Category: Winton Wetlands - Benalla Sustainable Future Group

Winton Wetland Community Update - July 2026

21/7/2026

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.

Winton Wetlands Reserve Community Update - March 2026

11/3/2026

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

The Winton Cafe and Events

The Winton Cafe and Events is now open for business at the site of the former Mokoan Hub and Cafe!

The venue was officially opened on Thursday 12 February, with more than 50 attendees. Benalla Rural City Deputy Mayor, Cr Justin King, attended the opening and reflected on the importance of the site for the local community.

Following an EOI process led by DEECA last year, DS Gill Pty Ltd was appointed as the successful operator. With more than 20 years of combined hospitality experience the team is looking to provide great food and community connection, all while honouring the importance of Winton Wetlands to locals and visitors.

The Winton Cafe & Events will offer locally roasted coffee, fresh regional food, and a high- quality venue for events and celebrations. Several former staff members have also returned to the cafe.

A high priority of the new operators is to reinstate the bush kinder program supported by Nikki James, a proud Yorta Yorta woman. In exciting news - bush kinder and other education events will start in a few weeks.

L-R: New operators, wetlands rangers and Benalla
Rural City Deputy Mayor Cr Justin King

“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.

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!

A big thank you goes to our Gateway Health volunteers who continue to assist with a wide range of works across the reserve. Most recently, the team completed oiling and repair works on the picnic shelters – thanks for your ongoing support.

We would also like to acknowledge Andy from the Regent Honey Eater Project. Andy has been out watering trees planted last year because of the very dry season. Thanks, Andy, for going that extra mile to look after the young trees and increase their survival rate.

Dry summer conditions

This season Winton Wetlands has experienced very dry conditions because of low rainfall and higher than average temperatures.

All swamps have dried up, with water being retained only in some old dams and ponds, but these are also continuing to dry.

A reminder that the reserve is closed to the public on all days of Total Fire Banday and days of Extreme or Code Red Fire Danger Rating, with the exception of the lakeside foreshore zone where the cafe is located.

Seeding a Greener Future: Sowing healthy habitat and hearts project

Winton Wetlands has marked an important milestone with the completion of the Seeding a Greener Future: Sowing healthy habitat and hearts project.

Funded through a Restorative Project Court Order granted in October 2024, the project focused on on‑ground restoration works, strengthening cultural and community connections and building local seed collection and storage capacity.

On 31 July 2025, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) took responsibility for coordinating the final stages of the project, including completion of the Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle, and delivery of a large community celebration event.

Community, Culture and Country celebrated at Winton Wetlands

Yorta Yorta woman Nikki James was engaged by GB CMA to lead the finalisation of the Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle project.

“This project has been about far more than planting trees – it has been about strengthening cultural connections, building community pride and ensuring that restoration works at Winton Wetlands continue well into the future,” said GB CMA’s Project Officer Janice Menitplay-Smith.

The garden features three distinct sections, showcasing edible and culturally significant species including bulbine lilies, saltbush, kangaroo grass, golden wattle, sarsaparilla, banksia, everlasting daisies, kangaroo apple and buloke.

Sedge and rush species were also planted for future weaving, while shade trees were planted and protected around the Corroboree Circle.

The project culminated in a community celebration on Saturday 29 November 2025, to formally open both the Corroboree Circle and Bush Tucker Garden. More than 200 people attended the event.

Dancing on the Corroboree Circle

Glennys Briggs weaving circle

Photo credits: Rene Martens

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.

New cool room for seed storage for the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank,
Euroa Arboretum Photo credit: WW Committee of Management

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.

Growling grass frog in quarantine

Released Growling grass frog

Photo credits: Sophie Enders, Swamps, Rivers and Ranges

Follow updates on the Swamps Rivers and Ranges facebook page.

Turtle islands at Winton Wetlands

Murray River Short-necked Turtle
https://wintonwetlands.org.au/

Following up on the success of last year, La Trobe University researchers have reintroduced artificial floating islands for Winton Wetlands’ breeding turtles. These islands provide safe nesting areas away from predators.

Preliminary observations suggest around 25 turtles nested on the two islands this year. Further field work will estimate hatchlings by counting the hatched eggs. We’ll keep you updated!

Christina Hunter, PhD student at La Trobe University, has completed fieldwork using model turtles filmed using GoPro and trail cameras to identify predators of hatchlings. Early results indicate purple swamphens, ravens, and magpies are the major predators, with some predation also by Eurasian coots and rakali.

Want to learn more? Contact Dr James Van Dyke, Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Wodonga: [email protected] .

Visitor information

Days of Total Fire ban
Please note the reserve is closed to visitors during periods of and days of Extreme or Code Red Fire Danger Rating, with the exception of the lakeside Foreshore zone where the café is located. The Winton Cafe & Events will remain open at the operator’s discretion.

Explore the reserve
Walk or cycle more than 90 kilometres of roads and tracks across the wetlands.

The Winton Wetlands Cycle Guide can help you plan your visit and is available to download here.

Image from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/

Open for camping
Winton Wetlands offers 20 unpowered campsites across three locations:

Green’s Hill Camp
Bill Friday Swamp
Duckpond Camp

For more information visit:
https://wintonwetlands.org.au/camping/

To protect wildlife and wetlands, dogs are not allowed at any of the camp sites.

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.

Eastern Brown snake, Pseudonaja textilis
(image credit: Australian Museum)

In case of snake bite DO NOT MOVE & call 000.

Contact us
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to our community update or are having difficulties viewing this email, contact us at [email protected]

We acknowledge Victorian Traditional Owners and their Elders past and present as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters and commit to genuinely artnering with them and Victoria’s Aboriginal community to progress their aspirations.

Transcribed from emailed March Update in the interests of sharing - BSFG Web Team

Winton Wetlands: Official Hume Engagement (DEECA) Update 21 November

25/11/2025

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] .

Mokoan Hub EOI
Expressions of interest to operate the Mokoan Café and Hub closed on 11 September. Since then, evaluations have been underway with support from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), Rural City of Benalla Council, and a community representative.
We are now in discussions with the parties behind the preferred proposal to finalise tenancy conditions. Our goal is to support the operators to establish the café and commence operations as soon as possible.
We look forward to making a joint announcement in the coming weeks.

Mokoan Hub Café

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.

Planting the Bush Tucker Garden
Sixteen people including volunteers from Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation, local manufacturing business Thales Australia Limited and GBCMA and DEECA staff recently spent an enjoyable morning at Winton Wetlands, planting 325 bush tucker species in the newly constructed bush tucker garden.
The three sections of the garden were planted with edible plants including bulbine lilies, saltbush species, kangaroo grass, golden wattle, sarsaparilla, banksia, everlasting daisy species and buloke. Sedge and rush species were also planted and will be harvested for weaving.

Rabbit proof fencing encircles each bed and deep mulch, and drip irrigation will ensure plant survival. The bush tucker garden complements the nearby newly constructed corroboree circle (also constructed as part of the EPA funded project) and weaving circle.

Images courtesy of GB CMA

Launch of the Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle
Join the Yorta Yorta people on Woka (Country) to celebrate healing, restoration, and revival of culture on Saturday 29 November 11-2pm at Winton Wetlands.
Celebrate the opening of the newly completed Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle with bush tucker talks and demonstrations, corroboree circle dancing, native plant and wildlife information and local indigenous craft (cash only).
Free BBQ - RSVP by 25 November to Janice via [email protected] or 0418 316 169.

Saturday 29 November 11-2pm
Winton Wetlands Education Centre
668 Lake Mokoan Rd, Chesney Vale

“I am proud to deliver this event with GBCMA that celebrates the significant connection between culture and ecology and Yorta Yorta Nation's longstanding connection to Mokoan. This is an opportunity for people to return and reconnect to Country and walk together as we build a future back at Winton Wetlands.”
Nikki James, Proud Yorta Yorta woman.

Turtle islands are back
Murray River Short-necked Turtles (Emydura macquarii) are an important part of the Winton Wetlands ecosystem, but they face challenges such as limited nesting sites and predators including foxes and Swamphens.
La Trobe University researchers have reintroduced floating islands for breeding turtles after last summer’s success at Winton Wetlands. These islands provide safe nesting areas away from predators. In early 2025, more than 200 hatchlings emerged from eggs laid on the islands. Watch this video of a turtle laying her eggs on a floating island in late 2024.
Researchers radio-tagged and tracked hatchlings to learn about their movements and survival and concluded more vegetation around ponds is needed to protect young turtles. This season, monitoring continues including using plastic turtle models to further study predation.
Adult females will begin nesting soon, and the islands are ready.
Want to learn more? Contact Dr James Van Dyke, Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Wodonga: [email protected] .

Kangaroo survey results
The 2025 kangaroo population survey is the seventh year of collecting data across the reserve. The annual surveys add to our understanding of the drivers of kangaroo population changes and provide valuable information for management.
The survey found that the density of the Eastern Grey Kangaroos has reduced from an average of 0.72 per hectare in 2024 to 0.57 per hectare. It estimates the reserve currently carries approximately 3000 Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
The department is expecting the final report shortly and looks forward to publicly releasing it when available.

Growling grass frog project
Swamps, Rivers and Ranges, a community-driven landscape restoration group, is continuing with the project to re-introduce the Growling grass frog to Winton Wetlands.
The captive cohort of frogs residing in the on-site custom-built quarantine laboratory and breeding habitat pods are doing well, looking healthy and with plenty of calling indicating breeding behaviour.
The Growling grass frog project team is preparing for the second translocation of frogs from Bendigo. The frogs will undergo a quarantine period to ensure good health before they are released along with the current on-site cohort, into the wetlands before the year end.
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.

Rangers’ update
Since August 2025, rangers Gil and Matt have been focused on weed control. The primary targets have been Paterson’s Curse and St John’s Wort, with spraying carried out along Mokoan, Winton North, and Boggy Bridge roads, as well as internal bike trails.

The aim is to push these weeds back, create buffers along property boundaries, and improve visibility along paths. Approximately 300 hectares have been sprayed.
The window for controlling spring weeds has now passed, and attention will soon shift to summer weeds, including:

Noogoora burr
Bathurst burr
briar rose
blackberries.

Successful pest control by licensed contractor
Between 20–24 October, DEECA engaged a licensed contractor to control foxes, pigs, rabbits, and deer. Forty-six foxes were shot — the highest number since the program began. Fox control helps protect turtle eggs, as foxes consume up to 95% of eggs laid.
DEECA is committed to protecting native wildlife and reducing pest threats to livestock on adjoining farmland.

Visit the wetlands
Walk or bring a bike to explore more than 90 kilometres of roads, walking and cycling tracks at Winton Wetlands.
Choose your route with the help of the Winton Wetlands Cycle Guide to explore the woodlands, wetlands, ponds and history of the site. Available to download here
Image from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/

Open for camping
Winton Wetlands offers 20 unpowered campsites in three great locations within the reserve.

Green’s Hill Camp
Bill Friday Swamp
Duckpond Camp

For more information visit:
https://wintonwetlands.org.au/camping/
For the protection of the wildlife and wetlands, dogs are not allowed at any Winton Wetlands camp sites.
Please note the reserve is closed to visitors during periods of total fire ban.

Murray River Short-necked Turtle

La Trobe University researchers moving a floating island into position
Images: https://wintonwetlands.org.au/

Eastern Grey kangaroos at Winton Wetlands
Photo Credit – Rene Martens

Growling grass frog

On-site facilities at Winton Wetlands Images from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/

Hand spraying Paterson's Curse
and St John’s Wort

Image: DEECA Hume facebook

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.

Resident snakes
Keep an eye out for the resident snakes when you are 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.
In case of snake bite DO NOT MOVE & CALL 000.

Red Bellied Black snake
(from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/ )

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

Planting at Winton Wetlands by the Regent Honeyeater Project

10/9/2025

Since our 'Winton Wetlands & its Ongoing Management' General Meeting on Thursday July 24th, 2025, Regent Honeyeater Project Coordinator Andie Guerin has arranged with DEECA to conduct some planting weekends at Winton Wetlands. Report from the meeting, https://www.bsfg.org.au/news/supporters-of-winton-wetlands.

The first weekend planned for August 30th and 31 was cancelled due to poor weather. The second weekend took place on September 6th and 7th and was attended by 20 people.

Three remaining planting weekends will be held on September 13th and 14th, September 20th and 21st, and September 27th and 28th. Full details of these planting weekends are available at https://www.regenthoneyeater.org.au/news-events.

Book your attendance by emailing regen[email protected], preferably by the Wednesday before the planting you can attend. If possible, put the date(s) you are interested in attending in the subject line of the email. On booking you will be emailed details about the planting.
The planting site is along North Road extending over Flynn's road below the dam wall. To access the site, meet at the outlet channel on the dam wall at 9am on Saturday and Sunday.
As in previous years a free meal in Benalla for Saturday night and a Sunday lunch will be arranged. There will be a continuous supply of hot drinks on site.

Ecosystem Restoration - Supporters of Winton Wetlands

28/7/2025

At the BSFG AGM On Thursday June 26 we heard about the imminent closure of Winton Wetlands as ongoing funding of the Winton Wetlands Restoration Project had not been secured.

The closure was published widely in the media. Many people were disappointed the project would be discontinued and there were strong community feelings that the project should receive ongoing funding to realise the goal of restoring Winton Wetlands given the progress already made in restoring the ecological values of the site, increased indigenous knowledge of the Wetlands, and the development of educational, tourism and economic opportunities already progressing at Winton Wetlands.

Within a short time from the closure announcement a number of locals got together as community Supporters of Winton Wetland and arranged a meeting with representatives of the Victorian Environment Minister, Treasurer and the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) on 15th July 2025. Three members of Supporters of Winton Wetland (SWW) attended the online meeting; Jane Rushworth, Peter Holmes and Hamish McPherson.

BSFG Inc decided to have a General Meeting on Thursday July 24th about the Winton Wetlands closure. The SWW group arranged for Winton Wetlands CEO Dennis O'Brien to speak at this meeting and they would also report on its online meeting on 15th July.

The General Meeting on Thursday July 24th was very well attended.

Dennis O'Brien presented a very good report which covered indigenous connection with Winton Wetlands, then European Settlement, the Commissioning and Decommissioning of Lake Mokoan and details about the Winton Wetlands Restoration and Monitoring Strategic Plan. Peter Holmes read Hamish McPherson's Report on the Government DEECA meeting as Hamish was unable to attend.

It was decided to publish ongoing announcements about Winton Wetland on the BSFG website beginning with Dennis O'Brien's presentation to the meeting and also the SWW report about the online meeting with Victorian Government representatives. These reports can be downloaded and viewed in pdf format below.

Ongoing developments about Winton Wetlands will be posted here.

Download Dennis O'Brien's PPT Presentation as PDF.

Download Report by Supporters of Winton Wetland of the Meeting with DEECA and State Government.

At the 2023 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival Sue Lebish, then Chief Executive Officer of Winton Wetlands titled her presentation ‘Winton Wetlands: A Story of Hope and Renewal’.
Download Sue's Presentation.
The film screened in this session was 'The Rights of Nature, A Global Movement'.
Watch the film.

Attention: BSFG Members - General Meeting Thursday 24 July 7.30 pm - 'Winton Wetlands & its Ongoing Management'

11/7/2025

No doubt members will have heard about the current problems concerning the Winton Wetlands and its ongoing management. This is of great concern to us at BSFG, particularly that the research and ecological rehabilitation and restoration of species be continued and previous vital work in this area over decades not go to waste.

Members are invited to attend our next General Meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday the 24th July at the Uniting Church Meeting Room opposite Coles Car park.

Dennis O'Brien (CEO Winton Wetlands) and Hamish McPherson who many of you will know, have agreed to address our Members at this meeting.

Dennis will give us an overview as to how Winton Wetlands has come to the current state of impasse, and what is the future role of DEECA at Winton.

Hamish will be able to outline the role and progress of an advocacy group, and its suggestions for Winton Wetlands' future.

There will be opportunities for members to bring forward positive suggestions which could be utilised in further negotiations with State and Federal government departments.

Please RSVP your intention to attend, or apology to [email protected]

A light supper will conclude the evening.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, Benalla Sustainable Future Group

Nest Log Workshop - Winton Wetlands - Saturday 27 April - 10 - 3

17/4/2024

Members and Supporters may be interested in this workshop coming up, on Nest Logs for the Turquoise parrot, at Winton Wetlands. Please note - registration which is free but necessary.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, Benalla Sustainable Future Group.

Another Successful Swanpool Environmental Film Festival in 2023

20/6/2023

A successful Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2023 was presented to a full house on Saturday June 17th, 2023, at Swanpool Cinema.

The festival ran from 1pm until 9.40pm and included afternoon tea and dinner prepared and served by the Swanpool Catering Team and volunteers.

The first two of our guest speakers have provided their presentations in pdf format to be made available on the BSFG website. Full details about the Festival Programme.

Sue Lebish, Chief Executive Officer, Winton Wetlands titled her presentation ‘Winton Wetlands: A Story of Hope and Renewal’. Download Sue's presentation. The film screened in the first session was The Rights of Nature, A Global Movement. Watch the film.

Professor David Karoly, Hon. Prof. University of Melbourne, Climate Council Australia titled his presentation ‘Update on Climate Change Science, Impacts and Solutions for Victoria. Download David's presentation. The film screened in the second session was Greenhouse by Joost.

Our final session was introduced by Landcare Facilitator Claire Birch, https://www.landcarevictoria.org.au/donate. After describing the work of Landcare, Claire introduced Bertram Lobert from the Save our Strathbogie Forest Group, https://strathbogiesustainableforests.wordpress.com/. With support from group members Bert presented recent actions which have resulted in the cessation of logging in the Strathbogie Forest. Video supported the groups presentation.

The final film screened was the Bob Brown film The Giants, https://www.thegiantsfilm.com/.

The 2023 Festival was the 10th anniversary of the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival. Professor David Karoly spoke at our first festival in 2013.

Thank you to the ongoing contributions from our supporters in enabling another successful Swanpool Environmental Film Festival in 2023. The $30 entry to the festival covers the cost of afternoon tea and dinner.

BSFG AGM and the Ecological Renewal of the Winton Wetlands

30/5/2021

The BSFG AGM on Thursday evening 27th February was well attended. All office bearers and current general members were returned, with the exception of Christine Holmes, who has retired after many years as a committee member, with the past 10 years as representative of the Benalla Food Cooperative. Susanne Bennett is replacing Christine in this role. A vacancy remains for one general committee member.

Guest speaker, Dr Lisa Farnsworth, Winton Wetlands Restoration Ecologist, delivered an exellent presentation titled The Mokoan Project - Ecological Renewal of an Ephemeral Wetland System in North East Victoria. We highly recommend other community organisations inviting Lisa to present to their groups.

Supper was served at the conclusion of the evening, providing a opportunity for sharing news and information with like minded people. The President's report is now available on the website and as a downloadable pdf below. Links to reports from Renewable Energy Benalla, the Food Cooperative, the Web Team and Treasurer will be available on the website shortly.

President Peter Holmes' report to AGM, May 27 2021

BSFG Annual General Meeting, Thursday 27 May, 2021 at 7.30 pm

14/5/2021

Dear BSFG Members and Supporters,

We would like to invite you to attend our AGM, with guest speaker Dr Lisa Farnsworth, Winton Wetlands Restoration Ecologist.

The meeting is at 7:30pm Thursday 27th May in the Benalla Uniting Church Fellowship Room. Supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

For any of our supporters considering joining BSFG, please come along; you can join up at the meeting and would be most welcome.

BSFG financial members are encouraged to consider nominating to join the committee. If you would like more information about joining the committee, either as a committee member or in any of the executive roles, please contact the current president, Peter Holmes on 0438 625 638.

Nomination forms (attached) can be scanned and emailed to [email protected], or contact Peter and bring a hard copy to the AGM.

We hope to see you there.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

2021 BSFG INC Executive Committee - Nomination Form (download pdf)

Welcome to BSFG's new Committee of Management

25/5/2019

Our AGM on Thursday 23 May went very well with all positions being filled at the elections conducted by Mayor Scott Upston. Thank you to John Lloyd for chairing the meeting prior to the elections.

We welcome the new committee of management and thank two new members Kay and Richard for accepting nomination, Peter Holmes for accepting the President Role and Wendy for becoming the Treasurer. And thank you to James Webster for accepting, in absentia for the position of Vice President.

President: Peter Holmes
Secretary: Peter Maddock
Treasurer: Wendy Baker
Vice President: James Webster
Committee members:
Bulk Food Coop representative Christine Holmes and Kevin Smith, David Blore, Kay Blore, and Richard Felton.

Peter Holmes spoke about how reading an article in The Guardian by Richard Flanagan influenced his decision to nominate for President, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/05/im-willing-to-go-to-jail-to-stop-adani-and-save-our-beloved-country-will-you-stand-with-me.

Our guest speaker Lance Lloyd, Restoration Scientist (Aquatic Ecology), Winton Wetlands Committee of Management, gave us a good insight into efforts at Winton Wetlands to bring about the ecological regeneration of the catchment.

A reminder again that we are planning for a Newsletter in June so could you send articles to me by the end of May.

Peter Maddock
Secretary

BSFG AGM - Annual Report 2019

BSFG Annual General Meeting 2019-Thursday 23 May. Guest Speaker Lance Lloyd, Restoration Scientist (Aquatic Ecology), Winton Wetlands Committee of Management

7/5/2019

The 2019 Benalla Sustainable Future Group AGM will be held on Thursday May 23rd, 2019 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Room, Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles Car park.

Benalla Rural City Mayor Scott Upston will conduct the election of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and at least four Committee Members.

Our guest speaker is Lance Lloyd, Restoration Scientist (Aquatic Ecology), Winton Wetlands Committee of Management who will speak to us about the Ecological Renewal of the Winton Wetlands Reserve.

The ecological renewal of the 8,750-hectare Reserve is a project of national scientific, cultural and environmental significance. Located in north east Victoria, between the regional cities of Benalla and Wangaratta, the Reserve is a mix of wetlands, grasslands, woodlands and forest. The project is aiming to connect people to nature through its ecological renewal, as well as with education and tourism programs onsite. The project has many aspects contributing to the establishment of a site of ecological, cultural, social and economic importance. This ecological renewal work is not a short-term project, but will take decades to be fully realised, and is aimed to enhance natural processes to ensure the restoration is sustainable in the long term.

Lance will discuss the ecological renewal aspects of the project which is built upon the Restoration and Monitoring Strategic Plan (Barlow 2011). The current science team has developed a range of specific management and monitoring plans that have been developed for fish and other fauna, waterbirds, water quality, aquatic plants, revegetation and feral animals and weeds.

The science program has undertaken multiple projects which contribute to the onsite ecological renewal of the site, and, more generally, contribute to the knowledge about wetland and woodland function and restoration.

Lance is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Federation University and has over 30 years experience in consulting, government, and university research into aquatic ecosystems and their management. Lance has a long history at the site, working there in the 1990’s with the predecessor of DELWP and the RWC (as Principal Water Quality Scientist) on the algal problems and the restoration of Lake Mokoan. He oversees the science and sustainability programs at Winton Wetlands, working with the science panel, ranger, staff and volunteers to achieve ecological renewal of the site.

Lance will speak after the business of our AGM including the election of office bearers and committee. A light supper will be available at the end of the meeting.

I encourage you to come along to our AGM and hear about this important wetland restoration project, https://wintonwetlands.org.au

Peter Maddock (0418 135 330)
Secretary

Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang, Yorta Yorta and Bpangerang people of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Photo from davebloggs007