Secretary’s Notes

Spring has sprung and lots of nest building is happening. Let’s hope this year’s babies stay tucked up cozy in their nests until ready to fledge. Baby birds have started coming into care already, particularly ducklings.

This year’s Rotary Raffle will be starting on 26^th September. WRIN will be helping sell tickets every Tuesday up until 16^th December. Tickets are sold at various locations and we have rostered times of 10am to 12pm, 12pm to 2pm & 2pm to 4pm. If you are interested in helping out, give me call on 0419 582 102 or email secretary@wrin.asn.au.
We are also doing lots of stalls this Spring and Summer. Contact me if you are interested in helping out at any of them. Only has to be a couple of hours. See the “Event Calendar” section above.

We have 6 new members, and 19 renewals. We have received donations.

A new printer has been purchased.

Jo Fisher wanted the committees’ decision on whether to proceed with any of the discussed issues she had with Lu-Wei Spinks of the COGB.

• WRIN giving a presentation to COGB on what we do.
• Participate in the School Sustainability Summit in September 2025.
• Recruitment of new carers through the COGB e-newsletter.
• Regular reporting on the seasonal movement of animals & birds. Advocating to Vic Roads to reduce the speed in identified ‘hot spots’.
• Contact Macedon wildlife care and city council to see in what ways we can collaborate.
• Consider arranging a wildlife awareness month
• Planning of new housing developments. Are wildlife corridors and consideration of wildlife part of the planning process?

All agreed to go ahead with these suggestions.

Michelle had a meeting with Development Victoria regarding the Retreat Rd building site kangaroos. They had been scared out of the last section by dogs and workers closed the gates so they could not get back in. Workers did not help keep kangaroos off roads, or herd them to a safer area. DV claims workers acted as advised; not to deal with the kangaroos in any way and if they see kangaroos stressed, injured or in the enclosure, they are to ring Bendigo Animal Hospital. Also after they were locked out, a lady scared them onto roads when she was taking photos of them, resulting in a mum kangaroo being hit by a car and dying and the joey coming into care. A letter box drop was done in the local area to inform locals to slow down in the area and to report any stressed or injured kangaroos. Michelle also approached Jacinta Allen’s office about the situation and they offered to reimburse WRIN for the flyers.

Jenny brought to our attention that Biolinks Alliance – Connecting Central Victoria is asking for donations towards restoring ecosystems for gliders and other creatures in the Central Victorian area. Jenny asked if WRIN could make a contribution to this project. Brenda motioned to donate $1,000, Jenny seconded the motion and all agreed.

Proceeds received:

$973.50 Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Kangaroo Flat

$495.55 WRIN donation tin from stalls over the last two years

$62.80 Donation tin from Golden City Mitre 10

$147.00 Nature in the Mall stall

$55.35 Fountain Health Foods donation tin

The Ninth Row Winery has contacted WRIN advising they would like to become a corporate member and also donate 10 cents from every bottle of wine they sell.

Annual General Meeting

Treasurer reported total income for financial year was $32,503 and expenses $31,954 leaving a profit for the year of $549. Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet handed out. We had a wonderful year in fundraising, receiving $23,713 in donations this year due to an $8,000 bequeath, $2,000 donation to Denise Bridges, $2,500 from Rotary Raffle, $1,800 grant for the CVBA and we held 4 Bunnings Sausage Sizzles averaging $1,100 each, also received many large donations over the year. Expenses have increased a bit due to the ‘no limit’ to mileage reimbursements starting in April and expect an even larger increase next year due to the ‘no limit‘ mileage and an increase from $500 to $2,000 in carer reimbursements.

Office bearers for the next 12 months are:

• President : Lynne Waller
• Vice Preident: Jenny Somerville
• Secretary: Brenda Argus
• Treasurer: Brenda Argus
• Ordinary Member 1: Carolyn Carter
• Ordinary Member 2: Rosie Galea
• Ordinary Member 3: Michelle Mead

Parliamentary Inquiry into Wildlife Roadstrike

The Victorian Government is currently holding an Inquiry into the impact of wildlife road strike. Those impacted by road strikes in any way were able to make submissions to the inquiry earlier in the year. The aim of the inquiry was to look at the current legislation and regulations for monitoring wildlife road strikes, promoting driver education and raising awareness.

There were a number of points of reference discussed to fully explore the impact road strikes have on members of the community and it is hoped that the results will help to find solutions to reduce the trauma and frequency of wildlife killed on our roads.

WRIN members were invited to speak at one of the inquiry hearings held at The All Seasons in Bendigo. Joanne Fischer, Brenda Argus and Michelle Mead spoke at the hearing representing WRIN and Ian Slattery (rescuer/darter) spoke representing himself. This provided a great opportunity to outline the impact road strikes have had on our organisation locally especially on our rescuers and carers. Since January, over 120 kangaroos have been killed in traffic collisions in our region. This is a devastating statistic and is just the tip of the iceberg as many are not reported to WRIN. Whilst kangaroos are the main native species impacted, road strikes also affect wombats, possums, echidna and birds.

WRIN members were able to highlight not just the severity of the issue in our region; Bendigo has been identified as a “road strike hot spot” but also some of the contributing factors such as speed, lack of signage, driver education and increasing development. At the Inquiry WRIN also provided members an opportunity to learn more about solutions that are being explored to help find ways to coexist with our beautiful unique wildlife and keep them safe from road strikes. Solutions such as innovative technology, improved driver education, speed reduction and more creative signage. Future support for wildlife carers was also discussed, both financial and emotional, as the trauma experienced by both wildlife carers and shooters is significant, as was universal reporting of road strikes as trying to access accurate data is currently difficult but is essential for implementing changes.

The results of the Inquiry will be released in November and hopefully will lead to a better safer future for our wildlife. In you would like more information regarding the Inquiry visit: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/wildliferoadstrike

Central Victorian Bat Alliance

Bendigo based Central Victorian Bat Alliance (CVBA) proudly delivers a range of community information sessions including outreach events to support and advocate for all bats and Grey-headed Flying-foxes in Rosalind Park. In September and October we join COGB, WRIN and local groups to deliver information sessions and activities in Rosalind Park and Hargreaves Mall during school holidays. Everyone enjoys viewing bats and their behaviors through binoculars; we find these events offer a unique experience for people to safely and respectfully view roosting Flying-foxes, mostly for the first time! This experience helps people identify bats as unique individuals with their own roosting style, temperament and personality; this is crucial as identifying with an individual and/or a group and, based on fear-free evidence based information, is a first step to build understanding and empathy! We are also pleased to receive invitations from local groups, councils and schools to provide talks and information about bats and Flying-foxes.

Our AGM in August saw CVBA members elect a new committee for 2025/26 and endorse vital policies taking us forward. Congratulations Sam Brand re-elected Chair, Avery Barnett-Dacey elected Vice-Chair, Michelle Mead elected Treasurer, Kerrie Norris elected Signatory, and Julie Sloan re-elected Secretary- we all look forward to a great year ahead working collaboratively for all bats.

CVBA invite you to tune in to PhoenixFM 106.7 to listen to a community radio program called Bats and Banter where Michelle, Julie and the team discuss batty news, topics of local interest, outreach events, wildlife conservation and fascinating interviews from 12pm-1.00pm. A recent game changer was an interview about environmental education positively impacting learner perceptions towards bats in South African schools with South African bat researcher Veli Mdluli -thanks Veli for a super interview. To debunk myth and misinformation we educate and inform using evidence based information; if you have something to share about bats or wildlife please get in touch, we would love to interview you! Bats and Banter also play great music so please tune in and make a request via SMS 04 777 51 358. Finally, if interested in bat and Flying-fox conservation we welcome you to a friendly monthly meeting – please feel free to contact secretary.cvballiance@gmail.com for details.

Wildlife

The rakali, Australia’s largest native rodent, was crowned the most underrated animal by the public in ABC’s National Science Week poll in 2025. Known for its water-loving characteristics, including partially webbed feet, waterproof fur, and a rudder-like tail, the rakali is a resilient, omnivorous mammal that can be found in various habitats across Australia, from urban waterways to coasts and mountains.

Why the Rakali was voted most underrated:

Cultural significance: 

The Ngarrindjeri people of South Australia use the Indigenous name “rakali” for this animal, which symbolizes the connection between freshwater and saltwater environments. 

A “furry water ninja”: 

Researchers describe rakali as being incredibly agile in the water, using their specialized adaptations to swim quickly and efficiently. 

Ecological hero: 

Rakali are resourceful predators that can eat invasive species like cane toads without being harmed, making them a crucial part of Australia’s ecosystem. 

Rakali characteristics:

Amphibious nature: 

As Australia’s only amphibious mammals alongside the platypus, they are perfectly adapted for life both in and out of water. 

Physical features: 

They possess waterproof pelts, a rudder-like tail that aids in swimming and steering, and partially webbed hind feet for propulsion. 

Adaptive diet: 

They primarily forage for aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans, and mussels, but will also eat birds’ eggs and frogs. 

Australia’s very own version of the otter, the rakali or water rat has a list of unique adaptions that make this native rodent more at home in the water than on land.

Shy and nocturnal, the rakali is the largest member of the Australian native rodent family and is also uniquely, one of Australia’s only mammals to safely enjoy a meal of the highly toxic cane toad. 

Although often confused with a land rat, the rakali behaves more like the otter or platypus. With waterproof fur that repels the water and dries quickly once on land, rakali are black to brown with an orange to white belly and a white tipped dark tail.

With a body shape perfectly adapted to glide through the water, the rakali is elongated and streamlined with small ears that can be folded against its head. A thick tail that acts like a rudder, along with partially webbed hind feet, makes the rakali perfectly suited to its aquatic environment. 

The rakali is found throughout Australia, in places where there is a permanent fresh water source all year long. Making their home in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, far north and southwest Western Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria, within lakes, estuaries and rivers. Rakalis are also found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesian West Papua. 

An adaptable animal that is resilient, the rakali can survive in most conditions, even polluted waterways and has been noted to live side-by-side with humans in highly populated areas. Being a semi-aquatic mammal has allowed this water rat to elude would-be predators by hiding on both land or in waterways.  

Living within a burrow on the low banks of waterways, the rakali needs plenty of riparian vegetation and bank stability to survive. With a home range of between 1 and 4 kms of the waterway, the rakali is a mostly solitary animal that is territorial.

The rakali has a collection of whiskers that surround its face, which are highly sensitive and help it to forage underwater at night. The dinner menu is varied and long, and includes fish, aquatic insects, aquatic plants, crayfish, clams, mussels, crabs and even water birds and their eggs, frogs, and turtles. But one toxic dinner preference has seen the rakali be the subject of studies and research, after it was found feasting on the highly poisonous cane toad. Intelligent and resourceful, the water rat flips the toad over to avoid the poisonous glands found on the back of the toad’s neck and uses surgical-like precision to neatly remove the heart, liver, and toxic gall bladder before eating the rest. 

Like most native rodents, the rakali produces several litters of young each year when conditions are favourable, after reaching maturity at 1 year old. Litters usually consist of 2 to 4 young who arrive in the warmer months of the year, around one month after mating in late winter or early spring.

This semi-aquatic mammal plays an important role in Australia’s ecosystem. Rakali eat fungi and help to spread the fungi spores throughout the soil through their droppings. These spores then allow native plants to extract water and nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen from the soil in which they grow.