FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMANS CREEK AND VALLEY RESERVE INC.

 
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Events and News

View details of our regular activities, information about our upcoming events and reports on past events and news by selecting the links below: 


Our Regular Activities

Valley Conservation Reserve
You could help us in our efforts to make the beautiful Valley Conservation Reserve even better. We’d love to see you at one of our work party sessions. These sessions are mostly held on the last Saturday of each month except December and January. The entry to the reserve is from Waimarie Drive/Wills Avenue (Melways reference: 70:G2). We meet at the amenities block at 1:20 pm for a two-hour session.

Waterwatch
The quality of the water and the type and number of ‘bugs’ living in the creek are important indicators of the health of Scotchmans Creek. We have a specially trained Waterwatch team which does monthly testing at a number of sites so we have long-term health measurements. If you are a student studying waterway health issues or just have an interest in water ‘bugs’ or chemistry, joining our team can provide valuable field experience.

Meetings with a Guest Speaker
We invite expert speakers to make a presentation about various environmental subjects at our Guest Speaker meetings. There are always new issues and things to learn, so you can keep yourself informed by coming along. We meet at Alvie Hall on the corner of High Street Road and Alvie Road, Mount Waverley (Melways reference: 61:D11). The meetings start at 7:30 pm.

School Activities
We can play host to your school students. Contact us to arrange a visit from our group to your school or to arrange an excursion. We can talk about Scotchmans Creek and Valley Conservation Reserve and the role that pupils can play in maintaining these wonderful areas. We can also explain about the storm water drainage system and how rubbish and pollution affect the environment. Or we can arrange a mini-Waterwatch session where your students can investigate the small creatures that live in the creek and learn about water chemistry.
 

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Upcoming Events

Sunday, 11 June 2023 - Planting Day in Valley Conservation Reserve -

A Special Friends planting in Valley Conservation Reserve.
Once more, we will be purchasing some plants partly with Friends Group funds supplemented by a Special Grant from Monash Council to add more flowering plants to Valley Conservation Reserve. The recent rain should have softened the soil to make planting easier.
Please make an effort to come along and help us make a difference in wonderful Valley Conservation Reserve

Date: Sunday 11 June 2023
Time: 9:30 am - 12 noon
Where: Valley Conservation Reserve, Wills Avenue - Mel. Ref. 70:G2, meet at the amenities block

 
2023 - Valley Conservation Reserve Work Parties -

Having had a sucessful year of work parties in 2022, we expect that in 2023 we will be able to hold all our work party sessions.

Please meet for registration at the usual place at the amenities block.

The Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve holds regular work parties in the Valley Conservation Reserve, Mt. Waverley, throughout the year.

The dates are usually the last Saturday of every month and the time is 1:20-3:30 pm. The meeting place is the area behind the amenities block. Entry to the Reserve is via Waimarie Drive or Wills Avenue, Mt. Waverley - Melways Reference 70G2. Please be at the meeting place at 1:20pm. If you are late, there will be a map on the door showing where we are working that day.

The work includes planting, weeding, maintenance and revegetation. After we have finished working we get together for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.

For 2023 the work party dates are:
25 February
25 March
29 April
27 May
24 June
22 July - Note that National Tree Day will be on Sunday 30th July
26 August
30 September
28 October
25 November

If you enjoy gardening perhaps you would like to join us. We are always pleased to see new faces. For further information you could contact Kallista Sears on 0419 373 725 or Monash Council on 03 9518 3723.
Work parties are not held on days of 30 deg. or more, or on days of total fire ban.
 
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Past Events and News

Wednesday, 17th May 2023 - Guest Speakers - Gary Presland and Graham Ross - KooyongKoot - Gardiners Creek Past, Present and a Vision for its Future -

Gary started the evening with a most informative presentation of the past history of Gardiners Creek and the name Kooyong Koot.

Graham then talked about the evolution of the KooyongKoot Alliance and the Regional Collaboration working to protect and enhance the Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) catchment of which we are a part.

 
Wednesday, 15th March 2023 - Guest Speaker - Peter Uhlherr - Orchids Part 2 -

Following his previous talk on orchids in the Monash area, Peter continued his illustrated talk about orchids to expand our knowledge.

Peter illustrated the many ways that pollination takes place with orchids with his detailed hand drawn diagrams.

Orchids use many insects for pollination by means of imitating female insects to attract the males.

 
Sunday, 5th March, 2023 - Clean Up Australia Day -

Helping the Friends clean up Scotchmans Creek on Clean Up Australia Day.

15 friends and helpers came along on a beatiful morning to pick up other people's rubbish.
Although it got rather warm in the afternoon it was still a good temperature by the time we finished at 12 noon.

Between us we collected 8 bags of rubbish.
There were very few masks and I believe that we did not find any cigarette butts.
There were the usual small number of balls, probably lost by dog owners, and lots of small bits of plastic.
The number of plastic bags was much reduced, probably due to the reduced number handed out by shops.
Much of the plastic was old as it is still getting washed out of the banks due to erosion.

For more information, please ring 0438 542 218.


 
Wednesday, 19 October 2022 - Guest Speaker and Annual General Meeting -
Guest Speaker - Emily Payne - Green, cool & healthy –

Emily gave us an illustrated presentation on the multiple benefits of Water Sensitive Urban Design in Monash.

She mentioned many useful ways in which we can all implement water sensitive features on our properties

Her talk was followed by our AGM:

Agenda:
1. Minutes of the 2021 AGM
2. President's Report
3. Waterwatch Report
4. Treasurer's Report
5. Election of Committee

The following members were elected to the committee for 2022-2023:
President:Tony Walker
Vice President:Kallista Sears
Secretary:Sally Walker
Treasurer:Bharathy Shanmugam
Ordinary Committee:Fred Bullock
Ordinary Committee:Danielle Cini
Ordinary Committee:Rex Dusting
Ordinary Committee:May Lee
Ordinary Committee:Alan Moore

6. Association Statement
7. Other Business
 

Wednesday, 17th August 2022 - Guest Speaker - Peter Uhlherr - Orchids in Valley Conservation Reserve and Monash -

Peter gave us a very interesting and technical illustrated talk about orchids in the Monash area.

I believe that most of us learnt a great deal about the relationship between many orchids and their insect pollinators.
 

Sunday, 31 July 2022 - National Tree Day Planting -

This year we returned to the north side of the creek, so we were able to use the scout huts at the end of Fairway Avenue.

We had an amazing turnout of over 200 volunteer planters on a cool but dry day.

The Dharmasoka College Past Student Association Australia came along with about 20 volunteers; the Teluga Language School came with 40 volunteers; the Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve came along to help us instead of their usual working bee; Rotary sent along some members and the general public came along as well. Our thanks go to all these volunteers for their help.

All the over 8 000 plants were in the ground by shortly after 12 noon.

The sausages and vegie burgers were greatly appreciated and all eaten!!

Melbourne Water and their Community Grants Program provided the funding for the plants. As usual the City of Monash Bushland & Wetland Maintenance crew were out in force to help. Without their help none of this would be possible.

Have a look at the photogallery to see some of the happy planters.

These are the plant species that were planted:

Acacia myrtifolia - Myrtle Wattle
Acaena novae-zealandiae - Bidgee-widgee
Brachyscome multifida var.multifida - Cut-leaf Daisy
Chrysocephalum semipapposum - Clustered Everlasting
Correa reflexa var. reflexa - Native Fuchsia
Dianella admixta - Flax-lily
Dianella laevis var. laevis - Pale Flax-lily
Dichondra repens - Kidney-weed
Goodenia ovata - Hop Goodenia
Hardenbergia violacea - Purple Coral Pea
Indigofera australis - Austral Indigo
Lomandra longifolia var.longifolia - Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Patersonia occidentalis - Long Purple-flag
Poa labillardierei - Common Tussock-grass
Poa tenera - Slender Tussock-grass
Rubus parvifolius - Small-leaf Bramble
Veronica gracilis - Slender Speedwell
Viola hederacea - Native Violet
Wahlenbergia communis - Tufted Bluebell
Wahlenbergia stricta - Tall Bluebell
Acacia genistifolia - Spreading Wattle
Acacia verticillata var verticillata - Prickly Moses
Coprosma quadrifida - Prickly Currant-bush
Goodia lotifolia Prickly Currant-bush
Gynatrix pulchella - Hemp Bush
Hakea nodosa - Yellow Hakea
Melicytus dentatus - Tree Violet
Myrsine howittiana - Muttonwood
Olearia lirata - Snowy Daisy-bush
Pomaderris racemosa - Slender Pomaderris
Spyridium parvifolium - Austral Dusty-Miller
 

20th and 21st July 2022 - Planting in Crosby Drive Reserve -

This year we asked Melbourne Water for a grant for 3 000 plants for Crosby Drive Reserve. We had the help of several staff from the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group and over 20 students from Brentwood Secondary College to help us plant those 3 000 plants over two days.

Everyone worked hard to help to plant in good dry weather. Due to all the rain we have had the ground was reasonably soft so digging the holes was quite easy.

This area now looks much better with all the infilling of smaller understorey plants.

These are the plant species that were planted:

Dianella laevis (syn.longifolia) - Pale Flax-lily
Ficinia nodosa - Knobby Club-sedge
Goodenia ovata - Hop Goodenia
Lomandra longifolia - Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Poa ensiformis - Purple-sheath Tussock-grass
Viola hederacea - Native Violet
Acacia melanoxylon - Blackwood
Eucalyptus melliodora - Yellow Box
Eucalyptus ovata - Swamp Gum
Acacia genistifolia - Spreading Wattle
Acacia verticillata - Prickly Moses
Leptospermum continentale - Prickly Tea-tree
Ozothamnus ferrugineus - Tree Everlasting
Pomaderris aspera - Hazel Pomaderris
Pomaderris racemosa - Slender Pomaderris
Carex appressa - Tall Sedge
Carex inversa - Knob Sedge
Dodonaea viscosa spatulata - Sticky Hop-bush
Acacia suaveolens - Sweet Wattle
Hakea ulicina - Furze Hakea
Olearia lirata - Snowy Daisy-bush
Goodia lotifolia - Goldeb-tip
Acacia paradoxa - Hedge Wattle
Brachyscome multifida - Cut-leaf Daisy
Hakea nodosa - Yellow Hakea
 
Friday, 17 June 2022 - Planting morning in the Mount Waverley Wetlands -

Again this year, Melbourne Water provided about 500 plants for us as part of the rehabilitation following the remedial works at Blackburn Road last year.

This time we planted on the north side of the wetlands just west of Blackburn Road.
We had some rain overnight, but it cleared up by about the time we started.
As last year, Melbourne Water provided the services of a support crew to help relocate much of the very thick mulch and to auger holes for the plants.

Have a look at the photo gallery to see the planters and the support crew at the end of the session.

Some of the species planted were:

Acacia implexa - Lightwood
Acacia myrtifolia - Myrtle Wattle
Arthropodium strictum - Chocolate Lily
Brachyscome multifida - Cut-leaf Daisy
Bulbine bulbosa - Bulbine Lily
Bursaria spinosa - Sweet Bursaria
Chrysocephalum semipapposum - Clustered Everlasting
Coprosma quadrifida Prickly Currant-bush
Correa reflexa - Native Fuchsia
Daviesia latifolia - Hop Bitter-pea
Dianella admixta - Flax-lily
Goodia lotifolia - Golden-tip
Goodenia ovata - Hop Goodenia
Gynatrix pulchella - Hemp Bush
Indigofera australis - Austral Indigo
Leptospermum continentale - Prickly Tea-tree
Lomandra longifolia - Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Olearia lirata - Snowy Daisy-bush
Prostanthera lasianthos - Victorian Christmas Bush
Pultenaea gunnii – Golden Bush-pea
Pultenea hispidula - Rusty Bush-pea
Themeda triandra - Kangaroo Grass
 
Sunday, 12 June 2022 - Planting Day in Valley Conservation Reserve -

A Special Friends planting in Valley Conservation Reserve.
Once more, we have purchased some plants with Friends Group funds to add more flowering plants to the area to the west of the amenities block in Valley Conservation Reserve.
Despite the poor weather forecast, the rain held off for most of the time and the 11 members and one 5 year old worked hard to get most of the 800 plants into the ground.
We were surprised that despite the recent rain only the top layer of soil was damp and so hole digging was not quite as easy as we had expected.

Have a look at the photo gallery to see the planters.

Some of the species planted were:

Eucalyptus ovata - Swamp Gum
Eucalyptus obliqua - Messmate Stringybark
Eucalyptus viminalis var Racemosa - Coastal Manna Gum
Eucalyptus cephalocarpa - Silver-leaf or Mealy Eucalypt
Dianella admixta - Flax Lily
Spyridium parvifolium - Dusty Miller
Glycine clandestina - Twining Glycine
Lomandra multiflora - Many-flowered Mat-rush
Lomandra longifolia - Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Arthropodium strictum - Chocolate Lily
Epacris impressa - Common Heath
Olearia lirata - Snowy Daisy Bush

 
Wednesday, 18th May 2022 - Guest Speaker - Monash Council Officers - The Future of Valley Conservation Reserve -

Monash Council have been working on a plan for the future of Valley Conservation Reserve with input from FSCVR.

The Name change to a Conservation Reserve reflects and supports the intended site character and operational requirements but does not involve any zoning or statutory requirements.

The vegetation management plan is evolving; habitat assessments will be undertaken soon; many nest boxes for bats and small parrots have been installed recently.

The recently completed integrated site plan is an evolving document intended to support the capital works planning process. Key issues of drainage improvement and erosion control were identified, primarily at the Scout Hall car park area.

There is no proposed increase in the size of the play space but buffer zones are to be more clearly defined. There is also no proposal to change the dog on-lead status of the Reserve.

 

Saturday, 19th March, 2022 -  Friends Afternoon Tea in Valley Conservation Reserve -

About a dozen Friends gathered in the old playground area in a shady spot under some trees for a friendy afternoon tea and chat. The cheesecakes were popular and the conversation convivial.

Look at the photogallery to see the group being addressed by our president, Tony Walker.

 
Wednesday, 16th March 2022 - Guest Speaker - Lucas Skelton from City of Monash -

Lucas gave us an interesting presentation highlighting some of the key findings from the biodiversity monitoring in Valley Conservation Reserve and field observations plus some plans for the future for the Reserve.

At the last minute Michael Grant was unavailable to assist Lucas due to Covid in his family. We hope to be able to have a presentation in the near future with Lucas, Michael and Andy Bailey to elaborate on the findings and give us more information about plans for the future.

 

Sunday, 6 March, 2022 - Clean Up Australia Day -

We had a good turn out to help the Friends clean up Scotchmans Creek on Clean Up Australia Day.
22 eager volunteers came along on a coolish and rather damp day after recent, heavy rain.

We collected 16 bags of assorted rubbush including a rather battered child car seat.

This year we were asked to count the number of disposible face masks that we found - total 15 masks!
 
Wednesday, 17th November 2021 - Guest Speaker - Andrew Sharpe from DELWP -

For our first face to face meeting since May, Dr Andrew Sharpe gave us an illustrated talk "My Brilliant Wet Career in Water: Urban streams, interesting water bugs and environmental flows".

Andrew's presentation was informative and engaging. It covered his career in several aspects of water investigation and management including the life of caddis fly larvae and how to allocate water resources.

Due to Covid restrictions we could not use our usual hall but were comfortable in the Mount Waverley Community Centre instead where we were able to have 22 members and friends present.

 

Annual General Meeting held electronically on Wednesday 20th October 2021

Due to Covid-19 restrictions this year we held our AGM by zoom.

We had 16 virtual attendees, who were able to view and listen to the reports of the committee.

The following members were elected to the committee for 2021-2022:
President:Tony Walker
Vice President:Rex Dusting
Secretary:Sally Walker
Treasurer:Fred Bullock
Ordinary Committee:Danielle Cini
Ordinary Committee:May Lee
Ordinary Committee:Asher Judah
Ordinary Committee:Alan Moore
Ordinary Committee:Kallista Sears
 

Planting Days in 2021

Due to Covid-19 only one of our expected planting days went ahead. However, the City of Monash "bush" crew agreed to complete all the remaining planting for us.

With our funding from Melbourne Water we arranged the planting of

  • 2000 plants in Crosby Drive Reserve downstream of the Crosby Drive cross over
  • 2000 plants in Regent Street Reserve on both sides of the creek
  • 8000 plants in Fairway Reserve on the north side of the creek and to the west side of Forster Road
We thank both the Monash Bush crew for their hard work and Melbourne Water for the grants to purchase the plants.

We hope to arrange grants for similar plant purchases for 2022.

 
Thursday, 15th July 2021 - Planting in the Mount Waverley Wetlands -

As part of the remediation works undertaken next to Blackburn Road, Melbourne Water provided us with some plants to undertake some re-vegetation in the wetlands near the entrance at the end of Lawrence Road.

In this COVID time we had a restricted planting session with limited numbers of members.

We planted about 530 plants in this area. These plants should provide an increase in the number of flowering plants. Once the plants get established there should be a great display for all to see.

8 members came along on a mild and dry morning to beat the unexpected lock down that occurred that evening.

Look in the photogallery to see some of us at the end of the planting.

 
Sunday, 20th June 2021 - Planting Day in Valley Reserve -

A Special Friends planting in Valley Reserve.
In this COVID time we had a restricted planting session with full COVID checkin and mask wearing.
As we have done before, we purchased some plants with Friends Group funds to add more flowering plants to the area to the west of the amenities block in Valley Reserve.
12 members came along on a cold but dry morning to put 800 plants into the ground.

Look in the photogallery to see some of us busy in the Reserve.

WE should all see the results later this year as the plants settle in and start to flower.

 
Wednesday, 19th May 2021 - Guest Speaker - Rex Dusting - Report on the State of the River - Walk Down Scotchmans Creek -

Our river officer, Rex Dusting, gave us an illustrated talk on the current situation with Scotchmans Creek - with many photos showing changes over time .

This was our first opportunity to get back to Alvie Hall for a while and we were pleased to have a good turnout.

It was great to be able to chat to our friends again.
 

Annual General Meeting held electronically on Wednesday 21st October 2020

Due to Covid-19 restrictions this year we held our AGM by email. Responses from members were collated and used to inform the proceedings.
Members received electronic copies of the reports prior to the AGM. The following members were elected to the committee for 2020-2021:
President:Kallista Sears
Vice President:Rex Dusting
Secretary:Sally Walker
Treasurer:Fred Bullock
Ordinary Committee:Kelvin Ferguson
Ordinary Committee:Alan Moore
Ordinary Committee:Tony Walker
 

Planting Days in 2020

Due to Covid-19 none of our expected planting days went ahead. However, the City of Monash "bush" crew agreed to complete all our planting for us.

With our funding from Melbourne Water we arranged the planting of

  • 2000 plants in Crosby Drive Reserve just downstream of the Crosby Drive cross over
  • 2000 plants in Regent Street Reserve on the west side of the creek
  • 8000 plants in Fairway Reserve on the south side of the creek and to the west side of Stephensons Road
We thank both the Monash Bush crew for their hard work and Melbourne Water for the grants to purchase the plants.

We hope to arrange grants for similar plant purchases for 2021.

 
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For further information about any of these events, please contact Tony Walker, Sally Walker or any member of the committee

 

 
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