BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS June 2005 Picture of official opening of Back Creek boardwalk in October 2004 The Newsletter of FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK INC. - FOBC ABN 43 819 801 067 The photocopying of this newsletter is courtesy of Bob Stenholt local MLA for Burwood. Funds supporting the printing and distribution of newsletters provided by Melbourne Water Greetings friends and other residents interested in Back Creek This is the 19th edition of BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS. There are many tasks to be done during the 2005 year with FOBC being involved in revegetation projects along the creek. Progress made is as follows: Membership subscription: Membership subscriptions for 2005 are now due. If you would like to become a member and or make a donation, contact our treasurer Bob Strickland on 9830 0749 or print off a membership form from our website and send us your subscription. Community Events: Once again FOBC has registered for National Tree Day on Sunday July 31 2005. We plan to consolidate previous plantings by filling gaps as well as extend planting in sections along the pathway embankment. This year we hope to plant over 1500 seedlings. If you would like to participate either contact us on 0400 077 439 or simply turn up on the day. Planting will commence 10:00 am and finish 12:00 pm. We will be based at the Quinton Road entrance to the creek. Bring along your children. In the meantime we will be conducting a community event next Sunday 19 June 2005 where we will be preparing ground in readiness for planting in July. Again we will be based at Quinton Road end and starting 10:00am Other community events will generally occur around the third Sunday of each month. All our community events will be based at the Quinton Road end of the creek. If you would like to participate, details of the FOBC event dates are as follows: June 19th 2005 July 17th 2005 - (Preparation for Tree day) July 29th 2005 - Schools Tree day July 31sth 2005 - National Tree day August 21st 2005 September 18th 2005 - Spring Planting Festival October 16th 2005 - Spring Planting Festival November 20st 2005 - Spring Planting Festival December 18th 2005 - (only if numbers permit) FOBC website: We continue to update and add to our website so why not check us out. www.friendsofbackcreek.org Annual General Meeting: On Sunday 3 April at 4.00pm, FOBC held its 5th Annual General Meeting of members. I am pleased to welcome Rosemary Buchanan as a new committee member. Details of minutes of the AGM including President's statement can be found on our website. Copies can also be obtained from our Secretary Chris Walta 29A Cornell Street Camberwell. 3124 Rotary of Boroondara Rotary of Boroondara have donated a bench seat to mark the Centenary of Rotary. It is located at the Cornell Street end of the pathway. We will be officially acknowledging its donation at our next working bee Sunday 19 June 2005. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Rotary contact Cathie Macmillan via e-mail cathie.macmillan@bigpond.com Weed spraying: FOBC has arranged with City of Boroondara for weed spraying to occur along the creek pathway embankment south of the Quinton Road access. Spraying took place at the beginning of June just prior to recent rains. The purpose will be eliminating a diverse array of weed species that have infested the creek over the past 50 years. We aim to follow up with mulching and planting over the next few months. Willow branch lopping: As you walk along the pathway you will notice that a number of willows with overhanging branches have been lopped. This was done during May and is intended to minimize the risk of falling branches along the path as well as provide space for our native plantings to take hold. Volunteers We are always interested in volunteers participating in our activities. If you belong to a local community group / scouts or perhaps know of students wanting to get first hand experience on sustainable environment management give us a call. Friends of South Surrey Park Most residents venturing across Riversdale Road to South Surrey Park will have noticed that Melbourne water have undertaken significant creek bed works between the footbridge and Riversdale Road. This includes willow removal and laying rocks along the creek. Planting will follow. FOBC Committee: President - Robert Brierley - 9836 3779 Secretary - Chris Walta - 9888 4461 (29A Cornell Street, Camberwell, 3124) Treasurer - Bob Strickland - 9830 0749 Committee members - Barrie Gallacher, Eleanor Stephenson, John Cott, Jim Breen, Rosemary Buchanan