Guest Speaker - Annette Cavanagh PhD Latrobe University Farm Scale Natural Capital Accounting And Plant Diversity
 
Annette started her PhD in June 2021 and has a total of 3 years to complete.
She is looking at Natural Capital which is all about all aspects of the natural environment and the activities within it, all of which form the foundation of farming.
The Natural Environment is in decline as 50% of Australia is under farming.
For farmers finance and profit are priorities.
Sustainability and productive agriculture needs a healthy biological environment so this study is all about increasing profits for farmers, tracking and managing biodiversity and maintaining consistency within it.
This will lead to lower insurance premiums, greater drought resistance , financial stability and the ability to put a dollar value on Natural Capital
Annettes’s studies are funded by a Natural Landcare Program.
She has to survey 50 farms in SE Australia. They all run different industries and show gread variation in ecosystems and crops. Annette is recording all plant species found and noting the variations in findings which coincide with different farming practices and such things as rotational grazing and the use of fertiliser.
The vote of thanks was given by Will de Castella.
 
3 MINUTER — Tippy
Tippy talked about her life in Thailand and explained that the word ‘Tip’ means supernatural.
She described her education and working her way up to Dr. Assoc. Professor.
Four years ago she came to Australia and now works in the garden, with cattle and housekeeping.
Tippy sells beautiful bags and baskets made by the women she knows in Thailand who harvest water hyacinth to make them.
The next Yea market is on April 2.
 
 
REPORTS
CYCLE DINDI—JULIE
111 registrations to date. Call for someone to replace Tony as a ticket seller on Saturday. Cycle Dindi Raffle tickets will be sold at the Italian Night next week. Bob Hentschel has the BBQ all organised. Rotarians are invited for a wind down at the Royal Mail Hotel from 4.30pm after Cycle Din-di and to Nutfield for morning tea.
RSL—RUSSELL HOGG.
Rotary have tried to help because the loss of the RSL will mean the sale of the building.
Several members have joined the RSL and Russell had application forms available. There is a meeting on Friday at 11.00am and the AGM is on April 21.
BOB DEWAR—asked members to be aware of the cost of preparing food these days and consider an adjustment to amount paid to caterers.
DONATIONS—Paul
Paul reported that $1000 had been donated to the fund for the Ukraine and asked members if they agreed to also donate $1000 to the Flood Relief Fund. Russell to pay both amounts.
 
 
Annette draws the President’s RaffleOur caterers Sacred Heart Primary School