May 23, 2017

Forrest Futures – World Cafe Workshop

Thanks to all who attended this very important day… What a great day had at Forrest on Sunday. Thank you all for making this day the success it was in support of the Forrest Community.  It was very pleasing to see so many people come along to discuss the things that are important for them...
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May 20, 2017

DELWP Forrest Futures Project – Workcentre Use Transition Engagement

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will shortly be relocating its Otway presence from Forrest to Barwon Downs. The Department is keen to ensure that the local community plays a significant part in decision-making on what the properties, now ‘surplus to requirements’, might be used for. Consultation so far To date, the...
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May 16, 2017

Poisonous mushrooms growing in the area

Extreme caution is advised when picking and consuming wild mushrooms – if in doubt, don’t consume. Poisonous mushrooms including Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow-staining mushrooms are currently growing around Victoria as a result of recent heavy rains. Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison. There is no home test...
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April 11, 2017

Otway Fields…

Frans and Ami Hillege came to the Otways via a life in the corporate world six years ago. They have built a lifestyle where they have learned to be more self-sufficient and where they live as sustainably as possible. “Growing and sourcing organic produce is important to us. We follow organic food growing practises on...
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January 22, 2017

Community consultation on future of DELWP sites at Forrest

This week, Forrest residents have the opportunity to suggest future uses for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) facilities at Forrest. The open house sessions across 27 – 28 January come as the DELWP workforce at Forrest prepares to move into new facilities at Barwon Downs. The building and relocation program is...
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October 10, 2016

Local harvest: more than a mushroom

Paul Troughton first came across the cultivation of shiitakes while backpacking in England. His Zen Buddhist employer was cultivating them in the forest and selling at Covent Garden Market. Many years later Paul and wife Wendy were looking for a way to diversify their dairy farm income. ‘We got over here and joined the Otway...
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