KONGWAK HILLS
- year formed: 2012
- MembersHIP: 32
- Plants in ground 2022: 42,000
- CHAIR: Grace Couchman
Our Story
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Following a well attended meeting at the Kongwak Hall early in 2012, at the instigation of landcare Facilitator Sarah van Stokrom, much interest was expressed in forming a new Landcare group in the Kongwak area, incorporating members from the Candowie /Lance Creek Landcare group, which has been dissolved.
So, on a chilly afternoon in late April 2012, in the old Butter Factory at Kongwak, the inaugural meeting of the new group was held, office bearers elected and goals and activities suggested and discussed. The groups’ priorities are diverse, from education and learning about effective land management, in particular drawing on local experience and knowledge, remnant protection and enhancement through to sharing a community focus and having fun with like minded people. |
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At the subsequent meeting on 17 June 2012, the group was officially named the Kongwak Hills Landcare Group, with the motto, “from backyard to bush”- the name intended to demonstrate that the group was desirous of embracing the Kongwak valley and hills and welcoming anyone interested in caring for our land and the environment. While membership numbers are currently small, it is hoped that through word of mouth, marketing and observable activities, membership will grow. The group felt it was important to ensure that membership is available to anyone with an interest in land care, whether or not they were a local landowner.
You can contact the group directly at kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com
You can contact the group directly at kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com
Kongwak Pioneer Reserve - Interactive tour and track maps
The Kongwak Hills Landcare Group has developed GPS track maps and an interactive tour of the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve which includes informative podcasts about it's history and the flora and fauna within the Reserve.
This data can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet and used while you explore the Reserve. Access the Interactive Tour 1. Download the Google Earth or Google Earth Pro app. 2. Download the interactive tour file here. 3. Open the file in Google Earth or Google Earth Pro. 4. Explore! Track Maps Track maps can also be downloaded here. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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POSTPONED: KHLG MARCH 2023 GENERAL MEETING
Our March general meeting was scheduled to be held: Saturday 25 March, 2023 @ 4pm This has been postponed until April. |
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KHLG NEXT GENERAL MEETING
Our next general meeting will be held: Saturday 15 April 2023 @ 4pm Tennis Club Rooms at R.N. Scott Memorial Park 1455 Korumburra Wonthaggi Road Kongwak VIC 3951. Contact: kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com for more information. |
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PAST NEWS & EVENTS
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GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT DAY AT "THE GREAT FETE"!
Members of KHLG had a great day out at the Inverloch Kongwak Primary School's "The Great Fete" on Saturday 18 March 2023. Kongwak Hills Landcare Group hosted a stall with informative and interactive displays about what we do, indigenous tubestock and seed packs, stickers, badges and more. The wildlife nesting box and monitoring equipment display was a hit for all ages. A BIG grateful thank you to ALL who donated resources, volunteered their time and efforts and contributed toward our stall, and also toward the fete itself. What a smashing day! It was lovely connecting with the community and sharing our love for caring for the land . Congratulations to our raffle winner Angela, who took home a hamper consisting of 10x Indigenous Plants and $50 Melaleuca Nursery Voucher. |
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SOUTH GIPPSLAND BIRDLIFE INFORMATION SESSION
What a great turn-out at the Kongwak Hall on Saturday 4 Feb 2023 for Kongwak Hills Landcare Group’s first event of the year, “South Gippsland Birdlife - attracting, identifying and monitoring birds on your property”. Presenter, environmental educator Jane Taylor, engaged attendees with fascinating facts on birdlife, focusing on how to attract, identify and monitor birds in the local area. Using a Kookaburra nesting box, (one of the various designs that have been installed on KHLG members properties as part of the boarder citizen science project that this event falls) Jane demonstrated how monitoring equipment that has been purchased by the group, is used on a telescopic pole to illuminate, view and take photos inside the box. The session was supported with images of birds taken in the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve by local wildlife photographer Robyn Bolding, who also had some lovely greeting cards for purchase showcasing her work of the Eastern spinebill, Supurb fairywren, Spotted pardalote and more. And… what a great spread for the “pot luck” lunch to cap off the day? Thank you to all that contributed to a great event. When you next visit the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve, take your binoculars and keep an eye (and ear) out for resident species such as: Crested Shriketit and White-throated Treecreeper (species of conservation concern in South Gippsland) Blue-winged Parrot (declining populations) Southern Boobook Satin Flycatchers Wren species Rosella species And even birds of prey. The reserve is located on Williams Street Kongwak, accessed best by parking near the tennis courts of R.N Scott Memorial Park 1455 Korumburra Wonthaggi Road. This event was an educational component for KHLG’s project, “Kongwak Hills homes for wildlife - Engaging Volunteers in Citizen Science”. Project funded by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action - Community Volunteer Action Grant 2021. |
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MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE AT COMMUNITY BBQ
To commemorate 10 years of Kongwak Hills Landcare Group, members and friends gathered at the R.N Scott Memorial Park in downtown Kongwak, on the cool, but calm evening of Saturday 12th November 2022. We celebrated with shared food, Urban Wolf's gourmet sausages, bubbles, cake, music and great company. But mostly, we celebrate every day by looking out our windows at the beauty of the forests we create and the wildlife that returns - a sort of theatre from your lounge room. Happy birthday Kongwak Hills Landcare Group. Project funded by South Gippsland Shire Council Community Grants Program 2022. |
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KHLG FEATURES ON ABC GIPPSLAND RADIO!
Our Chairperson, Grace Couchman, recently spoke with Melissa Fistric on ABC Gippsland's Saturday Breakfast program. They chat all things Kongwak Hills LG and landcaring beyond! Hear the audio from the broadcast below: |
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KONGWAK HILLS FACEBOOK PAGE
View more news, events and posts of interest on our facebook page: |
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RESOURCES
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
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SOUTH GIPPSLAND BIRDLIFE INFORMATION SESSION RESOURCES
Birdlife Australia: bird information website and app
Ebird: bird information website and app Xeno canto: bird call database website The Australian Bird Guide (Second Edition): field guide book/hardcopy Morcombe's Birds of Australia: field guide app Local plants to encourage birds: Prickly Moses, Hazel Pomaderris, Narrow-leaf Peppermint (E. radiata), Messmate Gum (E. obliqua), Manna Gum (E. viminalis), Lomandra, Dianella, Hop Goodenia. |
More group resources to come soon!
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CONTACT US
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If you'd like to know more about our group or get in contact:
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