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Florabunda Bushcare Nursery

End of Laidlaw Rd Woomby e P O Box 272 Woombye 4559.

Ph: 07 5442 1339. Email

Florabundabushcare@bigpond.com

Open Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 3.00 pm

Saturday 8.30 -12 noon

This newsletter is proudly brought to you by:

Maroochy Waterwatch Inc

Petrie Creek Catchment

Care Group Inc

Maroochy Catchment Services

Queensland Environmental

Sustainable Schools Initiativ e

All correspondence to:

PO Box 311 Nambour 4560. Donaldson Rd Nambour

Open Monday to Friday

9.30 am - 4.00 pm Ph/Fax: 07 5476 4777

info@maroochycatchment centre.org.au

www.maroochycatchment centre.org.au

August Edition Phone: 5476 4777 Issue 26

Regular Volunteer Activities Florabunda Bushcare: Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Ph Suzie 5442 1339

Petrie Creek : Every Thursday and Friday morning and Saturday– revegetation and maintenance of Petrie Creek. All welcome to join the crew. Ph 5476 4777 Coolum Community Native Nursery: Every Monday for seed collection and Wednesday and Thursday for nursery work. Please Phone Jake on 0427 022 038 Revegetation Volunteers Needed: Every Saturday morning Maroochy Waterwatch is seeking volunteers to contribute to the rehabilitation and maintenance of our local waterways and riparian zones. Please contact Jeremy Drimer (Volunteer Revegetation Coordinator) on: 0401 010 154 or Email: jeremy.drimer@gmail.com

Welcome Friends of the Maroochy River and Surrounds,

It is certainly exciting times we live in. The whole of SEQ was pretty much unsuccessful in Caring for Our Country grants. This means there will be no funds coming through from the Federal Government for restoration works in the near future. However, on a brighter note, an election promise from the State Government will see the Queensland Environmental Sustainable School Initiative expand from 6 school to 15 schools next year and we are also in positive negotiations with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for support into the future for various projects. Volunteering is continuing to be a mammoth effort to coordinate. We are at capacity in the office with often up to 7 or so people helping out. We are limited by space and computers, so sorry to the people we are turning away. There are still volunteering opportunities at the nurseries and out along the creeks with revegetation projects if people are interested. As always, we are looking for new projects. We are looking at starting up a ‘Mangrove Watch’ program where we will take photos from the river and join them together in a GIS program where we can see if changes are occurring over time. The survey will be done one a year and we just need to find some funding to support it. Also, the salvinia project looks set to start over the warmer months. We will support people who have salvinia by going up to the new weevil breeding facility in Gympie and getting the weevils for people. We will also monitor the progress. If you are interested, please let us know.

Cerran Fawns and Shalin Day

What Date Contact No Full details

Grass, Cattle and Soils Workshop 17 and 18

August 5476 4777 Page 8

Whalley Creek Working Bee 23 August

5475 7558 Page 9

Petrie Creek AGM 15

September 5476 4777 Page 8

Waterwatch AGM 17

September 5476 4777 Page 8

Grass and Groundcovers Workshop To be

advised 5476 4777

Register interest

Froggy French Feast (BYO) 25

September 5476 4777 Page 10

Coolum Community Nativ e Nursery

23 Warran Road Yaroomba

PO Box 678 C oolum Beach 4573. Ph: 0754739322

Mobile: 0427 022 038 www.coolumnativ es.com

Email Jake Hazzard

inf o@coolumnativ e.com

Opening hours Tuesday to Friday 8am to 3pm

Saturday 8am to 12noon

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A Job Well Done!A Job Well Done!A Job Well Done!A Job Well Done!

We bid farewell and good luck to Michael at the Curry Lunch on Friday 29th May. The lunch was tinged with sadness from the knowledge that we were about to lose both Jim and Michael. Michael has been one of our most successful Trainees. His enthusiastic input and thirst for knowledge has been of invaluable assi stance to all in Admin. Taking a great load off Shalin’s and Cerran’s shoulders. He has proved his worth time and time again and now that he has graduated must move on. If anyone out there has a vacancy for a loyal, hard working and experienced Admin. Assistant please get in touch.

A Message from Michael ...A Message from Michael ...A Message from Michael ...A Message from Michael ...

“Hi Cerran, Shalin and all Staff members. It’s time for just a simple thanksgiving for all you have done for me. I am specially thankful to Cerran and Shalin for many things. The way you wholeheartedly accepted me as a member of your team, the way you trained me and above all the way you supported me to learn new skil ls... With your guidance and support, I gained confidence to handle the administration job in a professional manner. I had excellent opportunities to work with people from different walks of life and learn valuable things...Thanks to all. I am still in the path of learning and believe that I will have your continuous support…I am with you…..Gratefully”

With Love and Regards Michael

Photo by Shalin. Graduation Day.

Michael with Julie Lusk(4EMERG) and Glennys Gardner (SQW)

Mystery Shield Reclaimed from Riversweep Mystery Shield Reclaimed from Riversweep Mystery Shield Reclaimed from Riversweep Mystery Shield Reclaimed from Riversweep

A bemused but grateful Nambour State High School Principal welcomed the return of an old school sports shield discovered recently in Petrie Creek by our intrepid Riversweep Volunteers.

1942 seems to be the earliest entry but as some medals are missing and little is known about the shield, there might have been even earlier dates!

Barbara Fry &

her $1750 prize

Winners 2009 Riversweep RaffleWinners 2009 Riversweep RaffleWinners 2009 Riversweep RaffleWinners 2009 Riversweep Raffle Congratulations to the eight lucky winners of this years Riversweep Raffle! Maroochy Waterwatch Inc. would also like to thank everyone involved for their support.

Pictured below are two of our intrepid volunteers.

1ST PRIZE ~ BARBARA FRY Viking Nemo 2+1 Kayak & accessories Viking Kayaks, Value: $1750 2ND PRIZE~ STEPHEN REID Tint A Car Voucher, Value: $465 3RD PRIZE ~ MEG RACOVALIS Amazen Puzzles & Games Voucher, Value: $100 4TH PRIZE ~ BRIAN DONOVAN Florabunda Nursery Plant Voucher, Value: $100

5TH PRIZE ~ KIRY ROBERTSON Underwater World Family Pass, Value: $79

6TH PRIZE ~ KENNEDY WEBB Video Ezy Movie Voucher, Value: $50

7TH PRIZE ~ JACQUELINE JENSON Coolum Community Native Nursery Voucher $50 8TH PRIZE ~ TOM JOLLY Swan Boat Hire Voucher Value: $49

Enjoy the prizesEnjoy the prizesEnjoy the prizesEnjoy the prizes

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River Rangers River Rangers River Rangers River Rangers ---- Comments from a New Recruit Comments from a New Recruit Comments from a New Recruit Comments from a New Recruit I'm sure I speak for all of us that ply the Maroochy' gathering rubbish, either on the main stream or many of it's tributaries......or with other environmental working groups that contribute on a volunteer basis. But isn't it great....no... seriously now.....how many people have the opportunity to get out onto our beautiful river systems, generally early mornings and feel good about doing something constructive. Sure, most of the local population wouldn't even consider doing what we few do, nor would they know we even do it !!!!! Well, for me, being a boatie from way back (Sydney's Pittwater & Hawkesbury environs mainly), now living here at Buderim with my wife Linda since 2007, just being part of the Water Watch group is a very fulfil ling thing. I should mention that I was the local co-ordinator for Ian Kiernan's "Clean Up Australia Day".....in the Clarevil le area of Pittwater, N.S.W., for many years. So the transition to the Mighty Maroochy' was pretty natural...........but above all, enjoyable. By the way, I Skipper the Friday excursion with my trusty crew Bob. Sometimes we have a passenger, recently on two occasions Jan Madden from Council, whom several of us have had the pleasure of meeting, & learning. Jan's knowledge of the regeneration of the Mangroves is outstanding. Now I'm no gardener and my only claim to fame associated with gardening was the removal of masse s of Lantana some years ago. That's another story !!!! But listening to Jan's knowledge on the Mangrove Regeneration issue is most interesting and rewarding. The bird l ife on the river is wonderful and a privilege to see at such close range and I understand some species are returning after a long absence. If the cleanliness of the river keeps improving, maybe the Black Swan will return in numbers. It's a fragile environment but beautiful too. And we are all part of making it better !!!!! Sure there's weed infestations that reduce biodiversity in different area's and bank erosion that is being addressed; floods; rains and runoff's that pollute, etc but for me, there's a sparkle of adventure just doing my bit. Sure glad I made the call to Glenn earlier this year expressing my interest in the Group. And what about our group. Great job Glenn, your enthusiasm is appreciated. On a more technical issue, for those Skippers & Crew that are familiar, or for that matter and probably more so, for those that are unfamiliar with the runnings of an Outboard Engine and with Glenn's permission, last week I raised the concern of the "Tell-Tale" water ejected from our Honda's cooling system & although not a critical concern if blocked, the following might be of interest : The blocking of the "Tell-Tail" water flow is fairly common, especially in dirty water. The engine will still have water circulation and the "Tell-Tail" is simply a tap into the engine block purely for the Skipper or Crew to know that all is ok. If it blocks up (stops flowing) and there is no evidence that a plastic bag hasn't been picked up, there's no reason for concern. Last week Bob and I experienced about 2 to 3 times this blockage (the plastic twine up the spout cleared it eventually). In addition, if the motor is within the last 5 years of age, as is ours, most have overheat protection & will automatically shut down in the event of overheating occurring - this makes internal engine damage near impossible. This bit of trivia may be of interest to others who own outboards and would, I am sure, apply to other brands of Outboards.......but probably depending on engine age, condition and year of build. I'd check with the manufacturer though. Getting back to the Maroochy, the many changes since about 135 years ago when Tom Petrie rowed up the coast looking for timber suitable for milling, crossed the Maroochy Bar and rowed up what is now known as Petrie Creek, where he, with a party of aborigines, cut their way up towards Buderim.....then called "Badderam," from the aboriginal

word meaning "honeysuckle." Wow !!!! How many changes since those days. Population & housing developments, timber cutting in those earlier years etc, etc, etc have all played their part in reshaping the landscape and the Maroochy River System.......some good, some not so good. But people l ike us, with Council and Sponsors support, can make it and hopefully keep it........pristine. Remember, we're here for a good time, not a long time......so lets appreciate & enjoy what we have by looking after it !!!!

By John Clemones.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.

But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. - Mother Teresa

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If you have an email address please let us know on inf o@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au so that we can send you our newsletter via email in future. We thank you for your support in moving to this “environmentally friendly” way of communicating and at the same time helping us to save on postage costs.

Shalin Day

THANKSTHANKSTHANKSTHANKS Maroochy Waterwatch gratefully

acknowledges sponsorship for this

newsletter from the following :

“A koala was found near the Library at the Burnside State Primary School on Blaxland Road, Burnside just before Easter. Students were thrilled to spot the koala in a large eucalypt. They became even more excited when it climbed down the tree and ran across the grass to climb up another eucalypt. The Australia Zoo wildlif e hospital team was contacted and they came out to the school to assess the health of the koala. They reported that it was a healthy male and pointed out the need for more local native plants along the creek and around the grounds, particularly koala food trees. This is the first reported sighting of a koala in the Nambour area for quite some time. The koala was last seen heading past the creek toward some other bushland in the area.” (Michael Matthews, Teacher, Sustainable Schools Program Coordinator, Burnside State Primary School).

National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy

People interested in the management of koalas or koala habitats are invited to have their say on the draft National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy 2009-2014. The strategy will outline the actions required over the next five years to conserve koalas and their habitat. Information gathered through the public comment period will be used to make further updates. The national strategy is being developed jointly by the Commonwealth, states and territories through the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. More information and a copy of the draft strategy can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/koala-strategy To find out other ways to save our koalas, visit the website at http://www.savethekoala.com

Do you want to reDo you want to reDo you want to reDo you want to re----vegetate your property or get rid of weeds, vegetate your property or get rid of weeds, vegetate your property or get rid of weeds, vegetate your property or get rid of weeds,

but don’t have the time?but don’t have the time?but don’t have the time?but don’t have the time? Maroochy Catchment Services is a partnership between Maroochy Waterwatch and Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group. It draws its knowledge and experience from on-ground works provided for the community by these groups over the last decade. The service has been set up to provide quality native vegetation management services, and help fund future projects for the Catchment. Our vision is to help create a community that understands and values the waterways.

We provide the following services:

Please contact Marc King: 0423 307 203 or 07 5476 4777.

Rev egetation & Regeneration Work Natural Area Rehabilitation Plans

Env ironmental Landscaping Erosion Control

Community Engagement Community Consultation

Visual Tree Assessments Weed Control

Nativ e Plant Nursery Flora Surveys

Contract Growing Seed Collection

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STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE OF “WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH”

TO ENERGY WISE PRACTICES

A group of Year 6 and 7 students from Mountain Creek State School and their inspirational teacher, Steve Estella, recently invited QESSI Coordinator, Sandy McBride and Facilitator Clare Cox to the school’s first School Energy Action Plan committee meeting. Students were selected by Mr Estella for their persistent interest in “doing something” around the school to promote awareness of environmental issues and for encouraging their classmates and teachers to demonstrate care for their surrounding environment. They were also recognized as posse ssing unique skil ls in the graphic arts, science and marketing fields. Together, with Mr Estella and School Principal, Mr Glen McGowan, this awesome team of individuals demonstrated their growing understanding of the school community’s Energy use and wastage and used the meeting to begin designing their future School Energy Action Plan. The QESSI School EnergyWise Program encourages a “Whole School Approach” to planning and implementing changes among all members of school communities. Through participation in the program the school aims to reach a 10% reduction of energy use with everyone from students, teachers, all staff including cleaners, groundsmen, tuckshop and volunteers taking responsibility for energy reduction around the school. Community participation is an important part of the School Energy Action Plan and as their knowledge grows, students will be capable of assisting their own families to develop energy saving habits and reducing their household energy use.

Mountain Creek State School Students impressed QESSI EnergyWise staff with their youthful optimism, creative ideas

and commitment. We are now looking forward to viewing results of the student’s first action on the ‘Plan’, directing a

whole school survey seeking feedback on rewards and incentives that can encourage energy wise action in the school.

The survey will assi st students to launch a strong promotion of the EnergyWise program.

By- Clare Cox

Saving Energy

Sandy McBride, QESSI Hub Coordinator with her recent electricity bill showing a credit of $38.00 following the installation of a solar power system by Auzion Sustainable Solutions in February this year. “Turning off lights when we leave the room; appliances at the wall when we’ve finished using them; choosing energy efficient appliances; planting

suitable trees and placing awnings on the western side of our house; using our air conditioner only after using fans, cross ventilation and dressing for

the weather conditions; setting the air conditioner at 24°C in summer; drying our clothes on the line; cooking with a gas stove and generally being conscious of our energy use, is paying off.

Achieving a credit on our electricity bill wasn’t the motivation for installing the solar power system but it’s a great bonus.”

By- Sandy McBride

Sunshine Coast Qld Environmental Sustainable Schools Initiative

~ Thank you to our sponsors ~

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FoxesFoxesFoxesFoxes: : : : A Rising ThreatA Rising ThreatA Rising ThreatA Rising Threat

~ DOB IN A FOX ~ “Early winter is fox (Vulpes rulpes) breeding season, and a good time to dob one in. As a class two declared animal, it is one of our most devastating pest species, preying on small marsupials, young animals and poultry. They are also known to raid marine turtle nests around November each year. To help control the feral population council has an ongoing fox and wild dog trapping program, and requests that sightings be reported via council ’s customer service centre on 07 5475 7272. Red Fox (Source: "Track, Scats and Other Traces")

http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/september2004/gallery.htm

Description: Fox scats look just like the poos left by small dogs. According to Piggott,

fox poo smells terrible.

Foxes often like to go down roads and paths so you may find scats in these areas, but other times they are left in the bush and it's harder to find them. Fox scats also have a

distinct, pungent odour since they are often used to mark sites.

Typically, foxes drop a scat at a feeding or cache site, even

on top of a carcass. Quolls are also found to do this.

Fox prints are quite different to devil, quoll and cat prints, however prints of small to medium dogs can be quite similar to foxes. One useful way to distinguish fox prints from dogs is the position of the toes. Note on the image to the right how the tops of the outer toes of a fox do not extend beyond a line drawn along the bottom of the inner toes, whereas on the dog’s paw, the tops of the outer toes are higher than the bottom of the inner toes. Look out for the signs

"Advanced Constructed Wetland DesignAdvanced Constructed Wetland DesignAdvanced Constructed Wetland DesignAdvanced Constructed Wetland Design"

As a general culture, we have created new ways of enjoying the wetland experience by constantly innovating on wetland design techniques. Instead of getting rid of wetlands, we now seek to create them! One of the basic tenets of successful long‐term wetland management is that you need to create a finely balanced system that uti lises the natural factors that make a natural wetland functional. So, fellow ‘Water Watchers’, next time you see a permanent water body in a local park, you might want to consider what thought went into its design and management, and if it’s not looking too healthy, then speak up to the local managing authorities about fixing it up, because there is no excuse for a poorly functioning wetland. The technology and knowhow exists to make them enjoyable, appreciable parts of the landscape for all! This is a part of Iina Lohi’s article. Please contact the office to read more on some of the basic findings from a Sunshine Coast Regional Council course that she attended.

This photo is taken from the western shores of Ewen Maddock Dam' - Iina Lohi 2009. Photo © Iina Lohi (2008)

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Bunya Bunya

Country Aborigi-

nal Corporation

Bandy Bandy Snake found at Echidna Creek After Hit and RunBandy Bandy Snake found at Echidna Creek After Hit and RunBandy Bandy Snake found at Echidna Creek After Hit and RunBandy Bandy Snake found at Echidna Creek After Hit and Run

Workers from Arbocare heading to their work site near Mapleton via Sherwell road in mid February, came across a

dazed Bandy Bandy Snake (Vermicella annulata). The snake is probably the victim of being clipped by a car. Brenton

Schwab and staff of Arbocare thoughtfully relocated the snake from the road to the shade and protection of the nearby

bush at Echidna Creek. Kerry Jones and family then arrived on the scene for their morning of planting local bush foods

on the Council reserve.

Kerry Jones (left) holds the bag containing the Bandy Bandy, f or Brenton Schwab (right), as it is inspected for a possible head injury bef ore its release.

A quick look at some fauna field guides finds that the Bandy Bandy is a “nocturnal fossorial snake”1 being a burrower that wil l shelter within cracks in the soil or under stumps, termite mounds, logs and rocks. On occasions this snake will forage on the surface at night, particularly after rain. It is found in a wide range of habitats from the rainforest to the desert (see map with distribution shaded in yellow). They may be common on the outskirts of a city and in urban bushlands2. The diet consists of blind snakes and small lizards although feeding frequency is quite small (about 1/28th that of other Australian elapids).

Food items may be large and larger than the snake itself. Length ranges from 0.5 to 0.75m. Females grow to a larger body size than the males. The defence posture of the Bandy Bandy is described as spectacular, as it is able to flatten its body and form a number of elevated loops which display its contrasting colours.

The theory of ‘fl icker fusion’ is offered as an explanation to the banding on this sna ke. Such banding and behaviour is believed to allow the snake to escape while appearing to be stationary in dim light1. 1. Mirtschin, P., and R. Davis. 2002. Snakes of Australia (Dangerous and Harmless). Michelle Anderson Publishing, Melbourne. 2. Queensland Museum. 2007. Wildlife of Greater Brisbane. A Queensland Museum Wild Guide, Brisbane. By- Kerry Jones, Helen Jones & Genevieve Jones

Our thanks goes to SCRC and Community Benefit fund for their support.

This office runs smoothly thanks to the dedication and hard work from volunteers l ike Les Bauer, Leesya, Gaye Luxmoore, Vernon Flood, Graham Wearne, Mithrasen Ramdhayan, Lucille, Sandra Bartley and Verena Chase Shaw.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

Those who can, do. Those who can do more, v olunteer.” By– Shalin Day

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Giant Barred Frog Mixiophye iterates

Photo : Vaughn N ash

FREE FROG ID WORKSHOPS FREE FROG ID WORKSHOPS FREE FROG ID WORKSHOPS FREE FROG ID WORKSHOPS What do you do when a frog breeds where it shouldn’t e.g. in a plastic bucket? What season do frogs like best? These are some of the questions we are constantly asked over the summer months, so Vaughn Nash has decided to run a few frog workshops throughout summer, supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. These workshops consist of a formal informative presentation about our local frogs and then going out and looking frogs along Laurel Creek, with tips on ways to find frogs. To register for upcoming workshops please call the office on 07 54764777 or email info@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au

Annual Membership Due Annual Membership Due Annual Membership Due Annual Membership Due

Your annual memberships are due for renewal (July 2009 to June 2010). Membership benefits include newsletters every second month, l ibrary access and involvement with regular workshops covering many aspects of conservation, biodiversity and natural resource maintenance/management. You will also have access to a knowledge base through others involved in the groups and enjoy meeting like-minded people. Maroochy Waterwatch Inc: Membership fee of $11.00 Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Inc: Membership fee of $8.80 Donations are also welcomed. Donations to both groups will help the organisations protect and improve the water quality and biodiversity of our creeks and rivers, and all the life that depends on them. The work we do with local landowners, schools and other organisations helps ensure this will be sustainable into the future. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Click on this link http://www.maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au/ to download the membership forms or call in at the office. By– Shalin Day

Maroochy Waterwatch Inc..Maroochy Waterwatch Inc..Maroochy Waterwatch Inc..Maroochy Waterwatch Inc..

Annual general meeting will be held on Date Thursday, 17 September, 2009. Time 5.30 pm Venue The Catchment Centre We extend a warm welcome to all our members and to any interested members of the Catchment community to come along and find out what the group has been up to in the past 12 months. The meeting will be followed by a light supper . Please RSVP your attendance on 07 5476 4777. By Shalin Day

Petrie Creek Catchm ent Care Group Inc..Petrie Creek Catchm ent Care Group Inc..Petrie Creek Catchm ent Care Group Inc..Petrie Creek Catchm ent Care Group Inc.. Annual general meeting will be held on

Date Tuesday 15th September, 2009. Time 7.30pm Venue The Catchment Centre We extend a warm welcome to all our members and to any interested members of the Catchment community to come along and find out what the group has been up to in the past 12 months. The meeting will be followed by a light supper. Please RSVP your attendance on 07 5476 4777.

AGM

FREE HEALTHY GRASS, CATTLE FREE HEALTHY GRASS, CATTLE FREE HEALTHY GRASS, CATTLE FREE HEALTHY GRASS, CATTLE

& SOILS WORKSHOP & SOILS WORKSHOP & SOILS WORKSHOP & SOILS WORKSHOP

Attend a free work shop and learn more about Carbon sequestration, how to create healthy soil, how climate change will affect your business, how to get on the front foot to manage future changes. A work shop will be held on the 17th and 18th August in Gympie. This workshop would be ideal for those concerned about government regulations, grazing management and the future of the industry.

For more information:

Call: NOELA 49383919

Mick & Noela Alexander 0438 395 525

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Petrie Creek Rehabilitation GraduationPetrie Creek Rehabilitation GraduationPetrie Creek Rehabilitation GraduationPetrie Creek Rehabilitation Graduation

10101010thththth June, 2009June, 2009June, 2009June, 2009 Petrie Creek Rejuvenated by Local Jobseekers

Petrie Creek has been further rejuvenated and beautified thanks to the help of 10 people who were paid to work on improving their local community. These people from varying backgrounds including Indigenous, Australian South Sea Islanders and mature-aged people will graduate from the 16 week work placement in Nambour tomorrow. Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development Jan Jarratt said Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group was awarded $134,070 under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give these people the opportunity to receive an insight into nursery work and revegetation techniques. “By investing in human and natural resources through projects l ike this will help Queensland to strengthen when the international economy stabilises,” Ms Jarratt said. “Projects like this will enhance our natural assets, and promote environmental awareness statewide. “The Petrie Creek Rehabilitation project extended revegetation work previously undertaken along Petrie Creek, a major tributary of the Maroochy River.” Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Coordinator Cerran Fawns said that as part of the work placement project the participants also undertook accredited training and job preparation which included public speaking, teamwork and project management. “Accredited training was delivered by Intraining Systems, a registered training organisation that enabled participants to obtain an ACDC licence and complete Chainsaw Operations (Level I),” Ms Fawns said. “Within the job preparation component of the project, participants completed a speech craft course, a Senior First Aid course and job search training. “So far two participants have positions one as a labourer and the other as an apprentice with Energex.” During 2008/09 the Queensland Government will invest $81 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 21,500 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job-related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity. Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance 71 per cent of participants are in employment. The Skill ing Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century. Skilling Queenslanders for Work supports the Government’s Toward Q2 vision of a fairer, stronger Queensland where disadvantaged people can access assistance to overcome employment barriers. For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.

Working BeeWorking BeeWorking BeeWorking Bee

In partnership with Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group and Sunshine Coast Regional Community Conservation Program, a working bee is held on the 4th Saturday of every month from 2-4 pm. The next two working bees will beheld on Saturday, 22 August and 26 September 2009. We meet at Robertson River Parkland, Burnside which is next to Whalley Creek in Nambour.

For further information please contact

Coleen Long on 5475 7358

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Who’s Who — Contact List

Accounts & Administration Vernon Flood Graham Wearne Gaye Luxmoore Shalin Day Catchment Coordinator Cerran Fawns info@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au Corrective Services Project Chris Jameson Garry Lawler Florabunda Bushcare Nursery Suzie Pearce Ph 5442 1339 Tamara Burnham Florabunda@bigpond.com Coolum Community Native Nursery Jake Hazzard Phone: 0427 022 038 info@coolumnatives.com Project / Biodiversity Officer Vaughn Nash vaughn@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au Volunteer Revegetation Coordinator Jeremy Drimer 0401 020 154 Jeremy.drimer@gmail.com

Maroochy Catchment Services (Contracting Service) Marc King 0423 307 203 mcs@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au Newsletter Editors Cerran Fawns and Shalin Day Website Chrissy Hardman chrissy@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au Waterwatch River Patrol Co-ordinators Glenn & Sandra Bartley 5476-3079 or 0412-877-369 Library and Archives Les Bauer QESSI Hub Coordinator Sandy McBride sandymcbride@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au Facilitators: Clare Cox & Fiona Ball

Revegetation Officers Drew Mackie, Kerry Jones, Kennedy Webb and Ja-son Jones.

DISCLAIMER Views and opinions expressed by indiv iduals in this newsletter are those of the indiv idual concerned.

Next Maroochy Waterwatch Committee Meeting

On 7 September, at 4.30 pm.

Waterwatch Membership $11.00

All donations over $2

are tax deductible!

Next PCCCG Management Committee Meeting

On 18 August, at 7.30pm

PCCCG Membership $8.80

All donations over $2

are tax deductible!

Froggy French FeastFroggy French FeastFroggy French FeastFroggy French Feast When 25th September Time 12 noon - 1.00 pm Where Catchment Centre Food BYO French food to share Following on from the fantastic ‘Catchment Curry Day’ and the ‘Maroochy Mexican Munch’, we are having a ‘Froggy French Feast’. Bring along your favourite French meal to share, and join in the interesting conversations and networking with people who care for our river. BYO drinks, plates and cutlery provided. If warm meals could be preheated that would be much appreciated as our little microwave is very slow.

Community Saver ProgramCommunity Saver ProgramCommunity Saver ProgramCommunity Saver Program

"Want an easy, practical way to support the work of the

Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group (PCCCG)? Then join the

Heritage Building Society Community Saver Program. Here is how

the system works. PCCCG is registered with Heritage Building Society

as a potential recipient of a fraction of the interest paid to eligible

accounts.

If you open a Heritage Building Society Account (or you already have

one) then you can open a Community Saver Program sub-account

which is operated online. As an example only, if the online account

attracts 4% interest per annum, then, typically, 3% would be paid to

you and if you nominate PCCCG as your preferred community group,

1 % will come to us.

Please contact Heritage for current interest rates and details on how

to open your accounts or click on this l ink. http://

secure.heritageonline.com.au/Personal-Banking/Saving-and-Access-

Accounts/Communitysaver.aspx

By- Bruce Wilton PCCCG

Nambour Litter WoesNambour Litter WoesNambour Litter WoesNambour Litter Woes

It never ceases to amaze my just how negative people can be. At the Back to Nambour Festival the PCCCG was subject to several whinges about the sticks and bottles accumulated above the Quota Park weir. A comment was ‘Why doesn’t the group remove them?’ Do these negative people realise that each week we organise a trolley pull from the creek AND the Friday before the festival we organised 10 people to do a litter cleanup along the bank from Coles to the high school. We must have missed a bit of rubbish on the weir. My comment is ‘IF YOU ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUBBISH….PICK IT UP YOURSELF AND STOP YOUR PITIFUL WHINGING! By- Cerran Fawns

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