Otways Fungus Foray

Fungi delight and intrigue and provide the connective network of terrestrial ecosystems. The forests surrounding Gellibrand harbour some of the most diverse and bizarre fungi in the state.

This workshop introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to fungi found in the Otways region but also within wider Australian and global contexts.

It will include a ninety-minute interactive session on the basics of fungus identification where participants will get to handle, examine and identify various fungi. Participants will also learn to recognise the various diagnostic characteristics used to identify fungi in the field. Fungi will be discussed in regard to their ecological roles and also cultural aspects such as edibility and toxicity.

We will then partake in an exciting two hour foray through various local ecosystems to search for species of interest.

It can get chilly in the forest so be sure to dress warmly!

For further workshops please click here.

MONDAY 15 APRIL 2024

12pm–4pm

COST: $80 or $75 concession

GELLIBRAND, VIC

BOOKINGS:  03 5235 8348 OR coordinator@gellihouse.org

PHOTO MASTERCLASS – FUNGI IN FOCUS

The Murray region is home to a diversity of interesting fungi.

With their peculiar forms and amazing colours, fungi make intriguing photographic subjects.

In this introductory workshop, you will learn the basics of how photograph fungi in different contexts to capture both their scientific and aesthetic nature. We will focus on the particular challenges of macro-photography such as high contrast, low light and colour management, addressing both technical aspects of exposure and creative aspects of composition.

Following an indoor highly interactive session, we will then head to the field to search for fungi and practice photographic techniques.

The workshop is open to middle level to advanced photographers. No knowledge of fungi is necessary.

This masterclass is limited to 8 participants.

For further workshops please click here.

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

10pm–4pm

COST: $185. Includes lunch, refreshments and field guide

ALBURY, VIC

FULLY BOOKED

Visual Narratives – Finding Words Through Images

As forms of artistic expression, photography and poetry share much in common. Both are the outcome of intense honing, of distillation – the art of reduction. Both can convey a point of view or story that goes beyond mere description. Photographers often borrow literary devices such as irony, but writers also have much to glean from photographs. This workshop explores the crossovers and co-habitations of words and images and how they might enhance and inspire one another.

Through an interactive critique and discussion of both participants’ images and those of some well-known ironists, we will explore how irony and other visual-literary devices can raise important questions – rather than necessarily provide answers – about the state of the world.

The workshop is suitable to anyone interested in the interplay of aesthetics, images and words regardless of photographic knowledge.

This workshop is part of the Writers at the Woolshed Literature Festival.

For further events please click here.

DATE: SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024

TIME: 10:00am – 3pm

VENUE: Cottontail Winery, 562 Pattersons Road, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

COST: $75 & $80

BOOKINGS

For further events please click here.

TUESDAY 23 & WEDESDAY 24 APRIL 2024

Day 1 registration: $ 265 Includes presentations by Alison Pouliot & Simon Rickard, morning and afternoon tea, lunch and canapes to finish the day.

Day 1 and 2 Field trip: $350 Includes Day 1 and a small-group field experience on day 2 exploring the cultural significance, ecological importance, conservation requirements and identification of fungi in the Yass area. Fold-out fungus guide & meals included. The two day experience is limited to 25 people.

VENUE: Crisp Gallery, Bowning, NSW

FURTHER INFO: info@landscapeconference.com or call 0408627774.

BOOKINGS

Seminar: To foray or to forage?

Every mushroomer knows the danger of not being able to differentiate an edible mushroom from toxic lookalike species. In Switzerland, the Pilzkontrolleure, or mushroom inspectors have been saving lives for over a century by plucking poisonous mushrooms from people’s baskets and sending them home with the edible fare. Although only a little more than half the size of Tasmania, Switzerland has 409 mushroom inspection offices staffed by 1500 inspectors.

Furthermore, a publicly accessible online atlas of fungus distribution (including 937 endangered species) helps foragers find their target mushrooms. The Swiss are well versed in fungi and foraging and this has also stimulated mycological research and resources.

Australia has taken a very different approach to protecting biodiversity including fungi, with all biodiversity being protected at all three levels of government. Hence mushroom foraging on public land is illegal. But are foraying and foraging necessarily mutually exclusive? Could carefully managed foraging be a stimulus for conservation and research? In Australia, conservation initiatives have included other unlikely bedfellows including the military and mining.

Over the last 23 years Alison has divided her time between hemispheres working both with fungi and their fans. In this talk, Alison will explore the tensions between foraging and conservation and the different approaches of various nations to both protect species and keep mushroom hunters happy.

For further events please click here.

FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2024

EVENING SEMINAR 6:30pm – 7:30pm

FREE TO ATTEND – ALL WELCOME

WILDBARK: 25 Rosenberg Street, Throsby ACT 2914

BOOKINGS

Mushrooms at Mulligans – Fungus Discovery Workshop

What are all those fungi doing there in the landscape?

How do they help ecosystems function?

And how do the mammals of Mulligans interact with mushrooms?

This workshop introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to

fungi found at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, but also within wider Australian and global contexts.

This workshop includes an interactive session on the basics of fungus identification, where you will get to handle, examine and identify various fungi. You will also learn to recognise the various diagnostic

features used to identify fungi in the field. Fungi will be discussed in regard to their ecological roles and

also cultural aspects such as edibility and toxicity and the importance of fungi in biodiversity conservation.

We will then partake in an exciting foray through the sanctuary to search for species of interest.

Tea and coffee are provided, but bring your lunch and be sure to dress warmly.

For further events please click here.

SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2024

10am–3pm

WILDBARK: 25 Rosenberg Street, Throsby ACT 2914

$125-

BOOKINGS

Mushrooms at Mulligans – Fungus Discovery Workshop

What are all those fungi doing there in the landscape?

How do they help ecosystems function?

And how do the mammals of Mulligans interact with mushrooms?

This workshop introduces participants to the diversity, ecology and curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi, specific to

fungi found at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, but also within wider Australian and global contexts.

This workshop includes an interactive session on the basics of fungus identification, where you will get to handle, examine and identify various fungi. You will also learn to recognise the various diagnostic

features used to identify fungi in the field. Fungi will be discussed in regard to their ecological roles and

also cultural aspects such as edibility and toxicity and the importance of fungi in biodiversity conservation.

We will then partake in an exciting foray through the sanctuary to search for species of interest.

Tea and coffee are provided, but bring your lunch and be sure to dress warmly.

For further events please click here.

SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2024

10am – 3pm

WILDBARK: 25 Rosenberg Street, Throsby ACT 2914

$125-

BOOKINGS