As it is close to the 20th anniversary of our project we thought it would be nice to produce a poster highlighting just how much has changed at Moonambel. There is a ten year gap in these comparison photos, so to see how the different it is now you can use your imagination or even better visit the hill at Moonambel. Enjoy.

PhilM

Due to the covid19 situation and because several people, families and friends have expressed a desire to spend time at Moonambel in the next couple of months especially around the school holiday period we will be keeping a log of attendee numbers. This will hopefully keep us safe and complying with current restrictions. So if you intend to visit the Moonambel land please phone Paul O’Connor who will be keeping the log. Mob. 0473365334 

Hugging friends on the land will be off-limits although hugging trees is still permitted and even encouraged.

PhilM

Due to the Covid19 restrictions the planned May weekend will be postponed until further notice. We at ReSource Rica would like to express our hope that you, your family and friends stay safe and healthy during these trying times. May the the only fever you experience is a small dose of cabin fever.

PhilM

The land has always given. All forms of life benefit from its generosity, creating complex eco-systems and diversity. The benefits have flowed to us all, but if not cared for, the benefits received become a trickle. Over the decades the land around Moonambel has given up its timber, been overgrazed by stock and even yielded its minerals. We have fragmented the landscape, depleted nutrients, caused massive erosion, raised the salinity and reduced bio-diversity. Through ReSource RICA we believe we can revive some of this land, enabling it to give much more again. The project at Moonambel aims to to create a wildlife corridor between the Pyrenees Ranges and Kara Kara National Park which will re-introduce habitat, a haven for species under pressure and places where all can experience and be a part of the beauty and diversity of healthier interdependent ecosystems and communities.

An ancient Greek proverb says “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Most will see the wisdom of this saying but the enjoyment of shade and the other diverse rewards offered by tree-planting will come sooner if one starts when young. Current participants are already experiencing the fellowship of like-minded people as they plant trees and effectively help to rehabilitate land that has been degraded.

Over the years participants have formed a special connection to the land and surrounding area and many have watched family and children grow to also develop a strong affinity with the Moonambel area. Members, supporters and friends of the group have enjoyed getting their hands dirty, sharing great social gatherings, quiet meditative times on the hill and reaping the ongoing physical and spiritual rewards of seeing their efforts come to fruition. We think such a great experience is worth sharing and extending to others.

So we are pleased to report that several non-members have shown an interest in initiating a similar project inspired by and based on ReSource RICA’s efforts.

For this reason we have begun exploring the possibility of starting a side or umbrella project for the group. Ideally we would be looking for an adjacent or nearby property. Although the new project will not be age-limited it will likely involve people that are younger than most current members. In this way it can be seen as an extension or continuance of our project but also give new participants a voice and perhaps an independent stake in the process. Due to our government”s lack of action on climate change and a recent heightened awareness in the community about the urgency of such issues, we believe that the timing is right.

Note that there are likely to be gatherings, meetings, reconnaissance parties and such like in the next few months. We will endeavour to keep all those who are interested well informed. A good way to stay informed is to become an email subscriber on this website, any new posts announcing happenings and events will generate an email alert.

Where to from here?

As we near our 20 year anniversary we are looking toward the next horizon.  We are proud of what we have achieved with the Moonambel property.  We plan to expand and build on our experience and success so far by:

• continuing our work at the Moonambel property: further revegetation, weed/pest control, mitigating the effects of erosion, on-going implementation of our management plan and on-going engagement with the indigenous custodians and wider community,
• buying a new property suitable for our revegetation works; or collaborating with an existing landowner to bring our experience, willing hands and philosophy to the revegetation of their land, 
• expanding our membership to grow the momentum of our work on the ground and to provide the energy needed to expand,
• providing a meaningful opportunity for people to be involved in hands-on work planting trees in the ground, restoring degraded land as a small but meaningful and practical antidote to Australian Government’s inaction on climate change,
• continuing our work to connect existing native vegetation reserves and remnants in the landscape by extensive restoration and revegetation of degraded sites, 
• having fun, enjoying the landscapes, flora, fauna and diversity of thriving and re-emerging interdependent ecosystems.       

PhilM/Sid Larwill

We are having another fund-raiser sausage-sizzle and cake stall on Saturday the 14th of March in Mostyn Street Castlemaine. Last time we raised around 700 dollars which was very helpful in allaying some of our yearly costs. Previous experience points to cakes, especially cupcakes being the key to maximising profits so if you can donate some time or cake to the effort it will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Cheryl at billgrant@bigpond.com if you can assist in anyway.

PhilM

Three years ago we introduced an annual voluntary contribution of 50 dollars per member/supporter to help with our yearly costs. Last year we were a bit complacent and let it pass without soliciting donations.  The funds are used to pay for our yearly shire rates, maintenance costs, plants and other associated expenses, all money well spent. In related good news our yearly rates have been reduced to about 50% due to us becoming a covenanted property but our funds our now at a critical low level so any help will be greatly appreciated. Coming up soon we will also be having a fund-raising sausage sizzle in Castlemaine. (more information to come)

You can make your contribution by direct debiting to our account:

ReSource RICA Inc
Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000
Account 1131 600 48

In the description write your name or “contribution”. We do not have tax deductibility status. We will send you an email confirming we have received your contribution.

You can also make a donation in person if you attend the upcoming October working weekend. For those who haven’t been coming to recent weekends at Moonambel think of the petrol money you have saved, I can’t think of a better way to spend it.

PhilM
Artwork: Andy Warhol’s Nine Dollars