Explorers & Connectors

Join me to explore the stunning '1000 Steps' in the Dandenong Ranges, the first section of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk.
For those who would like to, we can catch the train together from Southern Cross to Upper Fern Tree Gully, a chance to chat, connect, make new friends before we begin our walk.
The track starts at the Fern Tree Gully picnic grounds, the staircase winds up a steep hill along a creek through rainforest, before emerging into a clearing where we can enjoy beautiful views of Melbourne through the trees. We will complete the loop by taking the Lyrebird Track back to the picnic grounds, and will stop in at the 1000 Steps Cafe for a coffee or something to eat.
The Dandenong's is home to beautiful flora and fauna, including giant Mountain Ash trees, Rainbow Lorikeets and Lyrebirds.

The path has steep sections on both the staircase and down Lyrebird Track, and is described as moderate to challenging and suitable for reasonably fit people. The track is 3kms and takes around 1.5 hrs to complete.
The staircase is one way, however there are many places along the track to stop and rest. We will walk slowly, and have a rest at the clearing before heading back down. For anyone who would like to join but is not keen on the stairs, there are walking tracks to explore that run along the creek, from the Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, with many beautiful spots to sit and relax and enjoy the environment.

Agenda:
I will meet you at Southern Cross Station at 10.20am at the Water Tower Clock
We will catch the 10.35am Belgrave train to Upper Fern Tree Gully
Anyone driving can meet us at the Memorial Mates Statue, at 12pm
We will walk the 1000 Steps, and reach the cafe around 2pm
After a coffee or something to eat we can explore the tracks at the foot of the hill,
And then catch the 3.30pm Belgrave train back, reaching Flinders St Station at 4.30pm.

We will keep to the times in the schedule as public transport runs to a reduced timetable on weekends.
When you RSVP please click attend on the event page, and I will be in touch about the details, I will also be available in the Event Comments on the day and add any updates there about weather conditions if needed.

Would you like to enhance your creativity, confidence and increase your awareness? We’d love you to join us to Thoughtstorm® the topic Helpful

How Thoughtstorm came about
Thoughtstorm is a technique developed from a seed of speculation: are there more effective (rational, cooperative, compassionate) ways of thinking? Methods whose long-term consequences will not lead to oblivion. This is the genesis of Thoughtstorm.

What is it?
For anyone with an interest in leadership, deeper conversations or creative problem solving, something much more than a group discussion occurs. What is experienced in Thoughtstorm is a forgotten sensory ability - mind-linking. An evolution in human thinking and learning.

The direction moves from a narrow range of possibility into discovering corecepts, when individual minds merge into a much more powerful collective awareness and experience a deeper, more compassionate comprehension of reality. Corecepts trigger intuitive recognition and agreement by the group, a ‘Why, of course!’ reaction.

New insights guaranteed!
Because this process taps into abilities already present in the human mind and into aggregates of consciousness straining to express themselves, very little practice is required.

Would you like to see and understand things in a way that is new for all of us? Would you like to develop your consciousness and your creative intelligence? Would you like to be inspired to create positive change?
Then come and join us to Thoughtstorm together.

When you RSVP I will be in touch with the details.

Thoughtstorm® is a registered trademark of Star's Edge, Inc. All rights reserved.

Join me outdoors for a visit to How Now Dairy with Cathy Palmer, the inspiring creator/farmer, who will share with us the differences between conventional dairying and her farming practices.
She'll share her passion and commitment to improving the welfare of the animals on her farm while creating high-quality products.
Also, how she chose this path over the music industry, where she had been for many years.

How Now Dairy is one of only 5 in the world operating with a gold ethical standard in animal welfare dairy.
We’ll learn how this farm is run, the effects on the animals and the farmers, and about the nutrition data and taste of the milk.
We will also get to see up close the cows and their calves at rest.

After the farm visit, we will drive to Tatura for conversation and coffee/lunch.

Agenda

• Meet at the farm gate: 10.20am for a 10.30am start
• 10.30am meet with Cathy, the farmer. She will share their story about the creation of the farm, their produce, the principles they follow and how they differ from mainstream dairy practices.
• We will walk to and into the paddock where cows will be grazing with their calves. The walking is flat on gravel road in the farm and will be uneven on grass in the paddocks.
• At around 11.30am we'll leave the farm and drive to Tatura for conversation over lunch.

Location: Gillieston via Tatura Victoria (Meeting place will be shared in Messages)
Time: 10.20am - 12.30pm, Sunday 19th, October

When you RSVP to the event I will be in touch in Meetup Messages. I will share the farm address and meeting place and can answer any of your questions. On the day I will be available in the Event Comments.

Join me for an afternoon nature walk and bird watching together at Albert Park Lake. Created from a lagoon that was originally part of the extensive Yarra River Delta, Albert Park Lake is a diverse, wetland habitat for nearly two hundred species of birds including Black Swans, Dusky Moorhens, Pacific Black Ducks and Australian Wood Ducks.

We will begin this outdoor adventure following the Lake Path beside the water's edge through the Coots Picnic Area and the Palms Lawn. Along the way we can look out for Little Pied Cormorants, Little Black Cormorants and Silver Gulls who like to roost on the wharves and walls. The path winds around and passes Gunn Island located in the middle of the lake and created to provide a safe breeding and roosting environment for a diverse range of wild birds.

Further around the lake in the shallow water among the reed beds, we can look out for waterbirds such as Black-winged Stilts, Purple Swamphens and Eurasion Coots. When we reach the southern end of the lake we can stop to enjoy the magnificent views of the Melbourne city skyline across the water.

From there we will visit the 'Ngargee' Tree, tucked away in a sanctuary of native trees, bushes and grasses. This towering old giant red gum supports a wide range of birdlife. It is thought to be between 300-500 years old and is a symbol of cultural heritage as a meeting place for the Bunurong people, the Traditional Custodians of the land.

We will head back along the Lake Path to the Coots Picnic Area to sit and chat on the lawn. We can pick up a coffee and something to eat at the nearby Sir Albert Cafe or you can bring your own drinks and snacks.

This is an easy walk and the distance will be about 5.5km all up. It will take us around 1hr 45mins walking at a leisurely pace with stops along the way to observe and photograph the birdlife.

Agenda

• I will meet you at 2pm on the lakeside of Tram Stop No.129 - the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre/Light Rail Tram Stop.
• We will take time to chat and make new friends before beginning our walk around the Albert Park Lake Path at 2.10pm
• During our walk by the water we will stop to enjoy birdwatching, photography and take in the scenery.
• When we reach the south end of the lake we will make our way to the ancient 'Ngargee' Tree.
• After that we will walk back to the Coots Picnic area to sit and relax before finishing up at 5pm.

Location
Albert Park Lake is located in the suburb of Albert Park, just 3km from the Melbourne CBD. The No.96 tram/light rail runs from the Melbourne CBD down past Albert Park Lake.

There is free street parking available on Canterbury Road which runs beside the tram/light rail. Parking Fees apply to all car parks within Albert Park.

When you RSVP, please click Attend on the event page and I will be in touch via Direct Messages about the details. I will also be available in the Event Comments on the day.