ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS, ARTICLES, GROUPS, JOBS, AND PLACES - MELBOURNE

Marra Guwiyap (Croxton) Community Garden open day
2024-10-27 11:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Croxton commuity Garden, 30-40 Spenser St Northcote (by the Croxton Train Station), Melbourne, VIC, 3070, Australia
Croxton commuity Garden
Sunday 27th October 11am to 2pm
30-40 Spenser St Northcote (by the Croxton Train Station)
Music, plants, face painting, produce stalls and raffles
All are welcome to join our celebrations,

Edible Weeds
2024-10-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Caulfield South Community Garden, 450 Kooyong Rd, Caulfield South, Melbourne, VIC, 3162, Australia
Does your garden patch grow more weeds than veges?
You may have more of a harvest than you think. Many plants thought to be weeds have known culinary and medicinal uses.
Come along to join an ‘edible weeds’ talk with expert forager Chris Rockley. Learn how to safely identify a range of useful weeds and harvest them for your kitchen. You will receive a take home guide to refer to, as new ‘weeds’ appear throughout the seasons.
Date: 27 October 2024
Time: 11.00am-12pm
Venue: Caulfield South Community Garden,
450 Kooyong Rd, Caulfield South VIC 3162
————————————————————
Please feel free to bring any surplus produce, seeds, cuttings, plants, gardening magazines etc to swap and share!

Please note that this is an event for Naarm/Melbourne gardeners only. If you live outside this area, please contact your council to find out what free sustainable gardening events are available locally.
If you have any access or support questions or requirements in order to participate fully (eg. interpreter), please let us know at least two weeks prior to the event and we will be pleased to assist you. Photos will be taken at this event, but there is an option to opt out on the day.
This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by Glen Eira City Council on the land of Boon Wurrung/Bunurong, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years.

Northern Grassland Reserve wildflower tour
2024-10-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Banyule Northern Grasslands, 377 Liberty Parade, Heidelberg West, Melbourne, VIC, 3081, Australia
Join the Bush Crew and the Friends of Darebin Creek at Banyule Northern Grassland Reserve to observe a range of beautiful wildflower species and learn about the unique management and ecology of our endangered grasslands.
Learn about our precious grassland ecosystem and enjoy spotting a diverse range of colourful wildflowers.
Before you arrive
Wear closed toed shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water and a snack.
Location
Parking is available at the corner of Liberty Parade and Dougharty Road. The meeting point will be roughly 200m north of this entrance along the dirt maintenance track. Signage will be placed at the gate for guidance.

Garden Party for Children's Week 2024
2024-10-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Sutton Ave Kindergarten, 16 Sutton Ave, Altona North, Melbourne, VIC, 3025, Australia
Event description

🌿🌸 You’re Invited to a Garden Party for Kids & Grown-Ups! 🌸🌿
Come celebrate Children’s Week 2024 in a morning packed with soil, plants and fun!
For the Little Sprouts (Ages 0-5):
Join a growing-themed adventure where your child will:

Learn about the different parts of a plant and what they do
Discover what plants need to grow and stay happy
Explore plant diversity with sensory activities
Dance and sing through the plant lifecycle
Plant their very own seedling to take home and nurture

For the Big Kids (Ages 5+):
Concurrently, there will be a workshop for older children who will:

Discover tips and tricks to make gardening a blast
Be inspired by fun gardening projects to try at home
Plant their own seed or seedling to take home and grow

Grown-ups will be encouraged to join in the sessions and learn how to foster a lifetime love for nature. Please accompany and supervise your child at this event.
PLUS storytime, funky tunes and colouring-in activities while you explore the new Sutton Avenue Kindergarten playground.
Dress for mess and get ready for some springtime gardening fun! 🌱🌸 🌻

Breakfast with the birds
2024-10-27 07:00 - 11:30 | Old Shire Offices, 60 Beverly Road, Heidelberg, Melbourne, VIC, 3084, Australia
This event is a chance to get out into one of our amazing local natural areas, Banyule Flats Reserve, to explore and see some amazing local birdlife.
The walks are on pre-designed routes with local bird experts who will help you spot and identify birds you see and teach you some interesting facts too.
The event ends up back at our starting destination where a delicious breakfast will await you and provide the chance to rest, network and listen to some inspiring presentations.
What to bring
Be sure to arrive with

clothing appropriate for the weather at the time
closed toed and sturdy shoes
drinking water
binoculars, if you have them.

Grow Green Community Garden Launch
2024-10-26 11:00 - 15:00 | 60 Douglas Street, Noble Park,, 60 Douglas Street, Noble Park,, VIC, 3174, Australia
Come and celebrate the creation of the Grow Green Community Garden. This Garden is a joint project of Wellsprings for Women and AMES and is being managed by a group of migrant women committed to building resilience in their local communities.
The day will include scarecrow making, a treasure hunt, henna and face painting, a planting workshop, pancakes, sausages and veg fritters, heat health info and more.

Green West Fest 2024
2024-10-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Unit 12/75A Ashley St, Braybrook, Unit 12/75A Ashley St, Braybrook, Melbourne, VIC, 3019, Australia
Gathering for good, creating our neighbourhood.
Be part of a festival of ideas and action for a greener inner west. A growing movement of local community groups have gathered together to explore and inspire greener ways of living, working and travelling in Melbourne’s west.
On Saturday October 26, 2024, we’re coming together for the very first Green West Fest—a celebration of sustainability and creativity, powered by Green Collect and a bunch of grassroots organisations active in our community. This gathering aims to deepen connections in our local community so that we can take practical steps toward a greener, more sustainable future.
Out of love for our planet and neighbourhoods, we’re hoping to amplify the sort of changes we can all make to lead us towards better use of resources and energy, and effective climate action.
RSPV via webpage

CERES Festival of Fava
2024-10-26 10:00 - 13:00 | CERES Joe’s Market Garden, 34 Edna Grove, Coburg, Melbourne, VIC, 3058, Australia
Join us at our ‘Festival of Fava’ – a community celebration of the broad bean (fava) and the spring harvest at CERES Joe’s Market Garden in Coburg.
Together we will celebrate the importance of the fava bean reflected in annual traditions, stories and recipes across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. These celebrations will also include the market garden’s annual broad bean harvest where you can pick your own beans alongside farm tours exploring the rich history of the market garden which has been farmed continuously for over 170 years.
A day of celebration including music, cooking demonstrations, farm tours, pick-your-own beans, garden workshops and activities for adults and kids alike.
Tickets are free but limited.
Additional option – book a paid session to pick your own broad beans at Melbourne’s oldest continuing market garden. Your paid ticket includes an introduction from our Farmer, growing and harvesting tips and a delicious 500g bag of the freshest broad beans you’ll find.

Community Conversations for the Forests
2024-10-26 09:00 - 14:00 | Ceres, Corner of Roberts and Stewart St Brunswick East, Melbourne, VIC, 3057, Australia
Join the Wilderness Society’s new Inner North group for community conversations to protect Victoria’s tall forests. Together we can ensure Victoria’s threatened species like the greater glider are protected for good!
RSVP on the Wilderness Society Webpage!

Bushwalk – Lerderderg River Heritage Walk, Wombat Forest
2024-10-26 | Wombat Forest, Lerderderg
Come and join Bushwalking Program volunteer Darren McClelland and VNPA campaigner Ben on a walk following two historic water races above the Lerderderg River, in Wombat Forest.
Ben will tell share his local knowledge and talk about VNPA’s campaign to protect Wombat Forest.
Stay for an optional afternoon tea at the Garden of St Erth tea rooms (at own expense).
This 9km walk will meander through wet forest, fern gullies and includes some short steep hills.
This easy-medium walk begins approximately 70km north west of Melbourne.
REGISTER ON WEBSITE

ClimateWatch Walk at Cranbourne Gardens
2024-10-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Ballarto Road and, Botanic Drive, Cranbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3977, Australia
Do you want to contribute to climate change research?
Do you want to understand how climate change is affecting our plants and wildlife?
Join our ClimateWatch advocates on this free guided walk to monitor biodiversity at Cranbourne Gardens. Learn about indicator species of plants and animals and how climate change is affecting their seasonal behaviour. The data you observe and record will help shape Australia’s scientific response to climate change.
Make a real difference in your local community.
Download the ClimateWatch app prior to the tour.

Learn more at www.climatewatch.org.au.

Online: Edible Weeds - The Most Carbon Saving Food
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 | online
Continuing our “Carbon in the Garden” Series, is this Master Class session on Edible Weeds. Weeds are often seen as a nuisance by home gardeners, but they are actually a valuable, untapped resource rich in nutrients and minerals. While their deep tap roots can compete with vegetables for soil nutrients and moisture, they can also be beneficial if used correctly. With minimal help required to grow, they are the ultimate low carbon food source, for you and your garden! It makes you question why we don’t use and eat more of them!
In this one hour masterclass given by Teresa Day, you will learn to identify, manage and use weeds using an integrated approach that minimizes environmental impact. The session will cover how to utilize weeds as a natural fertilizer and food source, including:
– Understanding what constitutes a weed.
– Exploring the nutrients found in weeds.
– Techniques for making garden fertilizer from weeds.
– Enhancing compost with weeds.
– Using weeds for pest control.
– Identifying edible weeds and understanding common weed profiles.
This session is one of four in a Masterclass Series “Carbon In Your Garden”. Other topics include – Growing Herbs and Teas, Bloom at Home: Why and How to Grow Your Own Cut Flowers, Importance of Native Grasses in Your Garden. Book the Series Package for discount. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.

Care for Backyard Chickens
2024-10-24 11:00 - 12:00 | Diamond Valley Library, Nillumbik Council Offices, Civic Drive, Greensborough, Melbourne, VIC, 3088, Australia
Ever wanted to keep backyard chickens? All your questions about these feathered friends will be answered in this demonstration by Maria from Sunset Valley Chicks. We’ll cover everything from the correct care of chickens, worming, keeping the birds healthy, and proper housing.
Register on website

Chicken Storytime
2024-10-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Diamond Valley Library, Nillumbik Council Offices, Civic Drive, Greensborough, Melbourne, VIC, 3088, Australia
Join us for a special Chicken Storytime featuring some of our feathered friends. Maria from Sunset Valley Chicks will be binging some lovely chickens from her farm for us to pet and cuddle.
Enjoy songs, rhymes and stories all about chickens, followed by a chicken cuddle.

ACUP L3 Chem Users Course
2024-10-24 08:00 - 2024-10-25 17:00 | DNA Training, Ground Floor/6 Wedgewood Rd, Hallam, Melbourne, VIC, 3803, Australia
Agriculture Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) Licence Course
This course provides the required training for many Industry Quality Assurance Programs and is necessary to apply for the Victorian Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (an ACUP is required for users of Schedule 7 and other Restricted Chemical Products).
It covers pest ID, Modes of Action, label interpretation, issues associated with chemical use, formulation types, weed and pest control application, animal health, transport and disposal, preparation and clean up, recording and other procedures.

Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP)
Successfull completion of the two units of competency completed in this short Level 3 Chemicals Course allows you to submit your Statement of Attainment to the ACUP for approval of your permit.

Duation: 2 Days

Full Course
The units of competency include:
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
Learn the skills and knowledge needed to safely prepare and apply chemicals for the control of pests, weeds, and diseases by using general application technique. This unit will enhance your skills and allow you to administer chemicals without supervision. This course is valid for 5 years before a refresher is required.
AHCCHM304 Transport, handle and store chemicals
Learn the skills and knowledge to effectively and safely handle, transport and store chemicals. This subject suits people who would like to self-manage and take responsibility for their own work. You will learn how to apply discretion and use your judgement when selecting and allocating the resources to solve problems in the workplace.
Course Outcomes:

Determine the need for chemical use and prepare an application plan
Prepare chemical mixes
Calibrate application equipment
Apply chemicals
Clean up equipment and complete records

What will you learn in this course?

Read and interpret SDS, chemical labels, operating instruction and other documentation and consolidates information to determine chemical application actions and activity
Accurately record and complete organisational records using clear language and terminology
Perform mathematical calculations to determine rates of application chemical mixtures and calibration of equipment
Take responsibility for following policies, procedures and regulations
Identify and implement chemical label requirements
Take responsibility for planning, sequencing, and prioritising tasks required for chemical application activities

Course Details:

Dates:
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th October

Duration:
Full course – Thursday and Friday

Refresher course – Thursday only

Time:
8.00am – 5.00pm

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to start time

Course Costs:

Full Course
NGIV Members $350
| Non-members $395

Refresher
NGIV Members $275
| Non-members $300

Please note that lunch will not be provided.

City of Monash: How to help birds in the ‘burbs
2024-10-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Wheelers Hill Library, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill, VIC, 3150, Australia
You’re invited to join urban ecologist and postdoctoral researcher Dr Jacinta Humphrey for an important event: Birds in the ‘burbs: How to improve habitat for native birds in urban areas.
Australia’s population is steadily increasing, prompting the need for new houses, shops and roads. While these developments are important for our community, they can have a negative impact on the birds that share our suburbs.
So, how do birds respond to urban development and what can we do to better support the more sensitive species? We’ve invited Dr Humphrey to share her findings on what makes a residential street, parkland, or suburban garden, bird-friendly.

Public lecture- Heat and Health: The latest science, Professor Kristie Ebi
2024-10-23 17:30 - 18:30 | Ian Potter, Ian Potter Auditorium (G52), Kenneth Myer Building (144), 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
Heat and Health: The latest science
The Climate CATCH Lab, Melbourne Climate Futures, Oceania Institute and The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences warmly invites you to attend the 2024 Miegunyah Distinguished Fellowship Public Lecture, presented by Professor Kristie Ebi.
As global temperature records continue to tumble, the United Nations has called attention to the ‘extreme heat epidemic’ impacting billions of people worldwide. Climate change-exacerbated temperature extremes present substantial health risks for current and future generations. With Australia facing a summer of potentially deadly heat, how might we better prepare for and effectively manage the health risks of increasingly intense, frequent and sustained extreme-heat events?
In this public lecture, internationally renowned epidemiologist, Professor Kristie Ebi, will discuss the importance of developing intersectoral policies that explicitly consider and plan for the health impacts of hot weather and heat extremes. While extreme heat is just one example of how climate change is affecting our health, this lens will illustrate the potential impacts of climate change, the effectiveness of current adaptation and mitigation policies, and the range of choices available to manage the health risks posed by a changing climate.
Join us for this vital discussion, followed by light refreshments.

Online: GET THE GROWING EDGE WEBINAR: Making decisions using hyper-local weather forecasts
2024-10-23 11:00 - 12:00 | VIC
Making daily operational decisions is challenging, especially in today’s variable climate. New technologies can help and there are tech companies, agronomy services and growers who are already leading the way!
Join this webinar to learn from their experiences and consider possible advantages for your farm.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 23rd
TIME: 11am AEDT
HOW: Use the link to join! https://bit.ly/AUSVEGWeatherForecasting

A NSW focus with local and national scenarios & insights
Josh Cross & Jane Bunn, Jane’s Weather, Precise & actionable weather insights
Jane’s Weather is a precision weather forecasting platform that combines global weather models with unique observations from the farm level. It provides customised weather forecasts and insights, enhanced by AI specific to operations. Josh and Jane will show how use of precision hardware and weather station networks, combined with cutting edge AI forecast modelling, empowers growers to precisely mitigate risks and optimise operations around changeable weather. NSW-based scenarios will be demonstrated.
Marek Matuzsek, Ag Logic, Strategic Irrigation Specialist
Ag Logic are precision and spatial agriculture specialists based in Tasmania. They have developed unique tools for horticulture production systems used to manage in-field variability, optimise water flow and drainage and improve risk management. Ag Logic supply and manage a large network of weather stations and sensor and telemetry units across Tasmania that feed local data into Jane’s Weather to strengthen its accuracy. Marek will demonstrate how more accurate forecasting is assisting his vegetable clients to make informed operating decisions.
Caitlin Radford, RADCO Agriculture, Moriarty Tasmania
Caitlin will provide a grower perspective on how long-term, short-term, and daily hyper local forecasts aid her to make more informed decisions about crop management, protection, ideal spraying conditions and resource allocation.

Japara Gardening Club at Japara Bridge
2024-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Japara Bridge – Elizabeth Bridge Reserve, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth, Melbourne, VIC, 3137, Australia
Come along to the harvest gardening club – a free time to Connect, Learn, and Grow food that goes straight back into the community! Facilitated by our amazing partners at ValleyCare you know that each session will be filled with practical hands-on learning and more than a few laughs while we grow our community fresh produce.
We produce a lot of free produce at the Japara Bridge Community Food Garden for community members to enjoy. But to keep up with the demand we need like-minded individuals to come along and get involved. Participants are welcome to take home fresh food as it is harvested.
Sessions are a mixture of 4 weekly Wednesday and Saturday’s. Come to one, come to all, and all experience levels and ages welcome but we do ask that children under 14 have guardian supervision present.

* Wednesday, 25 September 2024 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
* Wednesday, 23 October 2024 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
* Wednesday, 20 November 2024 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
* Wednesday, 18 December 2024 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Victorian National Parks Association 72nd Annual General Meeting
2024-10-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Melbourne City Conference Centre, 190 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Members and supporters are warmly invited to our 72nd Annual General Meeting
RSVP on website by Tuesday 15 October.
Please indicate whether you’ll attend in person or online* and provide any dietary requirements.
Alternatively you can email support@vnpa.org.au or phone Kristian on 03 9341 6506.

*If you’re unable to attend in person, join online via Zoom from 6.50pm. Please RSVP and we’ll email you a link prior to the AGM.
Please join us to celebrate 72 years of protecting nature together

Grassland tour – Evans Street Grasslands
2024-10-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Evans Street Grassland, Corner Evans and Timins Street Sunbury, Melbourne, VIC, 3429, Australia
We’re not supposed to pick favourites, but Evans Street is one of the finest of Melbourne’s grasslands, and puts on a great show. Join us in lovely Sunbury to marvel at what once was and what, with enough love, our other grasslands could come to be.
Remember to wear closed shoes, dress sensibly for the weather and bring sunscreen and water!
This event is being run by the Grassy Plains Network. Please RSVP on website.

Friends of Salt Creek working bee
2024-10-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Rosanna Parklands Central Playground, 153 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna, Melbourne, VIC, 3084, Australia
We welcome you to join the Friends of Salt Creek and Banyule’s Bushland Management Team to help protect some local indigenous plants within Rosanna Parklands.
This event will be to hand weed around previously planted indigenous vegetation where you will get the opportunity to learn about these species and meet some amazing local people.
All equipment will be provided on the day, but please ensure you bring weather appropriate clothing, close toed shoes and drinking water.
What to bring
Wear covered walking shoes and BYO water.
Location
Corner of Ellesmere Parade and Lower Plenty Road.
Rosanna Parklands Central Playground, 153 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna, 3084

DIVRS’s Urban Food Program 10th birthday celebration
2024-10-19 13:30 - 16:00 | Alphington Food Hub, 2 Wingrove St Alphington, Melbourne, VIC, 3078, Australia
Celebrate DIVRS’s (Urban Food Program) journey and achievements over the past decade with food, music, stories, a seedling potting stand and seedling giveaways.
The formalities will be at 2.30pm.

About DIVRS
Here at DIVRS’s Urban Food Program, we know the value of food. Thats why we have a range of urban food programs aimed at empowering people through food. There is enough food to go around if we put our minds to it and every reason to produce our own food locally to share with our friends and neighbours.

Footscray Community Garden & Learning Place Working Bee
2024-10-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Footscray Community Garden & Learning Place, 30A Pickett Street, Footscray, Melbourne, VIC, 3011, Australia
We are finishing-up building our wicking beds; setting up irrigation; building storage and possibly compost containers; putting in a gathering place shed; and planting! For details of working bees check out our Facebook Page.
More information:
For more information or to register to attend, visit facebook.com/footscraygardenlearningplace

Burnley Gardens: Their Design and the People who loved them
2024-10-19 10:30 - 2024-10-23 15:00 | Burnley Gardens, 500 Yarra Blvd Burnley, Melbourne, VIC, 3121, Australia
The University of Melbourne and the Friends of Burnley Gardens invite you to our Burnley Gardens Open Day and the launch of Michèle Adler’s book
Burnley Gardens: Their Design and the People who loved them on Sat 19 October (10:30am -3 pm)
Join us to celebrate the magical Burnley Gardens:

10:30 – 11:15 am: Launch of Michèle Adler’s book – Burnley Gardens: Their Design and the People who loved them with Assoc. Prof Claire Farrell (Director of Burnley Campus), Prof. Moira O’Bryan (Dean of Science Faculty) and Michèle Adler
11:30 am- 3:00 pm:Guided garden walks showcasing the first principal C.B. Luffmann at Burnley (Sandi Pullman), Spring in the gardens (FOBG guides), the herb garden (Sam Taylor) and vignettes in the garden
11:30 am- 3:00 pm:Guided research walks of the Green Roof (John Rayner and Dean Schrieke), Raingarden (Chris Szota) and Woody Meadow (Claire Farrell)
University of Melbourne course information and advice
Friends of Burnley Gardens membership, Burnley Gardens book and plant sale
Country Women’s Association refreshments
Burnley Botanic Art Group and Burnley Archives Exhibition
Information stalls for the Herb society and the Australian Garden History Society

CERES Bird Count Picnic 2024
2024-10-19 10:30 - 12:30 | CERES Joe’s Market Garden, 34 Edna Grove, Coburg, Melbourne, VIC, 3058, Australia
Join us at CERES Joe’s Market Garden to take part in the Aussie Bird Count and get to know our beautiful birds of the Merri Creek!
The national bird count is run by Birdlife Australia from 14-20 October 2024. Participants all over the country will choose a spot and count the birds they see in 20 minutes, before registering their count online.
We will be running two x 20 minute counting slots at 11am and 12pm.
Entry to the bird count is free, with the option of attending a paid bird language workshop or a guided bird walk along the Merri Creek.
There will be market stalls, a bird themed raffle, kids activities, music and more! Hope to see you there.
#1. Bird Language with Emily Coats of Nature’s Apprentice 10:30am-11:30am
$30 Full/ $25 Concession
An introduction to the practical experience of understanding bird language. Gain an insight into the different ways they communicate and work together. All levels of experience are welcome.
Emily has been a facilitator at Nature’s Apprentice since 2021 and has a passion for deep nature connection, ancestral skills, and soulcentric nature practices. Emily’s teachers include master tracker Tom Brown, nature connection expert Jon Young and Australian bird language teacher Andrew Turbill. Emily looks forward to exploring the wonderful world of bird language with you.
#2. Guided birds of the Merri Creek walk with Tristan Best from Friends of Merri Creek 11:30am-12:30pm
$20 Adult/$10 Kids (under 3 free)
Walking along the Merri Creek from Joe’s Garden, learn about the birds, habitat and history along the way.
With over 35 years of experience studying birds and their behaviour, including more than 10 years’ experience conducting a variety of surveys along the Merri and Darebin Creeks and their surroundings, Tristan is looking forward to answering your questions and hopefully teaching everyone at least one new thing on the day.

🌸🌿Nature Book Week - Dandenong Day Out 🌿🌸
2024-10-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Grants Picnic Ground, 70 Monbulk Rd Kallista VIC, VIC, 3791, Australia
Nature Book Week is a series of exciting nature storytelling events for all ages from 12–20 October!
Storytelling is a form of connection. Not just between us humans, but to places and animals. On 19 October, join us on a day trip to visit Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. Bring your friends and family and walk the forests which the Wilderness Society and so many others are dedicated to protecting.
Come along and enjoy a day filled with activities, walks in nature, and stories amongst the trees. Connect with fellow nature lovers and learn more about why we campaign to protect these beautiful places.
Activities on the day include:

Poetry Workshop
Reading from Environment Award for Children’s Literature shortlisted author David Lawrence
Face painting
Banner Painting
Nature bracelets
Nature Scavenger hunt
Acoustic Music Performance
Forest Walk

A Sausage Sizzle with vegan options will be avaliable, we suggest bringing additional food though
For the best new nature books for kids, check out our 2024 Karajia and Environment Awards for Children’s Literature shortlist.
The Wilderness Society offers you a unique opportunity to actively contribute to nature and all the animals—including us!—that rely on it. By joining our community, you can play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and advocating for sustainable environmental policies.
RSVP and join us on a day which is sure to be a special one 🌍💚

Care for the Creek: Weed Skills Walk
2024-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | NECCHi Newlands Neighhbourhood House, 20 Murray Rd, Coburg North, Melbourne, VIC, 3058, Australia
Event description

Next up in our series of merri merri walks, we’ll be identifying and learning about invasive plants around the creek. We’ll again be led by ecologist Michael Longmore from Merri Creek Management Committee, and follow our same route—up to and around the confluence of Edgars and Merri Creek.
By learning about these invasive plants (otherwise known as weeds) we hope that people may feel confident to ID and remove some themselves to help care for our waterways on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
This walk is taking place around the banks of Edgars and Merri Creeks, so sturdy footwear is needed, and be prepared for wet weather! We also recommend bringing a notebook.
(Photo is Tradescantia albiflora, a persistent invasive plant common along the banks of the Merri Creek)
***
By purchasing tickets to this event, you agree to the NECCHi event and ticketing terms and conditions.

Sow and Tell: Writing the Garden
2024-10-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Wayi Community Garden – Newlands Neighbourhood House, 20 Murray Rd, Coburg North, VIC, 3058, Australia
Event description

Sow and Tell: Writing the Garden
Gardens are rich and fertile places for writers. They are places of uncertainty, where things stir under the surface and we are not sure what will emerge. They are places of creativity and vitality, where new life blooms. Gardens hold their own stories too, and listening to these stories can inspire our own.
Come enjoy some slow time observing and writing in the NECCHI Wayi Garden with me. We will ground ourselves in this special place and open our senses to it. I will share a few writing tips, read you evocative pieces of garden writing, and offer some prompts to inspire new writing from you. No writing experience is necessary. You can write in any form: poems, stories, essays, fragments, journal entries, or stream-of-consciousness ramblings. We will attend to our inner and outer landscapes and see what takes root.

About Simone
Simone King (she/her) is a poet, editor and PhD student in creative writing who lives and writes on Wurundjeri Country. Simone’s poems and reviews have been published in poetry anthologies and journals including Best of Australian Poems 2022, Australian Poetry Anthology 2024, Rabbit Poetry, Cordite, Plumwood Mountain, and Mascara Literary Review’s Resilience Anthology. Simone won the 2022 Blake Poetry Prize and the 2021 Woorilla Poetry Prize and has been highly commended for other literary awards. She coedited What we Carry: Poetry on Childbearing, Recent Work Press, 2021.

Sow and Tell: Writing the Garden is a family-friendly workshop that will take place within NECCHi’s Wayi Community Garden.

Maker Space: 3D Design a Seedling Label Marker (15+ years)
2024-10-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Brimbank Libraries: Deer Park Library, 4 Neale Road Deer Park, Melbourne, VIC, 3023, Australia
Event Info:
Bookings open 27 September, 9am
Got a green thumb? Create your own seedling label markers and learn about our new Brimbank Seed Library.

Age range:

This event is for people aged 15 and above.

Any bookings outside of this age range may be declined on the day of the event.
