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Author: Neville Bartlett

 Calendar 2024 Purchase

2024 FRIENDS CALENDARS ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE FROM EARLY to MID NOVEMBER Purchase details are available on the website by following this link Please contact Neville Bartlett for further information Birds and Wildflowers brochures are freely available at the Chiltern Info centre https://friendsofchiltern.au/images/calendar/calendar_2024_screenshot.jpg https://friendsofchiltern.au/images/calendar/2023/2024CalendarFlyer.pdf

Newsletter 332 October 2023

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #332 October 2023 President : Neil Blair: nlblair48@gmail.com Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Treasurer/Newsletter Editor: Neville Bartlett – Email: neville@nrbartlett.com.au Report on 3rd FOCMPNP public Spring Wildflower Walk 1st October 2023 – Neil Blair 18 people participated in this walk which started in the Chiltern section of the Park on a cloudy, […]

Newsletter 331 September 2023

President : Neil Blair: nlblair48@gmail.com Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Treasurer/Newsletter Editor: Neville Bartlett – Email: neville@nrbartlett.com.au September Frog walk, dinner, AGM and Frog talk We were treated to a frog walk by Dr Alexandra Knight that started at the picnic area at Chiltern Valley No 1 Dam and then progressed to the wet […]

Newsletter 330 August 2023

Newsletter No. 330 – August 2023  Website:https://www.friendsofchiltern.au/ August field day A glorious sunny day was most welcome indeed. The first task was to plant 20 more White Cypress Pines (Callitris glaucophylla) at the Northern end of the Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve. An earlier planting in 2022 had produced good results so it was time to […]

Newsletter 329 July 2023

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #329 July 2023 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN – MT PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com President: Vacant Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.au/ Spring is on its way!Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) has started to bloom in the Park and it is a sign that spring is […]

Newsletter 328 June 2023

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #328 June 2023 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com President: Vacant Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au/ June field day It was a glorious sunny day and about 15 friends gathered at Chiltern Post Office and proceeded to Mt Ochtertyre Natural Features […]

Newsletter 327 May 2023

FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com President: Vacant Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au/ May field day Four hardy souls met on a cold and damp day. The rain was sufficiently modest that we decided to continue to the Grasslands Block and plant 40 Spreading Wattle (Acacia genistifolia) plants. […]

Newsletter 326 April 2023

FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com President: Vacant Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au/ April field day reports Thirteen Friends met on a bright Autumn day to audit the White Box Walk Track and check mammal nest boxes. Mick and Graeme went off to check the boxes on Donchi […]

Newsletter 325 March 2023

FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au/ March field day at the Grasslands Block   The attendees divided into groups that focussed on different parts of the block. One group visited the revegetation area in the North-eastern corner and weeded parts of the section […]

Newsletter 324 February 2023

FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Newsletter No. 324 – February 2023   Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.au/ February field day at Bartleys Block and the Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve The day started with a quick visit to Bartleys Block to check out the area where Blue Periwinkle (Vinca […]

Newsletter 323 December 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #323 December 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Christmas Gathering at the Grasslands Block – Neville Bartlett A group of us assembled at the top of the hill at the Grasslands Block for a Christmas get […]

Newsletter 322 November 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #322 November 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, Reptile Walk and Talk Searching near the summit of Mt Pilot Photo: Neville Bartlett After gathering at the […]

Newsletter 314 March 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #314 March 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com ewsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends,   The weather forecast for our March field indicated showers but we proceeded anyway. Small groups were […]

Newsletter 321 October 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #321 October 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, October Field Days Starting at the Tuan Campground car park, we split into two groups with Neil […]

Newsletter 320 September 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #320 September 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, September field day report – Helen Carse The field day went well with 17 people attending. We […]

Newsletter 319 August 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #319 August 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends The August activity involved the long awaited planting at the Grasslands Block.  This was part of a […]

Newsletter 318 July 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #318 July 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends The July field day started with a gathering opposite the Chiltern Post Office where we met with […]

Newsletter 317 June 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #317 June 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, The June field day activity was cancelled due to the wet weather. For the remainder of the […]

Newsletter 316 May 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #316 May 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, The May field day activity, at the Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve, consisted of checking of mammal boxes, […]

Newsletter 313 February 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #313 February 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, Over the last few years we have become accustomed to seeing dams such as Cyanide Dam and […]

Newsletter 312 December 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #312 December 2021 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, It is a long standing tradition that our December field day is a relaxed gathering late on […]

Newsletter 311 November 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #311 November 2021 Dear Friends, Our November field day featured three activities that attracted an impressive roll-up. Mick Webster gave a short show-and-tell about the Wheel Cactus work and then led a small team off to Edorado to spread more infested cactus pieces into new areas. Wheel Cactus […]

Newsletter 310 October 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #310 October 2021 Dear Friends, Due to COVID-19 restrictions for the size of outdoor groups, the October field day consisted of three separate wildflower walks with one led by Mick Webster in the Lancashire Gap Road area and the other two in the general area around the Honeyeater […]

Newsletter 315 April 2022

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #315 April 2022 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au Dear Friends, The April field day featured two groups: (i) Bartleys Block bird walk and wattle planting, (ii) weed […]

Newsletter 309 September 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #308 August 2021 Dear Friends, A recent COVID-19 lockdown in regional Victoria precluded having a field day in early September. Hopefully, we will be able to have one in October should the current limit of 10 for outdoor gatherings still apply.   Unusual Find – Caladenia carnea – […]

Newsletter 308 August 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #308 August 2021 Dear Friends, We have been very fortunate to have been able to have field days for most of this year and the limit of 10 people in a group has meant that a much wider variety of activities have taken place and allowed people to […]

Newsletter 307 July 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #307 July 2021 Dear Friends, The July field day was cold and bleak but the rain held off.  Two groups were formed with one group heading off to remove woody weeds in the Black Ball Mine Dam Bushland Reserve that is a small reserve on the outskirts of […]

Newsletter 302 Feb 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #302 February 2021 Dear Friends, The February field day included a gathering at the Grasslands Block to check on the plantings that took place in August 2018 and during 2020.  These plantings are doing well, and we took the opportunity to check two of the mammal nest boxes […]

Newsletter 300 Nov 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #300 November 2020 Dear Friends, An excellent last working field day for the year. Mick Webster led a group that went to Grasslands block and planted 30 acacia seedlings (A. aspera, A. pycnantha and A. paradoxa) around two of the dams, then had a leisurely morning tea with […]

Newsletter 301 Dec 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #301 December 2020 Dear Friends, 2020 has been a year that has taught us not to take some things for granted. The group has been affected by the various COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, but the members who live in or near Chiltern have done a great job of […]

Newsletter 299 Oct 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #299 October 2020 Dear Friends, Two groups were formed so that the numbers did not exceed 10. One group headed to Chiltern Valley No 2 Dam. Mick reports: Grass around hide cleared away, track along the dam was re-mowed, guards removed from dead plantings, nestboxes checked, thistles chipped, […]

Newsletter 298 Sept 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #298 September 2020 Dear Friends, This newsletter is much shorter than usual as the COVID-19 restrictions have necessarily impacted on how much could be done. However, thanks to the members who live in Chiltern, weeding has been carried out to the extent that I can report that the […]

Newsletter 297 Aug 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #297 August 2020 Dear Friends, August Field Day – Neville Bartlett The August field day took place with the expectation of tighter COVID-19 restrictions being imminent and a few days later this proved to be the case.  Once again, we formed two groups and headed to different parts […]

Newsletter 296 July 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #296 July 2020 Dear Friends, July Field Day – Neville Bartlett A very foggy day greeted us as we arrived at Chiltern so two groups headed to different parts of the Park. One group had the objective of clearing the walking track at Chiltern Valley No 2 Dam […]

Newsletter 295 June 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #295 June 2020 Dear Friends, Now that the lockdown associated with coronavirus/COVID-19 is being eased, it is now permissible to visit the Park in small groups and for our field days to re-commence with some restrictions. Banksia re-planting – Neville Bartlett As soon as COVID-19 restrictions eased at […]

Newsletter 294 May 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #294 May 2020 Dear Friends, Now that the lockdown associated with coronavirus/COVID-19 is being eased, it is now permissible to visit the Park in small groups. It is great to go out into the Park once again and check how much has changed over the last few months. […]

Newsletter 293 April 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #293 April 2020 Dear Friends, With the continued lockdown associated with coronavirus/COVID-19, gatherings continue to be postponed until further notice. Exercise close to place of residence is still allowed and it is great to get reports from Chiltern locals. The Bitter Cryptandra (Cryptandra amara) is doing very well […]

Newsletter 303 March 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #303 March 2021 Dear Friends, The March field day took place on a pleasant sunny day and attracted an attendance of about 20 people as well as three rangers. Everyone was in high spirits anticipating a morning at the Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve. After a brief introduction of […]

Newsletter 304 April 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #304 April 2021 Dear Friends, The April field day was postponed by a week due to Easter and the weather was particularly cold. Twenty-three people gathered at the Chiltern Post Office and then moved to the Donchi Hill area off the Rutherglen Road. The first mammal box featured […]

Newsletter 305 May 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #305 May 2021 Dear Friends, The May field day was split into three groups with one group tackling weeds at Mt Ochtertyre Reserve and the other two groups conducting bird surveys. The Mt Ochtertyre group drove sheep out, repaired the fence and killed many weeds (mostly olives but […]

Newsletter 306 June 2021

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #306 June 2021 Dear Friends, The June field day was cold and damp, but two groups of 10 people ventured off to Bartley’s Block and the Mt Ochtertyre/Mt Ophir Reserves. The first group tackled weeds at Bartley’s Block with most effort expended on removing Caper Spurge (Euphobia lathyris). […]

Newsletter 292 March 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #292 March 2020 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au Dear Friends, With the outbreak of coronavirus/COVID-19, gatherings are now postponed until further notice. Some of us will […]

Newsletter 291 February 2020

Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #291 Feb 2020 FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc. President : Neville Bartlett neville@nrbartlett.com.au  Ph: 0412 399 239 Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com Newsletter: Neville Bartlett:  neville@nrbartlett.com.au http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au Dear Friends, The intensity and scale of bush fires this season in such a diverse range of locations […]