Our latest newsletter, Spring no.61, features biochar, hugelkultur gardening, tributes to Nick Massie, and to 3 retiring committee members, Brigitte’s amusing stories of caring for wildlife, a pollination corridor project, how to deal with European wasps plus various news items.
The latest issue of Victorian Landcare Magazine on roadsides features Newham Landcare’s “
Weedies”/roadside rangers, on pages 10- 11 – see https://www.landcarevic.org.au/landcare-magazine/spring-2020/the-weedies-newham-landcares-roadside-rangers/
The whole magazine is at https://www.landcarevic.org.au/state-government-news/issue-79-of-victorian-landcare-magazine-published/ if you don’t already receive a hard copy in the mail.
Our Landcare Library has moved from the Roberts to the Kny property. The list has been completely updated with online links to resources where available. Details are here. There is also a .pdf file for printing.
Nicholas John “Nick” Massie. Born 1 August 1949 in Shrewsbury, England, died 20 August 2020, Newham, Australia
Nick was a kind and very generous member of the Newham Community for 16 years. He became involved in many groups in our community over that time.
Nick was a founding member of the Newham District Landcare Group from its beginnings in 2004. He accepted a committee position in 2006 and served as President from 2015 through to 2018, continuing on committee until his death. During this time Nick helped to source and administer grant funding, organise events and collect newsletter items – his impeccable rainfall records have been features of our newsletter since 2015. Nick was always an active participant in Roadside Management Group working bees, and in planting at Hanging Rock and on private properties. He was a great advocate for Clean Up Australia Day, organising us all to participate every year in Newham.
He was a staunch supporter of Newham Primary School’s Landcare planting and clean ups which included moving play equipment and assisting in making the slide tunnel.
Nick was a member and Treasurer of the Newham Hall Committee for many years. One of the things that stands out was his persistence in project managing the hall renovations. This was a difficult time for all involved. But he kept his good humour and was determined to finish the job although the builder went AWOL.
Nick was a member of the Newham Local Planning committee, one of his main roles being to manage the building of the tennis court at the primary school and the BBQ facilities at Wesley Park.
The trees that now flank the road into Newham are an example of his tenacity. He overcame the objections of Vic Roads to get this to happen and did the Summer watering to keep them alive.
Our village’s rural feel owes a lot to Nick’s resolve in making sure inappropriate development was kept at bay through his knowledge of council procedures.
All of us at NDLG offer our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to Nick’s beloved wife Sue, a wonderful support to Nick throughout their long and happy marriage and his final illness.
There are some lovely photos and tributes to Nick, and a livestream of his funeral, at https://tjscott.etributes.com.au/etributes/nicholas-massie/
Thanks to Fran Spain for helping with this tribute
Nick Massie and the egg toss, Xmas 2018
Nick and Sue, Xmas BBQ
NDLG windcheater
Cold weather is here again! Order your NDLG windcheater – $45, sizes X and XL left. Helen at 5’8” is wearing a Medium, says it is the warmest, most wind-proof garment she has ever worn.
Available from the Roberts – email Penny
Our latest newsletter, Autumn/Winter no.60, features a photo essay on Snow Gums; an important message from our President; updates on our fauna spotlighting survey project, camera monitoring, and the Biolink; what some of us have been doing in Covid-19 isolation; a tribute to Jenny Waugh; Nick’s invaluable rainfall record; news items on cats, wildlife friendly fencing and interesting newsletters to subscribe to.
See the Projects page for updated information about NDLG’s major long-term project.
Newham and District Landcare Group has lost one of its founding members, Jenny Waugh, who passed away on Monday 20 April. All of us at NDLG offer our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to her beloved partner Jim Sansom.
Jenny was at the inaugural meeting of NDLG on 2 May 2004, when Jim was elected Chair. She was an active participant in the many projects and activities that followed. A respected biology teacher, as head of Science at PLC, and later a teacher at Braemar College, her knowledge of, and passion for, native plants, gardening and environmental issues is legendary.
Jenny led Grade 5 and 6 students in the sampling and analysis of water from Deep Creek for the Waterwatch program at Newham Primary School – once a month for over 13 years. She was involved in other science-based activities at the School, and President of NDLG during 2012.
Jenny was integral to the Newham community, for example as a core member of the Newham Garden Club, Newham Walking Group and the Store’s coffee gatherings.
Jenny and Jim Garden Club sale 2016
The many heartfelt tributes to Jenny at https://tjscott.etributes.com.au/etributes/jennifer-waugh/ testify to the memories we have of her wonderful smile, infectious laugh, great intellect and active participation in all things Landcare. We will remember her whenever we come together in the future.
Our latest newsletter – Summer 2020, no 59 features a joint project with the Shire on monitoring roadside biodiversity, and the ongoing work of the roadside “Weedies”; Newham Primary School’s specialist garden program; Brigitte’s popular blog – this one on a real character of a wombat; climate futures, CleanUp Australia and Nick’s rainfall report.
It also exhorts us all to stay well during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Regenerative agriculture can revolutionise the continent. That’s not a pie-in-the-sky utopia, but something we can all bring about”
