Date:                8/8/2006

 

Location:           Home of Bob Strickland in Through Rd

 

Present:            Robert Brierley (president), Eleanor Stephenson, Chris Walta, John Cott, Bob Strickland,

 

Apologies:         Jim Breen, Barrie Gallacher

 

Robert welcomed all present.

 

2)       CORRESPONDENCE

None tabled.

 

3)       BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

 

a)       FOBC WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER – BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS AUGUST 2006

The next newsletter needs to contain a National Tree Planting acknowledgement of the great contribution by all the people who participated. Also the newsletter needs a reminder that the raffle will be drawn on the Spring Planting day. 

b)       NATIONAL TREE DAY

The Friday prior to National Tree Day is normally the day that participating schools contribute. In the morning 45 students and teachers from Camberwell Grammar School attended. In the afternoon about 70 students, parents and teachers from Wattle Park primary School attended and about 250 seedlings were planted.

Robert coordinated the work on the Friday and arranged for cordial and mudcake.

There were about 60-70 people present on National Tree Day. Paul and Adrian from Council organized the barbeque again. National Tree Day participants from South Surrey Park joined us for the barbeque.

Politicians in attendance on National Tree Day:

·         Bob Stensholt who had a photographer with him as well.

·         Graham Bailey Liberal candidate for Burwood

·         David Davies opposition spokesperson for the Environment

Toyota dealer (National Tree Day sponsors) from Hartwell also attended.

As in previous years the Rotary Club members participated again.

It worked well to have members of the FOBC committee stationed at the various locations where the planting was required. The day was well organized and about 2000 plants were distributed by Bob and Barrie and planted on the day.

John Cott organized a pack of tree guards.

Action: Robert to follow up with Camberwell Grammar to arrange for students to possibly be involved in local seed collection and propagation and have ongoing involvement in working bees.

            Action: Robert to provide receipts for expenses incurred.

Action: Robert to send letter of appreciation to the gentleman from Toyota, to Adrian and Paul

            Action: Malcolm’s tent to be collected from Barrie’s carport.

c)       FOCUS FOR FUTURE WORK IN THE CREEK

There will need to be back weeding done during the spring and perhaps plant another 1000 plants to back fill areas that need it.

Areas designated for focused activity are the area south of the goat track, steep section above the boardwalk at the Riversdale Rd end and the Quentin Rd fence line.

There was discussion at the meeting about the need for careful selection of plants that would cope in the hard clay on the slopes and the fact that these areas are fairly shady. Additionally there was discussion about possible small squares jute matting for individual plants to use on the slopes.

Action: Bob to check if grant money is able to be used to purchase weed mats.

 

 

d)       MELBOURNE WATER

There are 3 willow trees that are a danger and need to be removed.

Action: John to check the possibility of the willow removal with Melbourne Water

e)       COUNCIL

Adrian is consistently weed spraying about once a moth in the creek.

 

4)       SIGHTED AND HEARD

A fox in Kingfield Court.

The southern brown frogs are back.

 

5)       NEXT WORKING BEE

Sunday September 17 SPRING PLANTING DAY

 

6)       FINANCES

Bob presented the Balance Sheet as of July 31 2006. The Balance Sheet indicates a Net Income of $4773.76 at this point.

 

NEXT MEETING

            September 12 ^at Chris Walta’s place, 29A Cornell St at 8.00pm.