Spring Outdoors (Nillumbik)

September-November 2017

September

Saturday 2 September, 2pm-4.30pm
Soil improvement workshop

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

A hands-on workshop on improving soils naturally through worm farming and composting. Learn how to recycle household and garden organic waste (including dog poo) by setting up a worm farm or backyard compost system.

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Saturday 9 September and Sunday 10 September, 10am-4pm
Australian plants expo

Presented by Australian Plants Society, Yarra Yarra Group

Come along and find something from the many unusual species for sale from tubestock to advanced plants of indigenous and grafted stock. There will also be books, talks and displays.

Cost: Adults $5, Concession $4

Where: Eltham Community and Reception Centre, 801 Main Road, Eltham(Melway 21 J6)

Enquiries: 9439 7228 or

Sunday 17 September, 10am-4pm
Sustainable house day

Presented by the Alternative Technology Association

Visit houses throughout Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik that showcase sustainability in all its forms.

Cost: Most houses are free although some may ask for a gold coin donation to assist with expenses.

Where: Throughout Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik.

Enquiries:the Sustainable house day website or 9433 3316.

Sunday 17 September,10am-1pm – to be confirmed
Women’s Business

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Come along and join Wurundjeri women Judy Nicholson, Brooke Wandin and Mandy Nicholson for some weaving of natural fibres in the Indigenous Food, Fibre and Medicine Garden at Bunjil Reserve and discuss what the Aboriginal term ‘Women’s Business’ is all about.

Cost: Free

Where:Bunjil Reserve – meet at Firefighters Memorial Park, 7 Bishops Road, Panton Hill (Melway 263 K9)

Bookings: 9433 3316 or the Nillumbik website

Saturday 30 September, 2pm-4pm
Growing veggies from seed

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Spring is the time to propagate vegetable and herb seedlings to ensure a bumper summer harvest! Learn how easy it is to grow your own vegetables from seed.

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

October

Throughout October, between 7pm-8.30pm
Eltham Copper Butterfly larvae counts

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council and Banyule City Council

The annual evening caterpillar counts are on again throughout October and will be taking place at Eltham Copper Butterfly bushland reserves in Eltham and Greensborough.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about the ecology of the Eltham Copper Butterfly and will work in groups searching bushes to count the caterpillars and to record their locations. The counts will be led by an expert on the Eltham Copper Butterfly.

Cost: Free

Where: various locations in Eltham and Greensborough

Further information and bookings: Nicole Drever, 9433 3202 or or

Sunday 1 October, 1pm-3.30pm
Beekeeping – a taster

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Beekeeping is an enjoyable, relaxing and accessible interest recently undergoing resurgence. Learn what is involved keeping your own hive of bees during this informative session with Bob Owen.

Cost: $15

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Wednesday 4and Thursday 5 October, 10am-4pm

Organic gardening for beginners (2 day workshop)

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Want to grow your own healthy vegetables, herbs and fruits but don’t know where to start? Part theory and part hands-on, this two day workshop will help the beginner organic gardener develop the skills and knowledge to start a thriving edible oasis at home.

Cost: $120

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Sunday 8 October,10am-1pm

Orchid walk

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Join us for a guided walk to observe the abundance of orchids throughout Bunjil Reserve and learn about the orchid conservation and management program. This is a practical opportunity to learn the skilful art of weeding exotic grasses from around orchid colonies.

Cost: Free

Where:Bunjil Reserve – meet at Firefighters Memorial Park, 7 Bishops Road, Panton Hill (Melway 263 K9)

Bookings: 9433 3316 or theNillumbik website

Sunday 15 October, 10am-4.30pm

Practically Green Festival

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

A celebration of sustainable building, living and all things green. This family friendly festival features music, food, children’s activities, quality exhibits and much more.

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Enquiries: 9433 3316 or theNillumbik website

Sunday 15 October, see festival program for times

Set up and maintain a worm farm

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Learn how to set up and maintain a home worm farm – it’s easier than you might think. An efficiently run worm farm can turn your household food scraps into fabulous free fertiliser and soil for your garden. Discounted worm farms will be available for sale at the session.

Cost: Free

Where: At the Practically Green Festival. Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Enquiries: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Saturday 21 October, 2pm-4.30pm

Soil improvement workshop

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

A hands-on workshop on improving soils naturally through worm farming and composting. Learn how to recycle household and garden organic waste (including dog poo) by setting up a worm farm or backyard compost system.

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Sunday 22 October, 10am-4pm

Eltham mudbrick tour

Presented by the Eltham High School community

Join us in celebrating our architectural heritage. The Nillumbik Shire is unique in its mudbrick architecture that has accumulated over more than half a century of experimentation, design and construction.

Cost: Adults $25, Concession (seniors/students/health card holders) $20, children under 16 free

Where: Starting at Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Crescent, Eltham (Melway 22 A8)

Bookings: Visit themudbrick tour websitein August when bookings open.

Sunday 29 October, 10am-2pm

Murnong harvest

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Come along to the Bunjil Food, Fibre and Medicine Garden and participate in a harvest ceremony for the Murnong (Yam Daisy), a staple food plant of the Wurundjeri people. Digging sticks will be used to dig up the Murnong, and they will then be roasted and eaten. There will also be a DjirriDjirri Wurundjeri women’s dance performance.

Cost: Free

Where:Bunjil Reserve – meet at the Firefighters Memorial Park, 7 Bishops Road, Panton Hill (Melway 263 K9)

Bookings: 9433 3316 or the Nillumbik website

November

Wednesday 15 November, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Love Food, Hate Waste - cooking demonstration with dinner

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Join local chef Duang from Real Food Catering and gain fresh new ideas on how to use all of the food you buy. In this cooking demonstration you will learn how to use all of the vegetable, how to be creative with leftovers as well as some neat tips and tricks so that you can Love Food and Hate Waste!

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Saturday 18 November, 2pm-3pm

Set up and maintain a worm farm

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Learn how to set up and maintain a home worm farm – it’s easier than you might think. An efficiently run worm farm can turn your household food scraps into fabulous free fertiliser and soil for your garden. Discounted worm farms will be available for sale at the session.

Cost: Free

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Saturday 18and Saturday 25 November, 10am-4pm

Introduction to permaculture (2 day workshop)

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture (permanent agriculture) is a whole system approach to ecological planning and design for sustainable living.

Join expert tutor Donna Livermore for this two day workshop. Participants will be introduced to permaculture and provided with a good basic understanding of the principles and design methods associated with it.

Cost: $120

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Bookings: 9433 3711 or theEdendale website

Saturday 25 November, 5pm–8pm

Edendale twilight picnic

Presented by Nillumbik Shire Council

Come and enjoy a waste-free, twilight picnic at Edendale with local musicians playing in the amphitheatre. There will be activities for children and plenty of space to spread out a picnic rug and enjoy the evening in the beautiful surrounds.

Cost: $5 per person, $15 per family (2 adults, 2 children). Children under two are free.

Where: Edendale, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (Melway 22 A1)

Enquiries: 9433 3111 or the Edendale website