Planned burn discussion
The annual general meeting and general meeting were held at the October meeting.
Due to an orchid show being set up in Mid Valley, there were fewer attendees than usual.
The guest speaker was unable to come so the evening was member focused.
After the formalities of the meeting, everyone present was asked to make a choice and vote for their favourite plant. There were a good number of quality orchids on display so this took some time.
Once the winners were chosen, the owners of the plant gave a brief talk on the growing conditions, fertiliser, watering et cetera to give others ideas on how best to grow similar orchids.
At the next meeting on November 2, the club will hear from Ray Gribble – a well-known Australian Native Orchid grower. He will be giving lots of good ideas on how best to grow Dendrobiums.
Ray keeps his ideas simple and easy to follow for his listeners.
Discussion and planning will also be included in the November meeting for the next competition to be held on Sunday November 12 at a member’s property, where Sarcochilus orchids will be the feature.
The Scout Hall will open at 7pm for members to set up their orchids and have a chat to others before the meeting at 8pm.
At the end of the evening supper will be enjoyed along with a catch up with the judges and members about different orchid matters.
Anyone from the public with an interest in all varieties of orchid culture is most welcome to attend the evening.
For further details phone president Bob Lowrie on 0408 525 134.
Thirty-five club members and visitors saw monthly competition presentation made by Jane Woodcock on behalf of the judge, Brian Basham from Horsham.
The current competition subject was “black and white open”. Winners were:A grade prints: 1st Bruce Langdon, 2nd David Woodcock, 3rd Marg Tylee, HC Terrie O’Dwyer (2).
B grade prints: 1st Michael Sanderson, 2nd Cathy Tisdale, 3rd Nat Peters, HC Geoff Smith.
A grade PDI: 1st Julie Beasley and HC, 2nd Ruth Burleigh, 3rd David Woodcock, HCs Terrie O’Dwyer, David Barton and Linda Keagle.
B grade PDI: 1st and HC Nigel Beresford, 2nd Adrienne Cornish, 3rd Cathy Tisdale, HCs Kayren Browne and Geoff Smith.
CREX A grade: 1st Roger Keagle, 2nd and 3rd Linda Keagle.
CREX B grade: HC Matthews.
A “photographing speed” workshop was attended by 16 members.
The workshop was preparation for the club outing at Boisdale, where club members tested their camera skills and photograph the annual hill climb vehicles in action.
Later in October there will be a club outing to the iconic Rhododendron Gardens, Olinda.
Meetings are held the first Monday each month at the Mawarra Workshops. Visitors are welcome.
For further information, phone 0419 525 124, or visit the club website www.warragulcameraclub.org, where competition entries may be viewed. Kerrie
Farming is a fundamental activity, in that it is a close management of life’s essentials – soil, water, sunshine, animals, plants and human endeavour.
However technology definitely has a vital place. In fact, agriculture can be very high tech indeed. In many instances it is technology and farmers’ capacity to innovate and change which can lead to great advances and success.
Visiting an award winning, sustainably run dairy farm was proof of this.
At Drouin South on ‘Minniebanks Springs’, the Mills family has a three-unit robotic dairy. Solar power is collected, effluent is stored, treated then re-distributed as a soil improver, and fences are simple electric wires. Use of a camera equipped drone assists in monitoring changes and recording progress.
Trevor and Anne-Marie Mills with their two children, Andrew and Kelly, run this picturesque 122ha (305 acre) property, milking 195 cows in peak times.
Since taking over the farm from his parents in the 1990s, Trevor aimed to enhance the environmental aspects of the farm by protecting all remnant vegetation from livestock and creating extensive new habitat for nature.
All waterways have been fenced and turned into wildlife corridors. Bird and animal life are now abundant and in coexistence with the dairy herd.
In 2014 a decision to replace a herringbone dairy with robotics was based largely on reducing reliance on human labour. Three years on the cattle are calmer at milking times and Trevor reports the dairy is performing smoothly.
In recent years the Mills’ revegetated wildlife areas, protected waterways and treed, healthy paddocks have won regional, Victorian and national recognition under Landcare awards.
‘Minnieburn Springs” is a delight to visit, with its healthy paddocks, stands of native timber and distant views. Importantly, as a second-generation farmer, Trevor has prepared the farm for passing on to the next generation.
Not only is milk produced but calves are raised for the export market. Should the children continue with the farm, the balance of modern practices with inherent respect for the environment will be theirs to continue.
Women of all ages are welcome to join Women on Farms. The key criterion is an interest in farming and farming women. There is no need to be actively farming to participate.
For more details contact secretary, Jean Irvine, 0429 488 156, or visit the website at www.womenonfarms.org for the monthly program.
With spring here and summer approaching, the Warragul Ranges Probus Club are welcoming back their many travellers and some from the sick list.
The guest speaker for September was Leading Senior Constable Carlo Visser from the Baw Baw Highway Patrol, who spoke about road safety and the recent changes to Victorian road rules.
Many questions were asked of Carlo about the various changes and he gave very comprehensive answers to these questions.
The club thanked Carlo for this information to help keep all safe as members travel the streets and roads of our country.
The trip to the recycling plant, Yakult factory and chocolate shop was enjoyed by all who participated, who learned about the many and varied facets on recycling household waste.
The garden group have visited some beautiful gardens in the area. The club thank all who have shared their passion for gardening and allowing members to share lunch in beautiful surrounds.
The next meeting is on Thursday, October 26 at 10am at the Warragul Country Club.
Planned burns by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) is the topic for discussion at the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists’ Club meeting on Friday, October 27.
The meeting will be held at the Uniting Church Hall, Old Sale Road Newborough from 7.30 pm.
Kate Hill and Jean-Marc Porigneaux work for DELWP and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) on planned burning projects in the Latrobe District, which extends from Drouin to Traralgon and from Matlock to Wilsons Promontory.
The talk will provide information about the current burn planning process, answer questions about planned burning and how individuals and groups can be involved in the process of nominating and keeping informed about planned burns.
The following day's excursion is to Tyers State Park.