What’s G4W? It’s our Gardens for Wildlife program, which aims to encourage residents to provide a habitat for wildlife in their gardens by planting indigenous plants. The Swan Bay Environment Association is now seeking an enthusiastic person to be the G4W Coordinator. Please read the position description below. If the position interests you, and you think that you can can satisfy …
Our award-winning nursery
The Queenscliff Indigenous Nursery was awarded the Community Environment Project of the Year at a ceremony on Australia Day, 26 January. The award was presented to our Nursery Manager, Sarah Roberts, and Rosemary Brown, one of our wonderful nursery volunteers, by the Borough of Queenscliffe’s Mayor, Cr Ross Ebbels. The next day, Committee member, Pauline Nunan, baked a cake for …
Weed Warriors go to work
The Narrows Our President, Greg Parry, attended the first of the regular planned weeding events at The Narrows on 1 December. Being the first of many planned events, there were extra formalities, including a welcome from Ross Ebbels, Mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe. Matt Crawley and Lachlan Forbes from the Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) described the ecological vegetation classes …
You can become a Weed Warrior
The Swan Bay Environment Association, Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) and the Borough of Queenscliffe are partnering in a monthly attack on weeds at The Narrows and the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve. You are invited to join us, become a Weed Warrior and give nature a helping hand by restoring critical habitat and removing invasive weeds. It’s also a great way …
Our new website is live!
Welcome to our new website, which showcases Swan Bay and the work we do with the community to protect it. There are special features on Swan Bay’s ecology, habitats, birds, fish and other animals. You will also find information on the Wadawurrung people, recent historical events and the threats the bay now faces. A major section on our Queenscliffe Indigenous …
Weeds out of control in the Borough of Queenscliffe
SBEA President, Greg Parry, is calling for action on the spread of weeds in the Borough of Queenscliffe. Much attention has been drawn to the damage to coastal vegetation caused by bike riders, but much larger areas of our native vegetation have been damaged by the long-term neglect of exotic weeds. These changes are slow, insidious and less dramatic but …
Roel Wasterval passes presidential baton
Roel has been a very active member of SBEA for 20+ years and was treasurer for many years prior to becoming President. His wife Sue was also President for four years, so the Wastervals have been major contributors to SBEA almost since its inception more than 25 years ago. Roel will continue to be our representative on the Bellarine Catchment …
Plants in love with rain
Our nursery plants are loving the recent rains and high humidity. Sarah Roberts, the nursery’s coordinator, is very busy in the nursery at this time of year and also provides advice to gardeners who drop in to buy plants on Wednesday mornings and every third Sunday morning. Sarah is also finding a new use for old potting mix, which she …
Update on ‘The Point’ water monitoring program
Many of you will have noticed that extensive earthworks are proceeding where the Moremac housing development meets Swan Bay at Lakers Cutting. These earthworks will establish the input and discharge channels linking Swan Bay to the canal that runs through the development. There are several silt screens in place to minimise the spread of sediment disturbed by the earthworks from …
Celebrating the work of Jill Warneke
A giant chocolate cake, a certificate of appreciation and a stirring round of applause marked our AGM’s celebration of Jill Warneke. Since the establishment of the nursery in 1997, Jill has been its driving force as the volunteer coordinator. Her dedication, enthusiasm, hard work and leadership has meant that the nursery has grown from a few boxes of plants in …