What is the name for baby geese?

District Council of Grant appoints deputy mayor

Councillor Megan Dukalskis has been elected as the District Council of Grant’s Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Dukalskis was appointed at last week’s council meeting. The initial vote for the position was tied the council’s November 28 meeting last year and was adjourned until absent councillors were in attendance.

Mayor Kylie Boston was pleased to have the role now filled.

“It was terrific to see multiple elected members put their hands up for the Deputy Mayor role,” Mayor Boston said. “I am delighted to work alongside Councillor Megan Dukalskis and congratulate her on the appointment.”

The selection will see Councillor Dukalskis work more closley with Mayor Boston and temporarily act as mayor in periods of absence or as required at civic and other ceremonial events.

Councillor Dukalskis was excited to be fulfilling the role as District Council of Grant Deputy Mayor.

“I am very happy to be appointed as Deputy Mayor,” Cr Dukalskis said. “I look forward to supporting Mayor Kylie Boston in her Mayoral role wherever the opportunity arises and work in collaboration with other elected members to support a progressive new look council serving our community.”

Discussion arose at last week’s council meeting around the term of the role with there being a greater opportunity identified to share the position amongst the elected member group. Council will consider this idea further at an upcoming meeting.

Landscape officers on a prohibted plant campaign

Limestone Coast Landscape Officers are about to begin inspections of nurseries, florists and markets in the region to assess for plants prohibited from sale in South Australia.

The random inspections of markets, which will be undertaken by Landscape Officers from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, aim to reduce the considerable impact declared weeds cause to our environment and agricultural industries.

Landscape Officers are here to support nurseries and florists in the region, through the provision of weed identification support, advice regarding the disposal and control of declared plants, tools to assist with ensuring declared plants are not inadvertently sold and best practice resources such as factsheets and control methods.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board oversees the control for declared pest plants in the region, which includes inspections for plants prohibited from sale in the region. Plants considered as a serious threat are banned from being sold in South Australia under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

It is an offence to buy or sell any plant listed as prohibited from sale. Declared plants are prohibited from sale anywhere in South Australia, fines of up to $60,000 can apply for individuals not complying.

For more information visit the Limestone Coast Landscape Board website www.landscape.sa.gov.au/lc or to the nearest regional office on (08)8429 7550.

Endangered bird species found at Ngarkat Burrito rice bake

2 tbsp olive oil 500g beef mince 1 red onion finely chopped 1 red capsicum, deseeded, finely chopped 40g pkt burrito spice mix 410g can crushed tomatoes 375g jar Old El Paso Thick ‘N Chunky Salsa Mild 450g pkt microwave brown rice 420g can black beans, rinsed, drained 155g (1 ½ cups) pre-grated Mexican Style cheese blend Mashed avocado, to serve Fresh coriander leaves, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan forced. Grease a 5cm-deep, 20 x 30cm roasting pan.Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef, onion and capsicum, and cook, using a wooden spoon to break up any lumps, for 8 minutes or until beef is browned and vegetables have softened . Add the spice mix and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add tomatoes, salsa and 60ml (1/4 cup) water. Stir until combined. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly. Add the rice and beans and stir until combined. Season. Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Smooth surface. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Top with avocado and coriander to serve.

An endangered white-bellied whipbird thought to have been extinct to the region has been rediscovered at Ngarkat Conservation Park in South Australia’s Murray Mallee. A team of researchers from Victoria’s La Trobe University and community volunteers discovered the whipbird which was presumed extinct after catastrophic wildfires across the region in 2014.

The discovery was made by volunteer, Matilda Southgate, from Mallacoota on the NSW far south coast. Ms Southgate recorded the bird’s call on her phone as part of an extensive 30-day field survey.

Data collected by the survey has increased understanding of the distribution of 10 key species within the endangered Mallee bird community and will directly inform future management efforts to protect and recover these threatened species. The geographical area known to contain these species has also been selected as one of Australia’s ‘20 Priority Places’ under the Commonwealth 20222032 Threatened Species Action Plan.

The survey was conducted as part of the Threatened Mallee Birds project – an initiative of the Mallee Bird Conservation Action Planning Committee and BirdLife Australia.

The project brought together representatives from Victoria, South Australia and NSW government agencies, research institutions and other non-government organisations This project was supported by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, through joint funding from the Australian Government, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and the South Australian Department for Environment and Water.

Zucchini & pumpkin frittata

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 350g butternut pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, coarsely grated 2 zucchini, coarsely grated 8 eggs 150g (1 cup) cooked quinoa 60g Greek feta, crumbled 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves 250g cherry tomatoes, halved 80g baby rocket

Method

Preheat oven to 190ºC/170ºC fan forced. Line a 16 x 26cm (base measurement) baking pan with baking paper. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the pumpkin and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the zucchini. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until bright green. Set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Stir in the vegetable mixture, quinoa, feta and basil. Pour the mixture into prepared pan. Top with half the tomato, cut-side up. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly before serving with rocket and remaining tomato.