21 March 2017

Page 6

NEWS DESK

Laser idea to deter ducks Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula horticulturalist Lisa Brassington knows that crops and ducks sometimes don’t mix, but the crafty inventor has come up with a simple solution to the problem that leaves both unharmed. Ms Brassington, who works at Peninsula Fresh Organics in Baxter, has spent the past three years watching ducks shift from foraging for insects to organic leafy green produce as they take advantage of what she calls “the best buffet in Baxter”. Wanting a solution that would save crops without hurting the ducks, she combined her education in rural planning and physics with her love of farming to come up with an idea using laser technology. Ms Brassington is a finalist in the RIRDC Victorian rural women’s award for her project – Duck: stirred not shredded - which uses information she gained from European and North American farmers who use

Crop saviour: Lisa Brassington has found a way to protect both birds and crops. Image courtesy AUSVEG

laser bird repellent systems. After studying data on weather and climate observations, citizen science counts of bird numbers, moon cycle information and farmer feedback, Ms Brassington came up with a system to model bird and bat behaviour and

combine this information with the technology. She said all other efforts to defeat the hungry ducks were unmanageable, and current reactive methods of dealing with them, such as random loud sounds and decorative scarecrows,

were ineffective. Since the announcement of her entry, Ms Brassington has had interest from three universities and been able to help farmers work together towards a trial. The next step, she said, would be

to bring universities, the Bureau of Meteorology, Bird Life Australia and market gardeners together to workshop the idea and come up with concrete plans she can take to HortConnections 2017 in Adelaide in May.

Cubs rope in their skills CUBS from Rosebud Sea Scouts had fun on the scout rope bridge at Sunday’s kite festival on Rosebud foreshore. Cubs aged seven to 11 are active in 12 groups on the Mornington Peninsula, from Mt Eliza to Sorrento. For information on scouts call district commissioner Tina Bennett, on 0409 131489.

school choir, and there will be speakers from different heritage and cultural backgrounds as well as a range of activities, including a sausage sizzle.

Singing Welsh

THE co-author of a book on the history of the Ranelagh Estate, Mt Eliza, says details about the early settlement of the area had captured the imaginations of some of the area’s newer residents. Veronica Grounds, a Ranelagh Estate resident, said she helped write the book to document the colourful and interesting history of the area, and its importance to the Mornington Peninsula. The book, Ranelagh: A Special Place, was written with Hal Breidahl and Ian Dick. Ms Grounds will speak about the book at 2pm Wednesday 22 March at Mornington Library.

THE Australian Welsh Male Choir will host a “Singing in the pub” session at Kirks hotel on the Esplanade, Mornington, from 8pm on Wednesday 29 March. No cover charge.

Harmony day fun RYE community groups are holding a Harmony Day event, 4-6pm, Friday 24 March in the small park in Lyons St. Music will be by River Tribe and the Rye

WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS *CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY* Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only p/p over the age of 18 permitted.

LAST THURSDAY EACH MTH (numbers permitting) MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW - EXHIBITION GARDENS

Fri 31 Mar (a) $80 (p/s) $75

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET

Tue 11 Apr - All $30

WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

Tue 11 Apr (a) $85 (pen) $75 Child 4-15 $60

THE BOOK OF MORMON

Thu 15 Jun (7.00pm) All $160 MY FAIR LADY

Wed 7 Jun & Wed 12 Jul (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130 THE BODYGUARD

Wed 5 Sep (a) $130 (p/s) $120 ALADDIN

Wed 8 Nov (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130

Phone: 5981 1277

www.neptours.com.au PAGE 6

Western Port News 21 March 2017

THE PENINSULA CHRISTADELPHIANS Invite you to a public presentation:

1:30pm SUNDAY 26 March 2017 Moorooduc Community Hall cnr Bentons Rd & Derril Rd, Moorooduc Refreshments provided

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Library book launch

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21 March 2017 by Mornington Peninsula News Group - Issuu