Have you ever been to a ‘Listening In’? It’s like a film screening only they say the pictures are better and it feels more intimate.
As part of Landcare Week, the immersive audio documentary Taking Root in Barkers Creek will be presented at the Phee Broadway Theatre on the evening of Wednesday August 6.
The soundwork tells the almost 30-year story of the local landcare group and the long struggle to restore health to the goldfields of central Victoria.
The podcast is the work of Barkers Creek audio producer Kyla Brettle – whose podcast Everything we need won the Climate Award at the 2024 Australian Podcasting Awards – and also features many Mount Alexander Shire people and stories.
“It’s great to have an opportunity to share local stories with a local audience,” Kyla said.
“Landcare groups are at the coalface of the ecological crisis and provide a key service for the whole community.”
Kyla said it was ironic that Mount Alexander Shire has the greatest concentration of environment groups in the world – but still a big need for more hands. She hopes people might come to the Listening In out of curiosity or because they want to learn more about what landcare does.
The Listening In is part of a broader event called ‘Taking Root and Branching Out’. It’s run by Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group and Connecting Country to launch an ambitious plan to restore health to a 35ha bushland reserve in Barkers Creek.
Secretary of the group Cath Jolly said everyone was excited by the project.
“We love the idea of out competing the weeds by repairing the landscape, retaining some water and helping indigenous plants to be healthy,” Cath said.
“It’s a well loved slice of nature in the heart of Barkers Creek, and we look forward to working with Djaara, Parks Vic, Connecting Country and our neighbours to turn upside down country the right way up again.”
Part of the purpose of the event is to share evidence-based strategies for ecological repair of landscapes damaged by the gold rush. These techniques have been developed by the not-for-profit Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance and will be presented by local ecologist Paul Foreman.
“The aim is to make sure the bush and waterways can regenerate and survive more extreme conditions,” Cath said.
“The techniques include ripping along contour lines on the slopes to help retain water, rather than create erosion and run off. We also plan to do some tree thinning, promoting the growth of larger tree canopies and encourage more understorey growth.
“We will measure and monitor impacts, so that we can respond to what is or isn’t working.”
Connecting Country director and co-host of the event Lori Arthur said the Barkers Creek project added to momentum of several environment projects led by landcare groups that were happening across Mount Alexander Shire, including the Campbells Creek and also Forest Creek work and broader shire perspective.
“It’s great to see landcare and friends of groups swapping stories and sharing knowledge – and hopefully the event will attract a few unfamiliar faces too,” Lori said.
To secure your ticket to this special event, visit www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1419684
