Welcome to the Winton Wetlands Reserve community update-July 2026
Please share this community update with your friends and networks. 
To subscribe to this email us at  [email protected]
Below the July 2026 email update has been converted to pdf.  Scroll to read the 7 pages.
Or click here to Download.

​A reminder that the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival is on again this year with a great program of films and speakers offered on Saturday 11th July 2026.

The  SEFF 2026 Flyer (PDF) has the full program with an active link to Trybooking.

Three sessions commence at 11am sharp at Swanpool Cinema and this year will include a light lunch, afternoon tea, and finish at 8pm after dinner. 
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Tickets are $40 and booking is essential:  www.trybooking.com/DMLQZ

Benalla Food Cooperative - Sonia Bourke

Ecological Sustainable Design and Development - Howard Bartlett and Peter Maddock

Greening and Cooling Benalla - Judy Schwartzman

Renewable Energy Benalla - Kevin Smith

WasteWise Benalla - Kaye Blore
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Website and Social Media Report - Beverley Lee and Peter Maddock


Judy Schwartzman
Secretary

​The Benalla Food Co-op  celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday 9th May, marking 15 years of supporting the local community with a special anniversary lunch enjoyed by members old and new.

Twenty-three members attended the celebration, including six newer members. The event was described as a wonderful success, with many members commenting on how much they enjoyed the day and the opportunity to connect with fellow co-op members.

Guests shared an impressive spread of homemade dishes, many of which were prepared by the guests using products from the co-op.

During the celebration, Christine Holmes, one of the founding members, gave a short presentation reflecting on the history of the co-op and acknowledged Sonia Bourke for her ongoing work and dedication in her role as co-op manager. 

The lunch not only celebrated 15 successful years but also highlighted the strong sense of community that continues to make the Benalla Food Co-op a valued local organisation.

The Benalla Food Co-operative remains committed to enabling members to purchase mainly Australian-produced, non-perishable foods without packaging.  Supporting local and regional producers whenever possible is a key focus of the Co-op, along with reducing packaging and supporting Australian growers to cut down on food miles and costs.

Non-perishable items such as flour, cereals, seeds, rice, sugar, beans, dried fruit, and nuts are available in bulk, with an increasing range of organic products offered. Fair trade organic tea and coffee are also available, and members can purchase any quantity of products they need. To further reduce waste, members are encouraged to bring their own containers.

To learn more about the Benalla Food Co-operative and find out how you can support sustainable food practices, community members are welcome to email [email protected] or pop in during one of the four monthly open sessions:

1 st Monday (3:30-5:30pm)
2 nd and 4 th Saturday (9.30-11.30am)
3 rd Thursday (9.30-11.30am)
The 4th Saturday coincides with the Benalla market day.

The Benalla Food Co-Op operates from the kindergarten hall at the Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier St Benalla (opposite Coles).

Standing: Rosalie Thomas, Sonia Bourke, Peter Holmes, Tanya Walker, Graeme Greed, Judy Schwarzman, Kevin Smith and Roger Harrop
Seated: Christine Holmes and Georgie Donaldson

RENEWABLE ENERGY BENALLA (REB) is a small subgroup of BSFG and promotes the efficient use of Renewable Energy in the Benalla region.
 
REB attends the bi-monthly meetings of NERSA (North East Regional Sustainability Alliance), which cover all sustainable activities in the whole North East region. It is very inspiring to find out just how much is going on overall, even when we have difficulty in making much progress locally. The very extensive minutes are circulated to interested REB members.
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REB also attends the CEN (Community Energy Network) bi-monthly meetings. This group has speakers on all aspects of the rapidly evolving Community Energy scene, with emphasis on how the Community can benefit from the current fast moving policy changes and development of large PV farms and big Batteries in our locality.
 
Throughout the year REB has attended several public information sessions held by PV and Battery Developers. We have generally supported them as they do not involve prime farmland, and their environmental footprint is minor.
 
REB has been overseeing the Revolving Fund set up from an initial seeding Community Grant from an earlier PV farm developer. This fund is used to install PV behind the meter for local not for profit identities such as kindergartens, with the recipients repaying the cost from savings made. The first two kindergartens have just completed repayments (and now own the assets), and earlier this year we installed an installation for Ed Space
 
REB ran a series of public education seminars on renewable energy some years ago.  We have been looking at a possible new series, now including "Electrify Everything” and assisting the reduction of Gas appliances. We are still assessing how to target sufficient interest to make the considerable effort required worthwhile.
 
Some of our members have been heavily involved in an application for a Community Grant of about $80k for Swanpool Hall. This grant is to improve the Hall workability as the Neighbourhood Safer Place and includes increasing the PV to 30 kW and a 50kWh battery. The grant process is a long, tortuous nightmare - we have got through the first stage and have just completed the last stage. We now wait (patiently!) to see if it is successful.
 
REB is just a small group, and we would welcome more interested members.
 
Kevin Smith, Convenor REB
28 May 2026

The Benalla Food Co-op is in its 15th year of operation and currently has a membership of 77 households with over sixty of them shopping regularly.

Earlier this month, this milestone anniversary was celebrated with a lunch attended by 23 general and committee co-op members, including several of the newer members. Everyone contributed something to the meal, making use of co-op produce wherever possible. During the celebration lunch Christine gave a short talk on the history of the food co-op, Sonia thanked the members for their contribution, and a photograph was taken for inclusion in an article in The Ensign.

This article, along with some other forms or promotion will be on the agenda for the coming months, as the committee has agreed we have room to grow our numbers. One of our new Duty Managers, Louisa Marstan has offered to assist the committee in the areas of promotional and marketing materials, which we hope to have prepared in the second half of this year. This will include updating and reprinting the flyers, fridge magnet yearly calendar with open dates and possibly marketing via social media. Sonia also plans to refresh (or possibly remake) the aprons as they are looking a bit tired.

The committee made the decision to purchase a chest freezer to help address the issues of stock loss due to bugs throughout the warmer weather. Whilst we have still experienced some stock losses, it certainly has helped to improve the situation. Rosalie has also been vigilant with cleaning and the changing of bait traps. Additionally, a working bee has been organised for Monday 25th May.

Little has changed with our product list this year. Price Increases have been significant for some products. Some of our regular and much-loved products such as the range or organic spices, cocoa and more recently, some of the flours have been difficult to source for a variety of reasons. We successfully sourced organic spices from an alternative supplier, Terra Madre and may continue to do so in the future, depending on Austral Herbs stock availability. Our markup remains at 20%.

The Committee decided to make the earlier open time on Monday afternoons a permanent fixture to our monthly schedule.

Thank you to Kate Holmes for the overall accounting matters (see Kate’s financial year report). Thank you Christine for continuing to coordinate the roster and Peter for ongoing management of the day-to-day accounts as well as the biannual stock take. The Holmes continue to be a huge support to me in my role as coordinator.
Thank you to Rhona for the regular email update despite challenges getting through to some members email addresses.
Thank you to Rosalie for her continued efforts with cleaning.
Thank you Julienne, for packaging the most recent spices delivery. And Maren and Marlies for their ongoing assistance with the spices.
Thank you to my husband Damien who continues to regularly collect products and helped unload and stack into the cupboards.
Thank you to Beverley Lee and Peter Maddock for maintaining our social media and BSFG website presence.

A special thank you to Glenys Gill and Sally O’Brien for the many years serving as computer operators and who have both stepped back this year due to personal circumstances. We wish Glenys all the best with her recovery from treatment.

Co-op Committee: Sonia, Christine (rosters), Peter (finance), Rhona (weekly up-dates), Judy (BSFG secretary), Rosalie (cleaning), Tanya and Loren.
Duty managers: Sonia, Tanya, Rosalie, Christine, Rhona, Joy, Robyn, Eleanor, Claire, Jenny Muller, Loren Atkinson (new/returning) and Louisa Marsten (new)
iPad Operators: Peter, Karen, Simon, Stacy, Deanne, Graham, Jenny, Julienne, Maren, Marlies, Tracy and Robert.
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Enquires/feedback welcome via the BSFG website or the Co-op email [email protected]

Sonia Bourke
Thursday 28 May 2026

The Image below shows the film synopses and speaker profiles from the SEFF 2026 Program. The Program can be downloaded here as PDF, or click on the image.

Benalla Sustainable Future Group invites Members and Supporters to attend our Annual General Meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday 28th May 2026 in the Benalla Uniting Church Meeting Room opposite Coles car park. We are aiming to screen a short environmental film after the business part of the meeting.

BSFG Membership
At AGM time we also remind our members to consider renewing their membership, and for supporters to think about becoming a member of BSFG. 
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Our website  https://www.bsfg.org.au/  has information about membership. You can apply to become a member by following the JOIN tab / ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM  or by following this direct link  https://www.bsfg.org.au/online-membership-form.html  

If you are aware of anyone who may be interested in our Group's activities who is not yet a member, please feel free to invite them to our AGM and of course to our ordinary meetings held quarterly throughout the year.  As you know, we have a wide range of interests and in the current national and global situation our personal and collective actions as community members for ourselves and our descendants are of paramount importance.

Here are links to related information
*Nomination Form for Executive positions. 
*Minutes - AGM 2025
​*Financial Report - AGM 2025
*Agenda - AGM 2026
Also *Photos and Reports - AGM 2025
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A light supper will be served at the end of the evening.
​
Please RSVP your attendance at  [email protected]    We hope you can join us for this occasion.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, Benalla Sustainable Future Group

It is now approximately 4 years since BSFG held its Strategic Planning Workshops with Cath Botta. At those workshops, many of our current Action Groups were formed, and considerable work has been done by those groups to further BSFG's Purposes. *Please read BSFG's Statement of Purpose.

After another Review of Action Groups at our 2026 February General Meeting, we now have the following Action Groups:
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1. Food Co-operative - has an active membership participation and committee
2. Renewable Energy Benalla
3. Website / Social Media
4. Wastewise Benalla
5. Environmentally Sustainable Design and Development merged with Greening and Cooling, and is planning to include Sustainable Agriculture, with a new name to be decided.  

We now ask that members and supporters seriously consider contributing to these Action Groups - particularly groups 2 to 5. If you have an interest in one or more of these groups, and some time to be involved, we would love to hear from you! Meetings are not overly frequent or burdensome, and you would have the opportunity to work with like-minded people. 

The Action Groups will set a meeting date and time where they will 

• decide on a convenor, 
• review the original Terms of Reference, and if a new group will rewrite the group's terms of reference as the first thing on their agenda. Action Group information can be found at bsfg.org.au under the Action Groups tab. 
• use BSFG's Statement of Purpose to guide the Action Groups' Terms of Reference...see attached.

Your participation are sought to be part of this process if you are able. Why? ...this is from our 2022 review, and still applies:-

This event will be held at Gecko Clan Landcare Office, 72 Bridge St E, Benalla VIC 3672, Australia, Wednesday 6 May 2026, 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

PRESENTER KYLIE MACREADIE, Land Management, Extension Officer

• An essential workshop for those new to farming or reviewing their grazing management
• Learn about land classes on your property
• Increase returns from your productive land
• Options to improve farm natural capital

All details in the Flyer, Download.
Event bookings, https://events.humanitix.com/land-classing-for-productivity-and-natural-capital-improvement.
Or click on the flyer image below.

PS, Executive Officer Kerri Robson advises some local Landcare Groups may have recently had discussions about the Miyawaki Method of tree planting, including planting trials, www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-28/tiny-forests-miyawaki-method-solving-perths-tree-canopy-problem/104098600
This may be discussed during or after the meeting and may have relevance for the BSFG Greening and Cooling Group, https://www.bsfg.org.au/greening-and-cooling-our-urban-spaces

The celebratory lunch to acknowledge the co-op’s 15th year is next Saturday 9th May, at 12.15 pm in the Supper Room of the Uniting Church.

Please indicate what food you will bring to share.   Christine will collate the list of foods.  The committee will then fill the gaps to ensure a balance of food. 
​
RSVP Christine - [email protected] - by Wednesday 6 May at the latest.

​Rhona Rose

​Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) is delighted to announce completion of a new solar panel installation project on a Benalla community building at EdSpace (24 Carrier Street).  This development continues action group Renewable Energy Benalla’s commitment to the generation of solar power in our community and follows past REB projects which installed solar panels on Bernard Briggs and Munro Avenue kindergartens.

EdSpace is an Independent Specialist School and a project of Capability Building Incorporated, a Public Benevolent Institution providing family centred support in health and education for young people with a medical diagnosis affecting their success in mainstream schools.

​We are sharing the Winton Wetlands Reserve Community Update March 2026  with our members and supporters.   To subscribe, email  [email protected].

​“Our vision is to create more than a cafe, we want to build a genuine community space,” said Miriam Tinaru from the new operator team.
 
Opening hours are currently Wednesday-Sunday 7.30am-3.00pm.
For bookings and enquiries: mobile: 0466 602 461 and email: [email protected]
 
Follow The Winton Cafe and Events facebook and instagram accounts to keep up with what’s happening and any changes to their operating hours.

​Rangers’ update
The summer weed programme is well under way with two specialist contractors working alongside Winton Wetlands Rangers.
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Target species include:
·       Sweet Briar
·       Bathurst Burr
·       Noogoora Burr
·       Prairie Ground Cherry
·       Stinkwort
·       Fleabane
·       Woody Weeds (Cotton woods,
willows, Desert ash, Honey Locust, etc)

Next time you are visiting you might see the rangers out and about in a Forest Fire Management Victoria branded vehicle. Make sure you give them a wave!

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Community, Culture and Country celebrated at Winton Wetlands

​Building local seed production and storage capacity

The Regent Honeyeater Project will establish a one-hectare seed production area with kangaroo-proof fencing at the wetlands during winter and spring 2026.
In partnership with the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank and the Euroa Arboretum, this will support seed processing and storage and provide an ongoing supply of locally sourced seed for future revegetation projects at Winton Wetlands and the Regent Honeyeater Project.
Activities already completed include:

• 5kg of indigenous seed collected and processed by Euroa Arboretum staff in the 2024/25 season.
• Purchase and installation of seed storage equipment for the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank, including shelving and dehumidifiers, to add to the new cool room.

Visit the link to learn more about collection of indigenous seed for propagation by the Regent Honey Eater Project.

Wildlife and research updates

Growling grass frog release project
A significant environmental restoration milestone was achieved with the release of 59 Growling grass frogs (Ranoidea raniformis) at Winton Wetlands, marking the return of a species historically known to inhabit the site.
 
Delivered by Swamps, Rivers and Ranges the release represents the culmination of more than 10 years of collaboration and planning.
 
The frogs were translocated from a Coliban Water site in Bendigo, where they were carefully selected before undergoing a strict quarantine process to protect both the animals and the wetland ecosystem.
 
Project Coordinator Sophie Enders from Swamps, Rivers and Ranges said the success of the release was immediate: “It was the best feeling hearing the frogs calling within half an hour of being released at the site.”
 
A second translocation is scheduled for March to further support the establishment of a self-sustaining population.
 
Swamps Rivers and Ranges extend a big thanks to the project team and to funders and supporters:
DEECA, Wettenhall Environment Trust, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, and Nature Glenelg Trust.

​​Follow updates on the Swamps Rivers and Ranges facebook page.

​Turtle islands at Winton Wetlands

​Can I fish?
​
Fishing is allowed but you must have a valid Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL).
To protect our native biodiversity, catch and release is preferred, and non-native catches must be humanely dispatched.

​Resident snakes
Keep an eye out for the resident snakes when visiting – local species include venomous snakes, such as the Eastern Brown Snake; Red-bellied Black Snake; Tiger snake and Copperhead snake. 
Some tips:
·     If you see a snake, keep clear and allow it to move out of your way.
·     It is recommended you carry a snake bandage at all times.

Interested in contributing to make the 2026 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival a success?  There's an  Information session at  Swanpool Cinema, Thursday 12 March at 7pm  ​

Hoping you enjoyed celebrating Pistachio Day, which occurs annually on Feb 26! 

• Did you know that pistachio was named 2025’s flavour of the year in Australia?
• Pistachios (along with almonds) have the most protein of all tree nuts. 
• Pistachios provide all nine essential amino acids plus a powerful antioxidant and dietary fibre. 
• Pistachios get their green and purple colour from the antioxidants they contain. 
• Pistachios contain high levels of melatonin, which is linked with getting a better night’s sleep. 
• Pistachios are THE top nut source of the mineral potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure for a healthy heart
• How good that the co-op stocks very fresh, high quality shelled pistachios.       

  Rhona Rose

Members and Supporters are invited to attend Benalla Sustainable Future Group's next General meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday  26th Feb.

We will revisit BSFG's Purpose Statement and hear reports from representatives of our Action Groups including what they have been doing, and any plans for ongoing work in the next 12 months.

Examples of BSFG's current operating or in-recess Action Groups: 

• Benalla Food Co-operative; 
• Renewable Energy Benalla; 
• Wastewise Benalla; 
• Ecological Sustainable Design and Development; 
• Connected and Engaged Community; 
• Greening and Cooling Benalla;  
• Sustainable Farming Systems.

Do you have any ideas of action to pursue that fit BSFG's Purposes !?
Everyone is invited to attend, and Members may offer their suggestions to the discussion and contribute their support by becoming involved in an existing, rejuvenated or new Action Group.
Supporters may apply to become a member on the night, in order to become involved.

As we move towards an all-electric, clean energy future, equity is an important part of the transition. With many households are struggling to pay their energy bills, we are sharing  this reminder about two home energy bill support services established by the Victorian Government - 

• Energy Assistance Program – A free phone support service
  Friendly, expert advisors from Anglicare Victoria help people reduce and manage energy debt, find the best energy offer, save energy, and negotiate with their energy companies.
• Power Saving Bonus – $100 payment for concession card households
  Available to households with a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and a recent electricity bill. The Power Saving Bonus is scheduled to close on 31 March 2026.

Further Information:   
Energy Affordability Programs and Services
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

​Tim Grant from Life Cycles: LCA Experts - Sustainability Consultants  explained to the meeting the procedural framework to conducting Life Cycle assessments and how they can assist evaluating the environmental impacts of products and services.

See this  YouTube video for An introduction to Lifecycle Assessment featuring Tim Grant.

Tim demonstrated a typical approach to Life cycle assessment by considering the life cycle of renewable energy.  Download Tim's presentation here or view below.

​Tim finished his presentation with:

Conclusions

• Yes-renewables are very good and getting better
• Liquid fuels and aviation remain less positive with all feedstocks having some issues
• The energy transition is maybe the most amazing thing humans have ever achieved - against all the odds and vested interests.​

Before supper, Tim answered questions from members who found his presentation on Life Cycle Analysis informative.

​Peter Maddock

Hume Engagement (DEECA) released on Friday November 21st this Winton Wetlands Reserve community update.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is committed to the ongoing restoration of this environmentally significant site and will be providing the community with updates on a range of projects at the reserve.
DEECA officially took over management of Winton Wetlands Reserve on 1 August 2025 and is committed to its ongoing management for the benefit of the environment and the community. 

Please share this community update with your friends and networks.
To subscribe please email us at  [email protected] .

Winton Wetlands restorative project
Since 31 July 2025, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) has been responsible for administering the Winton Wetlands restorative project grant.
The ‘Seeding A Greener Future: Sowing Healthy Habitat and Hearts initiative is funded through an EPA restorative court order and focuses on:

• Advancing ecological restoration
• Enhancing local seed collection
• Strengthening community engagement at Winton Wetlands

Below are the latest updates on the Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle.

Can I fish?
Fishing is allowed by any person that holds a valid Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL). To protect our native biodiversity, catch and release is preferred, and non-native catches must be humanely dispatched.

Contact us
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to our community update or are having difficulties viewing this email, please get in contact with us via [email protected] .

Kind regards
Clare Kiely
Regional Director, Hume
Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples 
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action