Dear Supporter
More people are out in the park during work hours and in leisure time – it must be spring! It’s a good time to reconnect your children and family to nature to help improve their health and wellbeing.
We are very pleased that Shane Wakelin has joined us as Ambassador of the Junior Ranger Camps program! “The most enduring and enjoyable memories of my childhood were the many adventures I had in the great outdoors - the excitement, the sense of adventure and the anticipation of discovering and exploring nature.” Welcome aboard Shane and we look forward to many families joining your family in the park this spring.
We are also delighted that ExxonMobil have confirmed that they are continuing their sponsorship of the Sea Search program this year; ExxonMobil have partnered the program since its inception. With the bay’s water temperature rising ever so slightly over recent weeks, our volunteers will be out monitoring in force so why not head down and see what it’s all about – our bay has many undiscovered treasures!
We are gearing up for our end of year appeal so consider putting a few dollars aside this Christmas and make a tax deductible donation towards our Junior Ranger Camps Program; your donation can help underprivileged children see a world beyond their own.
Kind Regards,
Jenny Holliday, CEO
 School Volunteering Program
Mullauna College has participated in 4 weeks of community volunteering through our school volunteering program. Sessions ranged from tree planting in Royal Park, weeding and clearing at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and marine monitoring at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, through our Sea Search program.
The school volunteering program encompasses a mixture of volunteer work and environmental education.
Read more....
Feel Blue Touch Green
The Ecotherapy Program for Carers created in partnership with Villa Maria has run for its first week, with our next session due this Thursday, 19th November.
Our first session focused on an environmental education infused walk through the Dandenong Ranges National Park with Ranger Judi Turnham. The following weeks will focus on activities which explore the different ways in which to use nature for relaxation, including sessions on forest meditation and creativity through art.
If you live East of Melbourne and care for a family member or friend who is frail, aged or suffers from a mental illness - this program is designed to give you some time out, in nature.
Click here for further information.
Victorian Subtidal Identification Kits
The fantastic new Victorian Subtidal ID Kits were recently launched at a series of species identification workshops at Queenscliff, Williamstown and Inverloch. A joint project between People & Parks Foundation and Reef Watch Victoria, these kits include underwater ID cards which you can take whilst you do underwater surveys, including # species of our local fish, invertebrates and plant life.
Read more...
Charity Restaurant - April 2-8, 2010
Charity Restaurant will be a premier destination, combining exceptional ocean views and a gastronomic journey of dishes featuring the finest Australian seafood cuisine and, is at the philanthropic forefront as Australia's only restaurant and world class conference facility over the ocean, established to benefit charities.
Hosting a variety of seafood industry conferences, meetings and a series of philanthropic events, the grand dinning room will accommodate 300 guests for lunch and dinner daily.
100% of the proceeds from Charity Restaurant on Sunday April 4th 2010, will benefit People & Parks Foundation.
Dining at Chairty Restaurant on Sunday April 4th will not only be a gastronomical seafood experience, it is tax deductible and supports the work of People & Parks Foundation.
Book online today at www.charityrestaurant.com.au
Business of the Month - Very Edible Gardens
Very Edible Gardens is a Melbourne-based company specialising in permaculture design. In order to help people succeed in growing food at home, VEG also installs organic vegetable gardens, sets up fruit orchards, and facilitates courses on topics ranging from organic food gardening to worms and backyard chooks.
VEG is a collaborative business that has grown out of the permablitz network (www.permablitz.net). A permablitz is a day on which volunteers come together to install edible gardens, share knowledge, build community networks and have fun.
Visit www.veryediblegardens.com for further information.
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In This Issue
 And Also...Caitlin's Retreat update
More and more families are looking to access Caitlin's Retreat – particularly over the holiday season.
“This is an amazing facility and what you are doing to assist families who need a break is incredible” said one mum of a child with spina bifida, from a small township near Kinglake, who is still waiting for their home to be rebuilt after the Black Saturday fires.
Read more...
Wilson's Promontory Fund
People & Parks has established the Wilson's Promontory Fund with a goal to raise $1million to help create an open space project with linked environmental activities and interpretation outcomes.
If every visitor to the park made a $2 tax deductible donation to the Fund, we would achieve this goal!
Read more...
Woodend Children's Park
An extraordinary three year community project finally came to fruition on Tuesday 27 October, when the Woodend Children's Park was officially handed over to the public.
The Hon. Peter Batchelor MP and Macedon Ranges Mayor. John Letchford formally opened the park and paid tribute to the phenomenal community spirit that has made this volunteer project so successful.
Read more...
Upcoming Sea Search events
All Sea Search volunteers are welcome to join in any of our Sea Search activities (events are updated on our website), even if it is not at your local MPA. To register for an event please contact Jacqui Pocklington on (03) 8627 4615 or email jpocklin@peopleandparks.org
Click here for current event details.
Corporate Volunteering
Our corporate volunteering program has been very active over the last couple of months, with several companies undertaking volunteering days. Our thanks to GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Booz & Co, Deakin University and Exxon Mobil among others.
We are currently accepting bookings for the 2010 planting season. Please contact Rachel Laurie on 8627 4890 if you wish to register your company.
Read more...
Marine Connections
With waters warming in the lead up to summer, Sea Search and Reef Life Survey have been a hub of marine activity.
Click here for Sea Search news.
Click here for Reef Life Survey news.
2009 Report to the Community
If you haven’t already, please read about our achievements over the past year, and the ways in which you, the community, have helped us improve park spaces and access for all to enjoy.
Download the 2009 Report to the Community (2MB PDF)
Twitter
Keep up to date with where we are and what we're up to by following us on Twitter.
www.twitter.com/peopleparks
Get Involved
Help us in creating a healthy environment and a healthy community. Donate or volunteer today!
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