Marne North Rhine Saunders CG AGM

The MNRSCCG held its AGM at Marne River Olives, with guest speaker Greg Lundstrom, who gave a presentation on community water sampling.

Committee of the MNRSCCG

Australia Day 2012

At the Australia Day ceremony herld at Mary Anne Reserve, Mannum, local community members were recognised for their work done in the community. Cambrai's Ross Elliker received the award for Citizen of the Year for his tireless efforts at Meldanda and Gavin Smith received recognition for his extensive environmental work.

Gavin receives his award from Mayor Dave Burgess

LAP and Board Forum at Banrock

LAPs and Board members met at Banrock station to discuss working relationships.

Group discussion

Butchers paper and textas

Further Improvements at TP Bellchambers Reserve

An access gate has been added to the southern side of the reserve. Due to the site's poor history of vandalism we have a lock on the gate at present, but if you are taking a group through we are happy to give you the combination. There are some benches also appearing where you can rest and take in the birdlife.

Doggo having a rest at the first bench

Lock combination is available from our office

CARE Team - State Flora

EHMPCG recently hosted the region's project officers at State Flora's Murray Bridge facility.

T P Bellchambers Reserve - Gate and seats

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers Terry Murphy and Gavin Smith a small access gate has been installed on the southern fence line of the reserve. Seats have been installed for those wishing to take in the birdlife. At present the gate is still padlocked but it is hoped that this will be able to be removed soon. Damage by motorcyclists has reduced over the past few months and it is expected that free access will be permitted as well as relocating some of the keep out signs in the next few months.

Access gate

Doggo testing one of the new seats

Visit to Murray Bridge by Premier Weatherill

Premier Jay Weatherill and Water Minister Caica attended a public meeting at the Murray Bridge Town Hall to answer questions on the Murray Darling Basin Plan. His aim was to unite the people of SA on the issue of how much water should be alowed to flow into the staate to achieve a healthy river. During the evening he regularly pointed to the available science which demanded that greater than 2800 GL was needed.

Clem Mason introduces the Premier

Guildford Grass Field Day

Tungkillo landholders heard from consultant Andy Cole about the control of Guildford Grass (Nut Grass) in their pastures. The event was held on the property of Greg and Deana Mildren. The most difficult part of the day was finding a stand of the grass because of the Mildren's excellent pasture management.

Andy explaining control measures

In the paddock

Tungkillo Landcare Group AGM

Tungkillo LCG's AGM was attended by 40 members who presented before and after photos of their revegetation work. Many of the before photos were from 1992 and the current shots showed how successful this group has been over the years. Guest speaker, Kim Gladigau, spoke about keeping volunteers interested and valuing their work.

Kim Blenkiron explains 'What's in it for me

Bruce Munday's before and after presentation

Damage to Revegetation Project

Just days after reporting a revegetation project at Mannum, vandals have destroyed a month's hard work. Every plant in the project has been affected. The local business that donated materials, Mid Murray LAP staff and volunters are devastated.

Flattened tree guards

Revegetation project at Mannum

Volunteers have planted out an old motorbike track on the entry road into Mannum. As you drive into Mannum the guards can be seen on the left hand side of the road. Weeds have also been removed from the location.

Gavin Smith at the site

Reflection and Learning Workshop

EHMPCG recently travelled to Renmark to participate in a Reflection and Learning workshop to discuss with colleagues from other LAPs the programs that it has run for the past two years. Two intensive days were spent discussing issues that have arisen from the programs that were run across the SAMDB.

Discussion Group

Facilitator O'Connor's 'cool wall' of ideas

ANU Long Conversations Project

Climate scientists from Canberra and Adelaide met with local community leaders to discuss the impacts of climate change on the community. The meeting was hosted by EHMPCG. The group will visit regional centres across the country in the next few weeks in attempt to make information more accessible to the public. You can see some of the action at www.longconversations.net

Dr Will Grant facilitates the meeting

Checking our climate change display from 2006

Locavore Challenge

The Murray Bridge Natural Resources Centre staff recently conducted a competition to produce dishes made from ingredients sourced from no further away than 160km. Twelve dishes were produced and all tasted fantastic.

An excellent spread

ALOC Graduation at Monarto Zoo

Monarto Zoo's first graduates from the highly successful Aboriginal Learning on Country program received their Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management at a function at the Waterhole Conference Centre. EHMPCG committee member Tim Jenkins coordinated the training. At the ceremony Tim said that the bar had been set at a new high for this program. Trainees had undertaken work in a range of experiences far wider than the course had required. For his efforts Tim was awarded a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management.

Tim, Dr Chris West and the graduates

Tim receives his Diploma from Dr Chris West

Greening SA Board Tour

The Board of Greening Australia (SA) have toured the region to gain a better appreciation of local issues. The tour took in Ferries McDonald Road, Monarto Zoo and the Kanmantoo copper mine. Harry Seager and Steve Coombe were on hand as local experts. The tour ended at the Mt Barker Summit.

Harry shows extent of Mt Barker development

The group at the summit

T P Bellchambers Reserve

Grandsons of T P Bellchambers, a pioneer environmentalist and resident of the Mannum area at the beginning of the 20th century attended a ceremony at the quarry reserve at Apamurra which is to be known as the T P Bellchambers Reserve. Many of Tom's descendants were able to attend the ceremony. Member for Schubert, Ivan Venning and Phillip Bellchambers unveiled an enterpetative sign dedicated to the man.

Key personnel in the project at the sign

Phillip Bellchambers

Uni Student to assist

Studying her Masters Degree in Environmental Management at Flinders Uni, Sherie Bain is using her end of year break to familiarise herself with work in the SAMDB.

Sherie takes a break at Monarto zoo

Gavin Smith wins KESAB Award

Gavin's Mannum Plains Roadwatch Group has been given the 2010 KESAB Biodiversity Award - Flora for work done in protecting Silver Daisy Bush and rehabilitation of motor cycle damage to the TP Bellchambers Reserve at Apamurra

Geoff Keynes, Gavin Smith and judge Alex Hammett