MESAC

15/03/2026

BESS Bayside Fossil Museum will be having an Open Day on April 11th 2026
Details and Register through link: https://events.humanitix.com/prehistoric-bayside-open-day-saturday-11th-April
More details contact Benjamin Francischelli , Vertebrate Palaeontologist & Science Communicator
https://linktr.ee/a_fools_experiment

View a_fools_experiment’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

15/03/2026

Well worth reading, Dr. John Buckeridge, who has just written an article about Erosion and what it can tell us about geological history.
Did you know that at Rickett's Point the Sedimentary rocks that were deposited in the sea, are the only rock types exposed at Rickett’s Point. https://www.mesac.org.au

01/10/2025

MESAC has introduced a new page on its website to record "New Sightings" of wildlife around Ricketts Point Sanctuary.
You can check this out at mesac.org.au/new-sightings

07/04/2025

THE GOVERNMENT HASN’T ACCEPTED THE FIRST PETITION !

Read the full explanation here

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-termination-of-fisheries-officers-in-western-port-bay-and-port-phillip-bay/u/33403235?cs_tk=A2oO7Oi4t7GUTx1t_GcAAXicyyvNyQEABF8BvGQ0NzM4NzhmMGExYTVjNGUwNWQ1OTQ5ODM0YWIyNWIyNTU2ZmY2N2RlZWUzYWU2ODFkMTI3ZGUwMzZiZDQyOGE%3D&utm_campaign=97ccf035f78240159ba772416e7a3845&utm_content=initial_v0_9_0&utm_medium=email&utm_source=petition_update&utm_term=cs


SAVE OUR BAY

The State Government has decided to axe front line Fisheries officers.

They want to get rid of our fisheries enforcement teams and replace them with small team of “education officers”
“Without proper enforcement, nothing will stop people from taking more than their fair share, keeping undersized fish, and exploiting our fragile marine environment.”

This Government decision will have a disastrous effect on stopping severe poaching at Ricketts Point Sanctuary, which is a breeding ground and nursery for marine life.

A petition has been started to request the Government reconsider their decision.
Please protect our future by signing the petition which can be found here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/closure-of-fisheries-stations-in-metro-melbourne/

Further background can be found at this address:
http://www.savevicfisheries.com/

Save Vic Fisheries is a community-led movement fighting to protect Victoria’s fisheries and the vital work of Fisheries Officers. With proposed job cuts threatening sustainability and enforcement, we’re calling on the government to reverse these cuts and properly fund fisheries protection. Stay

30/11/2024

NEW MESAC Book released as a hard copy.

The Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary, Beaumaris, Victoria (plus comments on the local geology.)

The sixth book in the Urban Sanctuary series, describes the amphibians, reptiles and mammals that are known to live, or have been recorded, within the Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary at Beaumaris, Victoria.
Authors: Buckeridge, J. , Lewis, R.V. & J.G. Eichler. The book has now been delivered to various state, national, (and some overseas libraries), and remaining stock is limited.

A hard copy of this book and be ordered and purchased through
Beaumaris Books:
• 0422 522 007.
• Address: 24 South Concourse, Beaumaris VIC 3193.
Each of MESAC publications are also through our website https://mesac.org.au/newsletters-mesac/ available as a FREE downloadable PDF.

23/06/2024

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to our Winter Solstice Walk and Talk yesterday! It was so lovely to meet everyone and explore our beautiful Ricketts Point. Please contact us if you would like a copy of any of our books so we can organise some prints! You can view them at www.mesac.org.au 💙

25/05/2024

Winter Solstice Walk and Talk 2024
Link for bookings.

Events & Projects Winter Solstice Walk and Talk 2024 Rare opportunity to learn about our bay from local experts! Our Presenters are: Professor John Buckeridge, PhD, FGS John has lived in Beaumaris for 20 years. He is a world renowned palaeobiologist specializing in marine organisms and environmental...

25/05/2024

Winter Solstice Walk and Talk 2024
Come along and join Dr John Buckeridge and Jade Pearson-Smith in a fun exploration of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris, Victoria.
This MESAC event will be held on Sunday the 23rd June 2024.
Bookings are essential.
See the post above for more details and bookings

25/03/2024

Illegal fishing in Ricketts Point Marine Park.

A petition has been organised to seek a parliamentary inquiry into the failure of the regulatory department to prevent fishing in what is a protected marine reserve.

Show your support for this important initiative by signing the petition.
Details can be found at:

Protect Ricketts Point Marine Park from Illegal Fishing

20/01/2024

A message from Lana Austin, president of the Earthcare St Kilda association.
A short survey about the new St Kilda pier and its penguin colony

You may be aware that the St Kilda pier has been under redevelopment for some time and is due to open in mid-2024.
The new pier design will be better for the penguins, but it has not yet been decided how the community will access viewing of the colony.
The final decision lies with Parks Victoria, but they value Earthcare's advice.
If you could please spare a few minutes, we would appreciate your feedback via this Google Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDGQ3jBxP8ZI30_AsLfpKXHmwA14rBLLXWNl37PBAdhLsbeA/viewform?pli=1
Your input will help Earthcare best represent the community that has worked so hard to protect them.

Many thanks for your assistance!

Lana Austin
Ecologist
Assistant Lecturer
PhD Candidate
President of Earthcare St Kilda

The St Kilda breakwater is expected to reopen in 2024 and it is currently unclear what the future of penguin viewing will look like. What we know: The new penguin viewing boardwalk will run parallel to the breakwater and there will be no public access to the top of the breakwater (i.e., no more huma...