KONGWAK HILLS
- year formed: 2012
- MembersHIP: 34
- Plants in ground 2022/23: 35,800
- CHAIR: Grace Couchman
WELCOME TO KONGWAK HILLS LANDCARE GROUP
ABOUT OUR GROUP
“Kongwak Hills” is one of ten Landcare groups that form the Bass Coast Landcare Network.
We are a volunteer base that works with various organisations and the community to coordinate activities on private and public land that protect native vegetation, restore waterways and rehabilitate the land.
We learn from others, share what we know and reflect the interests of our members in our projects.
Although our focus is on caring for land, social connection and having fun are equally important.
Our motto is “from backyard to bush” and welcome anyone interested in caring for land and the environment to join us.
We are a volunteer base that works with various organisations and the community to coordinate activities on private and public land that protect native vegetation, restore waterways and rehabilitate the land.
We learn from others, share what we know and reflect the interests of our members in our projects.
Although our focus is on caring for land, social connection and having fun are equally important.
Our motto is “from backyard to bush” and welcome anyone interested in caring for land and the environment to join us.
OUR STORY
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.
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 |
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GET INVOLVED
How you can get involved with Kongwak Hills Landcare Group:
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Become a member
Membership is $35 per household, per calendar year. Sign up or renew your membership here. Community planting days Join volunteers to get plants in the ground. Usually a morning session rewarded by a hearty lunch. Group projects and events Instigate a group project or help organise and carry out a speciality group event. Join or support the KHLG Committee Chairperson: Grace Couchman Secretary: Treasurer: Katie Davis BCLN Board Rep: Libby Lambert Attend meetings Held 4 times per year. Provide input, socialise, network. |
Do you have a project in mind for your property?
As a member of KHLG, core activities that Bass Coast Landcare Network can help fund are: • Revegetation • Remnant protection • Vegetation management courses • Waterway protection • ACUP courses • Targeted weed control • Pest animal management • Soil health projects Click here for more information. |
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 On your device: 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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WHAT WE DO
Our group has been active in the Kongwak community for over 10 years.
Read on to see what we we do and how we've contributed:
Read on to see what we we do and how we've contributed:
"LOVE YOUR RESERVE" PROJECT
2023
2023
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Kongwak Hills Landcare Group has had recent success in obtaining funding from Planet Ark and South Gippsland Shire Council grants to support it’s "Love your Reserve" project.
The project focuses on education, restoration and preservation of the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve, 41 hectares of significant remnant vegetation in the heart of Kongwak township and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, some threatened. In recent years, the Reserve has suffered the effects of "die-back" to it's vegetation and is in need of love from it’s community. Project events will coincide with "National Tree Day", kicking off with a Community Tree Planting Day within the Reserve on Sat 29 July. It will be celebrated with a “Bush Foods” feast for lunch, including Wolfgang’s renown gourmet sausages seasoned with bush herbs, native fruit and honey bliss balls and river mint tea. In conjunction with Kongwak Primary School’s “Sustainable Kongwak” program, KHLG will also host a planting event on Schools Tree Day and a further 3 educational workshops where students have the opportunity to gain an understanding and contribute to the sustained health of the Reserve. Workshops will involve indigenous plant propagation, learning about biodiversity and what makes a sustainable forest. KHLG is excited to create an opportunity to connect with the Kongwak community and further educate on this beautiful and significant place in it's "backyard". Thank you to the Kongwak CFA and other local brigades that undertook the cool burn to help prepare planting sites. Project supported by: 2022/2023 South Gippsland Shire Community Grants Program and Planet Ark Seedling Bank. |
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WILDLIFE NESTING BOX PROJECT
2021
2021
In 2021, Kongwak Hills Landcare Group, with the aid of Lisa Wangman from Bass Coast Landcare Network, was successful in gaining a Victorian State Government Community Volunteer Action grant for strengthening citizen science.
The group collaborated with other organisations to create a multi-layered project program focusing on increasing breeding habitat for wildlife in the Kongwak area.
A total of 120 wildlife nesting boxes were constructed and installed across 13 properties and the purchase of monitoring equipment and education sessions has supported landholders to maintain their function.
The group collaborated with other organisations to create a multi-layered project program focusing on increasing breeding habitat for wildlife in the Kongwak area.
A total of 120 wildlife nesting boxes were constructed and installed across 13 properties and the purchase of monitoring equipment and education sessions has supported landholders to maintain their function.
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Design
6 box designs based on those by Maffra & District Landcare Network and East Gippsland Landcare Network. (Download pdf file here). Targeted species: Crimson Rosella, Spotted Pardalote, Kreff’s Glider, Kookaburra, Owlet Nightjar, Treecreeper. Construction 120 boxes constructed by Wonthaggi Men’s Shed and painted by KHLG members. Installation Bass Coast Tree Care installed boxes 3-4m from ground, in upper-story species of vegetation. Education Educational presentations by: Dallas Wyatt - local bird expert Jane Taylor - Environmental Educator Gio Fitzpatrick* - Naturalist of Living Space Ecology (*session still to come - watch this space!) Monitoring Periodic inspections of nesting boxes with monitoring equipment and birdlife surveys carried out by Jane Taylor. Equipment purchase 2 cameras on telescopic poles. Cameras connect wirelessly to smart device for live-view and image capture. |
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SOUTH GIPPSLAND BIRDLIFE INFORMATION SESSION
The “South Gippsland Birdlife - attracting, identifying and monitoring birds on your property” event was held the Kongwak Hall on Saturday 4 February 2023 - attended by approximately 50 people.
This educational component of the Wildlife Nesting Box project, assisted landholders to support the function of the nesting boxes installed on their property, and also gave an opportunity for the broader community to gain knowledge on local birdlife and connect with the group.
Presenter, Environmental Educator Jane Taylor, engaged attendees with fascinating facts and information, focusing on how to attract, identify and monitor birds in the local area. Using a Kookaburra nesting box, Jane demonstrated how monitoring equipment, which 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 by a slideshow featuring an extensive species list of local birds, captured by local wildlife photographer Robyn Bolding in the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve.
This educational component of the Wildlife Nesting Box project, assisted landholders to support the function of the nesting boxes installed on their property, and also gave an opportunity for the broader community to gain knowledge on local birdlife and connect with the group.
Presenter, Environmental Educator Jane Taylor, engaged attendees with fascinating facts and information, focusing on how to attract, identify and monitor birds in the local area. Using a Kookaburra nesting box, Jane demonstrated how monitoring equipment, which 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 by a slideshow featuring an extensive species list of local birds, captured by local wildlife photographer Robyn Bolding in the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve.
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Project supported by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action - Community Volunteer Action Grant 2021.
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KONGWAK PIONEER RESERVE IMPROVEMENTS
2014
2014
Rising from the centre of town, the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve is 41 hectares of significant remnant native vegetation.
It hosts a diverse range of plant species and is an important example of intact vegetation from the western flank of the Strzelecki Ranges. Foster Creek winds through the Reserve and attracts an abundance of wildlife such as wallabies, koalas, wombats and owls.
There are well laid out walking tracks waiting to be explored.
In 2014, Kongwak Hills Landcare Group received funding from the Bass Coast Landcare Network Public Fund to improve and sustainably manage the Reserve, aiming to increase visitor awareness and environmental education and improve facilities and passive recreation opportunities for users.
It hosts a diverse range of plant species and is an important example of intact vegetation from the western flank of the Strzelecki Ranges. Foster Creek winds through the Reserve and attracts an abundance of wildlife such as wallabies, koalas, wombats and owls.
There are well laid out walking tracks waiting to be explored.
In 2014, Kongwak Hills Landcare Group received funding from the Bass Coast Landcare Network Public Fund to improve and sustainably manage the Reserve, aiming to increase visitor awareness and environmental education and improve facilities and passive recreation opportunities for users.
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Walking track development
Construction of additional walking tracks by the Green Army and BCLN works crew, created links to all tracks within the Reserve. Picnic tables and benches installed. Interactive Tour Working with Drift Media, KHLG recorded a number of informative podcasts about the history and the flora and fauna within the Reserve. This has been complied as an interactive geotour that can be used while exploring the Reserve. Signage Educational paddles and directional signage within the Reserve has been developed and installed. Preservation Weed maintenance, burns and revegetation planting has been conducted to preserve significant flora and fauna. Promotion Creation of a logo and Facebook page to raise awareness of the Reserve. Project partners South Gippsland Shire Council Kongwak Community Group Kongwak CFA Bass Coast Landcare Network |
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Project supported Bass Coast Landcare Network Public Fund 2014.
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COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING
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Kongwak Hills Landcare Group works with landholders, organisations and the community to support revegetation projects by coordinating the volunteer support to get plants in the ground!
Community planting days usually involve a morning of “planting out” a prepared revegetation site, followed by a social gathering over a meal afterward. The “planting season” takes place over the cooler months, June - September. Equipment used includes:
Plants Individually potted tubestock or Hico trays of 40 plants. Tubestock is usually laid out where it is to be planted. Hico plants are “popped” from trays and carried in buckets. Planters Hamilton and/or Pottiputki (to suit tubestock type). Tree guards Site and funding specific. Used to deter rabbits, wallabies, etc. Protective gear Gloves, sturdy footwear, rain and wind protection. |
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MEMBER STORIES
Sit down, grab a cuppa and meet some of our members and their landcaring stories:
LIBBY LAMBERT - "SPRINGBANK"
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In 2000, I purchased a 32 ha. valley of ‘blue gum country’ at the top of the Powlett River catchment, in South Gippsland.
The native floral biodiversity included six mature eucalypts, some declining mature blackwoods, silver wattles, and a few native grasses along the tracks. The fauna consisted of quails, magpies, kookaburras, some migratory birds, a few reptiles and frogs, the Giant Gippsland worms on south and east facing slopes, burrowing crayfish, loads of eels in the dams, foxes and one hare. The Gippsland forest had been cleared in the late 1800’s and the land used for dairy farming then as grazing for young heifers. In 2000, it had few weeds - blackberries, thistles, some ragwort and boxthorn in a steep gully, and some mature pine trees, weeping willows and five |
"Springbank" transition 2000-2023.
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beautiful oak trees around the original house site. There was ample water in the dams with one large dam shown on the ordinance maps as ‘permanent water’.
Landcare contributed over 43,000 tubestock consisting of 64 locally sourced indigenous flora species
September 2000 was our first planting when neighbours, relatives and friends used Hamilton tree planters to plant 5,000 plants one weekend, while two other fine friends catered for all. Prior to the planting we had only to kill off the weeds and spray spots for the plants to be planted in. There were no rabbits to feast on the plants, so no tree guards were required. Over the next ten years, Landcare contributed over 43,000 tubestock consisting of 64 locally sourced indigenous flora species. With the help of 200 volunteer friends we held numerous plantings and created wildlife corridors, fenced out drainage lines and creeks, and created shade and shelter belts for livestock. Seventeen hectares of revegetation now protect the habitat of the resident Giant Gippsland Worms and burrowing crayfish. It also provides habitat for other wildlife which have taken up residence and helps retain the soil on the hills, whilst protecting the waterways from contamination by excluding the livestock.
16 ha. of revegetation will be covenanted by Trust for Nature
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As with all revegetation, weed management is an issue but as the tree canopy closes over, the only pest issues continue to be the garden escapee ‘Forget Me Nots’ (Myosotis scorpioides), the blackberries bought in by the birds, and the foxes which live under them. The perimeter fences need regular upkeep in order to exclude the livestock, as trees regularly fall across them.
Over 64 species of resident and migratory birds are regularly observed including some less common species. There are eastern grey kangaroos, black wallabies, echidnas, possums, wombats, migratory koalas, microbats, various snakes, skinks, frogs, lizards, and numerous bugs and insects. The Trust for Nature (TFN) is in the process of covenanting 16 ha. of revegetation containing the Giant Gippsland Earthworms to protect this habitat in perpetuity. They have also replaced and repaired the perimeter fencing and carried out woody and herbaceous weed control. I retain ownership of the land and have formulated a management plan in consultation with the TFN for the covenanted land. |
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Landcare have installed a number of nesting boxes in the trees for native birds and animals to use as the trees will take many years to develop nesting hollows.
The original eucalypts have been incorporated into the revegetation or have been fenced out of the paddocks. I still raise and fatten beef cattle at low stocking rates and will continue to do so into the future. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to re-establish a small microcosm of the magnificent Gippsland forest that once stood here. Libby Lambert - "Springbank", Bena |
"Springbank" is home to many species of wildlife.
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NEWS & EVENTS
Featured news and events:
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KHLG NEXT GENERAL MEETING
Our next general meeting will be held: Sunday 8 October 2023 - PM Private residence at Kongwak. Contact: kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com for more information and to RSVP. |
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CANCELLED: COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY - STEPHEN OLIVER'S @ BENA
Steven Oliver's planting scheduled for Saturday 9 Sep has been CANCELLED due to predicted weather likely impacting the planting area. Unfortunately, it will not be rescheduled and there are no more planting days for KHLG this season. |
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RESOURCES
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MEMBERSHIP
New Member Sign up:
INDIGENOUS PLANTS
Revegetation in the Bass Coast Shire: information and images of local indigenous plants
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GIPPSLAND BIRDLIFE
Handy links:
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 Beginner's Guide to Bird Watching and ID: webinar from Birdlife Australia 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.
WEEDS
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CONTACT US
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EMAIL If you'd like to know more about our group or get in contact: kongwakhillslandcare@gmail.com |
FACEBOOK
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