The Central Victorian Goldfields Bushland Research Centre is all about understanding the plant-animal interactions that are happening in our local woodlands. My big research interest is with the pollinators and pollination ecology of Australian Acacias, and on this website, you will find some surprising research into the iconic Golden Wattle…pollination occurring by birds eating flowers! It amazes me that so little research has been done with respect to identifying the pollinators of this genus of plants. This is where input from the audience is required…any observations of birds, insect species and other animals foraging amongst the blossoms of Acacias please let me know and I will follow it up (contact details bottom of page i.e. email).

My second real interest is with plants that have been of integral importance to the indigenous people of this great country…be it bush-tucker, bush-medicine or for creating useful appliances. I have made a start with identifying one of many potential threats to Murnong (Microseris spp.)…who are the pollinators? If the pollinators are not there or being sustained we could lose the remnant populations that remain.  Federation University is also actively engaged with researching the threats of Murnong, and helping to sustain and improve population numbers. They are calling for civic scientists to help out.

This site is purely not-for-profit, because my motive is to share the findings of what I have found out in the bush to facilitate the journey of others that have at least a fleeting interest in how our bush works. When I go for a bush-walk, my life journey, I want to appreciate and feel what is happening out there, so that I am part of a life bigger than the arbitrary constructs of systems. I want this to be a growing entity that involves people in the following areas:

• Students at primary, secondary and tertiary level

• Civic, Amateur (that is me) and Professional scientists (ecologists)

• People who associate with the bush be it bird-watcher, bush-walker, prospector, camper or just someone who takes an armchair interest.

• Plant propagators of indigenous plants and indigenous plant nurseries to help inform those that want to landscape their yards with indigenous plants.

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Check current research on "pollination of murnong and wattles" regarding research to date in Maryborough bushland of central Victorian goldfields region. Email if interested on contact details at bottom of this page.