What's on
Annual General Meeting and cuppa - 20 August
Join us at the Sanctuary Visitors Centre for our Annual General Meeting to hear what we've been up to for the year and what we hope to achieve in the coming year - we welcome everyone to come along, and to consider getting involved. Please RSVP for catering purposes to blackylakesanctuary@gmail.com
Park Appreciation Walk - 23 August
Join us for a 'Park Appreciation Walk' around the Sanctuary. We will meet at the Visitors Centre.
Book launch 'The Okay Fray' - 30 August
The Okay Fray is a children's book for adults - about a whimsical journey to the village of joy, hope and reconnection. Join author Margaret Hepworth for the book launch.
Whitehorse Biodiversity month - throughout September
A range of activities are planned for September's biodiversity month throughout the city of Whitehorse. These include events at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary including Wattle Day Forest Therapy, Nature Journalling, and Nature at Night to explore creatures after sunset. Visit Whitehorse Council's website for more information.
Working bee - 12 September
Come and join us for a working bee. We meet at the Visitors Centre and enjoy a morning tea together afterwards.
Possum prowl - 18 September
Meet at the Visitors Centre for an evening of spotlighting to find possums and gliders in the Sanctuary.
Wildflower walk - 4 October
A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon - encountering the wildflowers of Blackburn Lake Sanctuary with expert guides. We meet at the Visitors Centre.
Spring bird survey - 10 October
Learn, and help us spot and hear the birds of the Sanctuary for our Spring bird count. No experience needed, simply your eyes and ears (and cameras if you wish). We meet at the Visitors Centre and will enjoy morning tea afterwards.
Working bee - 11 October
Come and join us for a working bee. We meet at the Visitors Centre and enjoy a morning tea together afterwards.
Working bee - 24 October
Come and join us for a working bee. We meet at the Visitors Centre and enjoy a morning tea together afterwards.
Working bee - 8 November
Come and join us for a working bee. We meet at the Visitors Centre and enjoy a morning tea together afterwards.
Park Appreciation Walk - 16 November
Join us for a 'Park Appreciation Walk' around the Sanctuary. We will meet at the Visitors Centre.
Twilight Working Bee - 26 November
Join us for our final working bee for the year at our Twilight event, a light supper follows.
Walking map (PDF)
About the Sanctuary
The Country of which the Sanctuary is a part, its creatures, lands, skies and waterways, has been continuously loved and cared for by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples for over 60,000 years.
After European settlement, the Sanctuary was variously a place for picnics, a home and flower farm operated by the 'Adult Deaf and Dumb Society', and public open space.
In the 1960s a group of residents feared the loss of this environment and lobbied for the lake and its surrounds to be developed into a Sanctuary.
Today we are tremendously grateful to the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, and generations of local residents, who work to ensure the Sanctuary remains a place we can all enjoy and nurture. If you'd like to keep across regular Sanctuary news, please subscribe to our News. To find out how you too can help care for the Sanctuary, see the links under 'Get Involved'.
News
How you can care for the Sanctuary
The people of the City of Whitehorse and every visitor to the Sanctuary play a vital role in caring for it. Below is essential contact information should you notice something amiss during your visit:
Contact EPA Victoria's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842
Contact Wildlife Rescue Blackburn's hotline on 1300 094 737
Use the phone app Snap, Send Solve