Bike ride with koalas

 A unique new tourism-based business will be launched on Saturday, December 20 on Raymond Island. Everyone is invited to come along at 2:00 pm to join in the fun of ‘Ride the Koalas’ Surrey bike hire free of charge.

This exciting business ‘Ride the Koalas’ will enable tourists to hire Surrey bikes to ride around the island following the already successful and popular Koala Trail.

Just imagine being able to enjoy a coffee, pick up a picnic hamper from one of the many cafes in Paynesville and then catching the Raymond Island Ferry as a passenger, no cost for pedestrians. Once on the island you can then hire a Surrey bike and ride around the island spotting not only the many Koalas but all manner of flora and fauna.

Victor has imported six Surrey Bikes, a popular family bicycle attraction in Europe and America, particularly at Florida’s Disney World. Both the two- and four-seater bikes are available for hourly hire, private and group booking seven days a week from December 21, 2014, for the summer holiday period. Four-seater and two-seater bikes are available so come as a couple or bring the whole family!

In addition to finding koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras, echidnas, dolphins, all manner of bird life and beautiful flora, including rare orchids, Raymond Island offers many stunning and easy destinations to ride. Views of McMillan Strait along Western Boulevard, to sunsets from Montague Point, Raymond Island is a truly unique place to visit.  

Ride The Koalas is also very proud to announce that they are now a sponsor of the Raymond Island Koala and Wildlife Shelter, a volunteer organisation doing wonderful work helping to sustain the Island’s internationally famous wild Koala population.

The owner, Victor Trofimovs, started holidaying on Raymond Island 15 years ago and has now, with his wife Victoria, settled permanently on the southern end of the island. Victor has acquired the artistic talents of locally born illustrator, Lachlan Millard, to design the graphics for the business. Lachlan’s very cute design offers unique branding for ‘Ride The Koalas’.    His cartoon-based characters perfectly capture the spirit and fun that this new business, and Raymond Island has to offer.

For further detail contact Victor Trofimovs from Ride The Koalas.

t: 5156 7332 | m: 0413 543 156 | e: info@ridethekoalas.com.au |
w:  www.ridethekoalas.com.au 

Ride The Koalas-Raymond Island

Island animals

Kay Mooney reminds us to look out for our harmless blue tongue lizards...  
These gentle, charming, Islanders do no harm, they are good to have around the garden cleaning up pests like snails and caterpillars.  My neighbour Fey has been encouraging them in her garden for years, she says they like chopped up pineapple or grated apple or a bit of mince meat.  At the moment many blue tongues are pregnant.  They're slow, and usually easy to miss on the road (unless you are going too fast, rushing to catch the ferry maybe) so cut them a little slack, slow down and missed them when they are on the road, they are just one of our delightful island inhabitants. 

A few facts: Proper name Tiliqua Scincoides Scincoides.  The largest member of the skink family with a size between 30 and 60 cm.  September to November is mating season gestation 3 to 5 mths.  they have up to 25 young  and live up to 30 years, if you don't flatten them with the car!  Their biggest predator is US, by lawn mowers, cars, cats and dogs; also currawongs kookaburras and snakes. And yes, their tongues are blue!

Also postscript feedback highlighting the need for care all around, from another Islander to our article about koala attacks:

I hope replying here is the appropriate way to respond to the articles in the newsletter.....
l'd like to have my say about the dog/s attacking the koalas....a truly horrible situation and dreadful death to suffer though l believe there are some people on the Island who might enjoy some finger pointing and nah nah nah...l told you so school yard behaviour. l'm sure it has occurred to some others that this sudden onslaught is very likely a new dog on the scene...maybe holiday maker or newcomer to the Island. Yes, l am a new comer and l have a dog and l walk her off the lead probably 90% of her life but she is very well trained, 91 in dog years, arthritic and at night curled up on her sheep skin snoring and farting....so l know she's innocent.Don't be too quick to blame you may just make a fool of yourself.

(Name provided)

Bushfire preparedness

Jack Pearce sent through an update for fire season preparation:

The CFA's 'Raymond Island Community Information Guide - bush fire' is published on the web site.

Please note that the 'How to stay in touch' section is out of date because we have a siren operating in this township. A recent CFA workshop advised that if there is a bushfire in the general area (around 20-30 km) the siren will sound continuously for five minutes night or day. Normally the siren will not be used at night.

Recent CFA workshop

Dog attacks on koalas feedback

Last week's notice about vicious attacks on koalas sparked feedback in several passionate emails.

One Islander wrote:

I walk regularly around McMillan Strait and often see dogs off the leash.  I used to suggest to the owners that they should be on a leash and always received a reply such as 'none of your business'  so I stopped, thinking that I was making a fool of myself and was turning into a nagging old so and so.  That has now changed and I will be pleased to refer to your article and try to embarrass them as much as possible.

Another correspondent is concerned that care is taken to have real evidence before accusing any owners or dogs unjustly:

Koalas can and do cause injuries, puncture marks, bite marks etc. to other koalas. Koalas will die, injuries can be post mortem after other causes of death like natural causes, age, fights, falls or disease, cars or ….? Who knows, a dead koala is food for scavengers. Dogs are certainly run on crown land unrestrained but, in all my time here, I have never encountered an unsupervised dog. I’ve seen a few that needed leads because of owner lack of control. Yes, the dog catcher has been on the Island and, according to [a neighbour], has warned him after some anonymous resident reported his lovely old dog for hanging about unrestrained. Whoever it was would know this dog is not a koala killer. 

Webmaster's note:
This is a real issue and care does need to be taken to make sure that the Island is a safe place for our koalas and our dogs. As a responsible dog owner and custodian of land where several koalas live, I'm very aware of the need to make sure that our koalas are kept safe and that our dogs are under control and not vulnerable to criticism (justified or unjustified)! This is a timely reminder.   

Dog attacks on koalas

Spate of vicious dog attacks on koalas in past week

Over the past week the Shelter has received calls to 3 badly injured koalas.

All these koalas have been savagely attacked by an unknown dog or dogs and sadly have all been euthanised.  The injures were all horrific one with head wound, one severe leg wound with the inside of her leg completely torn apart and the latest victim George with a severe wound to his rump area. We also had one koala found dead within the month, same vicinity with a large head wound and bite marks around the back of his neck. The area involved is Tenth / Twelfth block and the victims have been found close to the CFA building.

One resident in the area reported hearing a very brutal attack five nights ago describing it as a mauling with horrific screaming of what they thought was a cat being killed. Residents have also reported various owners who are allowing their dogs to run in the crown land unrestrained and unsupervised. The shire and DEPI have been notified and are investigating.

We are asking all residents and tourists to keep their dogs restrained. Please do not allow your dogs to chase the koalas or kangaroos and they should not be allowed to run free on the crown land this puts all animals at risk including children.

It is very sad that latest victim of attack was a Koala named ‘George Clooney’.  He was given this name by Leona of DEPI at the 2013 Koala Program. He was microchipped and not sterilised and released as good breeding stock due his excellent health and appearance. He was a koala that scored a healthy 5 on the condition chart, a very rare score on Raymond Island where the general score is 3 and all too often even lower.   He was a very big healthy male who was meant to be part of the long term breeding plan of a healthy Koala population for the Island. Koalas like George are rare. For George to be attacked so brutally and not escape sets off alarm bells as to who and what this dog is and what it is capable of.

If you have any information regarding the identity of this dog or dogs please call the Shire on 51539500 or DEPI on 51520600.

A little Christmas cheer

Kay Mooney reports on recent Islander activities:
Christmas lunch for the Tai Chi group...

 

  

Christmas break up for  La Viva Voce Choir...

 

 

...and Sixth Ave after 47mm of rain at the weekend.

 

 

Paynesville roadworks progress

The main street at Paynesville has changed enormously over the years:

Esplanade 1890 (courtesy NLA Trove)

Esplanade 1943 (courtesy NLA Trove)

This year, through all winter and spring, the eastern end of Paynesville's Esplanade has been receiving a significant facelift as part of the Shire's Paynesville Masterplan development (full plan on the Shire's web site). 

Kay Mooney was excited to see this week's progress...

It's true!  Today they began putting tar on the main street. The roadworks heroes were out there working like demons, the main street will soon be ready for Christmas and the holiday season.

Tourists on the island

Judy Mann writes:

As a resident of Raymond Island I am very happy with the enthusiasm and dedication, of a number of islanders that continue to look after the welfare of the island. The new seats look great, and when talking to the tourists who visit the island, they are very keen to do the Koala walk.
1.  Is there a way we can estimate the number of tourists that visit the island?
2.  Could a group look at a way to offer the tourists a stall for the selling of cold drinks?
3.  Also a stall that catered for souvenirs, say photos, key-rings, honey, plants, and other island memorabilia. Many overseas people buy tokens to take back to friends and family.This stall could open from 10.00am to 4.00pm weekends.  The profits could go back to improvements on the island, ie. more boardwalks, etc. I can assist with this project as I have experience in marketing.

A falcon's story

It's YOUR web site!

RINET gives individuals and groups opportunities to provide information about their activities on the Island. It also links to information that is of interest to islanders and is available through other sources. The site is independent from any group or organization and is a service provided at no cost to contributors. 

We want to keep the site alive, fun, and a terrific way to build our community on the Island - so your feedback about what you want to see on the site is important!

Please take a couple of minutes to complete 5 questions that tell us what you'd like to see on the site in our survey (it's anonymous unless you leave your name and email with your feedback!)

Cheers,
Jane
Webmaster

Fire preparedness workshop

Are you, your family and property prepared for the coming summer fire season?
Not sure what to do?

The CFA is here to help!

On Sunday November 30, 2014 come along to the (brand spanking new) Raymond Island Fire Station to learn how you can safe guard the things most precious to you.

Where: Raymond Island Fire Station – Tenth Avenue

When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Fire station opens

Last Sunday the new Raymond Island Fire Station was officially opened. Islanders enjoyed morning tea and then the official opening.

A successful start to our preparations for this year's fire season!

Acoustic music jam and singalong

Ferry Park Saturday 20 December

Hi folks,
All acoustic musicians welcome to meet at the Ferry Park on Saturday for a Jam and singalong session from noon. Bring friends and family (audience participation welcome) - Spread the word! BYO: BBQ food/drinks /chair/ instrument/copies of sheet music with lyrics and chords).

Recent jammers enjoying a session.

For more information phone Kay on 0427686347.

Christmas cakes for a good cause

Barbie's Xmas Cake Fundraiser.

Order now for Xmas.

$20.00 each.

Xmas Cakes can be delivered or can be picked up by 20 December or earlier if required.

Contact Barbie Richardson on m: 0434 374 210 or t: 5156 0465.

All proceeds will go to Skippy's Wildlife Refuge.

Skippy's Wildlife Refugee is a new shelter for injured or orphaned kangaroos on the island or in the East Gippsland area. So please contact me if you have any concern for an injured kangaroo.

(You can also ring Susie Pulis m: 0447 470 905 in emergencies - Susie and I have a great working relationship and are both here for the animals.) 

Thank you
Barbie Richardson

What's buzzing on Raymond Island Net

 Raymond Island's website is getting ready for bigger and better things in 2015, with the launch of a fresh look that will make reading easier and introduce new features and sections for visitors:

• photographic exhibitions
• guides to local plant and animal life
• regular traveller postcards
• reader polls and comments
• review and recipes
• swap meet
• rain gauge
• favorites from the old site revisited

Coming over summer!

Island fire station opens

Koala program update

Cuddles in the rain

Leona Waldegrave-Knight reports on the recent Koala Program. 

In total there were 106 captures.  We sterilised most of the new Koalas caught and some that had previously been caught but not sterilised. the only exception was the females with young. Regardless of a few issues on day one, the program ran extremely well. 

I want to thank all those involved; especially Lou for her excellent catering. The Gunai Kurnai rangers who were invaluable this year and can now be considered 'experienced'. Ethos for volunteering for the day. The excellent veterinary assistance from Main Street Vet clinic and Di and Jo from DEPI. Thanks to Colleen Wood for assisting and helping us have the extra team running. Harrie Fletcher and Stephen Manning also for volunteering (one day you will get paid for this work). Dave and Louie for again making themselves available for the program as tree climbers.   And I would really like to thank Susie Pulis and the volunteers for the effort they put in each day, they were there long after many had gone home for the day ensuring the Koalas recovered and for looking after the Koalas taken into care. It's very much appreciated. In fact, I also thank those that travelled, worked late, helped in preparation and all that were involved - thank-you. 

Leona Waldegrave-Knight / Wildlife Management 
Environment, Natural Resources & Fisheries, 
Gippsland Region | Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Flagging in the wind

Stella Sakkeus captured a wild day on the Strait...

Hello,

On returning from the display at the Community Hall a few of us got caught out on the way back to the ferry as an almighty wind gust came through (followed by many more) and we nearly got knocked off our feet. In a brief lull I took this image of the flags stretched to the limit as the ferry was buffeted. Well worth the effort to cross the stormy waters to see the Anniversary display. 

Many thanks to all who are involved.
Cheers!

Ferry's 125 anniversary

  Celebrations were held at Raymond Island over the Melbourne Cup Weekend at Raymond Island with many residents and visitors attending the events that commenced on Friday night with the History Exhibition in the Community Hall open during the weekly Happy Hour. 

Raymond Island History Group proudly supported by the Shire of East Gippsland and Raymond Island Community Association Inc held the celebrations to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the first wooden punt (vehicular service) that commenced in 1889. Ferry driver Ian Lewis decorated the ferry with commemorative 125th banners and the Australian flag as a centre piece with smaller flags along the cabin making an eye-catching sight.

 

With strong winds and rain on Saturday morning, the proposed Ferry Park activities were transferred to the Community Hall where Master of Ceremonies, Peter Markwell, welcomed guests and introduced dignitaries and thanked the sponsors and supporters of the celebrations. Event organiser Andrew Bould gave a short history of the Raymond Island Ferry Service and a Roll Call of Current and Past ferry drivers was made for each of the five vehicular ferries.

The Roll Call was completed with drivers and crews of the water taxi services. Reverend Edie Ashley of the Abbey of St Barnabas read from Midge Beesley’s Raymond Island- Past, Present and Future book written in 1986 with a few paragraphs of the uniqueness of the Island before making the first ‘Blessing of the Ferry’ with Reverend Geoff Pegler from Paynesville Uniting Church. East Gippsland Shire May, Cr Mark Reeves along with two long residing residents of the Island, Mrs Irene Bould and Mr Frank Hailey unveiled the 125th Anniversary Plaque which will be fitted to the ferry at a later date.
 

The cutting of the 125th Anniversary Cake was made by past ferry contractor Rod Wharton, current ferry contractor Ian Lewis and Warwick Hall, President of the Raymond Island Community Association Inc.
 
Following the formalities, a sausage sizzle lunch was provided to a very large crowd and entertained by the local entertainers, Moore Fiddling Around – Kay Moore and Don McColl, Stuart Hughes, Colin Wilson and Martin Richardson. 

The History Exhibition was then open and many enjoyed browsing the extensive ferry history records from the first service of a row boat in 1888, the first punt in 1889 to the present ferry. Several photograph display boards also provided interest to many past Islanders as they recalled their experiences with the ferry service. An interview with Mrs Irene Bould was made into a special feature video by Islander Victor Trofimovs combining history images and an interview with RICA President, Warwick Hall (See the presentation online). 

EGSC David Radford had the Shire archives team search for suitable ferry related artefacts from the Shire’s Archives and a video made by Crib Point Engineering in 1996/7 of the building, transporting and commissioning of the current ferry was found and converted for digital viewing. Paynesville Mens Shed had recently restored an old row boat of similar size to the original 1888 ferry boat and was on display as a replica at the entrance to the Community Hall, and creating many discussions about the early transport to Raymond Island.

The History Exhibition was open on both Sunday and Monday with many local residents from Paynesville and Raymond Island coming to the Community Hall and overall despite the bad weather on the Saturday, the entire weekend was a great success. Raymond Island History Group would like to thank the Shire, all sponsors, supporters and especially the community volunteers who made the celebrations such a great event.