Promoting the landscape & biodiversity values of Australia's Green Cauldron
Note: Links to other pages and websites are in darker brown text
Note: Links to other pages and websites are in darker brown text
New PhotoTrail: Lamington National Park (Binna Burra section)
A full day (departing from Murwillumbah Visitors Centre) or overnight stay at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge with a scenic drive through the Numinbah Gap into Qld (if no stops taken, actual driving time to Binna Burra is 1.5 hours). This section of Lamington National Park (a World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforest) offers a significant variety of walking tracks, from leisurely strolls to the full day border track to O'Reilly's.
Check it out on the PhotoTrails page
New PhotoTrail: Lamington National Park (Binna Burra section)
A full day (departing from Murwillumbah Visitors Centre) or overnight stay at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge with a scenic drive through the Numinbah Gap into Qld (if no stops taken, actual driving time to Binna Burra is 1.5 hours). This section of Lamington National Park (a World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforest) offers a significant variety of walking tracks, from leisurely strolls to the full day border track to O'Reilly's.
Check it out on the PhotoTrails page
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View to the west from Binna Burra Mountain Lodge From Rosins Lookout, Beechmont Plateau
Caldera Art Gallery News
Art classes are now back in full swing with tutor Jeff Gant conducting classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and now Saturday mornings. Andy Reimanis has handed over the reigns to Jeff for the Sat. morning class in order to free up time to concentrate on several unfinished projects and explore the Gondwana Rainforests from an artists perspective (watch for his travel blogs in future e-news editions). Ros Oakes continues to tutor every second Wednesday. Beginners as well as 'seasoned' artists are welcome to attend classes which have an emphasis on interpreting the natural environment whilst enjoying the process with like minded folk.
Please contact Jeff Gant or Roslyn Oakes for further information.
Caldera Art Gallery News
Art classes are now back in full swing with tutor Jeff Gant conducting classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and now Saturday mornings. Andy Reimanis has handed over the reigns to Jeff for the Sat. morning class in order to free up time to concentrate on several unfinished projects and explore the Gondwana Rainforests from an artists perspective (watch for his travel blogs in future e-news editions). Ros Oakes continues to tutor every second Wednesday. Beginners as well as 'seasoned' artists are welcome to attend classes which have an emphasis on interpreting the natural environment whilst enjoying the process with like minded folk.
Please contact Jeff Gant or Roslyn Oakes for further information.
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Caldera Artists at the Xmas party & Andy's farewell The CAG is ideally located next to the Tweed River, in the Murwillumbah Visitors Centre
Interactive Painting
One of the projects that CAG resident artist Andy Reimanis is currently working on is a large painting (2.4 x 1.8 m) of his interpretation of the eruption of the Tweed Shield volcano some 20 million years ago. A great deal of research has gone into this depiction in order to visually communicate the generally accepted geological processes leading to the iconic landmark we cherish today.
This 'work in progress' can be seen in the CAG, with Andy working on it Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. He is happy to field inquiries about the emerging artwork (except "how long has is it taken?"). In fact, as with the Green Cauldron Panorama, visitors are occasionally asked to assist by painting a tree.
Darcy Deardon (pictured below), whose family was visiting from Sydney, was one such budding artist who obliged.
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Riverbank Restoration Project
Earth Learning is partnering Tweed Shire Council, Tweed Landcare and the Murwillumbah Services Club to improve the riparian area of the Tweed River at McIlrath Park (opposite the services club). The Riverbank walk and Open-air Gallery enhances public amenity and recreation space while providing environmental education with artwork 'Ages of the Tweed' depicting Tweed landscapes, flora, fauna and their links to the Great Southern Land, Gondwana. The Tweed region is significant in providing a climatic refuge for plants and animals once widespead but now rare due to Australia's drying climate and is recognised as one the world's 35 biodiversity hotspots.
Recently, a successful fund raising event was conducted on site with a riverside breakfast by New Leaf Cafe, live music and a mural art demonstration.
Earth Learning is partnering Tweed Shire Council, Tweed Landcare and the Murwillumbah Services Club to improve the riparian area of the Tweed River at McIlrath Park (opposite the services club). The Riverbank walk and Open-air Gallery enhances public amenity and recreation space while providing environmental education with artwork 'Ages of the Tweed' depicting Tweed landscapes, flora, fauna and their links to the Great Southern Land, Gondwana. The Tweed region is significant in providing a climatic refuge for plants and animals once widespead but now rare due to Australia's drying climate and is recognised as one the world's 35 biodiversity hotspots.
Recently, a successful fund raising event was conducted on site with a riverside breakfast by New Leaf Cafe, live music and a mural art demonstration.
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Earth Learning Book: 'Gold'
Tweed based group Earth Learning has released a new picture book for kids called GOLD about local wildlife. Hastings river mouse finds 'GOLD' and sets off in search of a friend to share her find. Set in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, readers will encounter a handful of the amazing creatures which make up a tiny fraction of our living treasures. The book has been beautifully written and illustrated by children's author Jane Stadermann with contributions and endorsement from Earth Learning. A donation from the sale of each book will go to Earth Learning and are available on the Earth Learning website or locally at the Caldera Environment Centre, and Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre. |
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Artist of the Month - Sue McLeod
Residing in Myocum, south of Mullumbimby, Sue has enthusiastically made the journey to CAG art classes on a regular basis. Her passion for the birds of the region has led to several competent artworks depicting species which she has the good fortune to have living in her backyard. Sue has contributed to the 'Mystery Bird' segment and is an inspiration to the other artists with her knowledge of the birds of the region. Being very versatile in being able to make fine lines as well as large blended areas, soft pastels are her preferred medium.
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Rufous Fantail, pastel Rainforest Creek, pastel Southern Logrunner, pastel
Mark Brombal Photography
Murwillumbah based photographer, Mark Brombal, has contributed to our STORIES page with some great images and engaging narrative of his adventures exploring the region. A professional background in landscapes and trees has supported Mark to express his love of the natural world that has seen his photographic work exhibited, awarded and sold. Mark also kindly donated his time to assist with the CAG fitout and also photographing the completed Green Cauldron Panorama panels in 2012.
‘I’m passionate about the natural history of a landscape and how it has evolved into what we now see. The botanical history of the plant kingdom really draws my attention, together with the geology of a location and the natural elements and fauna that have evolved with it. I consider it a privilege to express my experiences of the natural world, through my photography’.
Murwillumbah based photographer, Mark Brombal, has contributed to our STORIES page with some great images and engaging narrative of his adventures exploring the region. A professional background in landscapes and trees has supported Mark to express his love of the natural world that has seen his photographic work exhibited, awarded and sold. Mark also kindly donated his time to assist with the CAG fitout and also photographing the completed Green Cauldron Panorama panels in 2012.
‘I’m passionate about the natural history of a landscape and how it has evolved into what we now see. The botanical history of the plant kingdom really draws my attention, together with the geology of a location and the natural elements and fauna that have evolved with it. I consider it a privilege to express my experiences of the natural world, through my photography’.
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Light Before the Storm Osprey with Catch
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Murwillumbah Art Trail (MAT) May 25-30th 2017
MAT business manager Natascha Wernick and curator Annie Long are continuing the work put into the previous two years this event has been held. "We have a vision for the MAT to be the most exciting creative event in the Tweed Shire. As an annual event for our regional art deco town, we wish to attract both national and international tourists to immerse themselves in our unique culture. We want our town to be shining like a diamond and the businesses, artists and the community to benefit from the creative experiences we provide. We wish to create opportunities to inspire and develop artistic talent, enhance local creative identity, promote a sense of place and highlight our Murwillumbah as a destination for cultural tourism". Please visit the MAT website to see how you can support this special event. The CAG will once again be on 'the map'. |
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Rainforest Symposium March 23 & 24 Robina Gold Coast
A decade since the last major rainforest conference in eastern Australia, Rainforests of Subtropical Australia (ROSA) offers the very latest in rainforest science and restoration with guest speaker sessions on climate change, threatened species and revegetation. |
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Mystery Bird Quiz
The answer to last month's quiz (lower right): Female Olive-backed Oriole
This month's images (below) are both of the same bird. Interestingly, with its head turned at a slightly different angle, plumage colour and shade vary somewhat. This phenomena is more pronounced when the sun is low on the horizon, making bird identification more of a challenge.
Your ID suggestions to [email protected] Answer published in next e-news
Mystery Bird Quiz
The answer to last month's quiz (lower right): Female Olive-backed Oriole
This month's images (below) are both of the same bird. Interestingly, with its head turned at a slightly different angle, plumage colour and shade vary somewhat. This phenomena is more pronounced when the sun is low on the horizon, making bird identification more of a challenge.
Your ID suggestions to [email protected] Answer published in next e-news
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Birdlife Northern Rivers Field Trips
BirdLife Northern Rivers was formed in 2013 by a Bird Observation & Conservation Australia (BOCA) affiliate,Tweed Bird Observers, whom had been active in the Tweed region for almost twenty years. The new title was adopted to recognise membership as residents of the Tweed, Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore area. Regular monthly outings are facilitated on the second Sunday of the month, starting at 7.30am NSW time from February through December. Usually arranged up to six months in advance, details are provided on their website and member newsletter. New participants are most welcome to come along. |
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Shorebirds Survey Fingal Head & Letitia Spit
Stop Press! Come on a relaxing walk and learn about your local shorebirds for FREE this Saturday! Bring a friend! All welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Bookings are essential…Don’t miss out! Click for further details David Charley of Wildsearch Environmental Services will be leading the survey. |
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Next e-news is scheduled for April 2017, with (possibly) another new PhotoTrail
Next e-news is scheduled for April 2017, with (possibly) another new PhotoTrail