August+2008+News

//**December 2008 News**//

We were able to access Bluff Beach through the National Parks Sea Spurge Local Area Team (SPLATs) and Wildcare coordination, and spent the morning of 13/12 with people from Oatlands, Howrah, Primrose Sands and also from the Sea Spurge Remote Area Team searching for plants on Bluff Beach and at Pine Creek. Some of those volunteers also walked back along the beach to Marion Bay Beach car park during the afternoon to check for sites.

With the rain, mist and swell it was particularly atmospheric! Very refreshing! The good new is that our work over the previous years has really paid off, Bluff Beach had approximately 150 plants removed and probably only 10 of these were seeders. There were also a few big thistles on the sand which we were able to remove. Parks had been out during August and we will be doing another search in January for any more that grow between now and then. Some tribute was payed to MBC Inc's work in the past and its effectiveness in keeping the Spurge under control.

The fire/back burning of December a couple of years ago had come right to the back of Bluff Beach at the northern end, with a few of the big banksias burned, but regeneration looked pretty healthy too. Oyster catchers and hooded plovers were still in residence. It was amazing to see the land without hooved grazing animals..saw a few Bennett's wallabies on the pasture.

So if you're a Wildcare member and want to be involved in January, or whenever the SPLATs team goes out there in future, you can update your details and check the SPLATs team box on the website, at [|http://www.wildcaretas.org.au] otherwise let us know and we'll keep you informed.

Parks are very happy for the local group to 'own' the area and continue to maintain the weeding strategy.

Unfortunately shore based re-growth from seeding plants is only one way this pest is spread and the reason we can't rest easy about any of Marion Bay or East Coast environs is that the seeds of Sea Spurge are spread by water born transit, which means that every season while this pest is growing unchecked on the East and North-East Coast, our area faces sea-born infestation. So we need to keep at it.

//**November 2008 News**// Hi All,

Just letting you know what is planned over the next few months and inviting you to join (re-join) the Marion Bay Coastcare group.


 * Upcoming Events**


 * 30th November** 12-2pm BBQ at EagleHawk Neck, run by Parks & Wildlife for Coastcare, Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania SCAT & Landcare volunteers. Come and meet with like minds and then walk on Little Boomer Bay afterwards .... meet at Pelican Place, off Bay Road, at 2.30pm.


 * December 13th** Sea Spurge Training Day at Marion Bay Beach. An expert from National Parks will be providing training on how to recognise, handle and dispose of sea spurge. All Welcome!! Bring gloves and wear long sleeves....


 * [|Life on the edge]** (or see left menu link) Help us raise awareness of coastal issues by joining us to tally together 100kms of coastal non motorised activity, OR 10 hours in the water over the coming months...This could include walking, running, cycling, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, skating…even scuba diving is an eligible form of movement in racking up the 100km. We have registered at the site and will be able to log our hours there somehow...and/or log the hours here...so stay tuned. Between us we can //EASILY// do it. There are pedometers available in the district are there not??


 * January 16th** General Meeting (Copping Hall) Time to be advised.


 * February 7th** Activity Day - Meet at Marion Bay car park 10 am


 * March 21st** Info booth with photos at Bream Creek Show


 * March 28-29** Celebrate Sorell weekend (Photos of MBC IncC activity on display)

We've had a request for pictorial history of the MBC Inc activities for the Celebrate Sorell weekend. (March 28-29, 2009) If you have any photos of past outings that you're prepared to share, please contact mbccsec at gmail dot com so we can contact you and arrange to collect.

We'd love to hear from you about your areas of interest and issues in coastal management you believe we could follow up!

Contact Margaret Long (Convenor) 6253 5119 or Margaret Laird Valentine (Secretary) 6278 1443

The Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday August 23rd, 2008. at Dunalley Neighbourhood House.
 * //August 2008 News://**

Minutes of the General Meeting following the AGM are attached. Select to read Convenor: Margaret Long Secretary: Margaret Laird Valentine Treasurer: Frederika Perey Exec members: Lyn Woolley and Jo Murray.
 * New office bearers:**

We hope to attract new members in the coming weeks and months and will post activities to the calendar as dates are finalised.