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Contents
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Welcome
Welcome to the October 2006 edition of "The Eco", the newsletter
for Friends of the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Our aim is to provide
an informative and entertaining snapshot of the activities, achievements
and interests of all the wonderful people who contribute towards
the goals of the EcoCentre, inspiring us to take
'local
action for a global future'.
Do you have some news for The Eco? Contributions are always welcome.
Email info@ecocentre.com
with your contribution and contact details.
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MINISTER THWAITES ANNOUNCES HUGE BOOST
FOR ECOCENTRE EDUCATION TEAM
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| Port Phillip EcoCentre will receive a boost of $80,000 for its environmental education program from the State Government, following an announcement by local MP and Minister for the Environment, John Thwaites.
The announcement was made by Minister Thwaites on October 1 at the EcoCentre’s Annual General Meeting. Among the many friends of the EcoCentre applauding the decision was State Member for Prahran, Mr. Tony Lupton MP, City of Port Phillip Mayor, Janet Bolitho, and fellow Councillors.
By installing productive gardens, rainwater tanks, indigenous habitats and compost systems, the EcoCentre’s Integrated Environmental Partnerships program (IEP) contributes to improved school environments and provides active learning for the whole school community.
Minister Thwaites said “The support for the program will enable the EcoCentre to continue work with schools and the community to practically demonstrate how they can make a difference and respond to the environmental challenges we face, including climate change, reducing waste and reducing energy and water use”
GM Holden provided seed funding for the EcoCentre’s IEP program in 2005; and additional support in 2006 to enable employment of 2 part time project officers. On the basis of successful partnerships achieved with 8 local schools, further funding to extend the program has been made available through the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Member for Prahran, Mr. Tony Lupton MP, said the program’s rainwater harvesting project at Christian Brothers’ College St. Kilda will save nearly half a million litres of drinking water annually.
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(L to R): Noel Gilcrist, EcoCentre Management Committee; Geoffrey Barry, EcoCentre President; Caroline Packham, EcoCentre Education Officer; Ms. Janet Bolitho, City of Port Phillip Mayor; Mr. Tony Lupton MP, State Member for Prahran; Mr. John Thwaites MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Water, Minister for Victorian Communities, State Member for Albert Park.
Under the State Government’s Sustainability Action Statement released in July, the EcoCentre will also work in partnership with CERES and the Department to advise on six Ecoliving demonstration houses in Victoria. Mr Thwaites also said that “Melburnians had done a great job reducing water consumption by 22 per cent per person since 2003, saving 180 billion litres of water. However, leading to a hot summer with below average rainfall has forced Melbourne's metropolitan water authorities to introduce Stage 1 water restrictions.”
The IEP program sponsored by GM Holden
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EcoCentre Open Day
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Saturday, October 21st 11am - 4pm
Cnr Blessington and Herbert Streets - St Kilda - (03) 9534 6693
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Come and celebrate the progress we are making towards becoming a Sustainable Community
- BRING your old shower head and exchange it for a three star rated water saver (11am -4pm)
- EXPLORE the EcoHouse and become a member (tours at 12pm and 2pm)
- LEARN how to cut bills and save energy at home (energy efficiency workshop 1pm)
- CHECK OUT the worm farm and the blue tongue lizards
- EAT yummy food at the fundraiser BBQ
- GROOVE to the jazz band
- BUY local drought adapted indigenous plants
- PLAY the biggest skipping contest in Port Phillip, face painting, raffles, art +craft and more…
- AND DISCOVER SCPI – The Sustainable Community Progress Indicators Project
“Measuring the stuff that really matters”
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Reptile Rambles
By Ian R Levy
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Blue-tongue lizards are well known to many Australians as large thick-bodied lizards which can be found in woodland, heathland and sometimes in suburbia.
There are six species endemic to Australia and the one that is native to the most south easterly parts of the mainland and Tasmania is the Blotched Blue-tongue.
The Blotched Blue-tongue can be found in some of the outer southern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne where there are suitable sites such as reserves of bushland, coastal heathlands, creek verges, etc. They do not seem to cope well in built up areas as they eventually get crushed by cars as they wander across roads.
The tongue itself which is flicked in and out, collects scent particles and conveys meaning to the lizard as it explores its territory. The blue colour of the tongue serves as a shock display to potential predators as the lizard opens its mouth and hisses and puffs when alarmed.
In more rural areas such as the Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, the Blotched Blue-tongue is reasonably common and the form found in these areas including the outer Melbourne area and also in coastal south western Victoria, is described as the lowland form which is not as brightly coloured as the highland form found in mountain areas of eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales.
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A Blotched Blue Tongue Lizard
Our lowland form of the Blotched Blue-tongue is nevertheless an attractive lizard marked with cream and brown blotches and streaks.
Blue-tongues are omnivorous and feed on a variety of plant and animal matter such as berries, fungi, insects and snails including the introduced European Garden Snail which they crack open with great relish.
The Blotched Blue-tongue gives birth to seven or eight live young at the end of the summer usually in February. Those that survive predation by Butcher Birds, Kookaburras and domestic cats grow to over 30cm in two years and to 45cm in three to four years. They may live for fifteen years.
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St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative (SKINC)
Spring Sale
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Our Spring Sale is on Saturday 21 October at the Nursery from 10am to 4pm.
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There will be many bargains – including bulk spring flowers such as chocolate lilies and yam daisies. Masses of grass species, shrubs and trees. It’s really the last chance to plant before the weather gets too hot…
525 Williamstown Rd, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207
Tel / fax 9645 2477
Melways ref: 2J E1
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10-4
Also check out our new web site at:
www.skinc.com.au
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Stonnington Garden Festival Spring into Gardening
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Sunday, October 2006, 11am - 4pm
Victoria Gardens , High Street, Prahran
Spring Into Gardening returns to the beautiful Victoria Gardens this October.
Local gardening groups, nurseries and florists will display their wares including a great variety of plants and flowers and the latest in outdoor living products and accessories.
There will be entertainment for all ages, with the Stonnington Brass, live jazz, roving performers,
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kids rides, a petting zoo, face painting and storytelling in the fairy garden.
Visit the Stonnington Sustainability Expo to learn about the latest in sustainable buying, living and working.
For further details contact the City of Stonnington on
8290 1333 or access the full program at:
www.stonnington.vic.gov.au
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The next Veg Out St Kilda
Farmers
Market
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Saturday 4 th November 2006
(the first Saturday of each month)
Peanut Farm Reserve
between Chaucer & Spenser Sts
St Kilda ( right behind the Acland Street Safeway)
Spring produce at its best…
By visiting the Veg Out St Kilda Farmers' Market you are directly supporting primary producers from around the state. Farmers' Markets include both certified organic and conventional growers, all with the freshest produce available. The market is plastic bag free, so BYO baskets, carrybags or trolleys and re-use your old plastic bags.
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You’ll find free range chooks and eggs, olive oils, honey, wines, jams and chutneys, spice mixes, pates, confectionery, mayonnaise, ginseng, breads, pasta, fresh and smoked meats, artisan cheeses, flowers and seedlings.
More info visit:
www.vegout.asn.au/market.php
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Nature Discovery Day
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Sunday 29th October, 1.00 PM-4.00 PM
Rickett’s Point
Carpark B18 Melways P.86 (C9)
Rickett's Point - Not only a beach!
Free activities for adults and children!
Rock pool rambles, Bird watching, Plant identification, Insect search, Activity sheets for kids.
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Loads of information on our local environment and how you can recreate it.
The team from, Citywide, Hampton Community Centre and Friends Groups will be on hand to lead you in fun activities.
Don't miss this opportunity! (to come or help!!)
For more details phone Hampton Community Centre on 9598 2977. Email:
hampcomm@iinet.net.au
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Port Phillip EcoCentre Membership.
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We are a not-for-profit umbrella organisation that supports groups, individuals, schools and businesses in the City of Port Phillip and the wider region to protect / enhance biodiversity and promote sustainability.
By becoming an Individual, Household or an Affiliated member allows us to grow the aims of all involved in sustainable living. Call in for a cuppa: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, or phone 9534 0670 to learn more about the benefits membership can offer you.
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Proudly sponsored by
City of Port Phillip.
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Tell someone who’s interested!
Vicki Jaeger - News co-ordinator
The newsletter is distributed to EcoCentre members and is on the web. This makes it a great voice for your group.
To submit articles on issues and action, events or projects
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Send items to: info@ecocentre.com
Ph: (03) 9534 0670
Fax: (03) 9525 3312
www.ecocentre.com
Deadline for contributions is the 15th of each month
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