Summer 2025

Native Pink Hyacinth-Orchid (Dipodium rose)

Edition No. 201 Reg No. A00376 49E ABN: 54767366431

This beauty was recently spotted in Upper Sunshine during the summer.  Did you know it is saprophytic, meaning it relies on fungi in the soil for nutrients instead of photosynthesis?

Field Notes with Pia Spreen

Save the Dates and Stay Connected 2025

Biggest Clean Up

Clean Up Mt. Martha Sunday 2 March 2025

Join us! This year Sunshine is collaborating with BERG. When: 9 am – 12 noon Meet/Brief: IGA Mount Martha Contact: Angie 0408 188 384 Please Register below:

Sunday Working Bees @ Sunshine

Sunday 23rd February, Sunshine Central (meet picnic table) mid McLeod Rd entrance. You’re invited the last Sunday of each month (9am) for a couple of hours of collaboration and community, caring for our beautiful Reserve. Remember hats, water, long pants, sunscreen and boots. Watch our socials or txt Pia 0437 299 847 for registration details and updates where to meet each month.

National Tree Day 2025

All hands on deck! Put the date in your calendar. Sunday 27 July @ 9 am Cnr Hall Road/McLeod Street, Mount Martha.

Available to our members – Nature Stewards 2025

Mornington Peninsula Shire Natural Systems Team is excited to be hosting the third Nature Stewards program on the Mornington Peninsula, commencing 15 March 2024.

Applications are now OPEN!

This 10-week program is designed to connect you with nature and give you the know-how and practical tools to conserve our unique region. This course is a great way to expand your knowledge, gain hands-on skills and meet others on the Peninsula who are passionate about protecting our beautiful natural environment.
Nature Stewards will teach you about:

·        Rocks, soil, fungi, plants, and animals
·        Ways to care for Country and manage private property
·        Being a citizen scientist, conservation volunteer, advocate for nature, or a nature guide
·        How and where you can volunteer in your area.
During the course, you’ll meet a range of local and state-based environmental volunteer and citizen science groups, and environmental industry partners. It’s through connections like these that you can find out what’s going on, how you might get involved, and options for further education and training.

Visit the website to find out further information and to apply:
Nature Stewards – Mornington Peninsula – Victorian National Parks AssociationVictorian National Parks Association

Thank you!

As always thank you to our wonderful community and please reach out to our committee if you have enquiries about Sunshine Reserve or membership/sponsorship opportunities. Please email Angie: info@sunshinereserve.com.au.

Co-ordinator: Angie Fly
Field Officer/Deputy Co-ordinator: Pia Spreen
Treasurer/Secretary: Cameron Glover
General Committee: Jessica Schubert-Hoban; Sally Fisher; Jon Fly; Tanya Burdett; Kate Reynolds; Jaime Wallis

Bendigo Bank
Warlimont & Nutt
Mornington Peninsula Shire
Melbounre Water
Hop Nation
Fifteen Trees
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.