ECA Vic Camp at Beaufort

Join us for another great ECA Vic Camp with flora meanders, a detection dog demonstration, stargazing, spotlighting, a bioblitz, a GSM survey and more! Our program for the weekend will be announced closer to the date but a provisional schedule can be found below.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to relax, socialise, go for a swim and explore.

This event will be a great get-together for consultants of all levels, early career folk and students alike.

Site

Access to the site is easy off the Western Highway, and takes approximately 2 hours from Melbourne.

The property is 2/3 native pasture and 1/3 bush on the escarpment facing northwest. All of the native pasture and bush is legally protected by a conservation covenant and subject to a strict management plan that prohibits any soil disturbance. The native pasture is home to a significant population of threatened Golden Sun Moth.

There is a house, a little rough being post demolition but pre-renovation, but good shelter. The Woolshed is up the hill on the ridge surrounded by big Red Stringybarks but sheltered from the strong westerly winds. There is a large deep cool dam in the gully below the house with terraces that help you get in to swim.

Proposed Activities / Schedule (rough outline)

(a detailed schedule will be provided prior to the event to registered participants)

Participants are welcome to arrive on Friday or alternatively on Saturday morning.

• Friday, 6 November

Arrival anytime from 2pm.

Evening: Welcome, Housekeeping and Inductions

Night: Campfire & Stargazing

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• Saturday, 7 November

Morning: Coffee run/jog/meander to Beaufort for coffee and breakfast, with flora spotting on the way

10am-12pm: Detection Dog demonstration

1pm-5pm: Local excursion TBC (e.g. nearby windfarm, National Parks)

Evening: Catered BBQ

Night: Spotlighting (Eastern Pygmy Possum), Invert Sampling, Frog Survey

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• Sunday, 8 November

Morning: Coffee run/jog/meander to Beaufort for coffee and breakfast, with flora spotting

10am-12pm: Golden Sun Moth monitoring, Rare plant species search (Bioblitz)

Afternoon: optional excursion on the way home (TBC)

Catering

Participants will be expected to bring their own meals and snacks (except for Saturday night). We will set up a kitchen at the Woolshed with 2 burner stove, BBQ, pizza oven and basic pots and cooking utensils. People can bring ingredients or whole dishes to share or cooperate on meals. Bringing a plate, utensils and cup is the minimum and likely all that you will strictly need for the weekend. There is an IGA supermarket in Beaufort.

Saturday and Sunday morning: There is the opportunity to join a stroll/jog into Beaufort on Saturday and Sunday morning to get coffee and breakfast at the bakery, and to look at the local flora on the way.

Saturday dinner: Dinner for Saturday evening will be provided and is included in the ticket price.

Attendees to bring

- All snacks and meals except Saturday night dinner

- All camping gear including a tent

- torch with red filter if available, otherwise normal torch (we will have red adhesive tape available)

- Appropriate clothing such as enclosed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket and sun hat. PPE such as gaiters

- Backpack, sunscreen, large water bottle

Camping, Water, Toilets and Hygiene

There will be plenty of space for camping. There is a water tank and kitchen sink with running water at the house. Water from the tank can be used but participants are asked to be conservative. If you are easily capable or want special drinking water, it may be useful to bring your own water but this is not strictly required. There is a flush toilet at the house and a latrine at the Woolshed, and there will be a portable toilet set up for the event as well.

Kids

Kids are very welcome but parents/guardians must supervise at all times and keep them safe and happy. Activities for kids such as spotlighting, flora bingo and invert sampling will be provided. Children under the age of 10 can attend for free on any ticket.

Carpooling

If you need a lift or have an extra seat in your car, please message us on admin@ecavic.org.au so we can facilitate carpooling.

Tickets

Members: $100

Non-Members: $140

Students: $80

Family (member): $170

Family (non-member): $200

All tickets include dinner on Saturday night.

Family tickets are suitable for 2 adults and their kids.

Children aged 10 and under can attend for free on any ticket. Please provide the child’s name and age at checkout.

Not a member? We are offering a 20% discount on membership for this event!

This is how it works:

1. Email us on admin@ecavic.org.au

2. Receive your 20% discount code

3. Save 20% on your membership, book a ticket at the member price and enjoy many other benefits.

The Membership Discount offer is aimed at new members and can only be used once in a lifetime.

Disclaimer

If there are extreme conditions (heat, bushfire risk etc.), the camp will be cancelled.

Photo Credit: Emi Arnold.