What's on this June in the Bend!

As the weather turns icy and we descend into the darkest part of the year, we hope you will be warmed by the events we have planned for you, encouraging you to emerge and come together, in our quest for environmental care and community care.

We are still in Waring (Wombat) Season. The moths are emerging as a major food source for birds, possums are mating – listen out for the call of the male sugar gliders who make a monotonous but adorable “yapping”.  

The month is off to an active start with the fantastic Big Walk taking place on Sunday 7 June. Meet at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery at 10am. The walk is estimated to arrive at St Andrews at approximately 3.30pm – then head to A Boy Named Sue for drinks and pizza.  

Warm up during the week and prepare to brave the morning cold to enjoy some bird song and spotting on Sunday 14 June at the monthly Bird Survey. This monthly event crucially adds to the data for birds in our special area and puts you in tune with the bird life. Please meet 8.30am at the top of Catani Boulevard.  

The BICA General Meeting will now be taking place on Sunday 14 June, starting at 3pm, come down to 100 Catani Boulevard to get updates on what BICA has been working on and how you can get involved, as well as a talk from a special guest! Hope to see you there.  

Our regular Cafe Benders is the best place to catch up and connect on all things Bend related Saturday 20 June. Meet new folk, check in with old friends and talk about your weeding challenges for the season. This is a brilliant way to support our amazing friends at the Fire Brigade, so bring all your bags of loose change to buy scrumptious home baked cakes and some of the best home-made coffee. Suitable for all ages, bring the whole family!  

Later on Saturday 20 June, we will be turning to the skies for a special winter solstice stargazing event. The winter solstice is one of the oldest celebrations on earth, a moment humans have marked for thousands of years by gathering together and looking up. Join us at Christmas Hills Hall to mark the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, with a guided stargazing experience hosted by Jessie Stewart from Yarra Valley Stargazing.  

As the sky darkens, we'll turn our eyes (and telescope) upward to explore the night sky together. Jessie will guide us through the stars, moon and deep sky objects, and you'll get the chance to peer through her telescope at some of the universe's sights up close. Come along and remember just how vast and ancient the sky above us is. More details to follow ...

The weeds are out in force, friends! Have you noticed their delicate but insistent tendrils? It’s time to attend to the important issues we constantly face in the Bend, on Sunday 21 June Landcare. A great opportunity to bring photos of your place with queries. There’s truly no better way to spend a Sunday than moving our bodies together in service of planet.   

A heads-up that Cinema Night scheduled for Saturday 27 June has been postponed to a later date.  

A reminder as well that the new BICA website is live. A huge thank you again to the wonderful team who have worked hard to create this new site. It is looking fantastic! Find it at www.bendofislands.org.au .  

That's all for this month! Hope you have a wonderful time and hope to see you at one, if not a few, of these lovely events.    

The BICA Committee Team.

Artwork by local artist Jess Jarvie.