Newsletters

Winter Newsletter 2024

Newsletter

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

Field Notes with Pia Spreen - Click image above to see the video

Save the Dates and Stay Connected 2024

Join our planting community

National Tree Day Connect with Nature

Sunday 28 July @ Sunshine Reserve 10 am – 12 noon

All welcome and a wonderful event for our community supported by our valued sponsors and partners.

Meet @ Sunshine Central, 51 McLeod Rd Entrance (Opposite Barrow and Spencer St) Mount Martha. Please register.

Sunshine Working Bee

Sunshine Working Bee

Sunday 24 August @ Sunshine Reserve 9 am -11 am

NOTE: Our working bees are the last Sunday of every month through to November.

Please register below.

Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group

Sunshine Annual General Meeting

Saturday 19 October 10 am @ Mount Martha House

Committee Update

A Sunshine Special General Meeting was held on 7 June. Motions were passed to apply for charity tax exempt status and the revised name (Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group Incorporated) and constitution was approved.

Submissions are now in process with the ATO and then the application for charity status will be submitted with the ACNC in coming months.

The committee will keep all members and community informed.

Walk Talk Galk

On Saturday 1 June, we were fortunate to explore Upper Sunshine on the ground with guide and Ecologist Mal Legg. We have engaged Mal to conduct a comprehensive Flora and Fauna survey of Upper Sunshine.

He said 200 years ago the area was a grassy woodland with 500 year old gums.  He pointed out significant trees along Waterview Ridge Fire Track and at the bike jump area: approximately 120 years old. He stressed these trees were under multiple stresses, their immune system was compromised contributing to a decline in tree health.  

It was explained we need to identify and prioritise all significant trees and conduct our work out from them to further protect them.  We need to remove invasive species such as Kunzea and pink berry heath and replace with plantings that encourage diversity of insects and pollination planting… bush peas / silver banksia. 

Mal stressed we need to look at the bush from the perspective of what the fauna require. If there is a collapse in the ecosystem we will lose the canopy for mammals such as our koalas.

We also observed more rocks in Sunshine Creek at erosion point, water needing to be redirected to support the creek health.

It was wonderful to observe in Sunshine Creek- short finned Eel, Dwarf Galaxias and fresh water crays – burrowing in the creek bed.

We came away with a wealth of knowledge to work towards and what we need to do to protect this precious area in Upper Sunshine which is under threat.  We are planning another guided walk with Mal in Sunshine in coming months. 

All Eyes on Cnr Forest DR/Hearn Rd -
Click image above to see the video

If you are interested about the future of the parcel of land currently for sale, corner Forest Drive and Hearn Road, Mount Martha please contact Pia Spreen. 

The impact of its future development on the local environment, the significant biolinks of Sunshine Reserve, Mount Martha Park and surrounding areas are paramount.

It is believed there is a threat to significant flora and fauna here, further erosion of Sunshine Creek and the area is of aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity.  A working group of like minded community members brought together can make a difference to its future. Email: spreenpia@gmail.com

Koala

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.

Thank you Community Bank Mount Martha -
Click image above to see the video

A shout out to Community Bank Mount Martha for providing our new Sunshine all weather marquee. It will be a welcome addition at our events and working bees ... rain, hail or sunshine.  Come and say hello when you see us.

Our Sponsors

Thank You

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.

Three Ways you help

Welcome to all our new members and thank you to those existing members for your invaluable support. This year your contributions are funding our 12 month Fauna and Flora surveypurchasing 2000 trees/plants and supporting an assessment and Cultural Heritage Management Plan. Please donate and continue to renew your membership. We still need you.

 Step up and Become a Sunshine Reserve Member Today

We are always grateful to our friends in other community organisations who interact, support and collaborate with us. Such associations grow organically and this ‘cross pollination’ help our environmental community to thrive.

Welcome to a new partner Fifteen Trees whose mission is: Restoring Australian ecosystems and supporting communities with their revegetation projects for a greener and healthier planet.  For further information: email banksia@15trees.com.au