Rewilding Stonnington: September-October 2026

RS BB HM1

Birrarung Banks: we did it!

Hey there Rewilders,

Thanks to everyone who turned out for our first ever working bee at Birrarung Banks in August.

We toiled. We dug. We weeded. We planted! Beginning what we trust will be a fruitful custodianship of this very special spot on the banks of our beloved Yarra River/Birrarung.

Not forgetting great working bees at Tooronga and BEAMI, and a terrific afternoon at the joint Stonnington and Glen Eira Councils' nature strip design workshop in Caulfield Park. It was inspiring to share the floor with Kieran Dickson and to meet so many keen gardeners/rewilders from both local areas. Our talk went over well and we learnt a lot too!

BEAMI wattle 0926

Upcoming events

Don't forget our next working bee this coming Sunday 27 September, 10am-12 noon at Windsor Siding Park.

Get over your Grand Final blues and into a solid spot of sheet mulching. We're up to Stage 3 work at Windsor, which is really exciting!

Then on into October. Events include:

Sunday 11: Back to Birrarung Banks

Sunday 18: Birds at Birrarung Banks, our event for Riverfest 2026 in partnership with KooyongKoot Alliance and The Yarra Link Project. Please note this event is SOLD OUT!

Wednesday 21, 7pm: Rewilding Stonnington Inc AGM at Midnight in Paris, High St Prahran. RS members and friends are most welcome - please RSVP by 14/10 to rewildingstonnington@gmail.com

Sunday 25: Prahran station. RS volunteers and community members welcome nb. 18+ only.

Please do join us at one or all sessions (assuming you booked for Birds at Birrarung Banks in time!). If not don't despair, there are plenty of other options ...

Other events through to December below. We're still sorting out details for our final working bee and picnic on 13 December but please save the date! Details in the next newsletter. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact us via the RS website or email rewildingstonnington@gmail.com

Working bees: 10am-12 noon second and last Sundays of the month unless otherwise noted

Schedule September-December

RS dates Sept-Dec 2026 rev c

Please check the Activities and Events page on the RS website for updates. To receive email updates for volunteers, come to a working bee! or get in touch via rewildingstonnington@gmail.com

In other news:

Council's draft Environment Strategy, Sustainable Stonnington 2040, is now open for community feedback. This major new initiative brings a range of existing policies under one umbrella and will set the course for policy and action plans for the environment in Stonnington through to 2040. We urge you to read these important documents and offer feedback, online via Connect Stonnington or direct to environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au by this coming Tuesday 29/9.

Council also proposes to rename 4 local parks. An Aboriginal name for South Yarra Siding Reserve, Barring Baluk Park, which means 'where we walk', has been developed in consultation with VicTrack and Wurundjeri elders. Feedback via Connect Stonnington is due by 8/10.

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association's wonderful Riverfest 2026 is also in full swing, through to 18/10. Check out the program via https://www.riverfest.org.au/. Key events include Confluence 2026: Community Waterways Forum at Fed Square, 10am-3pm on 17/10. Entry is free unless you want lunch (actually highly recommended). We'll see you there!

Info for new and returning volunteers

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome at RS working bees and events, apart from work at stations via the Station Volunteers Program, where an age limit of 18+ applies. We start each session with sign-on and a safety briefing, so please come on time; and do let the Safety Officer know about any medical, mobility or other issues that might limit what you can do or affect your capacity to work safely. Apart from that: dress for the weather. Please arrive wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toed shoes and a hat. Children or young people under 18 must be under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times; if you do plan on bringing young children along, please let us know in advance. We can supply hi-vis vests, gloves and hand tools including kids' trowels for littlies. If you prefer to use your own gloves or tools, that's fine but please make sure they are labelled! We carry a First Aid kit, but please remember to bring your own water, snacks and any medication e.g. an Epipen, if you are likely to need it. Above all, be ready to learn, share what you know with others - and have fun! We often finish the session at a nearby cafe, feel free to invite family and friends to join us.

Nadine at BEAMI 0826

Rewilding Stonnington: Donor Drive

We have been incredibly lucky to attract financial and in kind support for our work, from Stonnington Council, the Australian and Victorian Governments, local businesses and the sheer hard work of volunteers. Grateful though we are, project grants and in kind support don't cover essential core expenses. That's where you come in. Please click on the button below or check out the RS website to Donate now! and keep Rewilding Stonnington

Growing Wilder!

For Rewilding Stonnington Inc Committee of Management 2025-26: Alison Richards, Nadine Samaha, Mary Mahoney, Jason Whyte, Bob Hale, Bryan Hpa, Julie Laidler, Sarah Hui Li, Kirby Roper, Graham Ross, Grace Warner

RS LW 1

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