Events

COVID19 Status

All in-person MEG events are cancelled until the Victorian lockdown ends (Tuesday 27 July 2021 at the earliest). The events listed below are tentatively scheduled for when the lockdown is lifted. Please check with event organisers before atending to confirm events are running and to book a place. Follow us on Facebook and keep checking this page to stay up to date with event cancellations. Members will be emailed if there are further event cancellations.

Exercise and spending time outside are still very important, and most parks in Yarra Ranges remain open. For more information on coronavirus restrictions, testing and vaccinations, see the Victorian Government website.

Note the People's Garden working bee scheduled for Sunday 26 July is now cancelled.

Updated 22 July 2021

Regular MEG Events

Leap Into Nature

Montrose Environmental Group continues to collaborate with Leap Into Nature to run sessions for young children (typically 2-5 years). These activities include bush walking, bird watching, and frog hunting. They are a fun and accessible opportunity for kids to discover the environment around them and learn about nature. Information about upcoming Leap Into Nature events can be found on their website, or by becoming a MEG member.

Brickworks Reserve working bees

Montrose Brickworks Flora Reserve is a suburban reserve at the corner of Cambridge and Montrose Roads (map). The Montrose Brickworks closed in the mid 1950s, and the site, originally called Tapscott/Milbourne Flora Reserve, was gradually revegetated with valuable native bush including many wildflowers.

Originally in response to concerns about Sweet Pittosporum and other woody weeds, the first MEG working bee at the Brickworks Reserve was held in 2018, and now several working bees are held every year. These include weeding, ecological monitoring, a nature walk, litter collection, and morning tea.

Gloves, tools and morning tea are provided, but please bring your own cup. RSVP to Karen Davies (0400 385 918) for catering purposes.

Upcoming Brickworks Working Bees (2021)

Saturday 4 September
Saturday 27 November

Time: 10 am - 1 pm (approx.)
Meet: Brickworks Reserve, Tapscott Centre Carpark (map)
RSVP: text Karen Davies, 0400 385 918, by 8 pm the day before

Activities to include hand weeding, woody weeds, litter collection, and anything else that arises.

Please bring your own water bottle, gloves and face mask for when you can’t keep 1.5 m apart.

COVID-safe rules apply. You must not attend if you have even the slightest symptoms of a respiratory or gastric infection (e.g. runny nose, cough, diarrhoea, …) or if you’ve had contact with someone like that in the previous fortnight.

Friends of Bungalook Conservation Reserves

The monthly working bee at Bungalook Conservation Reserves in Kilsyth South is held at 9:30 am on the 2nd Saturday of the month (except January). The meeting place is at the end of Ormond Place, Kilsyth (map). The morning usually consists of an informative walk, weed removal, litter collection and morning tea. Photos from working bees are regularly posted on Facebook. Information about the reserves is available on the Maroondah City Council website.

Contact Graeme Lorimer for details on 0403 229 862 or email graeme@meg.org.au.

Changes for COVID-19

Working bees at Bungalook Conservation Reserves are on again, from Saturday, 14th November 2020. It is essential that participants follow these Covid-19 rules:

You must not attend if you have even the slightest symptoms of a respiratory or gastric infection (e.g. runny nose, cough, diarrhoea, …) or if you’ve had contact with someone like that in the previous fortnight.
You must contact Graeme Lorimer by 8 pm Friday on 0403 229 862 or graeme@meg.org.au if you wish to attend, to avoid exceeding the limit of ten people. Leave your mobile phone number in case I need to ask you not to come.
Please bring your own gloves and morning tea, except that if you’re a regular, you can use a pair of the group’s gloves and look after them for use at future working bees.
You’ll have to keep 1.5 m from other people except anyone you live with.
You must wear an effective face covering unless an exemption applies, e.g. physical exertion, eating or drinking.

Friends of Heathfield Creek

The monthly working bee at Heathfield Creek is on the last Sunday of the month (except December and January). Meet on Belvedere Drive near the corner of Richards Road, Montrose (map). It runs from 10 am to approximately 12 noon and is followed by a delicious morning tea.

Contact Claire Thomas on 9728 2290 or clairthomas63@bigpond.com.

Spring Bird Walk

Each year MEG conducts a Spring Bird Walk. The guided tour is held by a bird expert who is very familiar with the local environment. The tour provides in depth information and tips to increase your own knowledge. To hear details for the next Spring Bird Walk, become a member and you will be notified in the Spinulosa newsletter. Alternatively, contact us for details.

Informative Bushwalks

Bushwalks led by knowledgeable people are held to involve and engage the community and to pass on knowledge of our wonderful environment. The walks have previously targeted particular ecological events such as the recovery of vegetation after a fire and spring wildflower displays. Become a member to be notified of upcoming bushwalks.

Presentations

Presentations on interesting environmental topics are given throughout the year. They are varied in their content and have recently included topics such as fire ecology, the taxonomy of Flax-lily (Dianella) species, creating habitat gardens, interactive wildlife presentations targeted at children, and the wonderful world of bats.

Annual General Meeting

Each year MEG holds an AGM which includes a presentation from an environmental expert, and a tasty lunch. The event is usually held in August. In recent years the AGM has been held in the Montrose Town Hall, the costs of which are covered by Councillor Len Cox of the Yarra Ranges Council. A gold coin donation covers the entry fee, and the pre-booked lunch costs about $10. The Spinulosa newsletter following each AGM includes an overview of the presentation as well as a summary of MEG's activities over the past year and the Treasurer’s report.

The 2019 AGM included a presentation from ecologist Dr Ella Kelly about the impact of cane toads on threatened quolls. The 2020 AGM was conducted online through Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions.

2021 Annual General Meeting

Superb fairy wren © Kim Wormald lirralirra.com

Rescheduled due to lockdown
Date TBA
Montrose Town Centre

Featuring guest speaker, renowned bird photographer Kim Wormald. MEG members are invited to attend the meeting component at 10.15 am, and the general public are welcome at 11.00 am for the presentation by Kim Wormald.

Please note lunch will not be served as was previously announced. Due to COVID restrictions for venue numbers, please RSVP to info@meg.org.au to confirm your place. Please bring a face mask, and a cup for serving of tea/coffee should restrictions allow for light refreshments. Social distancing and COVID-safe measures will be observed.

Wildlife and Wellbeing

Past MEG president Kim Wormald will be sharing her award winning wildlife images, talking about each species and the art of ethical wildlife photography.

Kim Wormald (EFIAP/gold, GMAPS) is an internationally awarded and passionate Australian nature photographer with a deep love of, and respect for, wildlife. Her images have received many national and international awards, including three times as a finalist in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year. She has been listed in the PSA Who’s Who of Nature Photography but basically she loves immersing herself in nature and waiting to see what, if anything, appears. Sometimes she's so enthralled that she forgets to press the shutter button. At other times she's so in tune with her camera and long lenses that she feels as one with the bird or animal she's photographing.

Kim takes images of wild, unbaited birds in natural light, without calling them in or using a flash. She regularly exhibits her work, has won many prestigious awards, and judges national and international nature photography competitions.

As 2021 marks 50 years of MEG we hope to see as many of you as possible, and a good turn out of our founding members.

PDF flyer for members / public (not updated since lockdown)

Christmas Picnic

Each December the MEG committee and its members are invited to a Christmas picnic for a relaxing afternoon of eating and friendly chit-chat. The picnic is usually held in Montrose or a surrounding suburb, and will be advertised in the preceding Spinulosa with the date and time.

Previous locations for the picnic include Kalorama Park (2018) and Warrien Reserve (2019).