at the 2009 AGM resulted in190 attendees.

• Julian Cribb’s 2010 presentation on thefuture of food, how we will grow it, howmuch we will need to feed a growingworld was a wake-up call that we willneed to farm more sustainably if we areto feed an estimated population of 9billion in 2050.

• One of our more controversial andmemorable AGM speakers was apresentation by John Fenton from Lanarkwho was a champion for combiningbiodiversity and farming such as seen onthe Potter Farms in the Western District.Dinner and drinks and the formalities ofthe meeting took rather a long time andby the time John began his presentationsome of his ideas were couched in ratherprovocative tones which agitated much ofhis farming audience!!

• Local landholders provided theentertainment for the 2006 AGM with adebate on Is Landcare Dying? MichaelMcMurtrie in costume and Bruce Dalkin,Prue Pyke and George Holden madeinformative and interesting presentations.

Free Tree Day is a way Project Platypusseeks to introduce new landholders toLandcare and there are few better feel

In 2010 walkers take in the magnificentviews from the head of the 6 Mile catchment

Michael McMurtrie in costume and BruceDalkin debated the future of Landcare

The 10th year celebration was attended bythe who’s who of Project Platypus

190 people listened to Peter Andrew talkon Keyline farming at the 2009 AGM

Kate Auty Sustainabilty Commisioner forVictoria spoke at the 2011 AGM

good activities than planting a tree. Eachyear a particular group of landholdersare targeted to give tree planting a go.Encouraging landholders to plantpaddock trees, engaging withlandholders in the Landsborough area,distributing free native grasses andgiving away plants suited to landholdersin the Stawell Urban Landcare area aresome of the successful initiatives toencourage landholders to plant trees.

Open Landcare meetings or LandcareLinkups were held quarterly or halfyearly over several years in the mid2000’s to foster communicationsbetween the Landcare Groups in theProject Platypus “network” and allowedindividuals and groups to showcaseprojects and engage in discussionsabout projects. A different Landcaregroup would host a field visit to localworks or properties followed by abarbeque tea and get together. Groupsgetting together socialising and sharingtheir successes and failures providedpositive and valuable interactions.

Farming in the 21st Century is apartnership between local governments,DPI and Project Platypus to provideforums for farmers on developments insustainable farming. In 2009 ProjectPlatypus held field visits to the Greensand Snooks farms to see how they werediversifying and making their enterprisesmore sustainable. In 2010 Victoria Leekeorganised a very successful soilsworkshop at Pomonal.

As part of Farming in the 21st Century,Agrifest 2011 was held with workshopsto provide farmers from across theregion with an opportunity to hear thelatest innovations, predictions andinitiatives. This was generously fundedthrough a grant from the WilliamBuckland Foundation. Having highcalibre speakers, with an importantmessage and an engaging delivery wasthe aim of the day and feedback from theover 120 participants suggested thatpresentations were engaging and useful.In 2012 Agrifest was once again heldand featured speakers on marketing,

biodynamic, no till, carbon farming andwomen on farms.

Awards and presentations can providepublic recognition for one’s efforts andover the years Project Platypus hasreceived a number of awards whichusually necessitated a team “suiting up”and heading to Melbourne to see whichof the finalists won the award. One of theawards that Project Platypus hasreceived was the BP Catchment Awardin 1997.

Communicating and selling the Landcaremessage is one way to increase theawareness and membership ofLandcare.

Displays at the Wimmera Mallee FieldDay, Festivals, Stawell Agriculturalshows, the Ararat and MelbourneSustainability Expos and other eventsoften lead to positive engagements withindividuals and groups. Displays mightfocus on tree and plant species,encouraging volunteers, nest boxes,weed identification, biodiversity orrevegetation. Free plants at a displayhave proven a most successful way tostart a conversation and engage thebroader community.

Visiting demonstration sites and fieldvisits have been an essential part of theplanning, developing, implementing andmonitoring of projects. Visiting propertiesprior to or following works allowslandholders to share their knowledgeand experience and also to benefit frominteractions with neighbours, visitors orexperts in a particular field. Theseevents are also social events wherelandholders from across the catchmentcan showcase the improvements theypropose or have made.

In a catchment as large as the UpperWimmera catchment there has been agreat deal of arm waving to the head ofthe catchment or downstream todemonstrate a point. Fortunately todaythe arm waving can be followed up bydetailed mapping to identify proposedwork sites and projects.

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Hundreds of displays have been mountedby Project Platypus, including this one atCreswick Landcare Expo

Jane Williams accepts the BP CatchmentAward from Minister Marie Tehan

An excursion to Colin and Carol Snooksproperty to see green feed production waspart of Farming in the 21st Century

Landcare facilitator Bob Wallace engageswith students at Agrifest 2011 and givesthem a tree to plant

Free tree day at Landsborough in 2007 ledto rush hour outside the LandsboroughHall

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Walks across the catchment have becomea regular feature after this Mountains toMallee Walk

Landcare groups and organisations meetregularly to exchange ideas and developments

Field visits look at many aspects of farming crops, sheep management, erosion control etc

A seed collection workshop gave participants the skills to collect their ownseed for projects

A successful plant propagation workshopwas held in 2006 at Phil and JaneWilliams Wildflower nursery

Bus Tours taking sponsors such asGWMWater or Rio Tinto out to siteswhere funds have been invested hasbeen a useful means of ensuring thecontinued interest and involvement ofsponsors. Bus tours for Landcare Groupsand members, the Managementcommittee, staff and the generalcommunity have had a variety ofdestinations. Visits to other Landcareregions and groups, to sites withexemplary works or to particular eventshave helped to provide participants withskills, experiences and motivation.

Some of the most successful workshopswere the 2001 Birds on Farms and 2007Fauna on Farms which combinedpresentations by experts such as AlanReid from the Gould League andzoologist Clive Crouch with farm visits tothe Leeke’s wildlife dam and GeorgeHolden’s Ironbark remnant. Seedcollecting and plant propagationworkshops were also very popular.

Walks across the catchment to see thelay of the land, to follow a creek line fromits source or to look at projects havebecome an annual event in the ProjectPlatypus calendar.

One of the first walks was the jointWimmera Landcare Mountains to Mallee2007 project beginning on the slopes ofMt Cole where the Wimmera Riverbegins and hiking 300km to where theWimmera enters Lake Hindmarsh. Theprogress of walkers was widely reportedand provided a valuable insight into theissues affecting the Wimmera River.Other walks have been GlendhuGalivanting in 2009 which traversed thesteep hills of the Start’s spectacularCrowlands property, the Mt William Creekwalk with 60 inspired people travellingfrom the base of Mt William to nearDadswells Bridge where the creek entersthe Wimmera River and the Six Mile Walkin which began at the Dunneworthy forestand finished near Joel.

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1.8 Plantouts

2002 - Planters assemble ready for their instructions, and to collect tools and plants

2001 - A sunny day is a bonus and lunchcatered by the Elmhurst Landcare Grouprevives planters

2001 - Thorough site preparation is required for successful plantings

2000 - On the big day with team leadersorganising teams to head out planting

2000 - All the partners with landownerJack Start planning the revegetation project

Plantouts have been the annual highlight of the Project Platypuscalendar since their inception in 2000. Originally Project Platypuspartnered with DPI to organise and host revegetation works on thesteep, bare hills in the east of the catchment. As DPI salinity officer,Julie Andrew’s role was to identify saline recharge sites on steep hills,control grazing with landclass fencing and revegetate the hills.

Project Platypus organised the plantingcomponent of the project and given thedifficult steep terrain, large sites andthousands of plants a community plantingevent was chosen as the best way to getthe 15,000 – 30,000 trees in the ground.Hayley Johnson (now Molloy) from DPIcontinued in the role of co-ordinatingPlantouts. Subsequently Project Platypusorganised annual Plantouts as part of theirrevegetation program as a way to assistlandholders to complete large projects.

The planting weekend, dubbed Plantout, ispromoted to Landcare groups across theregion, local community members andvolunteers from further afield. At Plantoutthe equipment, food, shelter, toilets, warmfires and entertainment on the Saturdaynight are all provided. The combination ofsocial interactions, beautiful landscapesand hard work has proved to be a goodrecipe and each year a mix of newcomersand old timers enjoy the experience. At the2009 celebration of 10 years of PlantoutHarold and Edith Thomas, Doreen andAthol Mackay and Ken and MargaretJohnson received awards for their 10years of planting at the annual Plantouts.Plantout weather has varied from sublimeto downright freezing, but organisers lookafter planters with hot cuppas, good foodand a fire and shelter to warm up.

Recently the organisation of Plantout hasbeen modified with planting daystimetabled over 5 weekends in July, eachfor one day only. This has reduced thehuge catering requirements and sitelogistics and has given volunteers agreater window for participation. LandcareGroups help host the mini Plantouts whichare also very successful in gettingthousands of plants in the ground.Community groups are encouraged toengage members of their organisation toparticipate. Project Platypus Revegetation

Officer David Margetson explains “Insteadof each landholder struggling to plant theirown 500 or 5000 trees, volunteers do thejob and get to have fun as well. Plantout isan excellent way to get involved inLandcare, allowing for people from allwalks of life to come together and make ameaningful contribution to ourenvironment.”

Plantout 2000 Glendhu

A tough site for the first ever Plantout, the2400ha Glendhu Station property lies atthe head of Glendhu catchment and iscomprised of steep, rocky, cleared hillsand valleys incised by eroded waterways.Jack and Lynne Start have been activelyrestoring their spectacular property forover 20 years. In 2000 14,000 trees andshrubs were destined for one of their(many) steep and rocky hill sites. To getthe plants in the ground volunteers camefrom across the region to be part of theevent. Julie Andrew from DPI and ProjectPlatypus had ensured that the site hadbeen fenced, sites ripped where possible,trees and tools were distributed on site,camping sites set up and good tuckerorganised. Julie recalls “Picking holes on asteep rocky hill to create a friendly nichefor a plant was a challenge.” However,good company, an amazing landscape anda massive effort in tough conditions allmade for a successful weekend. ProjectPlatypus Manager Peter Hilbig confirmed“The welcome of the hosts Lynne andJack Start and the sheer ruggedness ofthe site made a lasting impression onvolunteers and confirmed Plantout as anannual event on the Project Platypuscalendar.”

Plantout 2001 Elmhurst

Elmhurst is surrounded by a series ofsteep bare hills on the edge of thePyrenees and Mt Cole Ranges. The role of

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2004 - Site leader Adam Merrick with theall important pre planting briefing

2004 - Paddy and Nan Burke from Moyston Landcare Group with a friendlywelcome for planters

2003 - Lunch time at Plantout is a socialoccasion and gives the legs a break fromtraversing steep hills

2003 - Landowner Joe Kilpatrick and siteleaders meet before Plantout to planPlantout activities

2002 - Teams of 3 “stake out” their rip lineand head off into the distance

Julie Andrew from DPI was to engagelandholders in revegetating their steephills. Several landholders from theElmhurst Landcare Group including Dougand Pauline Boatman took up thechallenge and prepared their steep hillplanting sites with rip lines. On the JulyPlantout day volunteers were ferried in4wd’s up the very steep hills. Teamsworked their way across and down the hill,planting trees and shrubs at therecommended spacings. Lunch wasprovided on site and after a day ofbackbreaking work, planters weretransported back to Elmhurst Golf Club,where the local hospitality was enjoyed.Doug Boatman describes “The Plantoutsite on my place was pretty rugged, rockyand steep but the volunteers got the jobdone and today we have a vegetated hillwith trees up to 8m high. It encouraged meto do further planting projects”

Plantout 2002 Navarre Hill

In the late 1990’s Ron Bibby hadsuccessfully revegetated a hill site atNavarre and this provided the impetus forplanting on Navarre Hill, owned by CharlieRaeburn and Noel Supple. Plantoutorganiser Jane Marriott describes the site“Because of its steep and rocky nature itsvalue for grazing was low but in terms ofbiodiversity it was outstanding as theoriginal grassy groundcover was largelyintact and fallen logs and rocks providedhabitat.”

Lines were ripped for planting trees andshrubs on slopes that were frighteninglysteep in places. The weather was mainlykind for the 150 or so planters who weredirected to try and find the “least rocky”spots for planting. Volunteers made theirway around the hill following rip lines andsending people back (long distances) toget more trees, guards or stakes whenthey ran out. The weather was generallykind except for a short sharp soaking rainwhich caught far flung people out on thehill but things heated up a little when acamp fire spread and a DSE vehicle had tobe moved in a hurry!

The logistics for getting tools, plants, food,shelter, people, first aid, toilets to such a

rugged area required substantialorganisation by Project Platypus. It is thishigh level of planning and organisation thatkeeps volunteers coming back. NavarreLandcare Group did a wonderful jobcatering for lunch, the evening meal as wellas breakfast for those camping at theFootball Oval site.

Plantout 2003 Joe KilpatricksHill Great Western

Yet another steep hill planting provided theusual challenges and spectacular views forplanters. In conjunction with DPI, Joe hadfenced this extensive hill site from stockand ripped planting lines to revegetate asalinity recharge site and provide asignificant remnant link with the nearbyDunneworthy Forest. Planters assembledin a sheltered valley and formed teams toplant and guard along their designated ripline at the designated spacings and withthe recommended ratios of trees to shrubs.

From a distance planters looked like antscrawling across the ground. Volunteerplanters Lisa Moore and Ray Davies recall“We joined up with a group of youngpeople and worked all day with themtaking it in turns planting, guarding andreplenishing supplies. It was great fun.”Lunch and a cuppa provided welcomebreaks but by 4.30 on Saturday afternoon,tools were returned to the tool trailer andweary planters made their way back toGreat Western for drinks at Seppelts and ameal at the Great Western Club Rooms.Live music entertained the planters whilstothers chatted round the campfire outside.After a Sunday morning planting session,another successful Plantout was declaredwith 15,000 trees in the ground.

Plantout 2004 Moyston SaltCreek

The Moyston Plantout stands out in manypeople’s memory as the Plantout wherethe sun was least evident. Fog and lowcloud were the order of the day but didn’tdampen the spirits of the 200 or soplanters as they “marched” along the SaltCreek corridor planting and guarding trees.Looking back along the planting lines withthe hundreds of white carton guards

2007 - Sites have been well prepared overthe last several months ready for planting

2006 - The warm fire, cuppa and toiletsare a long way down

2006 - Volunteers get last minute instructions and load up with plants andpicks for planting tools

2005 - Steep hills, lovely views and lots ofplants to be planted

2005 - Sleet and rain led to the only cancellation of a planting session at aPlantout!

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announcing their presence is particularlyrewarding on flat sites such as along acreek line. Team leaders directed theirteams and ensured that tools and plantswere kept up to the volunteers, that taskswere rotated and that quality control wasachieved.

Volunteers were rewarded with the sight ofthousands of white guards flanking the SaltCreek as they drove home on Sundayafternoon along the Moyston to GreatWestern Rd. Project Platypus Works Co-ordinator Adam Merrick recalls “Unlikesome of the previous Plantout sites accessat Moyston was easy and the hospitablesoils and good season meant that afterjust one year the sites were lookingamazing.” Today the very successfulplantings make a visual and environmentalimpact on the local landscape.

Plantout 2005 Holdens HillConcongella & Delahunty’sJallukar

Although the air at 8.30 on a wintrySaturday morning at Concongella was verychilly, the rip lines on the Holden’s hillawaited plants and so 4WD vehiclestransported planters up the hill where tools,plants and guards were at the ready.Teams set off and made a good start, butby lunch time the chill air had turned intosleet driven by a freezing wind. Plantersstruggled the 1km back to the cateringmarquee and tried to warm up. KenRedwin recalls “If I hadn’t tucked my dogunder my raincoat I think he would havefrozen to death.” As the weather showedno sign of improving many called it a dayand headed home to warm up. Organiserswere left with the task of locating plantingtools abandoned in the hasty descent anddeciding on Sunday’s plans.

A reduced complement of volunteersenjoyed extra helpings of Saturday’s roastdinner at Concongella Hall and hoped forbetter luck the next day. With over 2/3 ofthe plants still to be planted, it wasfortunate the weather on Sunday wasbeautifully sunny and the Sunday plantersworked at a feverish pace to get anamazing 8000 plants in the ground in justfive hours. George Holden recalls “We

were thrilled with the outcome and at theamazing growth of the plants that hastaken place since”

On the Sunday another group of plantersplanted out a low lying area of Delahunty’sproperty near Lake Fyans where gumbootswere very much the order of the day.

Plantout 2006 Glendhu

Since the 2001 Plantout at Glendhu, Jackand Lynne Start had been busyundertaking more erosion works, rabbitand weed control and revegetation. Aseries of steep hills at the head of theGlendhu Creek was chosen as one ofProject Platypus 2006 revegetationprojects and as the site for the annualPlantout. The all too familiar preparationsensued, ripping planting lines, rabbitcontrol, fencing from stock as well as theusual preparations for the Plantoutweekend. The region had been in the gripsof a long dry period and by early July thesite, like the rest of the region was stillpretty dry. The Plantout was dependent onthe site being moist enough to ensure thesurvival of the seedlings and anyone whosuggests that plants could be watered inhas not experienced the ruggedness ofthese steep hill planting sites!

Works Co-ordinator Bernie Rudolph madethe call “By mid July there was just enoughrain to go ahead with the event. It washeartening to see volunteer planters, manyof them regulars, picking the tough groundto find enough soil to plant in places thatwere too steep to have been ripped.” As itturned out, the weekend was a greatsuccess with over 200 volunteers fromacross the state getting 12,500 plants inthe ground. The weather was fantastic andeveryone was in high spirits throughout theweekend. The Plantout was organised inpartnership with Crowlands LandcareGroup who excel in catering for the hungrymasses.

Plantout 2007 Jallukar

The very active Jallukar Landcare Groupturned on good weather, a great Plantoutvenue based at Pomonal Hall and plenty ofvolunteers to helped to plant on severalproperties in the Pomonal, Black Range,

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2009 - The assembling of guards is thefirst activity, followed by placing out guards

2009 - A summer Plantout planning meeting with Elmhurst Landcare members

2008 - An extensive planting along theHalls Gap valley floor has been very successful

2008 - Why are all these people sitting onthe job - folding and assembling thousands of guards

2007 - Back at the hall for the eveningmeal and entertainment - yay!

Bellellen, Moyston and Dadswells Bridgeareas. The idea of planting multiple siteson the Plantout weekend was a result ofsmaller corridor plantings being the focusof Project Platypus revegetation works withlarger sites being serviced by the WCMACatchment Tender process.

Sites were very accessible and team leaderswho by now knew the drill were able toensure planting was even more efficient withteams assembling guards, distributingguards, filling buckets with a mix of plants,planting and guarding. A record 30,000plants were planted over the weekend. BarryCurtis from Bellellen was amazed - “Soonafter arriving volunteers had assembled anddistributed the guards, planters were armedwith full buckets of plants and a Potti Putkiand work continued at a steady pace all day.The plants today are more than 3m high.”Planters at Al Mackay’s granite hill site nearthe Black Range were rewarded withstunning views as they planted.

Plantout 2008 Stawell

Stawell Urban Landcare Group volunteeredto host the 2008 Plantout and plenty ofvolunteers arrived bright and early at theStawell Racing Track on the third Saturdaymorning in July for a cuppa and cake andto find which Plantout site they wereheaded for. Ten different properties hadsites prepared with the largest site on thevalley floor at Halls Gap. Many sites werequite wet which usually ensures thesuccessful establishment of plants.

On Saturday evening over seventy peopleenjoyed a good feed, good company andgood music at the Stawell Racecoursevenue. On Sunday teams headed out againto new sites and worked until lunchtime.Volunteer planter Gordon Marriott says“The small teams at each site provided agood opportunity to get to know your fellowplanters.”

In fine weather, with the soil moist andwarm about 120 volunteers planted andguarded over 18,000 plants.

Plantout 2009 Elmhurst

A site with patches of remnant grassesbeside the Rocky Creek tributary near

Elmhurst was chosen for Plantout from the2009 revegetation sites. The site was to berevegetated to increase its biodiversityvalues and to provide a riparian corridor.The ratio of trees to shrubs and grassesplanted was low to ensure an openwoodland vegetation community would becreated. Planters registered at the ElmhurstHall and were bussed to the site whereRevegetation Officer Bernie Rudolph gavevolunteers their OH&S and plantinginstructions. Planting teams workedtowards a central point and welcomed thehot drinks, soup and a warm fire at thecentral marquee. Bus tours to see theamazing growth at previous Plantout siteswere part of the weekend activities.

Elmhurst Landcare Group again displayedtheir hospitality with wonderful meals, greatlocal entertainers and lots of willing busdrivers, dishwashers and planters.Melbourne based landowner Dechlan Ellisremembers “We were blown away by theefficiency, enthusiasm and end results ofthis community based event. We couldnever have achieved an outcome like thiswithout the assistance of Project Platypusand the volunteers.” It is the combinedefforts of 120 or so volunteers working asone big team to get 25,000 plants in theground that makes Plantouts such a feelgood and worthwhile event.

Plantout 2010 Barton StationMoyston

Although Georges Creek is not a majorwaterway, it eventually makes its way intothe Mt William Creek and then into theWimmera River. On the extensive BartonStation the stately Red Gums and smallherbs and grasses which would once havegraced the Georges Creek were largelyabsent, so the Plantout plantings were tohelp put back the diversity and create acreek corridor. A 70m wide corridor along a4.5 km stretch was fenced off from thesurrounding grazing and cropping countryand the site prepared well by BartonManager Norm Hunt.

Volunteers registered at the MoystonRecreation Reserve, grabbed a cuppa towarm up and were bussed to the site tostart work planting and guarding plants

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along prepared rip lines. With the advent ofthe revolutionary Potti Putki planting tool, itis the guarding of plants which is theslowest part of the process. Typically halfof the volunteers assemble the bamboostakes in the guards and distribute these atthe required distance along the plantinglines. The planter “pops” the plant into therip line - without the need to bend! -andanother person follows behind installingthe guard over the plant. Watering is notnecessary as plants go into moist soils andfollow up rain is assured when trees areplanted in July and August.

Lunch at the amazing bluestone wool shedwas welcomed by volunteers as was theroast dinner and a warm fire back at therecreation reserve in the evening. OnSunday some planters completed theBarton planting and others planted atSimon Brady’s Jallukar farm. Secretary ofMoyston Landcare Group MadeleneTownsend was impressed with her firstPlantout “Everyone pitches in, whether it iswith catering, driving the shuttle bus orplanting. It is a great community event.”

2011 July Plantouts

For a number of reasons, including of thehuge workload of organising and cateringfor large numbers over two days and theopportunity to give volunteers a choice ofplanting days, it was decided to trial havingmini planting days during the month of Julyinstead of one major Plantout weekend.

Project Platypus Manager LeighBlackmore says “Volunteers respondedwell to the idea and teams at each siteplanted the 6000 or so plants allocated forthe site and over the five days in July got20,000 plants planted. The greaterinvolvement of Landcare Groups was verypositive.”

Jallukar, Crowlands, Concongella,Northern Grampians and Great WesternLandcare Groups each hosted a plantingday and reported it was a great groupactivity supplemented by volunteerplanters from near and far and supportedby Project Platypus. Groups supplied aBBQ lunch and cuppas and ProjectPlatypus supplied the toilets, marquee,tools, delivered plants to each site andensured team leaders were briefed on theirrole.

The model for future July planting dayswas endorsed and in 2012 July verysuccessful July Plantouts were held atGreat Western, Navarre, Lake Lonsdale,Moyston, Elmhurst and Dadswells Bridge.

2011 - Excellent site preparation, moistsoils, skilled planting make for successfulrevegetation

2011 - The planting site on Banfield’s Redman Rd property provided planterswith a lovely backdrop

2011 - The Kilpatrick family are thrilled atthe sight of carton guards extending intothe distance

2010 - Warmth, music, good food andgood company are the rewards for wearyplanters

2010 - Well rugged up Plantout volunteersof all ages join in the fun

1.9 Reflections

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Beginning as an idea by a group of Landcarers with a part timemanager with a desk in the Stawell DNRE offices to the ProjectPlatypus we see 18 years later has been a significant achievement,particularly considering the largely volunteer nature of the organisation.There have been periods when funding was hard to secure but thestrength of the idea and the determination and vision of the communityhas been remarkable. Many of the individuals involved at the start stillplay a significant role in the organisation.

The fundamental goals and theorganisational model developed in thefirst year are still relevant today. Theadministrative operations of theorganisation have been refined andexpanded considerably to adequatelyand efficiently administer the extensiveprojects undertaken.

Since 1994, Project Platypus hasachieved impressive results in attractingover $4.5 million for projects to addressloss of habitat, fragmentation of remnantvegetation, threatened species, erosion,salinity, pest plant and animal controland sustainable farming practices whichrecognise the importance of soils, carbonaccounting, perennial pastures and theimpacts of climate change.

While the major portion of ProjectPlatypus funding is from state andfederal governments Project Platypusenjoys the relative flexibility ofsupplementary funding fromphilanthropic trusts and sponsors. Theorganisation relies on successivegovernments to recognise the importantrole of Landcare in natural resourcemanagement and to fund organisationssuch as Project Platypus who work withand for their communities.

The 2012 to 2014 Project PlatypusStrategic Plan describes some of thechallenges and opportunities facingfarmers and communities as

• Designing on-ground works to factor inpotential impacts from climate change

• Addressing possible decreases inlandholder involvement and Landcarefunding and changing models of funding.

• Increased funding for projectsaddressing Climate Change

• Pressures on rural communities frompoor seasons and the impacts on farmproductivity and profitability

The success of Project Platypus can beattributed to its community support, itsgrass-roots approach to problem solvingand its ability to relate to land managersand investors. Project Platypus has beenan adaptable and flexible organisationwhich has enabled it to maintain itsstrength and vitality over the years. In2012, Project Platypus’s capacity tosupport Landcare groups and thecommunity to achieve on-ground resultsis better than ever.

The organisation has established goodrelationships with its stakeholdersincluding landholders, Landcare Groups,agencies, investors and all levels ofGovernment. The committedManagement Committee team made upof representatives of most of its membergroups has an excellent understanding ofnatural resource management and theirgovernance role.

Project Platypus has an excellent trackrecord with highly skilled andexperienced staff who have helped buildthe good reputation that Project Platypushas earned within the region andbeyond.

The Project Platypus ManagementCommittee and the broader communityhave been successful in encouraging,supporting and developing Landcareactivities and are well equipped to takethe organisation through the challengesof the next 20 years.

Looking back at past achievements provides motivation for future protects

Landholders and Project Platypus is committed to improving the environment

The platypus and other fauna will be continue to be indicators of catchmenthealth

The Upper Wimmera Catchment hassome stunning environments

Landscape scale changes are changingthe environment for the better

2.1 Moyston Landcare Group

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Beginnings

In 1987 a group of individual landholdersconcerned about salinity and water tablelevels got together and planted 1000trees on a very steep hillside at Mt.Ararat. The next year the group planted1500 trees on rocky rises and salineareas, this time with guards to protecttrees from rabbits. A Field Day was heldin conjunction with the Dept. ofConservation, Forests and Lands in1989, and sites with salinity and highwater table levels were visited. Thegroup was also taken to an area on theArarat hills to see the encouragingresults of a 2 year old tree planting.Afterwards an informal meeting was heldand a decision was made by thosepresent to form a Landcare Group.David Cole and Bob Sanders wereelected spokespersons and in 1989 apublic meeting was held and 32landholders signed up to be members ofthe Moyston Landcare Group.

The original objectives of the group wereto assist landowners of the Ararat Hills tore-establish the hill areas with trees tohelp halt the rising water table andassociated salinity problems. TheWhole Farm Plan concept was to beencouraged, with the total watercatchment to be tackled by group effortsrather than as individuals struggling todo what they could. By increasingcommunity awareness of the problem,more landholders would get involved andbecome eligible for assistance throughthe Landcare program.

Members of Moyston Landcareparticipated in the discussions in 1994 toform an Upper Wimmera Landcareumbrella organisation - Project Platypus- which would help to co-ordinate worksacross the catchment and accessfunding for larger projects.

Achievements

• After the first plantings on a steep hillat Mt Ararat, others followed along thewestern slopes of the Ararat Hills,including another very steep site onMoorfoots Hill. A bulldozer was used to

rip the site and it was decided the bestway of protecting the young trees fromrabbits was to wire net the whole area.For the first few years the treesstruggled on the harsh, windswept sitesbut now they are thriving and can beseen from afar. Many smaller plantingswere also undertaken by the group, withmembers helping each other. Theplanting days were well attended andended socially with a bite to eat and afew drinks.

• In 1989 the group gained funds to erecta hot house and a shade house at theMoyston Primary School. The aim wasto foster an understanding of Landcarewith the students through JuniorLandcare. Students collected localnative seeds and propagated them forplanting around the school with surplusplants sold to locals.

• An early project on Ian and KevinBrady’s site on one side of the MoystonArarat Rd and Peter and Judy Bigmore’son the other involved fencing off creeksand planting trees. Projects such asthese in prominent positions helped topromote the group and their work to thewider community.

• In the early days rabbits were a majorthreat to the survival of the young plantsand tree guards of some descriptionwere vital. Today, the curiosity ofcockatoos and kangaroos seem to bethe biggest threat to the young plant’ssurvival. Even the white cardboardguards can’t guarantee the safety of theseedling within.

• By 2000 the Moyston Landcare Groupseemed to be losing momentum, mainlyas grants for works no longer needed tocome through the Landcare Groups, butcould be accessed directly from WCMA,DPI, Project Platypus etc. The groupplantings which contributed to groupcohesiveness no longer happened.Project Platypus began an annualPlantout Weekend in 2000 hosted by adifferent Landcare Group each year.This weekend was open to all andendeavoured to attract city folk to be a

Members enjoy morning tea at Brady’screek planting site on Ararat Rd

Moorfoot’s 1994 planting site in 2012

Moorfoot’s hill site in 1994

Mt Ararat planting site in 2012

Members working on a wire netted planting site at Mt Ararat 1990

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part of Landcare working alongsidelocals. Moyston Landcare Group hostedPlantout sites in 2004, 2007, 2008 and2010.

• The group’s direction changed in 2004when small landholder, Ken Readwintook over the role as President of theMoyston Landcare Group. His focuswas more historical – the creating of awalking track around the old mining areato the west of the township.

This project was known as the MoystonMine Walk, and a small band of Work forthe Dole participants spent a few weeksclearing a track and installing numberedmarkers at interesting points along theway. In the last few years the MoystonLandcare Group, with CommunityEngagement funds through ProjectPlatypus, has endeavoured to finish thisoff with signage and a picnic table. Asmall planting with children from theMoyston Primary School in 2010 helpedto restore some understorey plants.

• The main focus in the last two yearshas been to secure funds through the

CMA, to assist landholders to controlnew and emerging weeds such asChilean Needlegrass, Patersons Curseand Bathurst Burr, as well as a host ofold favourites! Small pockets of rabbitshave also been targeted.

People

Presidents of the Moyston LandcareGroup who have served the group andtheir community well have been DavidCole, Bob Sanders, Peter Bigmore, JanIbs von Seht, Ferg Anderson, JamesBrady, Ken Readwin, and currentlyAdam Merrick. The hard working pastsecretaries of the Landcare Group areBob Sanders, Peter Bigmore, PaddyBourke, Anne Marshall, Carol Jackson,Sue Horvath, Madelene Townsend andcurrently Rosie Nater.

Reflections

Moyston Landcare Group hopes thattheir community remains strong andvibrant, and continues to work togetherto care for and improve theirenvironment for the generations tocome.

Adam Merrick and Moyston students atthe 25 year Landcare commemorativeplanting 2012

Regular meetings can be social as well asfunctional

Planters at the 2004 Moyston Plantout,boots and knees not yet dirty

Site of the 2004 Moyston Salt Creek RdPlantout in 2012

Moyston Common Mine Walk working bee2010

2.2 Black Range Land Management Group

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Beginnings

The Black Range is a granite range southeast of the Stawell township which hasremained well vegetated with opengrassy woodland, heathland, and rockyscrub despite a long history of grazingand timber removal. A number ofresidents owned bush blocks around theperimeter and enjoyed the beautifullandscape and views but did not enjoy therabbits which populated the range in theirthousands and were destroying thediverse flora of the extensive bushland.Erosion was also an issue on the fragilegranite soils and past poor landmanagement practices had impacted thehealth of the Black Range environment.

Anne Davis and Elwyn Dennis who liveon the Bunjils Cave Rd believed that theformation of a Landcare Group mightensure that rabbits and weeds could beaddressed as a group and that remnantprotection and revegetation could takeplace to protect soils and provide habitatfor a range of threatened fauna. In 1987 ameeting was called at the Grange GolfClub and over 20 people joined the BlackRange Land Management Group, the firstLandcare Group in the Wimmera.

Achievements

The group agreed on their priorities andover subsequent years was involved in anumber of projects

• In the 1980's exclusion plots werecreated on Crown land on the top of therange to determine the impact of rabbitand kangaroo grazing on the diversity ofthe understorey. These weresubsequently monitored to record theimpact these animals were having onnative vegetation. Numerous exclusionplots were also put in on members’properties throughout the ranges. Thesewere planted with many of the rare orlocalised shrubs and herbs that had beencontract grown for the group throughgrants. The aim was for that theexclosures would act as seed banks forthe eventual migration of the protectedplants out into the surrounding land oncerabbits were brought under control. On

many of the sites this proved to be aresounding success.

• Rabbit control was the most timeconsuming and frustrating task forlandholders prior to the Calici virusdecimating numbers for some years.Rabbit proof netting of properties, 1080baiting, implosion and ripping of warrensand shooting are all employed to keep therabbits under control. Given the difficultterrain in the range, rabbit control is goingto be impossible until a new controlmethod is found.

• Weed Control was less time consumingthan rabbit control, but regular sprayingor removal of Bridal Creeper, St JohnsWort, Great Mullein and in more recenttimes the South African Weed Orchid hasbeen undertaken. Project Platypus hasassisted landholders with weed controlusing their spray trailer and works crew.

• Restoring understorey species onproperties around the fringe of the BlackRange has been a common theme forplanting projects with many of the tastyherbs and lilies being destroyed byrabbits or previous grazing. Increasingthe diversity of vegetation has been thegoal of many landholders.

• The development of a Management Planfor the Black Range was undertaken byElwyn Dennis in 2003 with funds fromWimmera Catchment ManagementAuthority. The feature of the publicationwas a series of photos to assist theidentification of the wonderful wildflowersof the Black Range.

• Establishing a direct seeding corridorbetween the Black Range and Sugarloafwas the goal of the LEAP Scheme - ayouth employment project facilitated byPhil Williams. For 6 months the teamworked on rabbit proof fencing of the3.5km long corridor, followed by 50km ofspraying and direct seeding. The resultswere amazing and today the corridorresembles a forest and provides habitatfor wildlife

• In the past the Black Range was famousfor its Southern Brown Bandicoot

A workshop at the Grange Golf Club withClive Crouch talking on Bandicoots

15 years on, the 150m wide and 4km longcorridor provides excellent habitat

A youth labour program (LEAP) established a direct seeded corridor between the Black Range and Sugarloaf

Trials confirmed that rabbits were the primary cause of poor ground cover vegetation

To counter rabbit and kangaroos eatingvegetation, plots were fenced and revegetated

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populations which by the late 1980’sappeared to be dwindling. By the mid1990’s sightings were few and the groupreceived an Envirofund grant toundertake surveys and establish denseplantings to protect remainingbandicoots. The 2006 bushfires howeverburnt across the range, destroying mostof the Bandicoots former refuge areas, soefforts were focussed on fox control,providing artificial bandicoot refuges andcommunity education. Landholderconcerns were reflected in the largeattendance at a workshop on bandicoots.Bandicoot projects continue with ProjectPlatypus undertaking revegetation, localrecovery plans and large scale foxcontrol plans.

People

The contribution of Anne Davis andElwyn Dennis in initiating the group andundertaking secretarial work, grantapplications and project facilitation wassubstantial. Because of the smallmember base, all members have takenon roles or responsibilities at varioustimes – Peter and Carole Brazier, Neiland Wendy Marriott, Mark and JennyFarrer, Barb and Graham Walker, PatrickMonaghan, Jane Marriott, Grant Stewart,Helen Rosenbaum, Cathy Donehue,Graeme and Merilyn Cox, Ian and JillMitchell, Rod Tonkin, Lachlan Campbell,Jim Redford, Keith Lofthouse. PeterGraveson from Parks Vic provided goodsupport in his role as manager of thepublic land in the range and Speedwaymembers were involved in earlyplantings.

Reflections

The Black Range Land Managementgroup was unique amongst Landcaregroups in that most landholders ownedbushland with little or no agriculturalactivities and enjoyed a common love ofthe natural environment. What wasshared but not enjoyed was the constantbattle with rabbits which are difficult toeradicate in rocky bushland. After 19years of operation the group was findingit difficult to maintain members and wentinto recession for a few years. In April2008 at a meeting to gauge interest inreviving the group 20 landholdersattended and decided to reactivate thegroup. Although the group continued tomeet on an as needs basis, the need fora group to tackle issues was less as to alarge extent weeds, rabbits andrevegetation have largely beenaddressed by individual members. Thegroup rallied in 2010 to undertake awalking track project on Pleasant Creek.

The social networks established throughthe group have ensured neighbours areavailable to help each other or cometogether for a particular project or causeas was experienced in 2011 when amotor bike track was closed due to itsimpacts on neighbours and theenvironment. In May 2012 the groupdecided to unincorporate and act more asa social network and undertake projectsfacilitated by Project Platypus.

Bandicoot Recovery works are ongoing

Pleasant Crk arises in the Black Rangeand is the site for a recent Walking Trackproject

Rabbit control is a constant activity in therocky hills of the Black Range

Group members take a break from thewalking track project work

The 2006 bushfires affected most of therange with impacts on properties andwildlife

2.3 Concongella Landcare Group

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Beginnings

The Concongella Landcare Group wasformed in October 1993 to serve thearea between Stawell and Landsboroughand from Campbells Bridge to Bulgana.It is a very large area for a Landcaregroup with 122 listed landholders andchallenging country with steep bare hillsand issues with erosion, rabbits andweeds. By June 1995 the group had 50paid up members with George Holden asthe inaugural Chairman and ValMembrey as Secretary.

There was a flurry of meetings andadministrative activity in the first fewyears with bi-monthly group meetingsand committee meetings on the alternatemonth. John Read, then Principal ofConcongella School, had a stronginfluence on the group’s formation andhosted those early meetings at theschool and Terry May continued this helpwhen he became Principal. In the firstyear the group had two combinedmeetings with the Navarre LandcareGroup at the Landsborough Hotel andNavarre football ground.

Achievements

• The group was successful in obtaininga $16,000 grant for detailed surveys andplanning work in the landcare areaincluding the Astons Scour catchment.This work paved the way for ProjectPlatypus to follow up with major works inAstons Scour.

• Green Swamp at Greens Creek wasexperiencing increasing salinity and badweed problems so tree planting andweed control at the site were early groupprojects.

• A spray trailer with self-retracting hoseswith a 150 metres reach was purchasedwith grant monies and has proven to bea valuable asset for the group with gooduse by Concongella Group members andby surrounding Landcare groups.Infestations of weeds including SpinyRush, Cape Tulip, Horehound, BathurstBurr, Bridal Creeper and PatersonsCurse have been mapped on the Project

Platypus weed data base and althoughthe constant war is ongoing, the obvioussuccesses are very heartening.

• A rabbit action group based at the Cocks’Farm Subdivision was slowly developedinto a cohesive force with great success.Individual rabbit control works and groupcampaigns have been effective in keepingrabbit numbers down.

• By June 1999 the group had raised andspent nearly $75,000 in grants, mostlymatched by in kind works by thelandholder recipients.

• The group has strongly supported thedevelopment of Project Platypus withPhil Hall and George Holdenrepresenting the group on the Erosion &Salinity Sub-Committee and Barry Halland Larry McLean on the PastureEstablishment Sub-Committee.

• Since the group’s inception the grouphas been very fortunate to have thesupport of Stawell Gold Mines. Theytook out financial membership and wererepresented at meetings by thenEnvironmental Officer Brian Myles. Theirmapping and drafting departmentprovided the group with a splendid mapof the group’s area, as well as a detailedmap of the Aston Scour catchment.

People

In March 2006 long serving and hardworking executives George Holden andCheryl Hall were replaced by JohnKindred as Chairman and DianneHodder as Secretary. In 2009 MalNicholson took over the chair and PhilHall became Secretary/Treasurer. Otherlong term active members who havepassed on or left the area are BillWatson, Brian Monaghan, Ken andMaree McQualter, Ian Morrow, ClemPalmer, John Tiddy and Laurie Cossar.Current active members include KenHall, Barry Hall, Howard Frampton,Mandi Nicol and Tim Swindels, BarryBibby, Steven West, Tige Mannington,Larry McLean, Kevin Thomas, DavidMonaghan, John Vance, Sue Holden,George Holden, Ian Gibson, and Col Hall

Grassed batters and a trickle pipe repairerosion sites

Concongella group helped drive erosionworks in the Astons Scour

Aerial photo of Holdens’ showing fencedoff and replanted creeklines

Concongella group is heavily involvedplanning and monitoring works in the SixMile

The planting of Col Halls Hill at Joel in1979 was a landmark project

35

Over the years our group has benefittedgreatly by input from people like DaveMunday, Julie Andrew, Pat Monaghan(Water Watch), John McIntyre (Ag.Department), Mary Bignall (Six MileCreek), Mark Farrer (DNRE), StuartLardner, Mel Gammon and Ron Sanders(Auditing), Felicity Brown (DPI), EmmaBayley-Stark, Bernie Rudolph, HayleyJohnson and successive ProjectPlatypus Managers Sherrie, Kerryn,Peter, Emily, Luke and Leigh and fromemploying Bill Pyke – soil erosiondesign, and weed and rabbit facilitatorsSean Malloy, Linton Argall, AlistairJohnson, David Margetson and ColinSnooks.

Reflections

Like other Landcare groups, there is astrong focus on pest animals and plants,but because the group area isrecognised as having some of the worstof Victoria’s soil erosion problems,control and reclamation of erosion had tobe the main focus. The Landcaremembers are committed to continue theiron-going weed, rabbit and erosioncontrol and to manage their properties ina sustainable way.

As an example of the one of the manypositive aspects of the Landcaremovement was when George was

experiencing some difficulty in getting3,000 trees planted in a project on‘Overdale.’ George offered to employMandy and Tim to help the job along.They quickly organised the Cocks’ Farmrabbit buster group to a surprise workingbee over one weekend which sawalmost all of the trees in the ground.George recalls “What a wonderfulweekend and how grateful we were forthe help.”

The 2005 Plantout weekend onConcongella Hill was a Landcareexperience that was truly memorable!So many people on difficult terrain andsome very average weather and abrilliant landcare spirit with 13,000 treesplanted.

The moment of truth for erosion works...heavy rain!

Sharing knowledge and experiences is fa-cilitated by site visits

A much needed break from scaling hillsand planting at Plantout 2005

George Holden at the 2005 Plantout onhis “Overdale” property

Steep bare hills make perfect plantingsites with multiple environmental benefits

2.4 Northern Grampians Landcare Group

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A comprehensive pest mapping and control project along Mt William Creek

A Stawell Church group helped the Landcare plant Daves Ave

Planting a revegetation corridor betweenthe Wimmera River and Lake Lonsdale

The group is involved in the major erosioncontrol project at Mt Drummond

Rabbit control in sandy country is an on-going task for Landcare

Beginnings

The Northern Grampians LandcareGroup, based around the DadswellsBridge community, is recorded asbeginning in 1990. After a quiet start thegroup was reactivated in 1994 at ameeting in the Dadswells Bridge Hallinitiated by locals Peter Davie and IanMcDonald, with the support of JulieAndrew from DCNR.

In communications landholders wereencouraged to include all the family andto be involved in determining the futuredirection. Over 40 farming families wereon the mailing list in 1994 and many ofthose are still involved. Some of theissues the group looked at addressingwere corella damage, fox and rabbitcontrol, weed control, erosion works andrevegetation.

Achievements

• A plantation in 1990 on Arch McLeod’sproperty along Sandy Lane was the firstproject completed by NGLG and ismarked with a plaque.

• A bus trip of local landholder sites washeld in 1995 to look at issues acrosstheir Northern Grampians area and helpdetermine the direction of projects.Problems identified included erosion andpest plants and animals.

• At meetings there has been a steadycavalcade of guest speakers, primarilyfrom government departments, who haveattended meetings to keep landholdersinformed about current projects andfunding sources. A strategic planningsession facilitated by Nigel McGuckian,attracted a wide audience of the localcommunity. The group has appreciatedthe input of these agencies andindividuals who have ably serviced thegroup’s needs.

• Joe Facey took on the leadership of theFox Control portfolio for the group andalso managed the borrowing of the rabbitfumigator. With the sandy soils andproximity to bushland fox and rabbitcontrol have been and remain majorissues.

• Regular field trips enabled groupmembers to observe how other groupsand individuals were doing Landcare andto see innovations in land management.Several members of the group did farmmanagement courses which helpedthose landholders with an understandingof planning, conservation works,mapping and tree coverage.

• In 1996 the NLP funded 5km of fencingon Grahams and Howards and Coopersproperty marking the start of extensiveworks in conjunction with ProjectPlatypus at Mt Drummond. Bill Pykedesigned works and Wimmera MalleeWater funded work to address themassive challenge of over 3kms ofserious gully erosion (up to 5m in depth)over four active gully heads.

Works continued over a number of yearsand the Landcare group undertookplanting, monitoring and minor repairworks. The Mt Drummond activities havebeen the group’s largest project.

• A large trickle pipe was installed on IanMcDonald’s Warra property where watersfrom the Mt Drummond runoff werebacking up at an alarming rate. Designedby Bill Pyke, it stabilised the system nearthe Wimmera River.

• Trials to control onion grass wereundertaken and the group activelypursued improved methods for managingpastures. Corella control was undertakenas part of protecting pastures.Thousands of corellas were trapped overa number of properties. This initiativewas not ultimately successful but was areflection of landcare initiatives toimprove profitability of farmingcommunities.

• Weed control of Bridal Creeper wasregularly undertaken with ProjectPlatypus assistance. In 2008 Lisa Mooreand Linton Argall facilitatedcomprehensive weed and rabbit mappingand control along the Wimmera River.Other troublesome weeds include CapeTulip, Blackberry and Briar Rose..

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• A wet weather flight was undertaken in1997 and video produced with UWFTGassistance to locate problem areas andgive an overview of drainage issues.This initiative embraced the widerfarming community as a showcase andpublicity for the landcare group.

• Daves Avenue project to connect theWimmera River corridor commenced in2000 with Landmate undertaking fencingof sites assisted by the Landcare groupand in 2001, 8000 trees were planted.Further fencing and planting and anextension of the site to connect to LakeLonsdale continued with fencing and treeplanting in 2006 and 2007. Nowcomplete the bio-link is 17kms long andincorporates new plantations, enhancedremnants and un-used road reserves.

• The group assisted the Jackmans withtheir wetland project, establishing a wildlife corridor linking a swamp with the MtWilliam Creek. 7,000 trees have beenplanted on the property and the groupcontinues to be involved in ongoingplantings.

• In 2009 the Mt William Creek Walk wasenthusiastically embraced by the groupwho helped organise the walk and hostthe final leg of the walk. Some 35 peopleof all ages and persuasions completedthe final leg of this adventure, heldduring drought when the creek and riverwere both dry. It was a cultural andeducative journey, which embraced thewider community. A book was publishedand a time capsule buried. Undoubtedlyit was a highlight for this group.

• In 2010 the Project Platypus SmallLandholders Project was undertaken atDadswells Bridge to develop a walkingtrail, in conjunction with the group,Dadswells Bridge Progress Associationand Rural City of Horsham. A committeewas formed with Shirley Ashfield as theco-ordinator and community workingbees constructed the route of the walkwith bollards and signage planted treesalong the trail and two picnic areas wereestablished beside Mount William Creek.Sights were identified along the trackand marked for walkers to appreciate the

flora and fauna of the area. A brochurehas been produced with nature notes.

• Ross and Judi Dunkley in conjunctionwith Project Platypus have undertakenan annual conservation program since2007 on their property at Ledcourt toimprove their land and the environment.The program has included thedevelopment of extensive tree corridors,planting of paddock plots and the fencingof a Buloke remnant with a total of15,000 trees and understorey planted.This was achieved with the dedicatedassistance of Project Platypus, NorthernGrampians Landcare Group,Greenfingers Nursery, GreeningAustralia, Landmate, Horsham Woolshedand many enthusiastic volunteers.

• Annual plantings continue inconjunction with Project PlatypusPlantout.

The People

The Landcare Group has been wellserved by the various DSE, DPI, ParksVic, Project Platypus, the WCMA andLandcare facilitators who have helpedkeep the group motivated and informed.Office bearers for the group who havetaken on the extra workload and servedthe group well are Peter Davie, IanMcDonald, Frank Barnes, PeterJackman, Ewan Letts, Leanne Jackmanand currently by Ray Graham and JudiDunkley. Executive meetings reduce theneed for members to attend unnecessarymeetings and efforts are focussed on on-ground activities. The group is fortunateto have a long list of members who havebeen active and supportive andcontributed to the positive outcomesacross the area.

Reflections

The Northern Grampians LandcareGroup is now 22 years old, and is proudof their achievements. A smallcommunity, the group embraces newmembers as they move to the area. Thegroup looks forward to continuing to carefor the land and the community itsupports.

Group members enjoy a talk on Waterwatch by Joel Boyd from the WCMA

This section of the Mt William Creek atDadswells Bridge provides good platypushabitat

The group created a walking track besidethe Mt William Creek

The Landcare Group busy folding guardsfor a Plantout

Ross Dunkley and Bernie discuss a paddock tree project and revegetation

2.5 Great Western Landcare Group

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Before and after photos kept by the landholder show dramatic changes

Local members conduct a pasture workshop

Planning works in the Six Mile involveConcongella and Great Western Landcare

Extensive planting site with planting linesbeing ripped at the Hurnalls

Greens sedimentary hill country, good forplanting trees

Beginnings

The group was founded in 1994 toaddress local land management issuesand build on the soil conservation andpasture works of the 1950’s. At the firstmeeting DNRE supplied a large aerialmap so landholders could identify theirproperties and observe the extent of anyissues. Soil conservation, particularly onproperties with steep bare hills, andsalinity were two major issues affectinglandholders. Creating biodiversitycorridors for flora and fauna and gettingcommunity involvement in planting wasanother goal.

Achievements

The Great Western Landcare area has adiverse range soils from granite sands tosedimentary clays and land uses oftenreflect these soil types. Cropping,vineyards, industries and grazing are thepredominant rural activities.

• In 1997 Ballarat University undertook aland degradation study which identifiedrecharge sites and areas for salinitycontrol, pasture improvement, weed andpest control and creek bed erosion. Sitesbest suited for tree planting and areaswith rabbits were also identified. This ledto targeted works in the steep hills andalong waterways as funding becameavailable.

• The Six Mile sub catchment wasidentified as a priority for works andlandholders contributed to detailed plansand priorities. Whenever federal andstate government funding or sponsorshipfrom GWMWater was received the nextstage of works was undertaken.Extensive work including landclassfencing, rabbit and weed control, gullybattering, establishment of perennialpastures, massive revegetation and theinstallation of water retention dams havetransformed the health and productivity ofthis sub catchment.

• With several blocks of remnantvegetation on public land, plantations andcorridors of vegetation were plantedparticularly in the Dunneworthy area to

provide links to forest areas as well as toshelter stock and crops.

• Plantings on the steep hills in theBulgana area provided challenges for theoperators of the bulldozers ripping theplanting lines and the many planters whohad to scale the steep slopes whichincluded scouts, Landmate crews,Greencorps and other volunteers.Several Project Platypus Plantouts havebeen hosted by Great Western with thegroup providing catering and assistingwith on site logistics on the Plantout sitesand at the Great Western Football Club.

• Members of the Great WesternLandcare group have been involved inthe formation and operation of ProjectPlatypus since its inception.

• The group values the social gatheringsthat have been held such as plantings onmembers’ properties and bus trips andexcursions which help to maintain thesense of community and co-operation.

• The local school has been involved inthe Landcare group and undertook asalinity monitoring project and keptweather records.

• Rabbit control is an on-going issue andgroup control is encouraged byemploying a facilitator to oversee works.

People

The Presidents of the groups have beenAlan Green, Bill Kilpatrick, Jim Kilpatrick,Bruce Dalkin, Mark Kindred and RossMcGregor. Secretaries include DavidLeeke, Don Hurnall and Paul Dakis.

Although the number of members is notlarge there is a core of committed andactive landholders. Because many of theholdings are large the number of potentiallandholders is low. The group is fortunatethat a number of members have a strongenvironmental and agriculturalbackground.

Reflections

The group has appreciated the supportfrom Ballarat University and industry and

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the funding and support from state andfederal governments which enabled thegroup to plan and undertake projects.Project Platypus and DPI staff have beensupportive and have secured funding forprojects and provided facilitators toensure projects are well prepared andexecuted.

Many of the present members have beeninvolved since its inception and thechallenge is to involve the next

generation of landholders. To keep up todate with project funding opportunitiesand link the group with current initiativesa Landcare facilitator is essential. Afacilitator can also help with some of theadministrative tasks. The group isconfident that the positive results acrossthe region that can be attributed toLandcare will be continued by groupmembers who are committed to caringfor the land and will be taken up by thenext generations who share the vision.

Getting the next generation involved inLandcare

Revegetation site in granite country nearSugarloaf

A previous Plantout site in the distanceand a new one in the foreground

Because of the extent of the catchmentwaving of hands to the distance has tosuffice

An aerial photo of the Six Mile catchmentshows some of the issues

2.6 Navarre Landcare Group

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Beginnings

Navarre is situated 39kms northeast ofStawell on the edge of the Wimmera. TheNavarre and District Landcare Groupcatchment incorporated the Wattle Creek-Heifer Station Creek catchment, extendingfrom Barkly and Frenchmans to GreensCreek and from Tulkara/MorrlMorrl to northof Malakoff and Landsborough Hill. TheHeifer Station Creek flows into theWimmera River at its’ western extremity.

The Wattle Creek-Heifer Station Creekcatchment comprises three predominant“land management units:”

1. Upland alluvial plain – comprisinggravel, sand and clay with salinegroundwater discharges into somedrainage lines, streams and depressions.

2. Sedimentary rises – undulating risesand low hills on sediments of sandstone,shale and slate.

3. Sedimentary hills – rolling to steep hillsand rocky ridges of sandstone, shale andslate.

The 85% of the catchment that has beencleared of native vegetation ispredominantly used for grazing witharound 15% used for cropping. Sheep andcattle are run on a variety of pasturesincluding improved perennial and annualpastures and unimproved and remnantnative pastures.

A preliminary meeting was held in August1993 which determined the need for aLandcare Group, and the inauguralmeeting of the Navarre and DistrictLandcare group was held on 8thSeptember 1993. The priorities establishedby the group at that time were sustainableagriculture, salinity, erosion control, verminand weed control, and rising water tables.

Achievements

The group achieved early success withCommunity Salinity Grant applications,and received funding for producing acolour aerial photo of the Wattle Creek -Heifer Station Creek Catchment area toidentify and map areas of land

degradation, works that had already beencompleted and to plan future work. Asecond grant provided funding for libraryresources, a community noticeboard andmembership of Landcare Net. Otherprojects included fertiliser testing andeducation of farmers in sustainableagriculture, safe use of chemical sprays,property management planning andpromoting opportunities for farmers suchas Farm$mart. Key projects include

• $14,000 was received from WimmeraMallee Water in 1995 for the firstcorporate-sponsored planting throughProject Platypus. The Little Hill Project,otherwise known as “Ron Bibby’s Hill” saw6000 trees planted out by inmates fromArarat Prison.

• Funding was received for construction ofa greenhouse located at Navarre Primaryschool to propagate locally-occurringspecies for planting out.

• $70,000 was received for rabbit control,and in May 1996, Ken Stewart took on therole of Rabbit Control Coordinator. TheRabbit Busters program led by Ken hadsome extremely active periods particularlywhen rabbit numbers were high.

• Various earthwork projects wereundertaken to address gully erosion, suchas rock groynes around Batcocks Scourand in the Tulkara area near Ware’sproperty. Many local landowners haveimplemented land class fencing to protectfragile areas and waterways.

• The publication of the group’s CatchmentManagement Plan in 1997-98 provided atemplate for farmers to plan ground works,and was the underpinning document forfuture grant applications in the area. TheCatchment Plan Steering Committeecomprised Karen Ware, Lyle Driscoll, BarryBibby, Rob Tehan, Ron Bibby and MaryBignell (DSE).

• The group purchased a “weed trailer”with mounted spraying equipment,knapsacks and chemicals to supportcontrol of St John’s Wort in the hills aroundBarkly and along the roadsides. The

Gully battering, contour banks and pastureestablishment repairs

Peter Hannet and Ron Bibby both haderosion issues to address

Ron Bibby’s hill today is a local landmark

Sponsors and Project Platypus visit revegetation and erosion works on RonBibbys hill

Ron Bibby’s hill was crying out for works

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farmers around Greens Creek developedan initiative to control Paterson’s Curse inthat area. Management of weeds, inparticular St John’s Wort, Paterson’sCurse and Spiny Rush, and rabbit controlhave been ongoing projects since thecommencement of the group. Barry Bibbybecame the local contact person for themanagement of Spiny Rush in 1996.

• The Project Platypus Plantout onNavarre Hill in 2002 was the group’slargest and most ambitious project.Landowners Lawrence (Charlie) Raeburnand Noel Supple with President RupertBibby collaborated with Rio Tinto ProjectPlatypus, the Department of NaturalResources and Environment andGreening Australia and the Navarrecommunity to ensure a successfuloutcome for the community. Prior to thePlantout, Navarre Hill was a barrenenvironment that required extensivepreparation in terms of rabbit control,erosion control works, grass seeding,fauna surveys and seed collection andpropagation. Jane Marriott of ProjectPlatypus provided significant direction inthe planning of the project and providedcritically important knowledge, skill andtime in harvesting seeds. The Williamsfamily in Pomonal grew the seedlings forthe Plantout. 200 volunteers from otherLandcare Groups, locals and theLandmate Crew planted 15,000 plants onthe large hill to the north-west of Navarre,known variously as Navarre Hill, Melville’sLookout (after the bushranger who used tohide in the thick scrub on the hill) andBlake’sHill. It was a memorable event,with older community members andtoddlers in attendance.

People

Founding committee members werePresident Lyle Driscoll, Secretary StephenWare and the six committee members KenStewart, Clive Hardwick, Ron Bibby,Gerald Parry, Rob Tehan and KieranDevery. Subsequent office bearers includeDoreen Bibby, Joan Austerberry, KenStewart, Stephen and Karen Ware,Colleen Parry and Ron Bibby who wereSecretaries, Vern Hutton and Joan

Austerberry as treasurers, and LyleDriscoll, Rupert Bibby, and Colin Snooksas presidents. Vice presidents wereGerald Parry and Shane Bibby. Currentoffice bearers are Shane Bibby asPresident, Richard Kelleher as Treasurerand Liz Kelleher and Richard Kelleher asSecretaries.

Reflections

Landcare is now a permanent part of therural landscape in the region thanks tothose who pioneered the movement in theearly 90's. From time to time interest inLandcare ebbs and flows within thecommunity but the need for the Landcaregroup will remain. Weeds and rabbits willnot go away and the long term problemssuch as salinity and soil erosion willcontinue to affect land management eventhough much has been done since thoseearly days.

The success in dealing with challengesthat lie ahead will depend upon theenergies of the leadership and thecommunity within the Navarre and DistrictLandcare group and the acceptance thatwe all have a duty of care to leave ourland in good condition for futuregenerations.

Colin Snooks revegetation site at Navarre

Weeds and in particular Pattersons Curseare an ongoing problem

Navarre Landcare hosted the 2002Plantout and catered for dinner at thefooty club

The 2002 Navarre Hill Plantout has transformed the local landscape

Navarre Primary School planted a site onWares property

2.7 Ja llukar Landcare Group

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Beginnings

In May 1991, Michael McMurtrie called ameeting of interested people at thePomonal hall to hear DCE officers outlinethe local land degradation issues andoptions to combat them. Jallukar LandcareGroup was subsequently formed to coverthe Mt William catchment area, extendingfrom Jallukar on the south, Mt Drummondand Lake Lonsdale on the north, Pomonaland surrounds on the west to the edge ofBlack Range on the east. This amounts to600km2 with over 40km of waterways.Michael was elected Chairperson /President, Jane Williams Vice-presidentand Ken Reid Secretary /Treasurer. Thecommittee included Anne Hardy, DavidPeel, Peter Brady and Norman Reid. Thegroup became incorporated on 8November 1991.

Achievements

The group has always been very proactivewith a supportive and enthusiastic band ofworkers. An initial bus trip invitedmembers to assess their property needsand identify degraded areas. This wasfollowed by Whole Farm Planningworkshops. Over nearly 20 years, scoresof projects have been completed involvingthe properties of most members. Manyprojects have also been undertaken onpublic land and involved members of thewider community.

• Educational bus trips have been ahighlight and included Lanark and theDunkeld area, Lake Hindmarsh andRainbow, Challicum Hills Windfarm and atour of Gason’s at Ararat.

• Rabbits and noxious weeds weretargeted for control and the purchase ofwarren fumigators by the group in 1992was a highlight. A consistent campaignand the introduction of Calicivirus haveseen a huge decline but not completeeradication of rabbits. Weed control hasalso been an ongoing project withsuccessful 2nd Generation Grants from theCMA targeting Patterson’s Curse, CapeTulip and Bathurst Burr.

• Many planting projects have brought thecommunity closer together and also

resulted in more sustainable locallandscapes. These have included JallukarGroup projects as well as those organisedthrough Project Platypus, when JallukarGroup was responsible for the catering onseveral occasions. Shelter belts andcreekline revegetation have beenestablished on Mt View (Peel), GrampiansParadise (Banfield), Jallukar Park (Brady),Teran Park (May), Green Hills(McMurtrie’s), and on the properties ofDelahunty, Pat and Norm Reid, Ken andEleanor Reid, Bill and Leigh Lax, Geoffand Ann Hardy, Elizabeth and Ian Jackson,Scott Douglas and many more.

• Fencing was completed along salineareas, for tree planting and to define landclasses. In 1995 the Peel family andPomonal PS children planted 1300 trees in3 hours.

• Pasture renovation was successful at MtDryden where the steep degraded hillswere sprayed and seeded by air. Rabbitwarrens were ripped with a bulldozer byDavid West - dangerous work on the verysteep and rocky slopes.

• Several properties in the catchment wereaffected by increasing saline dischargeand unproductive problem areas. Acreekline from Jallukar Park to the JallukarState Forest showed salt scarring anderosion. The Brady and Reid familiestogether with the Jallukar Landcare Groupaddressed the problem with successfulresults evident today. To ensure thesurvival of Redgum trees members cartedsoil from Brady’s dam bank with 10 tiptrucks to create mounds for planting in theforest. Tall Wheat Grass and Phalaris werealso used on properties including Mt Viewto reduce a salty water table.

• The Millers Creek Project at Pomonalaimed to involve community members withthe development and appreciation of thispleasant public space. Weed eradicationwas carried out along the creek,indigenous species were planted andseating installed.

• Jallukar Landcare Group was involvedwith the planning and implementation ofthe Mt William Creek Walk, following the

Jallukar Landcare Group planters celebrating their efforts

Millers Creek track today – a communityasset

Millers Creek walking track weed controlwork in progress

The same site today... Landcare doeswork!

Saline site in Jallukar Forest being plantedby Landcare

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main watercourse through the Jallukararea to the Wimmera River. Day 2included a catered night at Peel’s withpoet Colin Driscoll entertaining the wearywalkers.

People

Presidents have been Michael McMurtrie(twice), David Peel, Peter Brady, JaneWilliams, Ken Reid, Wayne Burton, BernieRudolph and Terry May. Secretaries haveincluded Ken Reid, Ken McPhee, EleanorReid (twice), David Peel, Peter Brady, PhilWilliams, Jill Miller, Annette May, PeggyPechenuik, Jane Williams and Fred Rich.Scott Douglas was treasurer from 1995 to2003, followed by Terry May, Barry Curtis,Leon Sachse and Leigh Blackmore. Themore recent position of Project Officer hasbeen undertaken in turn by Ken McPhee,Terry May and Joe Price to organise andoversee the numerous activitiesundertaken by the group from pesteradication to bus trips and excursions.

The group has been fortunate to have anumber of passionate and activemembers. Michael McMurtrie begangrowing trees on the hill at Greenhillsbefore the beginning of the landcaregroup, much to the questioning of the locallandholders. Salt tolerant Red Gums fromAlbacutya were sourced from WailNursery.

This interest developed into his initiation ofthe Jallukar Landcare Group. Michael isalso involved with Project Platypus andbroader Landcare organisations. JaneWilliams had a passion for the naturalenvironment, including a strong desire toreintroduce the original indigenous speciesand discourage the use of invasiveintroduced plants. She was a driving forcein collecting seed of the correct speciesand their propagation. Plants were initiallygrown for the local group and expanded toother groups. Phil retired from teaching in1992 and assisted Jane in the nursery.The group remains indebted to Jane whoworked tirelessly until her recent passing.The late Norm Reid became veryprominent with rabbit control as heapproached and educated landholdersand spent many hours destroying warrens

at a time when rabbits were a serious pestin the area. A number of members havebeen heavily involved in the formation anddevelopment of Project Platypus.

Reflections

Jallukar Landcare Group has been avibrant and effective force for 20 yearswith many successful projects inaddressing land degradation. Much of thegroup’s success has been due to regularsocial gatherings and the passionatemembers with diverse backgrounds withall opinions respected. They include largelandholders, weekend residents and smallblock holders in Pomonal and surrounds.Many interesting guest speakers have alsoinformed the group. Meetings are socialoccasions at members’ homes andproperties and often involve a tour orsharing of a project.

January 2006 saw many members and thecommunity affected by the Grampiansbushfire followed by flooding along the MtWilliam Creek in February 2011. A positiveand supportive relationship exists withProject Platypus and other groups andagencies.

As part of a strategic planning session ledby Nigel McGuckian, the JallukarLandcare Group determined to continue toengage people in a social atmosphere,catering for and respecting everyone’sdiverse interests and practices andcontribute to a sustainable environment.

Visiting the other end of the catchment atLake Hindmarsh 2008

Members meeting at May’s shed for ameeting and a meal

Aileen and a band of helpers catering forplanters

Plantout 2005 saw thousands of plantsplanted at Delahunty’s

2011 Plantout on Banfields with Pomonal’sstunning Grampians backdrop

2.8 Elmhurst Landcare Group

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Beginnings

The Elmhurst Landcare group covers apicturesque 22,000 ha area located in theheadwater catchment of the WimmeraRiver between the Pyrenees Ranges to thenorth of the township and Mt. Cole StateForest to the south. The area has severalmajor creeks whose source is in theseforested ranges with the main enterprisebeing grazing both on steep hill countryand down to the river flats.

A group of landholders with a commonconcern for environmental issues formed in1988 and the Elmhurst Landcare Groupwas formally launched in 1991 with theiraims controlling rabbits and weeds,improving pastures, and addressingerosion, salinity, declining vegetation, andother land management issues. Thegroup’s members comprise farmers, lifestyle landholders, retired and semi retiredpeople, anglers and other interested townspeople, who are all motivated by theirdesire to address environmental issues.

Achievements

After agreeing on their priorities, the groupset about developing a number of projects

• Group based rabbit and weed action workresulted in 480 acres across threeproperties being fenced out and treated toreduce high numbers of rabbits. This wassupplemented by wide scale 1080campaigns coupled to a rabbit busterprogram.

• Weed control plans for St Johns Wort,Pattersons Curse and others pest plantssaw the implementation of aerial spraying,spraying and biological control techniques.Weeds remain a serious concern.

• Tree planting, natural regeneration, directseeding and revegetation have been partof an integrated approach in many subcatchment rehabilitation projects involvingseveral landholders with a great example inthe Glenlofty area. In 1990 approximately10,000 trees and shrubs were planted inthe Elmhurst area.

• At the Project Platypus Plantout atElmhurst in July 2001 14,000 indigenous

plants were planted over 117 hectares ofsteep hill country by 200 volunteers.Planting steep hills reduces recharge ofrainfall water into the hill and the dischargeof saline water further down the slope.Another Plantout hosted by the group washeld on in 2009.

• The Wimmera Enhancement &Rehabilitation Elmhurst (WERE) projectexemplified a coordinated approach torehabilitating a problem area. It was fundedby the Wimmera Catchment ManagementAuthority and was supported by voluntaryefforts of the Landcare group. Redefiningthe stream flow with a chain of ponds, rockchutes, fencing, weed control, and treeplanting has seen the former waste landnow a valued community rest area.

• Land class fencing in hill country andWhole Farm Planning courses haveincreased farmers understanding andmanagement of the land according to itscapacity. Pasture establishment programswere established to respond to farmersneeds. Workshops also helped to developthe skills of landholders in natural resourceand business management, chemical useand productivity trials.

• An active Junior Landcare initiative inElmhurst Primary School led to boremonitoring, grass and weed identification,assessing animal and fish habitat andwater quality.

• Platypus research in the Wimmera Riverand Nowhere Creek by the PlatypusConservancy was coordinated by ProjectPlatypus and has been of huge interest inthe local area and beyond. The Platypushas become icon in the area and is ameasure of sustainable land management.

• Erosion control works in various streamsand creeks, installing silt traps, tricklepipes, gully battering, grass chutes,diversion banks, and complete gullyreclamation work has ensured cleaner andbetter quality water entering the WimmeraRiver.

• The group has undertaken many otheractivities such as social gatherings, site

The section of the Wimmera River atElmhurst is home to platypus

Erosion from run-off from steep hills is abig issue

A 1996 tree planting along the Iles creekline

Weed and erosion issues along Salt Creekwere addressed

In 1998 Elmhurst Primary School studentshelp plant on Darbyshire’s farm

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visits, producing newsletters, the Landmate program, accessing aerial flights andthe community notice board which havecontributed to the success of the group.

People

Many Landcare members have contributedto the group’s success and they continueto support and maintain the Landcaregroup by taking on various committeeroles, developing various projects andcarrying out ongoing programs. PresidentBill Langcake, Secretary Geoff Penna,Treasurer Tony Roberts were preceded asoffice bearers by Peter Laidlaw, Lil Iles,Garry Iles, Ben Greene, Michael Greene,Stephanie Stephens, Julian Kaye, TonyRoberts. Doug Boatman. They have beensupported by group members who havehad a significant input into the group’sactivities, projects, and social occasions.Special recognition is made of Lil Iles andRoss McPhie who were given LifeMembership for their tireless work andefforts in the group’s early development -coordinating applications for funding,rabbits, trees, catchment planning,producing newsletters and notices. Lil wasalso a recipient of the CentenaryFederation Medal in 2001 for services toLandcare.

Reflections

The Landcare Group has built on the worksof the previous generations of landholdersand agencies such as the SoilConservation Authority and the Departmentof Agriculture. The benefits of perennialpastures, the use of fertiliser, the role ofmolybdenum and early gully reclamationwork was encouraged by inspirationalindividuals such as the late Tom Morgan.

The Elmhurst Landcare Group continues tocarry the banner for sustainable landmanagement. The group plans to maintaintheir spirit of co-operation and theunderstanding in the community of theneed to preserve our greatest asset - theland for our use and that of successivegenerations.

The Elmhurst Landcare Group hasreflected and celebrated its achievementsat various times along its journey but isrealistic about the fact that there are manymore years of work to be done. A ten yearcelebration and bus trip was one of thehighlights in the journey, reflecting on thegroup’s achievements and theirinvolvement in the wider landcaremovement. Associations and partnershipswith Greening Australia, DNRE, ProjectPlatypus, GWMWater, Granite CreeksLandcare Group, Advisers & TechnicalServices, the Platypus Conservancy andVictorian Landcare Council havecontributed to the success of the group.

Signage promotes Landcare river projectsand platypus facts

Elmhurst catered and hosted 2001Plantout at the Golf Club

Emily, Lil and Doug entertain VictorianGovernor John Landy

Landcare meetings and workshops helpkeep the group informed

Group rabbit control campaigns are themost effective

2.9 Stawell Urban Landcare Group

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Beginnings

Weed infestations around the Stawelltownship prompted an enthusiasticgroup of individuals to hold weedremoval working bees. They believedthat a Stawell Urban Landcare groupwould make a valuable contribution tothe local environment and in 2004 ameeting was called at the Stawell TownHall with Barry Clugston addressing themeeting and John Pye’s students givinga report on their Grampians Rail Trailproject. The 25 attendees agreed toestablish the Stawell Urban LandcareGroup with weed removal andmanagement of public places as its keygoals using community engagement toachieve this.

Achievements

• Developing the Pleasant Creek WalkingTrack was the group’s first big projectwhich called for many hands to wrestlewith and remove dense thickets ofBroom from the banks of PleasantCreek, prepare and lay the track, installculverts and bridges, replant bare areasand produce signs and brochures.Regular working bees were organised byLeigh Blackmore with John Pye leadingbridge work and many willing workersincluding Gerard’s dog turning up towork hard for a few hours and enjoy acuppa. The completed walking track isnow complemented by Federation Parkon the Western Highway and is avaluable asset for Stawell.

• Revegetation over several years atMoonlight Sands was undertaken inconjunction with Peter Graveson fromParks Victoria. Combined with a walkingtrack and seating this area has beentransformed from a wasteland to a park.

• Broom is one of the most extensive ofStawell’s weeds and many hours havebeen spent mapping, spraying andremoving it by hand. The Landcaregroup also coordinated Ararat PrisonLandmate crew in control works. Thiswork is ongoing as the seed will continueto germinate for a number of years. In2011 the group was successful in

gaining a Victorian Landcare grant forweed control works on Big Hill.Coordinated by Julie Andrew this projecthas a long term plan including all landmanagers and the Stawell community inongoing weed control of Broom,Boneseed, Cotoneaster, Gazanias,Bridal Creeper, Cootamundra wattle andPittosporum. Community and Landmateworking bees have made inroads onweed infestations.

• The group hosted the 2008 Plantoutwhich involved welcoming andregistering volunteers at the StawellRacing Club dining room and cateringfor meals throughout the weekend. InJuly 2012 the group catered for theplanting day near Lake Lonsdale.

• In 2011 the Landcare group took on thecoordination of the annual IronbarksWalks with primary students. Thisactivity to increase awareness of thelocal box-ironbark forests has beenrunning for over 10 years with localschools seeing positive outcomes instudents learning.

• The development of a tool trailer byJohn Pye has enabled the group to storeand transport tools and equipment andcatering gear. The trailer is used atworking bees and events and is loanedto Project Platypus and other LandcareGroups.

• Members participated in theWaterwatch program monitoring localwaterways and provided valuableinformation collated by the WimmeraCatchment Management Authority.

• For a number of years the LandcareGroup co-ordinated other groups andindividuals to clean roadsides on theWestern Highway and along London Rdas part of Clean up Australia program. In2011 the group assisted GrampiansRegional Waste Management to cleanup the Pomonal Roadside betweenStawell and the tip.

• In 2011 the group supported ProjectPlatypus by locating and flagging rabbit

Regular displays were mounted at theStawell Show to engage local residents

Free trees were distributed in the mainstreet to raise community awareness

Regular working bees were held to weed,build bridges, plant and socialise

The first project was to create a walkingtrack along Pleasant Creek

Attendees at the 2004 meeting at StawellTown Hall form a Stawell Urban LandcareGroup

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warrens at Old Lake Oval near theStawell Cycling Track.

• The group has also arranged capabilitybuilding opportunities for members andothers by running chainsawaccreditation training in 2011 and amedia writing workshop in 2012.Members have also improved their weedidentification skills through involvementin on-ground control.

People

Past presidents of the group are SimonMarston, Leigh Blackmore, GerardMcAloon and Ian Nicholson who hasserved since 2007. Founding membersof SULC are Elizabeth Jackson, RoslynByass, Gerard McAloon, John Pye andwere supported by the LandcareCoordinator at that time FelicityChristian nee Brown and Parks Victoriaofficer Peter Graveson. The group hasestablished relationships with keypartners including Parks Victoria,Project Platypus, Department of PrimaryIndustries, Wimmera CatchmentAuthority, Northern Grampians Shire,Stawell Goldmine, GWMWater,Department of Sustainability andEnvironment and local primary schools.

Reflections

The group has built networks with othercommunity groups, council andbusinesses that have improved thecapability and resilience of the Stawellcommunity. Workshops, displays,articles in the Stawell Times Newshave raised community awareness ofnatural resource issues such as

environmental weeds and biodiversitymanagement.

The beautification and maintenance ofnatural areas such as Pleasant Creekand Moonlight Sands has provided arecreation resource all the communitycan utilise. The big picture plan is todevelop a walking track linking all thesignature attractions around town,including – Pleasant Creek, Big Hill, TheArboretum and Moonlight Sands.

The group continues to be active andplans to focus on on-ground work,educating and engaging the localcommunity and promoting Landcare.

The group set up video cameras to monitor rabbit activity

SULC hosted the 2008 Plantout at theRacecourse and planters received afriendly welcome

Weeding Big Hill is a big task and willneed many hands for many years!

The neglected Moonlight Sands area hasbeen transformed

SULC hosted a visit from other LandcareGroups and showcased Pleasant Creekwalk

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BeginningsIn August 1994 David Munday from DNREcalled a meeting of local residents in andaround Crowlands to see who would beinterested in commencing a Landcare Groupin the area. The 20 people who attendedwere keen and a further meeting of 28landholders was held in September to form acommittee to draw up plans for establishing aLandcare Group. At the first meeting of theCrowlands Landcare Group in November1994 Graeme Price was elected President,Emile Wilkinson Vice President, JeanBoatman Secretary and Doreen McKay astreasurer. The main aims of the group were topromote new landcare and conservationpractices and techniques, control rabbits,undertake soil erosion works, trial pastureplots and Spiny Rush eradication.

AchievementsThe group has a large environment tooperate, with weeds and erosion beingsignificant problems. The group gratefullyacknowledges the vital assistance of themany staff from DPI, DSE and ProjectPlatypus in achieving significant on-groundresults.

• A group tour of Woady Yalloak area washeld in February 1995 to view their efforts tocombat Spiny Rush. Subsequent trips takenas a group include a tour of Gason’s andA.M.E. in Ararat, a tour of Australian WoolTesting Authority in Melbourne and Hifert inGeelong. The group visited the Wallop TopCroppers Group and hosted a return visit.

• Aerial flights over the Crowlands Grouparea were held in 1995 to enable members togain an overview and receive photosidentifying the extent of soil erosion in thedistrict. Extensive works on erosion control -gully battering levy banks, trickle pipes androck chutes in creeks - together with treeplanting has help address erosion measures.

• Extensive rabbit warren ripping has beencarried out on the Glendhu andDunneworthy hills areas as well as group1080 rabbit poisoning programs. Athol McKayhas organized has organized the group’sFox-off campaign since the Group wasformed.

• Trial plots for different pasture grasses wereset up on Paul Harrington’s property and arestill ongoing. The results have been valuable

in making decisions which pasture grasseswill do best in local conditions.

• Crowlands Landcare Group has beenrepresented on the Project PlatypusManagement Committee since 1995 andcurrently has 2 members.

• The group has had a variety of workshopsand guest speakers on different subjectsincluding Occupation Health and Safety,chain saw safety, bio fuels, laws relating tofarms, a C.P.R First Aid Course, ChemicalUsers Course and a Whole Farm PlanningCourse which were all well attended.

• The group hosted the first Project PlatypusPlantout on Jack Start’s property at Glendhuin 2000. Large numbers of trees have beenplanted since on several members propertiesfor agro forestry, revegetation and erosioncontrol. The group has hosted two morePlantouts, the last one being in 2011. Withregular Landcare events, often held at theCrowlands Hall the catering efforts ofCrowland’s women are well practiced andrenowned.

People The inaugural President Graeme Price wasfollowed by Bernard Boatman, JeffMcGuinness, Paul Harrington, Mark McKew,Steven Start, Shane Molloy and currentlyDennis Harrington. Secretaries following JeanBoatman include Jackie Grimmer, EdithThomas, Graeme and Bree Price, WendyHarrington and Harold Thomas. DoreenMcKay has been the treasurer from thegroup’s inception! At the 2011 Annual GeneralMeeting President Shane Molloy presentedLife Memberships to Jean and BernardBoatman, Doreen and Athol McKay, Vic Startand Edith and Harold Thomas for their longservice to the Crowlands Landcare Group.

ReflectionsThe group has a very active and engagedmembership and is an excellent model of ahealthy Landcare Group. The group plans tocontinue to control pest plants and animalsincluding those weeds that are appearing innumbers that have not been seen in the areapreviously. Kangaroo numbers are steadilyincreasing and may become a problem in thenear future. Soil conservation and pastureimprovement works are also identified as apriority.

2.10 Crowlands Landcare Group

Landcare stalwarts Harold and EdithThomas dancing after planting all day

Platypus surveys along the WimmeraRiver yielded good numbers prior to thedrought

Trials of pasture grasses are important forlocal graziers

Landcare legends Athol and DoreenMackay know a thing or two about revegetation

Crowlands Landcare holds regular workshops, planning sessions and socialevents

2.11 Landsborough Landcare Group

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Beginnings

In June 1995 a meeting was held to form theLandsborough Landcare Group to “pursueproductivity and improve land managementfor its members.” At its second meeting inAugust staff from DNRE helped the group todevelop objectives to determine futureactivities. It was fairly clear that weeds andrabbits were to be major concerns as waserosion and the sedimentation of creeks.The group had a slow start but from 1997 to2002 were undertaking a range of weed andrabbit control projects as well applying forNatural Heritage Trust funds to undertakeerosion control works in theMalakoff/Howards Creek catchments.

Achievements

• The group was active for a number ofyears in undertaking “RabbitBuster” workripping warrens and employed facilitatorsincluding Ron Marriott to co-ordinate works.Calici virus substantially reduced rabbitnumbers in the early 2000’s but rabbitnumbers were building up again by 2010.

• In 1997 a spray unit was purchased toallow landholders to control PattersonsCurse, Spiny Broom, St Johns Wort and BoxThorn. Trent Leslie facilitated some of theseweed control works. The group wasfortunate to have the assistance ofLandmate crews to undertake weed control,particularly on roadsides.

• In 1997 the Upper Wimmera Farm TreeGroup sponsored an aerial flight over theLandsborough catchment to capture somedramatic images showing the extent of theerosion in the region.

• For several years the repair of a deep scourin Wattle Creek was planned and costed.After 3 or so years of efforts by the WattleCreek Project Steering Committee apartnership between Project Platypus, theWCMA, the Landcare Group and thePyrenees Shire finally saw works begin withdrop structures installed, gullies battered andthe area revegetated. In 2002 the project wascompleted and when it rained quite someyears later Darryl Leslie reported that thestructures had done their job. The WimmeraCatchment Management Authority completedrock structure maintenance in 2012.

• Landholders in the Astons ScourCatchment were part of Project Platypusworks over a number of years to addresserosion by installing gully plug dams,establishing perennial pastures, installingrock groins and battering banks.

• In 2010 the group met again to apply for aSecond Generation Landcare grant toundertake ongoing weed and rabbit control.These works were facilitated by DavidMargetson through Project Platypus andinvolved works on several properties andpublic reserves.

• In 2011 the group applied for and wassuccessful in gaining a further grant forweeds control under the ‘Communities forNature’ program. Targeted weeds includePattersons Curse, Gorse, St. Johns Wort,Spiny Broom and Horehound. ProjectPlatypus and the Landmate crews will againprovide important support.

People

Office bearers for the group have beenDarryl Leslie, Greg Dean and NarelleThomason. Active members have includedbroadacre farmers, smaller landowners,some absentee landowners as well as towndwellers. The group has appreciated theassistance of state government agency staffsuch as DNRE, DPI, and WCMA. Much ofthe facilitation of group activities would nothave been possible, without the invaluableresource and support from past and presentstaff of Project Platypus.

Reflections

The fact that the group is still undertakingworks is due to the tenacity and dedicationof two long term members and office bearersDarryl Leslie and Greg Dean. It has beendifficult to keep the momentum of the groupgoing and there are a limited number of“large scale” farmers in the area and manysmaller blocks and absentee landholders.The environment has benefited from theworks undertaken by the group and theyplan to continue overseeing weed and rabbitcontrol activities. It is possible that a core oflandholders interested in controlling weedsand rabbits or undertaking revegetationprojects may prompt a revival of the group.

A dam on the Wattle Creek catchment allows for overflows to be diverted

Works to address massive erosion in theWattle Creek was achieved with a numberof partners

Establishing crops and pasture and managing water are important land management principles

Rabbit numbers are lower than in timespast but still need vigilance

Spiny Broom and Gorse are commonweeds controlled by the group

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2.12 Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group

Beginnings

In 1985, a year before the Landcaremovement in Victoria was launched, ameeting was called by Ararat SoilConservation Authority Officer, ClemSturmfells, for farmers interested inaddressing the severe erosion and salinityproblems caused through the overclearing of hills. There was a goodattendance at the Joel Hall meeting whereBarry Clugston was elected as Chair andClem Sturmfells as Secretary of the UpperWimmera Farm Tree Group (UWFTG). Itwas agreed that the group’s focus was toassist landholder tree planting projects bysourcing funding for trees and tree guardsand offering advice on tree species, sitepreparation and the most effectivelocation of sites.

Achievements

Over its 20 years of operation the grouphad some outstandingly successfulprojects and events. Funding for UWFTGprojects was from a variety of sourcesincluding state and federal Governmentgrants through CF&L, DPI and TreeVictoria, Greening Australia and NLPgrants.

• An early project was a bus trip to thePotter Farms in Hamilton with 45 peopleseeing evidence of the positivecontribution trees can make on farms.Numerous bus trips were organised forlandholders to visit a variety of projectsincluding tree aspiration research atLogan, Lucerne plantings at Bridgewater,Wail Nursery and other Farm TreeGroups.

• Aerial flights were offered to LandcareGroups to gain a unique perspective ofthe land degradation issues faced in thevarious sub catchments of the Wimmera.Aerial photos of extensively eroded creeklines and barren hills and pastures weremade available to Landcare groups andwere a stark reminder of the urgency andextent of the issues. Groups whobenefited from the aerial photos wereAstons Scour landholders, Elmhurst andother Landcare Groups and localgovernment.

• Tree guards and stakes were hard to comeby in the 1980’s and the UWFTG boughtthese in bulk and made them available tolandholders and Landcare Group.

• When direct seeding was a novelpractice, the UWFTG purchased a directseeding machine as a way to get trees inthe ground cheaply and effectively. Thedirect seeder has been used across thecatchment. The group also trialled aerialseeding of steep bare hills to stabilisesoils.

• The group purchased other equipmentsuch as a spray unit and Potti Putkis toloan to landholders undertaking plantings.Some of the plantings funded through thegroup were for Break of Slope planting toaddress salinity, agroforestry plots andstreamside and roadside plantings.

• Communicating the value of trees wasthe driving force for the group and a videoand catchment booklet promoted thismessage. Regular newsletters keptlandholders up to date with projects andevents. Field days and seminars on theWimmera Rivera catchment, salinity, RedGum regeneration and Whole Farmplanning sessions brought information onbest practice land management to localaudiences. Stalls at local shows promotedthe planting of trees.

• Weed control was and still is a majorissue in the catchment and the UWFTGfocussed on mapping and treating SpinyRush infestations. A Ballarat Uni studentcompleted a comprehensive report of thevarious treatment methods to eradicateSpiny Rush

People

Membership of the UWFTG was fromacross the Upper Wimmera region with aconcentration of works in the steep hillcountry in the east and north of the regionwhere the salinity and erosion issueswere the most severe. Office bearers anda very active sub-committee helpedmaintain the direction and impetus of thegroup. These include Jon and KrisMcMillan, Barry & Cheryl Hall, JimKilpatrick, Alan Green, George Holden,

A French forestry group toured McKay’sextensive plantings

Planting trees was a major priority of thegroup

Site visits were an important learning experience

Widespread mapping and control of SpinyRush in low lying areas was undertaken

Aerial photos give landholders an excellent perspective of problems

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Lillian Iles, John Greene, Councillor AlanKingston, Vic & Elizabeth Start, Bernard& Jean Boatman, Phil Hall, BarryClugston, Lisa Moore, Clem Sturmfelsand Michael Greene.

The role of DPI and DSE officers in thesupport, development and maintenanceof the group was pivotal as they wereable to contribute their resources,knowledge and passion to projects toensure their success.

Reflections

The Farm Tree Group responded to theurgent need to revegetate the extensivelycleared farming land in the UpperWimmera – to reduce erosion, salinity,enhance biodiversity and provide stockshade and shelter. The group was verysuccessful in highlighting the need forrevegetation and instigating plantingprojects across the catchment and

making tree planting a positive andacceptable farming practice. The groupwas also instrumental in fostering theformation the development of otherLandcare Groups in the Upper Wimmera.

The subsequent development of ProjectPlatypus and Landcare Groups acrossthe Upper Wimmera decreased the needfor a catchment wide body such as theFarm Tree Group and the groupdisbanded in 2006 after having made asubstantial contribution to theenvironmental health of the catchmentand its communities. Lisa Moore andBarry Clugston oversaw the disbanding ofthe group and its assets in 2006 with the‘Hamilton’ direct seeding unit, a sprayunit, various tree planters, guards andstakes donated to Project Platypus. Manygroup members have maintained aninterest in all things environmental withinthe Upper Catchment and beyond.

Understanding soils is an important element of land management

Restoring trees across the landscape hasmultiple environmental benefits

The control of Spiny Rush includes burning, spraying and physical removal

Revegetation along creeklines protectswaterways and water quality

Mackay’s forestry plots with 2001 Plantoutsite in the foreground

2.13 Perennia l Pasture Systems

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PPS members visit plant breeders in Tasmania

Trials allow comparisons of pasturespecies and treatments

The group plans projects, site visits andshares information

A good cover of perennial grasses is thekey to healthy pastures and stock

PPS is an active group of graziers workingtogether to improve productivity

Beginnings

The Perennial Pasture Systems (PPS)group was formed in mid 2007 after aworkshop convened by Julie Andrew andEwan Letts of DPI. The aim of workshop,conducted at Hall’s Gap, was to bringtogether graziers in the upper Wimmeracatchment interested in progressing andintegrating perennial pastures in theirfarming systems and to consider forming agrower group and enjoy the benefits thatmight come from that. An executivecommittee was convened at the workshopwhich initiated the PPS group and SimonBrady from Jallukar became the group’sfirst President. The aim of the group is topush the boundaries of perennial pastureresearch in our region and to provideinformation on productive pasturemanagement to members. In 2011 PPSbecame an affiliated member of ProjectPlatypus in recognition of the role thatproductive perennial pastures play insustainable farming systems.

Achievements

• PPS commenced three paddock scaleprojects to trial new pasture varieties whichhad become available. Planning of theproject and development of a businessplan as well as paddock walks were themain activities throughout 2008.

• Funding to progress the group wasgained through Project Platypus and inMarch 2009 Rob Shea hired a part timeproject manager Rob Shea to overee theestablishment of the three PPS trial sitesalong with the EverGraze phalaris andlucerne trial site at Mooneys Gap.

• During 2009 the group’s newsletter wascommenced and PPS held their firstannual conference and dinner.

• PPS continued their extension work in2010 with the newsletter, field days and theannual conference. A second EverGrazetrial site at Tottington also commenced.

• Funding from Meat & Livestock Australiaassisted with building the trial pasturesproject. The group continued to gain newfarmer members as well as attractingseveral members from industry such asagronomists and seed suppliers who areregular attendees at PPS events.

• In 2011 a soil amelioration project wascommenced with funding from the A WHoward Trust. At the Annual conferencedinner Ben Greene from Elmhurst waselected as the group’s second president.

• Another major project was commenced in2012 with the establishment of fourreplicated plant variety trials set up to testpasture species under the different soil andclimatic conditions in the region.

People

PPS currently has a membership of 68farm businesses from across CentralVictoria and the Southern Wimmera.Members are heavily involved in primelamb, mutton, wool and beef production.The group also has 30 members involvedin agribusiness and agronomic servicesand an associate group member, theYarram Landcare Pasture Group.

The total area farmed by group membersis 64,473 ha varying from 20 to 5000 haholdings. PPS members manage approx450,827 DSE, made up of 258,740 sheep,7,558 cattle and 903 goats. Cropping andexport hay operations are also conductedon many of the farms.

Reflections

The large membership of the group andtheir active program reflects the keeninterest of farmers to farm sustainably andprofitably. The group relies on motivatedfarmers sharing their knowledge andexperience and all members learning fromthe numerous trial sites across the region.As the results of trials are known, these willbe shared with PPS members and thebroader farming community to progresssustainable land management.

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2.14 Project Platypus and Landcare M ilestones

Many of the people involved in setting up Project Platypus in 1994 are still involved in Project Platypustoday. Looking back at Project Platypus and Landcare achievements and events in this publication willtrigger memories and serve as a reminder of the many successes (and the few failures!) of theorganisation. The steady growth in the organisation and the huge contribution made by the thousandswho have been involved in some way with Project Platypus is reflected in the following annualmilestones. These milestones, some small and some substantial, provide an important record of thegrowth and development of a community based rural environmental movement.

1979 - Garden State Victoria - Project Tree Cover established a 36 ha revegetation site on Col Halls Joel hill with fencing,16,400 plants at a cost of $11,600

1983 - A dramatic dust cloud rolls into Melbourne and heightens community interest in land degradation issues1984 - The Potter Farmland Project is launched in Western Victoria1985 - The Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group formed to promote tree planting to address land degradations problems1986 - The Landcare movement was launched by CF&L Minister Joan Kirner and VFF President Heather Mitchell in Winjallock

near St Arnaud

- The Farm Tree and Landcare Association is established

1988 - Wimmera River – A Weeping Sore conference at Longerenong identifies whole of catchment issues1994 - A meeting was convened to discuss the possibility of forming an umbrella group to seek Landcare funding and assist

Landcare groups

- Meetings continued with a committee formed and members from Landcare groups attending and contributing ideas

- The umbrella group was initially known as the Upper Wimmera Sponsorship Group and Landcare groups contributed$50 towards administration and foundation

- The umbrella group initially functioned as a sub-committee of the Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group

- Possible names for the group were Clean Water Revival – Platypus Survival and Platypus Project – Wimmera Solution2000

1995 - The first meeting under the name of Project Platypus was held in June - Office bearers elected to lead the organisation were President Michael McMurtrie, Secretary Jane Williams, Treasurer

Scott Douglas.

- Many different organisations and businesses were approached for sponsorship or funding and positive responses werereceived from Wimmera Mallee Water and CRA.

1996 - Wimmera Landcare EcoTour conducted by Dave Munday from DNRE - The Australian Platypus Conservancy visits the Upper Wimmera to determine possible platypus monitoring sites

- Site visit by Wimmera Mallee Water and Project Platypus to look at Ron Bibby’s revegetation and erosion control works

- Incorporation taken out under the Project Platypus name, rather than VFF umbrella

- Report on Dominic Browne’s Aston Scour project plan

- Sherree Christian appointed as first Project Officer/Manager

- Sherree Christian had a guided tour of Jallukar and Moyston Landcare areas

- “Peter Jackson and Nigel Binney were enthusiastic and would do what they could to raise $13,816 for the * project attheir next Wimmera Mallee Water meeting.”

- Kevin Brady received $5000 from GWMWater funds to undertake a saline rehabilitation project at Moyston

- Lengthy discussions were held to develop the CRA partnership agreement

- A regional Landcare Forum was held at Longeronong on the next decade of Landcare

- An all day bus tour of landcare sites across the Upper Wimmera was followed by a dinner at the Diamond House

- Dave Munday spoke to Halls Gap residents about the possibility of forming a Landcare Group

- Landcare Groups were requested to submit potential projects that fulfilled the CRA sponsorship requirements to ProjectPlatypus

- Kerryn Shrank replaced Sherree as Project Manager, working from Wail Natural Resource Conservation League offices

- Bill Pyke was employed by CRA to supervise Astons Scour mapping

- Launch of the CRA Project Platypus partnership was held at Seppelts.

- Astons Scour and Ironpot Creek chosen as sites for Pilot Projects with CRA mentoring

- Funding for Kerryn Shrank’s position was received through LPIS (Land Protection Incentive2000 Scheme) and Kerrynworked 1 day a week out of the Stawell DNRE office in Patrick St

1997 - Funding from the William Buckland, Mazda and Potter Foundations and State Landcare allowed Kerryn Shrank to workfull time

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- The Project Platypus Scientific Advisory Committee was established to ensure the integrity and sustainability of projects

- Landcare members attended a tour of Whiteheads Creek and Granite Creek Landcare Group works

- Australian Platypus Conservancy submitted their research proposal to Earthwatch and platypus surveys began

- The Management Committee discussed the need for a Project Platypus Website

- Julie Andrew from DNRE held workshops on tree selection and planting on steep hill sites in the Upper Wimmera

- Discussion on the fee for use of DNRE office - $1500 year 1, $3000 thereafter

- The Management Committee was restructured

- 277 Project Platypus leaflets were distributed at the Wimmera Field Days

- The organisation’s name was changed to Rio Tinto Project Platypus – a Landcare Partnership

- A 2 day workshop of Landcare representatives and stakeholders was held at Halls Gap to gain input into the structureand organisation of Project Platypus

- Discussions about needing to communicate with groups led to the purchase of a fax machine for the Secretary

- GIS data was purchased, especially for sub catchment planning in Moyston and Great Western

- Mary Bignall, DNRE was farewelled and thanked for her valuable contribution to the Project Platypus Action Plan

- Water quality measuring stations were set up at Astons Scour to monitor the success of works

- Twenty five Management Committee and Landcare members attended the AGM with 9 apologies

- Kevin Balm of Integra assisted with the planning of how the 6 activity groups would function under the ManagementCommittee

- Over 20 platypus were trapped and released in the upper Wimmera

- Kerryn Shrank resigned as Project Manager

- A 2007 article in the Weekly Times announced that “CRA would help reduce salt loads and improve water quality in theUpper Wimmera which presently dumps 85,000t annually... $200,000 is the biggest private donation for on-groundLandcare works in the nation’s history.”

1998 - The first Project Platypus Newsletter to communicate with the Landcare Groups and partners was published by editorPhil Williams

- Advertisers in the first newsletter included Howdens, Alan Green Mulesing, Start Bros Earthworks, D & F BoatmanVineyard contractors

- Dr Sarah Ewing from Melbourne Uni conducted research on the adoption and success of the scientific approach toLandcare and its social impacts

- Peter Hilbig was appointed as Manager of Project Platypus in July to undertake project co-ordination and executiveresponsibilities

- The Corporate Plan for 1998 -2003 was produced based on the results of the 1997 Halls Gap Workshop

- The partnership agreement with Rio Tinto was reviewed with a view to a further partnership period

- Sponsors and supporters for the year were GWMWater, Rio Tinto, William Buckland Foundation, Mazda Foundation,National Heritage Trust and Dept of Natural Resources and Environment

- Six sub-committee or activity groups began meeting – Projects Portfolio, Funding, Communication, PerformanceMonitoring, Group Development and Integration.

- The conservation of platypus was listed as one of the objectives of the Action Plan

- Stage 1 of the Astons Scour works with 3 flood retention dams and associated works were completed

- 40 different individual platypus were recorded up stream of Crowlands

1999 - Discussions were held on how a local consortium could purchase the large Kaldor property with environmental andcultural values in the Black Range

- Andrew Scanlon appointed to DNRE as Landcare Support officer for the Upper Wimmera

- A new 3 year partnership agreement was entered into with Rio Tinto

- Project Platypus sponsored the 2nd annual Biodiversity Conference in Halls Gap “Woodlands, Wildflowers andWitchetties

- 20,000 plastic tree guards with the new Rio Tinto logo are purchased for revegetation

- Pyrenees Shire, Project Platypus and the WCMA to share the cost of proposed Wattle Creek remediation works atLandsborough

- A representative from the WCMA was invited to be an ex-officio member of the Management Committee

- Platypus surveys in the Upper Wimmera River catchment continue. A tagged platypus captured on Mt Cole Crk was45km from his previous sighting near Elmhurst

- The WCMA committed over $150,000 over 3 years to revegetation in the upper Wimmera

- Flights over the catchment are sponsored by the Upper Wimmera Farm Tree group to look at past and potential projects

2000 - The Project Platypus Bulletin was published to supplement the Project Platypus Newsletter - Major works in the Six Mile Creek Catchment began, addressing multiple land degradation issues based on a

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community driven plan

- Projects also took place in Heifer Station Creek, Mt Drummond, Astons Scour

- A job advertisement for Bridal Creep Control Facilitator was filled by Sean Malloy

- Management Committee discussed revitalising the relationship between Project Platypus and its member LandcareGroups

- A field visit to the Northern Grampians Landcare project at Mt Drummond was held and a BBQ followed

- The International Landcare Conference in Melbourne was attended by Michael Greene, Michael McMurtrie and PeterHilbig

- Project Platypus registered an ABN to comply with GST requirements

- Case study results of the partnership between Rio Tinto and Project Platypus made 7 recommendations to improve theoperation and integrity of the organisation and of projects.

- Michael McMurtrie was presented with a bronze platypus in recognition of his 5 years as Chair.

- A call was made for volunteers to help with platypus surveys at Elmhurst

- Volunteers were sought to help plant 20,000 trees on the steep hills at Glendhu – the first Plantout hosted by Crowlands

- GWMWater funded the setting up of the Project Platypus seed bank to supply seed for revegetation projects

- Stawell Secondary College and Stawell church members planted at Daves Avenue

- More platypus surveys took place in the Wimmera River and Mt Cole Creek

- A digital camera was purchased!

- Wimmera Mallee Water Board members had a bus tour of project sites at Navarre and Nthn Grampians

- Annual income was $260,000

2001 - Plantout 2001 was held on the steep hills at Elmhurst in partnership with DNRE and 17,000 trees were planted - The seed bank supplied seed from 40 different localities for revegetation sites

- The Redman Bluff wetland creation and biodiversity project began

- A strategic review of the organisation was undertaken with Mary Bignell and Emily Jenke facilitating discussions

- The Ironpot Creek data report is presented at Crowlands by John Smart, Mark Hocking and Julie Andrew

- 10 green Corps trainees began work in the Upper Catchment under the leadership of Joel Hastings and Adam Blake

- Management Chair Michael Greene reported “this has been a year of great activity and real consolidation”

- Project Platypus was again represented on the WCMA sub committees by Peter Hilbig, Neil Marriott and MichaelMcMurtrie

- In partnership with Greening Australia, training on seed collection was held in the Project Platypus seed shed in the oldTech School auto classroom.

- Projects were undertaken in Daves Avenue, Astons, Six Mile, Wattle Creek, Pentland Creek.

- Rabbit Buster work was undertaken by most Landcare Groups

- Launch of Rio Tinto-Project Platypus – Using Science to Plan booklet with the results of the Australian PlatypusConservancy and University of Melbourne research

2002 - Works on Wattle Gully erosion sites are completed with Project Platypus trialling spray seeding batters with native grass - A sub catchment plan for Pentland and Sugarloaf Creek is produced

- Works at Aston Scour include Army trucks carting rock donated by Stawell Gold Mines over a 14 hour period

- Plantout 2002 was at Navarre Hill with 15,000 trees planted

- The Newsletter advertised for a 2nd hand 6x4 trailer to cart plants to planting sites and a sturdy golf buggy to cartbamboo stakes

- Project Platypus was a finalist in the Banksia Awards

- A Green Corps team is placed in the Upper Wimmera

- Seed orchard plots are set up to provide seed of uncommon or rare species

- No platypus surveys take place because of the very dry conditions

- Leif Simonsen, a Norwegian NRM, mapped sites with GPS and predicted “Electronic maps will be the way of the future”

- Jane Marriott was appointed as Works Co-ordinator to help get on-ground works completed

- The Australian Platypus Society launched a book in conjunction with Earthwatch in Canberra followed by a field trip tonear Crowlands

- The Project Platypus Newsletter was distributed to 300 Landcare Group members

- Over 80 people attended a Birds on Farms Workshop held at the Grange Golf Club with a field visit to Leeke’s GreatWestern farm.

- Project Platypus and Wimmera Landcare displays as part of the Wimmera Machinery Field Days

- Conclusion of the two 3 year partnerships with Rio Tinto

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- Project Platypus income reached the $500,000 mark

- 50,000 trees were planted across the catchment

2003 - Joe Kilpatrick’s Vetches Hill at Great Western was the site for the 2003 Plantout - Conclusion of the 7th year of transition partnership with Rio Tinto 1996 - 2003

- Project Platypus installs accounting systems to allow the organisation to manage the employment of rabbit and weedfacilitators for individual Landcare Groups

- Mini Plantout at Ware’s Navarre property with Vern Hutton and Navarre Primary School students

- The Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group membership was rekindled with direct seeding projects

- A new Corporate Plan was adopted in July

- The Six Mile Creek Catchment was the site of major works

- Peter Hilbig and Michael McMurtrie attended the National Landcare Conference in Darwin

- No platypus surveys were undertaken because of low water flows

- Training in Quicken took place to help manage the accounts

- SPI Powernet supplied funds to purchase a plant transport trailer and a seed spreader

- Great Western Landcare Group formally launched with a large aerial map available to identify properties and problems

2004 - Emily Tyson appointed as Project Platypus Manager - Adam Merrick is appointed as works co-ordinator and Bernie Rudolph as weeds facilitator.

- Plantout is at Moyston along Salt Creek to create a riparian corridor

- Spiny Rush – A Management Plan developed by Graham Lee for Project Platypus is released

- A Photo Competition is held to celebrate 10 years of Project Platypus

- The Catchman GIS mapping system is rolled out to Landcare Groups

- A juvenile platypus is trapped at Elmhurst among several adults and confirms their survival despite dry years

- Stawell Urban Landcare Group is formed after several years in the planning

- Bernie Rudolph appointed as full time Works Co-ordinator

- A 10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner was held with Landcare speakers Rob Youll and Sue Marriott

- Stream gauging data continued from two sites at Astons Scour and one in Ironpot Catchment

- Project Platypus participated in the Annual Wimmera Biodiversity Seminar – True Treasures of the Goldfields

- Open Meetings were held in the Black Range and at Navarre

- Project Platypus hosted a function in Melbourne to thank sponsors who were presented with certificates for their supportand contributions

2005 - A community tour of the Six Mile Creek Catchment and planning workshop was held - Seed Collecting Workshops were held and attracted 48 participants - An Envirofund grant was received to continue the platypus monitoring program - At Plantout 2005, 13,000 trees were planted on Holden’s challenging hill and 7000 at Delahunty’s Lake Fyans - A fencing field day with Nev Prince took place at Deep Lead - Alan and Shelley Green won the Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer award - A lease was entered into for the corner building on Main St and renovations begun on the new Landcare Centre - Linton Argall, Joe Facey, Tristan Kennedy, Jacqueline Young undertook casual employment roles from fencing to weed

mapping - Open meetings were held at Crowlands and Dadswells Bridge - A Chilean Needle Grass outbreak in Moyston was added to the annual weed spraying program - DPI and Project Platypus undertook works in the Hyde Park saline areas near Great Western with the assistance from a

Coles Grant - 36,000 plants were planted, 13 km of fencing and 14 km of direct seeding were undertaken for the year - A plant propagation workshop was held at Phil and Jane Williams Pomonal Wildflower Nursery - 9 platypus were trapped at 8 sites between Eversley and Crowlands2006 - Two separate bushfires destroy fences, farms, plantings and houses in the Grampians, Pomonal, Deep Lead, Black

Range - Project Platypus takes the lead in responding to the fires with fencing reconstruction assistance, a tool drive, 12,000 free

trees for 30 landholders. - An RACV grant provides materials for hundreds of nest boxes made by volunteers to provide habitat for wildlife - Seawinds Nursery in Mt Martha donates plants for fire affected properties - The Upper Wimmera Farm Tree Group is dissolved and cash and assets donated to Project Platypus - The new Main St Project Platypus Landcare Centre was launched showcasing display area, meeting room and extensive

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office space - Stawell Urban Landcare Group hosts other groups at a Landcare LInkup - Scouts plant 7000 plants at Dadswells Bridge - A Vegetation Forum was hosted by Project Platypus with Paul Gibson Roy talking on plant provenance and Jane

Williams on plant identification - The Seed Bank closes and a new model for supplying seed across the Wimmera Catchment mooted - A helicopter was employed by Elmhurst Landcare Group to spray Pattersons Curse on steep inaccessible sites - 20 years of Landcare was celebrated with a Landcare breakfast with Aaron Wood, previous Young Australian of the Year - 100,000 trees were planted in the Upper Wimmera - Stawell West and Stawell PS students planted 3000 trees2007 - Luke Scott begins as Manager of Project Platypus - Highlights of an open meeting at Glenorchy are a novel platypus presentation by Luke Scott and a bird walk by Neil

Macumber - The Mountains to Mallee Wimmera Landcare walk begins in the upper catchment and finishes at Lake Hindmarsh - Drought Assistance is made available to farmers for fencing and establishing feeding stations - At Jallukar Plantout 30,000 plants are planted by volunteers in one weekend - A Paddock Tree Project to protect and replace senescent trees was funded by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust - The Project Platypus website was set up - The 10th Biodiversity Seminar featured Bulokes - The Perennial Pasture System group was set up in the Ararat Stawell area - 1200 free trees were distributed at Landsborough to test the interest in Landcare - Dadswells Bridge Landcare Group hosted a walk along the Wimmera River - Carbon Smart was introduced to the region from Landcare Australia’s Rob Youll - For the second time income exceeded $500,000, with 77% of funds spent on on-ground works - Drought funding was received from the * Govt for environmental fencing - A grant was received from the Northern Grampians Shire to finalise the fit out of the Stawell Urban Landcare catering

and tool trailer - The Mountains to Mallee Landcare 300km walk was an icon Landcare event involving walkers and communities across

the Wimmera - An article in the local paper appealed for a shed to house Project Platypus equipment as Skene St School works

involved demolishing the old Tech School mechanics room used by Project Platypus.2008 - Project Platypus purchase a ripper mounder to better prepare planting sites - Free trees and fencing material distributed for the Free Tree project - Plantout is held in and around Stawell - Inaugural Farming in the 21st Century workshops and field visits were held in partnership with surrounding councils and

DPI - In conjunction with the Farming in the 21st Century Louisa Kielly spoke to a full venue on their soil carbon trading

success - Project Platypus equipment to help farmers prepare sites, spray weeds is available for hire to landholders - Leigh Blackmore takes up the position of Manager - 48 landholders undertake projects this year - A new Project Platypus website is launched - Phil and Jane Williams scale back their nursery propagation of hiko plants for revegetation projects and new providers

sought - Funding from the Myer Foundation enables platypus trapping and 2 platypus are sighted in a pool at Dadswells Bridge - Total cash income for the year of $850,000 was largely from government sources - Project Platypus is appointed to oversee the new Landcare co-ordinator Victoria Leeke - A bus tour with the WCMA looks at Project Platypus and WCMA erosion control sites - The Perennial Pasture Systems group begins a partnership with Project Platypus - Grampians Regional Waste Management Group offset their vehicle emissions by engaging Project Platypus to plant

trees - A ripper/mounder was purchased to prepare sites for revegetation2009 - Greenhouse audits of farms by Carly Green are offered as part of Federal Funding for Carbon Accounting - Incentives for improving perennial pastures are offered - Project Platypus and Stawell Urban Landcare Group are involved in Ironbarks nature walks for Primary School students - Farming in the 21 C continues with Project Platypus hosting

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- Planning sessions are undertaken by several Landcare Groups to plan for the future - 20,000 trees are planted in the 10th annual Plantout at Elmhurst and awards presented to 10 year planters. Bus tours to

previous Plantout sites - Nest boxes are constructed by the Mens Shed in Stawell and distributed to landholders as part of a Stawell Gold Mines

grant - Project Platypus moves to its Western Highway location with offices, works shed and storage are located on the one site

and opening 29th May. - Great Western Landcare Group visits Jigsaw Farms near Hamilton - Peter Andrews, author of Beyond the Brink, guest speaker at AGM attracts 190 people - Gallivanting Round Glendhu hike round the steep hills Start property - Bob Wallace leads a Green Corps crew shared by Project Platypus and Parks Vic - Victoria Leeke focuses on supporting and assisting Landcare groups - Stawell DPI office closes - 3230 paddock trees are distributed to redress the loss of old trees and the lack of regeneration - Integrated works continue in the Six Mile and Glendhu catchments - 233 ha is revegetated , 184 ha of remnant vegetation protected and 100,000 plants planted this year - Mt William Creek Walk a joint initiative of 3 Landcare Groups and Project Platypus was enjoyed by many participants2010 - Farming in the 21C continues with Project Platypus hosting a Soil Savvy workshop at Pomonal - The Six Mile Creek Landcare Walk led by Bernie Rudolph covered 40 km over 3 days from the creeks origin at

Dunneworthy Forest to where it joins the Wimmera River - The engaging Small Landholders Project saw Black Range, Moyston and Northern Grampians Landcare Groups

construct walking trails in their region - Julian Cribb spoke on global food production and food security at the AGM - The Victorian Landcare Forum co-hosted by Project Platypus was held at Halls Gap - A major Perennial Pastures and Evergraze Seminar was held in Ararat - Over 1800ha of weed control of 12 targeted weeds was completed - Plantout was held at Barton Station near Moyston along a 4.5km section of Georges Creek - Stawell West students planted on Wayne Burtons Lake Lonsdale property as part of Schools Tree Day2011 - The launch of publication celebrating the 15 year partnership with GWMWater was followed by a bus tour to view works - Inaugural Agrifest Forum at Concongella, Project Platypus event in the Farming in the 21C series - Bob Wallace is appointed Landcare Facilitator - A Southern Brown Bandicoot Recovery Plan was completed with funds from the Norman Wettenhall Foundation - Landmate celebrated 20 years working of environmental works - Plantouts were held on multiple sites on weekends in July with good participation from host Landcare Groups and

volunteer planters - A wet winter with record August rainfall tests erosion control works - Stawell Urban Landcare Group is very active with work at Moonlight Sands, Pleasant Creek and Big Hill - Jallukar Landcare Group receives a grant to undertake work on a walking track on Millers Creek Pomonal - Staff and the Management Committee participated in a replication trial of Landcare Stewardship facilitated by Moragh

Mackay from Bass Coast Landcare Network. The course concluded with a local food feast prepared by Steve Gliese. - Project Platypus takes on the management of the Landmate crew timetable - 320ha of revegetation is established and 465ha of remnant protected - Most Landcare groups take up the 2nd Generation Landcare Grants administered by the WCMA to undertake weed and

rabbit control - A memorandum of understanding to guide the relationship between the WCMA and Project Platypus was signed - Alexandra Gartmann and Professor Kate Auty spoke at the Project Platypus AGM2012 - A new Strategic Plan for 2012 – 2014 is developed with the assistance of GWMWater’s Nigel Binney - Agrifest 2012 is held at Concongella - Doing it for the Bandicoots project targets fox control to protect native fauna - The Heifer Station Creek Walk follows the creek between Frenchmans and Glynwylln - New sub-committees aim to engage more members in planning and developing projects and determining Project

Platypus directions - Plantouts are held each weekend in July across the catchment - Project Platypus received funding as part of the 25 years of Landcare celebrations to collate this history publication, tree

plantings by each group and Landcare gate signs

- “The Journey – Project Platypus and Landcare in the Upper Wimmera Catchment” is launched at the September AGM