Friends of the Organ Pipes

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

We have started moving the plots from last year’s plantings —the plants are finally strong enough to survive the kangaroos’ enthusiastic snacking without being pulled out by the roots. The plots have been a game changer for helping new plants establish while giving the native grasses a much needed break from constant grazing. Looking forward to this year's planting season.

19/05/2026

Winter is coming. 🐺

That means that it is time to prepare for another planting season at the Eastern Grassland. There is a lot of work to do and big plans for this year. 💪

We have seen so much success over the past three years, due entirely to all of your amazing work and dedication. 🙌 Hopefully you are all just as excited as we are to build on everyone's hard work and continue watching it really bloom. 🌻🪻💮

This month's working bee will take place on Saturday the 23rd of May. Please meet at the Visitor's Centre at 9am. As usual, we are planning a BBQ lunch from 12. 🌭

17/05/2026

12/05/2026

One of our volunteers spotted ants farming scale insects on a eucalypt 🌿🐜

Scale are tiny sap-sucking pests that damage plants, causing yellow leaves, sticky honeydew, and sooty mould. The ants? They’re harvesting that sugary honeydew as food — protecting the scale from predators and even moving them to the best feeding spots. Nature’s very own farming system in action.

07/05/2026

01/05/2026

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Carl Rayner, whose early involvement with the Friends of Organ Pipes and the wider Keilor Plains community helped shape the conservation landscape we know today. Beginning in the late 1970s, Carl immersed himself in Victoria’s growing network of nature groups — VNPA, ACF, SGAP and the Field Naturalists — and soon found his way to Organ Pipes.

It was here, alongside mentors like Barry Kemp and Don Marsh, that Carl developed a deep passion for the native flora of the Keilor Plains. He grew countless plants at home, walked the rail reserves in search of remnant grasslands, and became a determined advocate for their protection. His discovery of the Evans Street Grassland in Sunbury in 1983, a remarkable, intact native grassland,sparked a decade-long effort to secure its future. Carl wrote letters, met councillors, and worked tirelessly with others until the site was finally protected.

Carl’s commitment to the landscape was practical, persistent, and deeply felt. He propagated plants for Organ Pipes, supported early restoration efforts, and helped build the knowledge base that so many of us rely on today. We acknowledge his passing with gratitude for the legacy he leaves across the Keilor Plains and the Organ Pipes community.

Photo L-R- Carl Rayner, Barry Kemp, Don Marsh at the Organ Pipes

28/04/2026

There are so many insects loving our grassland. One of our amazing volunteers spotted this Praying Mantis watching us work.

01/04/2026

FOOPS Finds 💙🌱
Just when our group is out here direct seeding Blue Devils…a volunteer turns up with a Blue Devils sign from years ago.

Some things were clearly meant to grow. 😉✨

24/03/2026

This month's working bee will take place this coming Saturday the 28th of March. Please meet at the Visitor's Centre at 9am. As usual, we are planning a BBQ lunch from 12pm.

We will we venturing beyond tesselated pavement this month to see what work needs to be done along the (yet to be renamed) Tame St Drain. Surely, there will be lots of hardy weeds which should be no match for our intrepid volunteers. 💪

Photo credit