By PETER DOUGLAS
THEY’RE one of Australia’s most recognisable mammals and they need our help.
Thankfully, the annual Belgrave Platypus Festival is making it easy for the Dandenong Ranges community to throw their support behind the local platypus population.
Now in its seventh year, the unique festival has grown from strength-to-strength and this year includes a packed itinerary aimed to combine education and fun.
President of the Southern Dandenong Landcare Group, Vicki Boyle, said there was an important message being shared.
“We want to make sure younger generations coming through get the message,” she said.
“They will be the ones who we hope will take a pro-active approach in keeping population numbers in check and their environment safe.
Ms Boyle said recent surveys showed populations were regenerating after being severely depleted during the drought years, a trend that she hopes will continue.
Fellow event organiser, Marina Dennis, said education was a key component.
“This is an important project working towards raising awareness of our local platypus populations and looking after our creeks,” she said.
“It is wonderful to see these sorts of projects, which develop partnerships among local groups doing such good work.”
Ms Dennis said the festival was for all ages and included many fun, educational events.
Among these include performances from two bands, the Bones and Bodhran Bush Band (from 1pm to 3.30pm) and the Bean Project (from 4pm to 5pm).
Featured will be Animals of Oz local wildlife sessions, an environmental quiz, treasure hunts, creek-side plantings and a platypus monitoring session.
Also, there will be a live performance, which tells the Aboriginal tale of how the platypus came to be.
The interactive show will encourage participation from young audience members.
This year’s Belgrave Platypus Festival will be held at Belgrave Lake Park on 12 September from 1pm to 6pm.
