Early autumn (late March to end of May) is known as Gwangal Moronn – season of honey bees in the Brambuk seasonal cycle of the Gariwerd region. In our local area, this means:
Locals and visitors have captured the images below in Black Range during Gwangal Moronn. They were either shared on the iNaturalist platform or provided by locals with permission directly.
BRLMG hosted two events in March 2026 that seek to inspire and enable landholders to engage on the issue of feral animal impacts as part of an integrated approach to a broader conservation/land management strategy.
The first event was a workshop involving 10 local landholders/participants being trained by a commercial wildmeat processor (Aaron Hemley – Callawadda Free Range Pet Food). Participants learned how to process feral deer and rabbits from the field, and butcher their meat for private use.
Trainees participated in activities such as knife inspection and sharpening, skinning, butchering different cuts, mincing and using a dehydrator. Participants appreciated Aaron’s friendly, patient and accommodating instructions and left feeling more confident to process feral animals from their own properties. They also took away several different cuts of meat to try cooking at home.
The second event was a dinner held at Grampians Estate. Adam Racina made wonderful food for us from both rabbit and venison, showing how to cook well with the lesser cuts of venison.
The night featured two stimulating guest speakers. Johannes Wenzel of the Victorian Deer Control Community Network spoke on research into the startling increase in deer numbers across Victoria (a feral deer population can surge by 34% to 50% percent annually). Amy Coetsee of Zoos Victoria recounted her experience of reintroducing bandicoots to areas protected from foxes, noting their benefits to soil re-engineering (bandicoots move an average of 13 kilos of soil per night).
The theme of the night was to educate and inspire diners to explore ‘eating the feral problem’ and participate in managing ecological problems in practical ways. We’ve had very positive feedback on the event, and it was pretty evident on the night that the great food, wine and conversation was enjoyed!
Thanks to Tom and Sarah Guthrie for hosting us at Grampians Estate, to Adam and Brooke from La Pinta Restaurant in Reservoir for the fabulous food shared with ease. Adam has kindly shared the skewers recipe which was requested by many. His other recipes from the night will be shared in forthcoming BRLMG newsletter editions.
Venison Skewers
Marinate
20gr black peppercorns
5gr coriander seeds
3gr allspice berries
3 gr fenugreek seeds
Gently toast and grind the spices to a powder. Cut venison into strips and marinate with spices and some oil overnight. Thread on to a skewer and BBQ over high heat. Whilst cooking brush with something with a bit of sugar like a fruit jam or a fruit juice reduction.
The Workshop and Dinner were part of the BRLMG project ‘Black Range resilient biodiversity through inspired community action on pests’, supported by the Victorian Government through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Partnerships Against Pests Grants Program.
Conducted by Mark Farrer (BRLMG co-founder and former Pest Animals and Plant advisor), Joe Terry (Parks Victoria), and Loki McIntyre (Project Platypus), this training will cover rabbit warren fumigation method using a warren smoker (as part of Integrated Rabbit Control Rabbit Program, Planning & Implementation), trapping of foxes and feral cats demonstration and a canid (fox) pest injector demonstration.
This half-day training event is open to BRLMG members, key contractors and partner organisations. Invitations will be sent in the weeks before the event. Please reach out to [email protected] if you do not receive an invitation but have a strong interest in this topic as there may be some extra places available.
Gwyn Jones, director of Integrated Agriculture and author of ’Turning weeds into solutions: read the weed’ will present a webinar in preparation for his visit on the weekend of 5/6 September 2026.
The webinar will briefly introduce some concepts from his approach to thinking about weeds in local plant succession, as environmental indicators, and as part of the repair of soil health, as well as knowing when and when not to use herbicide. Gwyn will present an outline of the concepts and approach that he will expand on at the field day in September, and we’ll also have time for questions.
To book your place, please contact Tanya Coburn at [email protected] or 0422 019 970.
Make sure to save the date for the field day with Gwyn Jones which is Saturday 5 September 2026 9:30am - 3:30pm, details to be advised. Gwyn will also be available on Sunday 6 September for consultations about weeds and addressing soil erosion on individual landholdings. Please let Tanya know if you would like more information.
And if you would like to read about Gwyn’s approach, we have a couple of copies of his book in the BRLMG library.
As part of our cool Cultural Burning program in partnership with Traditional Custodians of Black Range Country, we have an annual gathering to walk together and observe an area of recent cool burn, and discuss writings and ideas on the role of fire as a tool in land management. More details to follow, but for now, pencil in the date.
As the weather cools, now’s the time to start tackling invasive plants and planning rabbit control.
Weeds: Boneseed and Gorse (see pics below) can be treated from May, weather permitting. Herbicides for priority weeds are available to Black Range landholders — contact Mark Farrer (0491 133 779) for supply details.
Rabbits: Start mapping warrens and clearing weedy harbour (like old Blackberries or Gorse) to prepare for winter fumigation. The Landmate Crew can assist with warren fumigation in June–July 2026. Contact Mark for help.
Feral Deer & Goats: Keep a lookout and record sightings or damage on FeralSCAN to help direct future control and funding efforts.
✅ Other useful resources:
Victorian Gorse Taskforce | Agriculture Victoria Weeds - Boneseed
Let’s get a jump on weeds and pests before winter sets in!
The Black Range Landholders WhatsApp is a great communication tool for members and other local landholders to share upcoming external events (eg hosted by Landcare Vic, Project Platypus, Australian Plant Society) as well as informal landholder-led activities. Please contact [email protected] to be added to this group.
