We would like to acknowledge the lands of the Bunurong /Boonwurrung people, traditional custodians of this place known as Ballern Ballern (place of 2 creeks). We pay our respects to the Land, the people, and their elders past, present and emerging and recognise that sovereignty to the land has never been ceded. We promise to walk softly and gently on this land.
Notes from the Field
March had seen a mere 3.5 mm rainfall and plants were clearly under heat stress. Thankfully the heavens opened on Easter Monday with 54 mm of much needed rain.
This last quarter has seen Mornington Peninsula Shire work covering multiple sites throughout the Reserve. Notably in one particular area, the Sunshine west polygon, from the footbridge on Sunshine Drive to corner Edward Grove. This area has been extended NW to link with the recent Biolink grant area.
We have been focussing on woody and scrambler weeds including the usual suspects sweet Pittosprum, Boneseed, Pink berry heath, Asparagus fern, Blackberry, Passionfruit and Honey suckle. You may have seen some of the debris lined up along Sunshine drive?
All debris has been removed to reduce fine fuel and allow for better access for ongoing management. We see clear evidence of key indigenous species liberated and are hopeful the natural regeneration will continue to thrive given the extra space.
MP Koala has kindly gifted Sunshine Reserve a number of canopy species ‘Koala food’ for supplementary planting throughout the newly worked areas and at the March working bee.
Observations from the field include:
- the increased erosion below footbridge as seen below
- the recent evidence of small fire /matches graffiti and vandalism under footbridge
- Rabbits still thriving
- Garden escapees still presenting in the field
- Please remove your seeding plants from your fence lines to make a positive difference to our bushland.
Pia Spreen
23 years going strong
Clean Up Australia Day 2024 saw 25 enthusiastic volunteers working together along the Esplanade where Sunshine Reserve meets the sea.
200kg of general rubbish was collected including sofas, car tyres, suitcases, speakers and bikes.
Thank you especially to Tim from our special Reserve sponsor Hop Nation; the Active traffic management crew keeping us all safe and Mornington Peninsula Shire for ongoing support.
Community Bank Mount Martha, a strong community focus
This week Angie Fly and Pia Spreen were thrilled to accept a letter of agreement from Community Bank Mount Martha for $4,752 (Community Grant Program Round 2). A sincere thank you to Chairman Bruce Rankan and Branch Manager Stacey Wakeman as these funds will support the installation of 4 information bulletin boards at the major entrances to Sunshine Reserve. We are appreciative of this fantastic support with educating the community about our Reserve.
We strongly encourage all our members and volunteers to consider banking and supporting Community Bank Mount Martha. By charter 80% of its profits are directed back into the community providing direct benefit and focus. A special kind of bank making a significant impact in our community.
On Monday 8 April Sunshine Reserve were invited to present to Rotary Mount Martha, a great opportunity to connect with local and likeminded people. Co-ordinator Angie Fly's presentation was well received, and we had the chance to learn about all the good work Rotary are doing in our community.
Rotary Mount Martha are actively involved in the CDS (Container Deposit scheme) and we would love to support them. Please take your empty Refund Eligible Containers (bottles and cans) to two drop points, with CDS cages at Mount Martha House and Mornington Community Support Centre, 320 Main St., Mornington. All funds raised will go back to the community.
Thank you to Rob Davies (Environment Committee) Gill Gordon (Honorary Member) and Anne Shaw (Rotary Mt Martha President) for caring for Sunshine Reserve, you are real champions for our local community!
Save the Dates and Stay Connected 2024
April Working Bee
Sunday 28 April 9 am – 11am. Meet Panorama Dr. Crossover.
We will work towards McLeod Rd. removing plant guards and competing weeds. Sunshine working bees are the last Sunday of each month.
Please register.
Free Community Event
Saturday 27 April @ 10 am
at the Briars Mount Martha.
National Tree Day Connect with Nature
Sunday 28 July @ Sunshine Reserve 10 am – 12 noon
Meet McLeod Rd Entrance (Opposite Barrow and Spencer St) Mount Martha.
Please register.
A reminder please be careful on our roads and slow down especially driving through wildlife habitats and corridors such as nearby Forest Drive and Panorama Crossover.
For any wildlife emergency please call 03 8400 7300 or visit the site below.
Slow down to protect our wildlife.
Our Sponsors
Please support Community Bank Mount Martha, Warlimont and Nutt and Hop Nation as they support our local bush land and it’s capacity to thrive. We couldn’t do our work without them.
In addition to our current sponsors, we would like to take this opportunity to reach out to potential new partners. If you or your organisation are interested in supporting our mission, or you know someone who may be interested, contact us to learn more about the various sponsorship opportunities available.
Please call Angie Fly on 0408 188 384.
Walking on Sunshine
Welcome to all our new members and thank you to those existing members for your invaluable support.
This year your contributions are paying for our 12 month Fauna and Flora survey, a crucial tool for conservation planning, and ensuring the long term health of Sunshine Reserve. Feel free to donate or renew your membership.
Step up and Become a Sunshine Reserve Member Today
And don't forget to follow our socials and website to keep up to date with all things Sunshine ... care, connect, explore ... you won't regret it.
We are always grateful to our friends in other community organisations who support and collaborate with us. Such associations grow organically and this ‘cross pollination’ help our environmental community to thrive.
The recently formed Friends of Hearn Creek meet monthly, cnr Legacy & Dickenson (Sunday 5 May @ 9 am) … ‘promoting revegetation and community engagement in beautiful Mount Martha.’ Contact 0437 299 847 for further information.
