Moon fest full of family fun

BANNOCKBURN Bush Reserve was alive with community activity on Sunday, as its Friends group and Geelong Landcare Network hosted the long-awaited Full Moon Festival.

Although rain showers were scattered through the day, organiser Stuart McCallum said the festivities ran smoothly, as attendees, presenters, and musical performers grounded themselves in the natural environment, gaining a greater understanding of the life within it, and its value.

“People interested in connecting with, and learning about nature are a hardy bunch, and those that did attend had a great day. There were so many smiling faces,” he said.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Barry Gilson, conducted a smoking ceremony and provided a First Nations context of the Bannockburn Bush Reserve’s native plants and animals.

“He was also able to discover later in the day, a range of flaked stone artefacts showing evidence of previous occupation of the site for thousands of years,” Mr McCallum said.

Bridge building was supervised by David Bruce, while kids also got stuck into nature art, cubby construction, a lost animals scavenger hunt, and had their faces painted.

“It was good to see the kids enjoying building bridges. It was also good to show people what is in the bush,” Mr Bruce said.

Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary spoke about koala releases in the reserve, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority shared information about the water bug populations in the area’s big puddles, and Ballarat Environment Network’s Roger Thomas led a bush walk.

“Those attending the nature walk saw a range of wildflowers such as everlastings, chocolate lilies, goodenias and bluebells, as well as less obvious ones such as pennyworts in flower, and several interesting species of grasses, both native and exotic,” Mr Thomas said.

“The snowy mint bush was seen in both white and light mauve, and a pink-flowering yellow gum was seen too.

“A white-winged chough was seen sitting on her mud nest, and rufous whistlers and other birds were singing nicely.”

The Mink Mila Band provided music from the sheltered back of a truck, while attendees were warmed by a barbecue lunch by Bannockburn Lions Club, soup, tea and coffee.

“At the end of the day, it was very nice to sit around the campfire, cook some warming damper on a stick, and discuss natural resource management in the area,” Mr McCallum said.

“Our aim in organising this event was not only to have a good time, but also to introduce to our extend peoples the knowledge of our fascinating natural and cultural history.

“The excellent team of people from Geelong Landcare Network and Friends of Bannockburn Bush gave so much of their time to finally make this event happen. We all learned more about the reserve and there were several calls for a repeat event.”

On the day, Geelong Landcare Network also shared their plans to establish a Bruce’s Creek Landcare group in Bannockburn. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in getting involved.