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Natural Resources Northern and Yorke

9 July 2015

 
Volunteers eNews
 

In this issue

Mid North Landcare Volunteer recognised
Bite Size Grants application are now open
News from Friends of Parks Inc
Save the date! 2015 State Community Landcare Conference
Don't miss Bushcare’s Major Day Out - Sunday 13 September 2015
Trees For Life Threatened Flora Project: Diary Dates
Grant Finder Websites
2015 KESAB Sustainable Communities Awards - Entries close soon.
South Australian Regional Awards Yorke and Mid North Presentation Evening
Nominations for the 2016 Australian of the Year Awards - Now Open
2015 Youth Volunteer Scholarships - Nominations Closing soon
Treasure Hunt for Nature
Volunteers in action ENews

It’s that time of year again when tree planting events ramp up! Remember the Natural Resources Northern and Yorke website has many factsheets and links to assist in revegetation and garden design including plant propagation, plant ID, seed collection or weed control whether it is for this year’s revegetation program or you are planning next year’s planting program. Click on the link to look at the Website; http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/northernandyorke/home

 

 

 
 
Mid North Landcare Volunteer recognised

Tarcowie resident June Jenkins has received a 2015 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for outstanding service as a Landcare volunteer in the state’s Mid North.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke (NRNY) community team leader Bonnie Maynard presented June’s certificate at the Tarcowie Landcare Group’s annual planting day in mid June.

Ms Maynard said “June was nominated for this award by NRNY staff for the outstanding work she has done,”
“June has been involved in revegetation efforts in the Tarcowie area for more than 10 years as a volunteer and is now secretary of the Tarcowie Landcare Group. Her passion and enthusiasm is inspiring.”

June’s award was presented in front of a crowd of students, volunteers, local landholders and NRNY staff during a lunch break at the annual planting event which saw acacia, native pine, dodonaea, xanthorrhoea and atriplex seelings planted out.

Ms Maynard says the planting day is an important event on the Tarcowie Landcare Group calendar and is a great example of how community can come together to improve natural resources in the region.

“This planting day brings together local landholders, students and volunteers from both the local area and the city, and is well-supported by local businesses Golden North and Torro Australia, Northern Areas Council, and NRNY,” she says.

“It is a wonderful partnership that provides a great learning opportunity for the students and ongoing benefits to natural resources in the region.

Twenty Five Booleroo Centre District School students from years 2-4 attended this year’s event and planted out 400 native plant seedlings along Gum Hill Road.

Using NRNY 2014/2015 funding, the Landcare group was able to hire a marquee for the event and purchase materials to make tree guards, which were placed around seedlings the following weekend.


Image credit: DEWNR
Image caption: June Jenkins, recipient of a 2015 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition, with Tarcowie Landcare Group members Kieran Brewer (L) and Mark O’Conaill (R)

   
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Bite Size Grants application are now open

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke’s Bite Size Grants are designed to increase awareness and positive action for groups in NRM and sustainability in project areas such as garden development, weed control, revegetation etc.

The new ‘bite sized’ funding opportunity offers grants ranging from $200-$500 to boost small, short-term projects with a natural resources management focus. Potential projects may fund training events, purchase of resources, contracting services or development of educational materials.

Applications will be regularly assessed throughout the year.

For more information or to download an application form visit the Natural Resources Northern and Yorke website; http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/northernandyorke/get-involved/grants-and-funding

   
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News from Friends of Parks Inc

President David Mitchell has recently retired, following ten years as a Friends of Parks (FoP) Board member with the last seven years as President. At the FoP Inc board meeting in June, Duncan Mackenzie (Friends of Gluepot) was nominated to be President. It was put to the vote and accepted by the board with Andrew Winkler (Friends of Torrens Island) as Vice President.

In Duncan’s first ‘From the Presidents Desk’ update he writes; We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to David, for his unstinting loyalty and hard work on behalf of our organisation – I don’t believe that David’s incredible efforts can ever be replaced. On behalf of the Friends of Parks, ‘thank you David for a job very well done’ !!

A little bit about Duncan; he has been a FoP Board member for three years and his FoP group is the Friends of Gluepot Reserve where he has been the Chairman for the past 16 years. For those that don’t know him, his life has been built on diverse ‘challenges’ (working as a biological scientist in Antarctica through to managing large IT companies in Australia) and following retirement he took on a considerable ‘array’ of volunteer positions (Chairman of the South Australian Tourism Industry Council, Chair of Ecotourism Australia, board member of BirdLife Australia and the Scientific Expedition Group etc). Over the last two years, he has been a member of a working group within Volunteering SA/NT, developing a new ‘Volunteering Strategy for South Australia 2014 – 2020’.


On other FoP news the Friends of Parks Inc have engaged a website designer to assist it in creating a new website for all groups. Bill Heaven, a FoP board member, volunteered to be the website manager and through Pam Smith he has invited all groups to submit the following:
•Short Profile:- a brief pen picture of the park and friends group
•Long Profile:- a longer narrative detailing more about the park and the activities of the friends group.
•Pictures; Photos of friends, groups, local scenery, wildlife.  These should be in JPG format and suitable for a website (not a big file.)
This website will be a work in progress hopefully for as long as it exists.

For more Friends of Parks news, information and contact details visit the new look Friends of Parks Inc website;
http://www.friendsofparkssa.org.au

   
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Save the date! 2015 State Community Landcare Conference

Save the date for the 11th State Community Landcare Conference to be held in Waikerie in South Australia's Riverland from 14-16, September 2015.

The conference addresses "Landcare – connecting people and healthy landscapes" and will give landcarers from all sectors of the community the opportunity to explore the four themes of the conference:
• Biodiversity – Management and Conservation,
• Indigenous Land Management,
• People and Volunteers, and
• Sustainable Farming and Fishing

These themes will be explored in keynote addresses, presented papers, posters, workshops and field tours. The conference includes the 2015 State Landcare and Premier’s Natural Resources Management Award presentations. It will also showcase landcare and natural resources programmes across South Australia with a particular emphasis on the Riverland and the South Australian Murray Darling Basin.

To register your interest in attending the conference or for further information  visit http://www.landcaresa.asn.au/node/102

   
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Don't miss Bushcare’s Major Day Out - Sunday 13 September 2015

The purpose of Bushcare’s Major Day Out is to raise public awareness of the value of our precious bush remnants and of the wonderful work done by volunteer groups all over Australia.

Just as Clean Up Australia Day has made us a litter conscious nation, Bushcare’s Major Day Out aims to make us conscious of the need to protect our bush while learning about the role we can all play in it's continued care.

This year the main date will be Sunday 13 September, and this is part of Landcare Week. However, the day for Bushcare’s Major Day Out is flexible, so individual sites could choose slightly different dates to coincide with a regular working bee. Several Friends groups have taken part in the past and a few groups in Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region have already registered for this years event.

If you would like to publicise your local Bushcare Major Day Out event, Sandra Edmunds is a professional journalist who will be glad to help you get local publicity. Like all of the Bushcare’s Major Day Out committee, Sandra is a volunteer. If you would like assistance you can contact her via email; edmunds3806@gmail.com

To find out more information or to register click on the link: http://www.bushcaresmajordayout.org/about

   
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Trees For Life Threatened Flora Project: Diary Dates

Put these dates in your diary for upcoming Trees for Life Working Bees
• Friday 3 July – monitoring orchids, Hallett area (Lowly Greenhood)
• Monday 6 July – weed control at Muloowurtie Reserve, YP (Large-club Spider-orchid)
• Tuesday 7 July – weed control at Brentwood Cemetery, YP (Ghost Spider-orchid)
• Tuesday 28 July – weed control at Halbury Parklands (Halbury Greenhood)
• Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 July – cutting Topped Lavender at Sevenhill (White Beauty Spider-orchid)

For more information about the working bees or to register your interest please contact Erica Rees via email
ericar@treesforlife.org.au or on 0408 812 677

   
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Grant Finder Websites

Looking for funds for your group’s project? Not sure where to look for funding and Grants? Here are three Grant finder websites that maybe useful for your group.

Australian Government Grant Finder
Business.gov.au has a Grant Finder that helps you locate the grants and assistance programs most relevant to your business for free. Grants and other funding programs are available for businesses from the Australian, State and Territory governments, and in some cases from local councils. You can search through a wide variety of grants in many categories, including developing your business, innovation and education programs. For more information visit; http://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/grant-finder/Pages/default.aspx

GRANTassist
Provides the community access to up to date information on State Government assistance and programs relevant to Community, Clubs and Individuals. GRANTassist can help you locate the assistance and program initiatives most relevant to your needs. The tool allows you to search for programs across all State Government Departments. The content of GRANT assist is reviewed and amended regularly.Visit; http://www.grantassist.sa.gov.au/community/ for more information.

Grant Guru Community
Is a free searchable listing of nation-wide grants and funding programs for community based and not-for-profit organisations, available at; http://community.grantready.com.au/

   
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2015 KESAB Sustainable Communities Awards - Entries close soon.

The annual KESAB Sustainable Communities Program - recognising regional community groups, councils and schools for dedication and motivation to enhance their local community entries will close on 17 July 2015.

The Sustainable Communities Program is all about telling your community's story, getting people together to help their local towns, schools and businesses and being proud of what you have achieved!

The program covers environmental sustainability, heritage or wellbeing initiatives, just to name a few! This means that virtually any community group, council or school in regional South Australia can get involved.

2015 Awards Categories
• Appearance, Amenities and Facilities
• Community Actions and Partnerships
• Environmental Sustainability
• Health and Wellbeing
• Heritage and Culture
• Leadership and Youth Activities
• Litter Prevention, Resource Recovery and Waste Management
• Natural Environment
• School Project of the Year
• Council Project of the Year
• Community Project of the Year
• Clean Beaches Awards
• Commendation Awards
• Large Town Population > 5001
• Medium Town Population 1001-5000
• Small Town Population< 1000

One town will be announced as the Overall Winner of Sustainable Communities 2015

For further information and to view entry forms, please visit the KESAB website http://www.kesab.asn.au/programs-sustainable-communities/ or ph 882347255 or email communities@kesab.asn.au


Entries close Friday 17 July 2015

   
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South Australian Regional Awards Yorke and Mid North Presentation Evening

Friday 23 October 2015
Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie

The South Australian Regional Awards are held annually to celebrate and showcase the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made significant contributions to regional South Australia.

One of the many catergries is The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Education Foundation of South Australia Community Group Award. This award aims to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of not for profit organisations, volunteer groups and community groups who work tirelessly on community based projects and events.

Click here to view the category criteria.

To view other catergries or for more information visit the Regional Awards website; http://www.brandsouthaustralia.com.au/programs-and-awards/regional-awards

   
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Nominations for the 2016 Australian of the Year Awards - Now Open

Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.

The Australian of the Year Awards conducted by the Australia Day Council provides all Australians with the opportunity to recognise someone who makes them proud in four categories:

• Australian of the Year
• Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 65 years or over)
• Young Australian of the Year (ages 16 to 30)
• Australia's Local Hero

Sixteen South Australians will be recognised in each category in November with four of these then being considered for the national awards on the eve of Australia Day. For example, peace campaigner Dr Gill Hicks was South Australia’s representative in the 2015 Awards in the category of Australian of the Year.

Nominations close on Friday 31 July 2015

For more information about the awards program and nomination forms visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au

   
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2015 Youth Volunteer Scholarships - Nominations Closing soon

Are you a Young Volunteer? Or do you know someone who is? Applications will open on Wednesday 10 June 2015 for the Youth Volunteer Scholarship Awards.

The Office for Volunteers Youth Volunteer Scholarship Awards reward young South Australians, aged 25 years and under, who volunteer their time and talents to help others in the community.

Scholarships are awarded in recognition of young volunteers who are currently involved in volunteering, have a history of community participation, and who have demonstrated their personal motivation and interest in volunteering and helping others in the community.

Winners of the scholarship awards will receive financial assistance to help them with tuition fees associated with attending their chosen field of study at a university, TAFE SA, or vocational college course.
The Youth Volunteer Scholarship Awards provide a great opportunity to reward young people who make a difference in our community.

Nomination forms and guidelines will be made available when nominations open at the Office for Volunteers' website at http://www.ofv.sa.gov.au

The closing date for nominations is Friday 24 July 2015.

   
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Treasure Hunt for Nature

Nature Foundation SA would like to invite you, your family and friends to register for the inaugural Treasure Hunt for Nature being held on Sunday 16 August 2015 in Elder Park, Adelaide (starting time 10am - 12 noon) taking in the majestic North Terrace precinct, scenic parklands and the tranquil River Torrens. Treasure hunters follow a map, solve the clues and place their completed entry form at the finish.

Choose from three different courses including:
Nature Friendly – A family friendly route around the River Torrens Precinct, approximately 1-2 hours
Nature Challenging - A more challenging route around North Tce & Parklands, approximately 3-4 hours
Nature Geocaching - A Geocaching route (FREE Smart Phone
App available) around Adelaide environs & Parklands, approximately 3-4 hours

All options are cycle friendly

Treasure Hunt for Nature Official Ambassador and celebrity Active Ambassador, Keith Conlon says “Join the Treasure Hunt to find the natural and cultural treasures of the City of Adelaide”

Please share this with your network to help spread the word - it’s going to be a fantastic day and prizes include great SA escapes to the Flinders, Moonta Bay, or the Murray River. Funds raised will help Nature Foundation SA to Save, Protect and Restore South Australia’s landscapes and species.

For more information or register the event click on the Nature Foundation Link: http://www.naturefoundation.org.au/help-nature/treasure-hunt-for-nature/index.html

   
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Dates for your Diary

July
•  17       KESAB Sustainable Communities Awards entries close
•  24       Youth Volunteer Scholarship Awards entries close
•  31       Youth Volunteer Scholarships Nomination close

August
•  16       Treasure Hunt for Nature

September

•  13       Bushcare's Major Day Out
•  14-16  State Community Landcare Conference, Waikerie    
•  29        Yorke Peninsula Field Days begin
    

 

 

 
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