Connecting Country

05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day!
In this video, Costa gives a well-deserved shout out to all the Landcare, friends and other conservation volunteers out there restoring our landscapes.

The Mount Alexander Region has a huge number of active groups caring for country, many going on well passed 30 years.

Thank-you Landcarers, for all you do!

25/05/2026

Bird of the month: Rose Robin

This month local bird enthusiasts Damian Kelly and Jane Rusden from BirdLife Castlemaine District take a closer look at a welcomed colourful friend who comes to visit from the mountains over winter.

Learn more about the stunning small but showy Rose Robin on the Connecting Country website via the link below.

https://connectingcountry.org.au/bird-of-the-month-rose-robin/

Photo by Damian Kelly

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare North Central CMA Harcourt Valley Landcare BirdLife Castlemaine District BirdLife Australia Mount Alexander Shire Council

20/05/2026

We are big fans of local artist Jane Rusden. Not only is she a fabulous artist, but she regularly volunteers with us as a citizen scientist bird monitor and co-writer of our popular Bird of the Month program with BirdLife Castlemaine District.
Janes new exhibition ‘Life on the wing’ is launching on Thursday and will be sure to capture the beauty of our winged friends in stunning water coloured detail. Do yourselves a favour and go check it out!

Kate Millar, CEO of BirdLife Australia, is generously opening Life on the Wing at Artpuff Gallery in Castlemaine on Friday night. Jane is donating 5% of her income from the show to BirdLife. All welcome.

21 May to 8 June
Artpuff Gallery, The Mill, 9 Walker St, Castlemaine.

Opening night 5-7pm 22 Friday May
Gallery hours: 11-5 Thursday - Sunday, 11-3 public holidays.

BirdLife Australia

17/05/2026

Only a few spots left in our upcoming Mental Health First Aid Course starting this Friday!

This course is a great opportunity for Landcare and other community members to develop skills in providing initial support for another adult experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional support is provided or the crisis is resolved.

As we have seen in various climate disaster events over the years, Landcare and grass roots community organisations are often called upon to help coordinate and support community in the aftermath of disasters. Considering this, the Mental Health First Aid offers an opportunity for Landcare members to respond with confidence and base level knowledge when supporting community members who have experienced trauma.

This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.

Book here:

Connecting Country are hosting a 2 day Mental Health First Aid Course for Landcare members over two Fridays in Castlemaine. Friday 22 & 29 May....

15/05/2026

We’re here at The Good Shed at the Town Open Day with a huge group of local orgs showcasing all the good things there are to do in the Mount Alexander Region. Come down and say g’day and test your skills with our ‘Guess that Poo’ game and win a prize!

14/05/2026

Looking at you! Are you a nature lover interested in occasional conservation work on a beautiful reserve?

Bush Heritage Australia is looking to establish a Whatsapp group of potential volunteers in the Castlemaine/Newstead/Maldon area to accompany the Reserve Manager to work on BHA’s beautiful forest and heathland reserves in western Djaara Country.

How it will work: the Reserve Manager (who’s based in Castlemaine) will post a request from time to time seeking help on Reserve for a day. Volunteers (up to three, but typically one or two) would be picked up en route and dropped home afterwards. The reserves are an hour’s drive west of Maldon.

Tasks might include erosion mitigation, revegetation, weeding, fencing and basic infrastructure work. Please note the work can be physically challenging, and volunteers may be selected based on experience. How many days you put your hand up for is up to you: even one or two a year is very welcome. You’d need to register as a volunteer with Bush Heritage and comply with BHA safety protocols.

Bush Heritage is a not-for-profit co-founded by Bob Brown: you can find out more about the organisation and the Djaara reserves here: https://www.bushheritage.org.au/

Anyone interested please contact John van Tiggelen on [email protected] or 0407 339915.

07/05/2026

Don't forget to book your spot for the FREE Mental Health First Aid Course coming up on May 22 & 29! A great opportunity to upskill and build resilience in our community! Open to all community members!

Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group Castlemaine Landcare Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Harcourt Valley Landcare Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Mount Alexander Volunteer Network Mount Alexander Shire Council Mid-Loddon Landcare Network Trust for Nature Nature Network

30/04/2026

Connecting Country is offering FREE Mental Health First Aid Course for Landcare and community members. The course runs across two full days in May at the Uniting Church in Castlemaine.

This is a great course for building resilience in our community for disaster response.

Get in quick! Places are limited!

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Castlemaine Landcare Group Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Harcourt Valley Landcare Friends of MAINfm 94.9 Nature Network Mid-Loddon Landcare Network North Central CMA

29/04/2026

Great conversation between Dave Stephens and Tanya Loos on supporting wildlife through extreme weather tonight.

Check out Tanya’s book - Living with Wildlife - or the Connecting Country Healthy Landscapes Guide (available on our website) for more info on how to make your property more wildlife friendly.

27/04/2026

We can't wait to catch up with you at this awesome event! Come along! Bring a friend!

Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group North Harcourt & Sedgwick Landcare Harcourt Valley Landcare Nature Network Mid-Loddon Landcare Network Castlemaine Landcare Group BirdLife Castlemaine District Mount Alexander Shire Council