Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative

From the collection of Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative

About

Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative Limited is a unique community living in a bush environment and sharing the experience of managing the integrity of the 128 hectares of dry schlerophyl forest.

It was formed in 1971 by a group of people who thought that a community settlement would be an active and positive way of preserving the Australian bush on a small scale. It does not aspire to self-sufficiency.

Registered under the Victorian Co-operation Act (2014) as a non-distributing small co-operative, the RTBCC is limited to 32 shares, which can be jointly or individually owned.

Each share entitles its owner/s to a long-term lease of an area of 1500sqm for the purpose of building a house and a kitchen garden within guidelines.

Living independently of each other, shareholders come together for various activities e.g.

• land management

• social get togethers

• monthly management

• projects

• involvement with various other organisations and flora and bird walks

Our collection

A collection of photos of the Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative dating from the 1970's.

Themes: Transforming and managing land and natural resources, Building community life, Shaping Victoria's Environment

About

Our collection

Items featured online

Most of the original houses applied energy conservation principles and were constructed of recycled materials. As research reveals more efficient building technologies, Co-op residents have applied these to new house construction

Most of the original houses applied energy conservation principles and were constructed of recycled materials. As research reveals more efficient building technologies, Co-op residents have applied these to new house construction

Owlet nightjar chicks nesting in the flue of a Co-op house

The endangered brushtailed phascogale (tuan), is regularly sighted

Powerful Owl, The Co-op provides habitat for rare and endangered species such as the Powerful Owl. Sightings of local fauna and birds are recorded regularly

The passion and knowledge that members share on the Co op has made it so successful

Dr Tim Ealey, one of the founding members, speaking at the 30th Celebration

25 year celebration. Great food and an opportunity to chat are regular occurrences

One of the many work parties paving the tracks of the Co-op

Patrolling the rake hoe trail around the perimeter of the burn ensures the burn is contained

A well-controlled burn - the planning was good and the weather conditions were right

Briefings are an important part of the burn program implementation

Some Co-op members belong to the local fire brigade and are qualified to oversee burns. The Co-op undertakes thorough planning before conducting burns for biodiversity on one tenth of the land each year

Land management involves careful planning in all activities carried out on the land. Careful raking before burning can protect significant trees, bushes or orchids as well as providing a fire break

Whilst the land has been burned by wildfire and logged in the past, it has regenerated. A program of weed control and other land management strategies has contributed the to health of this patch

Work parties (members coming together to do the conservation work) are an integral part of members' responsibilities. The boneseed eradication program has been very successful

Joining with the Bend of Islands Conservation Association (BICA) members shared knowledge and learned about local flora and fauna

The Co-op was fortunate to have members with the professional skills to design, plan, cost, negotiate and organize this project effectively resulting in minimal impact on the land

All members were involved in this physically demanding work of laying the power and telephone cables underground, which resulted in mitigating the fire risk and the aesthetic value of no power poles!

Some transpiration beds are used as Kitchen Gardens and are enclosed to keep animals out

In a transpiration bed realn drains, screenings, sand and soil filter the water which is then expired by the plants

A member building a transpiration bed to recycle the household water. This is a way of concentrating absorption trenches in a confined area, managing waste water and containing the soil disturbance to the site

Pottery reflecting the bush around us emerged from the hands of early Co-op members

Another early Co-op building was referred to as the Humpy. It was used as a pottery studio

Timber formwork for footings in preparation for the concrete pour

Many houses were built by members, like the early ones in the 70’s, using mud bricks and recycled materials. Conversations during that time started with “How many bricks did you make today?”

From early days the Co-op has exhibited a strong sense of community and many gathered to enjoy each others company

Mud bricks are air dried

The early members were hard workers helping each other build and even digging footings by hand

The first building built was fondly known as the Gingerbread House

Search Victorian Collections

About

Our collection

Items featured online

Most of the original houses applied energy conservation principles and were constructed of recycled materials. As research reveals more efficient building technologies, Co-op residents have applied these to new house construction

Most of the original houses applied energy conservation principles and were constructed of recycled materials. As research reveals more efficient building technologies, Co-op residents have applied these to new house construction

Owlet nightjar chicks nesting in the flue of a Co-op house

The endangered brushtailed phascogale (tuan), is regularly sighted

Powerful Owl, The Co-op provides habitat for rare and endangered species such as the Powerful Owl. Sightings of local fauna and birds are recorded regularly

The passion and knowledge that members share on the Co op has made it so successful

Dr Tim Ealey, one of the founding members, speaking at the 30th Celebration

25 year celebration. Great food and an opportunity to chat are regular occurrences

One of the many work parties paving the tracks of the Co-op

Patrolling the rake hoe trail around the perimeter of the burn ensures the burn is contained

A well-controlled burn - the planning was good and the weather conditions were right

Briefings are an important part of the burn program implementation

Some Co-op members belong to the local fire brigade and are qualified to oversee burns. The Co-op undertakes thorough planning before conducting burns for biodiversity on one tenth of the land each year

Land management involves careful planning in all activities carried out on the land. Careful raking before burning can protect significant trees, bushes or orchids as well as providing a fire break

Whilst the land has been burned by wildfire and logged in the past, it has regenerated. A program of weed control and other land management strategies has contributed the to health of this patch

Work parties (members coming together to do the conservation work) are an integral part of members' responsibilities. The boneseed eradication program has been very successful

Joining with the Bend of Islands Conservation Association (BICA) members shared knowledge and learned about local flora and fauna

The Co-op was fortunate to have members with the professional skills to design, plan, cost, negotiate and organize this project effectively resulting in minimal impact on the land

All members were involved in this physically demanding work of laying the power and telephone cables underground, which resulted in mitigating the fire risk and the aesthetic value of no power poles!

Some transpiration beds are used as Kitchen Gardens and are enclosed to keep animals out

In a transpiration bed realn drains, screenings, sand and soil filter the water which is then expired by the plants

A member building a transpiration bed to recycle the household water. This is a way of concentrating absorption trenches in a confined area, managing waste water and containing the soil disturbance to the site

Pottery reflecting the bush around us emerged from the hands of early Co-op members

Another early Co-op building was referred to as the Humpy. It was used as a pottery studio

Timber formwork for footings in preparation for the concrete pour

Many houses were built by members, like the early ones in the 70’s, using mud bricks and recycled materials. Conversations during that time started with “How many bricks did you make today?”

From early days the Co-op has exhibited a strong sense of community and many gathered to enjoy each others company

Mud bricks are air dried

The early members were hard workers helping each other build and even digging footings by hand

The first building built was fondly known as the Gingerbread House