Mayor4Unley

It is important to get more dog friendly water fountains in our parks across #Unley. The new style of fountains are also more people friendly, enabling bottles to be easily filled. I'm passionate about improving the amenities in our parks. These fountains with dog drinking bowls will also help provide water to heat stressed koalas and other wildlife during summer. We need more of these fountains and as #Mayor I will push for that to happen. Driving change in Unley. Your best choice (by far)! Vote 1 BOB SCHNELL #Mayor4Unley The photo was taken by a local resident and sent with a thank-you note. Yes, the grass needs to be repaired around this new fountain. That will happen soon. Written and authorised by bob schnell 10 halmon avenue everard park 5035

A fantastic good news story from Unley Council ... Unley has a number of strategically placed Wildlife Boxes at various locations within the City to support the breeding and habitat survival of our local fauna. A total of 28 Artificial Hollows/Boxes were installed in June 2009. They were erected in Ridge and Heywood Parks, with a single box installed on Windsor St. Over the years Council has built up the number of boxes to where we now have 121 located across all part of the City on Council parks, reserves or verges (106), schools (12) and private property (3). Each year, as part of an environmental initiative, Council is provided with a report on the outcomes, success or otherwise of fauna use. As part of this monitoring process, each box is assessed for any changes that have taken place and to determine whether possible maintenance issues have arisen. This process is required to ensure that the wildlife value of the boxes are maintained and that public safety is observed. Tow...

It was a big storm a couple of days ago; with wild wind. The next day I surveyed the damage in the backyard. Several of my prized pine cones from the Queensland Kauri Pine tree were lying on the ground. Whilst holding one of the cones and contemplating what size it might have become, I felt a tugging at my trousers and looked down and was surprised to find a Pikachu Pokemon; they are still in the area. They're tough critters and being somewhat annoyed, I  considered dropping the heavy pine cone on Pikachu.

Koalas are cute and cuddly love a cuddle. Actually, they will tolerate a cuddle, but they do dislike people. However, in times of stress like fire, floods and heatwave they tolerate being helped; especially getting a drink from bowl or a water bottle; they will sit next to you, clasp the bottle and take a drink. They are one of the few Australian native animals that can't be domesticated. After being rescued and cared for, even for months, when released back into the bush they take off up a tree and don't look back. During tough times, we need to rescue them and look after them until it is time to release them. It's important to know just what to do. An organisation called Fauna Rescue Team (telephone 08-72260017) has released a document on what to do; and what not to do. The document is called Koala Important Summer Survival (KISS). There are several important KISS tips: Water. Definitely Yes, they do need a drink; preferably from a shallow tray. Swimming Pools. ...

All I want for Christmas … is a croc claw back-scratcher. Its just $45 !! a Bargain, and made (and produced) in Australia. I spotted an advertisement for a back-scratcher made from the claw of a deceased crocodile. It sounds like the perfect scratcher. I just love a good back-scratcher and the dog ate the last one. These are made in Darwin by CrocStockandBarra company who do most of their trading at the local markets in Darwin. According to the advertisement ' it’s made from a real crocodile claw and taxidermied to keep the scales on and preserve the natural colour of the crocodile, This back-scratcher is not just a novelty but really gets at those hard to reach itches.' for more information ... http://crocstockandbarra.com/

I have a family of spotted doves living in and near my back yard. Actually it's a rather extended family. The number of visitors seems to be increasing. I would prefer to have the Australian native top knot pigeon visit, but it's spotted doves. They get fed with mixed seeds each morning and if they're lucky again at dusk. A couple are quite tame and walk up to me, totally unafraid. They sometimes come near me to escape when others are aggressively chasing them. Two years ago I climbed a ladder to peer inside a nest. There were two feathered chicks peering at me and I'm convinced that my face formed a bonding image; just like a duckling adores the chicken hen that hatched it. Since then, these two birds see me as a friend and are totally unafraid. It's nice to be loved.

There used to be a bounty on the scalp of every dingo. Now, a recent study by the University of Adelaide has revealed that dingoes can actually deliver economic gain to cattle stations. The report demonstrates that in optimum conditions the cattle farmers could gain up to $0.83 per hectare each year; that’s $83,000 per 100,000-hectare station – simply by dingoes' natural control of kangaroos and goats. When there are too many herbivores on the land, the cattle will eat less pasture, grow more slowly and sell for a lower price at the market. Obviously you wouldn’t encourage dingoes in sheep farming country. For more information,  read this link

Fred is a Sulphur Crested cockatoo and lives in an animal sanctuary in Tassie. He's just turned 100 years. He was born way back when the young men (and female nurses) of Australia were heading off to fight in World War I. Fred's birthday hit the news big time because he received a congratulatory letter from the Queen. This is her custom, but usually she doesn't write to cockatoos. Cockatoos can live up to 40 years in the wild. In captivity (as pampered pets) they often live to 60-80 years. There was a huge party for Fred and he had a few words to say after devouring a sunflower seed pie. He enjoys the company of humans and detests the company of other cockatoos, especially galahs. Fred seems to be in good health and will probably enjoy another 10-20 birthdays. For more information, Google Fred cockatoo

The month long South Australian Living Artists (SALA) festival has started. Unley plays a pivotal role in promoting SALA. As a promotion for SALA I was asked to don a white deer mask at a recent Unley Council meeting. It made the night that much more interesting. See the attached photo. I was joined by Councillor Peter Hughes and Mayor Lachlan Clyne. The initiative of white deer masks is the brainchild of filmmaker Chris Warman. He has been roaming Adelaide and asking people on the streets to wear a white mask and be photographed. So far, no-one has declined. ps off to the side, out of view sits Councillor Anthony Lapidge with his white deer mask. He's from a different herd and  didn't  want to sit with us.

The Adelaide Zoo is suffering from a heated social media war that has erupted over the Zoo’s decision to switch ice cream brands – from palm oil free SA company Golden North to Streets which uses palm oil in its products. Golden North made the decision back in 2009 to stop using using palm oil. It seems that the Zoo simply made a commercial decision and went with a cheaper deal with foreign owned Streets. This is despite the Zoo stating in the past that it would not sell any products made from palm oil. At the time, the Zoo also stated that u nless immediate action is taken Sumatran Orangutans could be extinct in the wild within 10 years as the production of palm oil increases to meet consumer demand. It’s very sad that the Zoo has made this decision. That decision, which encourages production of palm oil will result in more forests being felled, more Orangutans dying and being killed, more Orangutan orphans and a faster path to their extinction in the wild … the ir...

It's Tuesday night and I volunteered to cook. Over the weekend I went to the the Sunday Farmers Market (at the Showground,  Goodwood). I bought a 1kg pack of Kinkawooka of mussels from the Eyre Peninsular - available year round, the size varies on the season. $9 per kg for non members. Fantastic value! I cooked thin spaghetti, boiled mussels for 3m45s tossed in a sauce of finely cut (half) onion and garlic, Italian parsley, butter, oil, cream and home made Harissa. So simple and fantastic. Left overs for lunch tomorrow. Yum! Next time at the Market, buy a pack of mussels. They are live and in oxygenated saltwater and keep in the fridge for 10 days. The female mussels are orange in colour whilst the males are creamy white. There seem to be more females than males. Further studies are required. Mussels are rich in omega 3, iodine, zinc and selenium - so go for it. Also they have more iron content than fillet steak. On reflection, that would be a rather small steak. Giv...

The International Day for Biological Diversity is to be celebrated on Thursday 22 May, 2014 @ Forestville Reserve. International Day for Biological Diversity Community Event Date: Thursday, 22 May 2014 Venue: Forestville Reserve Time: 10am – 2pm Activities on the day include nest box building, planting native plants and biodiversity talks. Register your interest in participating in the event by contacting Scott Douglas on 8372 5118 or sdouglas@unley.sa.gov.au

Unley Councillor Mike Hudson (of Parkside) certainly has bravery for treading where others often dare venture. At times we share sentiments, but on many occasions I leave him to walk ahead through the mine field. He must be commended for his brave stance on cats and proposed restrictions on keeping them in Unley. It took page one of the local Eastern Courier Messenger this week. The reality is that his comments were not as controversial as I was expecting. In fact, Mike Hudson was a bit of a pussy cat when it came down to what controls should be introduced. It is unlikely that this issue will now be raised (by him) at Unley Council. What are your thoughts? Should Unley introduce cat controls? I say, no. Leave it as is. There are very few complaints about cats. Besides, it is a difficult and very costly matter to deal with.

It seems that every day there is a day for something, to celebrate or recognise something. Well, this Sunday it is Dolphin Day. The following is sourced from the SA Government Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources ... Dolphin Day 2014 Celebrate Dolphin Day with the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the Port River dolphins, the beautiful sanctuary they live in and how we can care for and protect them. Sunday 16 March 10am-4pm Port Adelaide Lighthouse Square The day is full of activities, including: • dolphin cruises • a Dolphin Trail with the chance to win great prizes • meet Splash the dolphin mascot in the children’s area for lots of dolphin fun • face painting and bouncy castle for the kids • interactive kids show featuring Splash live on stage • information and dolphin activity stalls • scientific talks • “Life in the Sanctuary” photography exhibition There’s also the opportunity to win...

Years ago, just like the English imported their pests (rabbits, foxes, sparrows, etc.) to Australia ... Australian possums were exported to New Zealand, to be hunted for their fur. They became a pest and conservation groups have supported culling programs. The New Zealanders used their initiative on how to use possum fur and created a product called Ecowool which comprises a blend of fine merino wool and possum fur. Here's an extract from a website ... possum fur clothing Possum fur is silky smooth to the touch and is the ultimate in luxury when used to create furnishings, footwear or garments. Possum Merino is a luxurious and unique New Zealand yarn made from blending two of nature's finest fibres - hand selected possum fur and superfine merino wool. Each fibre is hollow and thus gives excellent insulation whilst ensuring that the garments are light and very soft. As well as incredible softness and warmth the yarn is strong and durable. It wears better than c...

We hear about bat or flying fox problems in other states. In the Adelaide Botantical Garden we have our own community of grey-headed flying foxes. They are a mega-bat native to Australia and is our largest bat.  Adults are huge with an average wingspan up to 1 metre and they can weigh up to 1 kg. Pop along and see them. Here's a link for more information Grey-headed flying fox @ Botanical Garden

The works associated with the Goodwood Junction Project (the Seaford railway realignment) at Goodwood/Millswood had a severe impact on the habitats for local or visiting fauna. ie. trees were cut down or severely pruned and birds/bats/possums lost their homes. Unley Council was proactive - and in partnership with the Department of Transport, a zoologist (James Smith) teamed up with local schools to build nesting boxes. The enthusiasm of the kids involved can be seen in the colours on many of the boxes. The boxes have been placed in neighbouring streets and parks, schools and private properties adjacent to the rail corridor. Some locations are: Black Forest Primary School, Goodwood Primary School, Forestville Reserve, Devon Street, Railway Terrace, Lyons Parade, Cromer Parade and Goodwood Oval. The Council will provide longer term maintenance of these boxes. A total of 42 fauna boxes are now located in trees near the rail corridor. Council already had 52 boxes located elsewhere i...

Recently I visited Adamooka (600km north of Adelaide) to escape city life and to try my hand at noodling for opals. It's an interesting town - full of colourful characters. Adamooka's water supply comes from Roxby Downs which desalinates water from a bore field in the Great Artesian Basin, 150km away. I stayed in a local motel which was basic, but comfortable. Trust me, anywhere out of the heat and flies is comfortable. I noticed a local innovative manner of attending to a leaking 'garden' hose. See the photo attached. Why make the effort to fix it. Nearby, I noticed a local who appeared in the early evening - a lizard, in fact a Bearded Dragon. What he likes is for a human to catch a grasshopper and feed him via tongs. Tongs are optional, but the lizard can easily confuse fingers for grasshoppers. See the photo attached. The Bearded Dragon did get his grasshopper that night. He also enjoyed a drink from a bowl in the shade.

This hot weather is hard on the birds and bees and other creatures that call our backyards home. We sit inside comforted by an air conditioner while those outside search for shade and water. Put low bowls of water in the yard and ideally have an elevated bird bath. You will be amazed by the life that these water sources attract. Top up the bird bath daily - in fact, during the days of intense heat I need to top up it up twice a day. There must be a strong hive of bees in a tree nearby - I've noticed that bees are 'flocking' to the bird bath to get a drink. There are endless flights to and from the water. Don't be worried about by the bees - just don't stand in their flight path. Here is a photo of bees drinking from the bird bath at home. The bird bath is set amongst chilli bushes and an overgrown Italian parsley, (and yes I know that the bird bath does need a clean).