Announcements – Friends of Churchill Island Society Inc.

FOCIS General Meeting scheduled for Saturday 9 May 2020 has been cancelled

Sunday 3 May 2020Sunday 3 May 2020 by Tom O'Dea (Webmaster)

To the members of the Friends of Churchill Island Society,

Here is a message on behalf of the FOCIS Executive Committee.

As many of you would know, the Nature Parks Board has made the very difficult decision to temporarily close the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve, Antarctic Journey, and Churchill Island.… Continue reading

Last updated on: 3rd May, 2020

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FOCIS Web Site Spam

Saturday 2 November 2019Saturday 2 November 2019 by Tom O'Dea (Webmaster)

To members of the Friends of Churchill Island Society,

We recently had 3 items of Spam published on the FOCIS Web Site.

These items have now been removed.

A few days ago (on 31 October 2019), a person signed up on the web site as a Prospective Member. … Continue reading

Last updated on: 2nd November, 2019

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Pat Baird’s Book: Churchill Island – History and Her Story – Now Available for Sale

Monday 16 September 2019 by Tom O'Dea (Webmaster)

The second edition of Pat Baird’s Book: Churchill Island – History and Her Story is now available.

You can purchase copies from our Online Shop here: Online Shop

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Last updated on: 16th September, 2019

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… Continue reading

Last updated on: 16th September, 2019

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How to access the FOCIS web site

Monday 16 September 2019 by Tom O'Dea (Webmaster)

To members of the Friends of Churchill Island Society,

This is a reminder about how to access the FOCIS web site.

The web site address is: https://focis.org.au/
You can view most of the information on the new web site without the need to login using your web site username and password.

… Continue reading

Last updated on: 16th September, 2019

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Churchill Island Friends Society Inc.

1 day ago

Phillip Island Nature Parks are re-opening shortly - with limits in line with Victorian government regulations. Here's an update from PINP volunteer co-ordinator Rachael Ferguson and some specific Churchill Island information:

WE’RE REOPENING ON FRIDAY 5 JUNE!

I am very excited to confirm that the Board agreed yesterday that we will be re-opening three of our venues from Friday 5 June.

The Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island will re-open to visitors with restricted capacity, while the Nobbies visitor centre and Antarctic Journey experience are slated to re-open later in June.

The plan allows for up to a maximum of 100 visitors outdoors at each site, with a maximum of 20 inside the visitor centres at any one time. Based on these numbers, we can confidently implement appropriate physical distancing, and maintain enhanced cleaning and hygiene practices across our locations to ensure our team and visitors remain safe. We have also established a number of physical distancing measures at each site which we will talk to you about throughout next week.

Churchill Island will continue to offer farm demonstrations, without giving visitors the opportunity to participate in any hands-on activities such as cow milking and whip cracking. We also cannot guarantee sheep shearing every day until we secure a regular supply of woolly sheep! The retail space will be opening and we will confirm food and beverage operations over the next few days. ... See MoreSee Less

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Churchill Island Friends Society Inc.

7 days ago

Did you know we are now in National Reconciliation Week? We would like to share with you a Youtube video made by Bass Coast's First Nation's peoples in conjunction with several groups in Bass Coast Shire, including the area's Reconciliation Group, and Phillip Island Nature Parks (managers of Churchill Island). This beautiful short video can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dClQWEZEpuo&feature=youtu.be Our thanks to all involved. ... See MoreSee Less

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Churchill Island Friends Society Inc.

2 weeks ago

Thanks to Phillip Island Nature Parks volunteers' co-ordinator Rachael Ferguson for organising the zoom get togethers, including the one for Churchill Island volunteers yesterday. Farm worker Chloe Dann took us for a zoom tour around the public/historic area of the farm. We saw lots of our favorite animals, Rogers Cottage and Amess House, the Visitor Centre with its newly sanded and polished floors, repainted or reoiled buildings, picnic tables being revamped, new garden beds - so much happening while the public is absent!! Here's 2 recent photos from Visitor Experience Manager Kate Adams: the farm barn newly stained, and the Visitor Centre floor newly sanded and surfaced. ... See MoreSee Less

Thanks to Phillip Island Nature Parks volunteers co-ordinator Rachael Ferguson for organising the zoom get togethers, including the one for Churchill Island volunteers yesterday. Farm worker Chloe Dann took us for a zoom tour around the public/historic area of the farm. We saw lots of our favorite animals, Rogers Cottage and Amess House, the Visitor Centre with its newly sanded and polished floors, repainted or reoiled buildings, picnic tables being revamped, new garden beds - so much happening while the public is absent!! Heres 2 recent photos from Visitor Experience Manager Kate Adams: the farm barn newly stained, and the Visitor Centre floor newly sanded and surfaced.

Image attachment

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Churchill Island Friends Society Inc.

3 weeks ago

An update from Bass Coast Shire council in the light of Premier Daniel Andrews' announcement yesterday re some lifting of some Covid 19 restrictions. Remember - keep up the social distancing and wash your hands often! Thanks everyone for keeping the infection rate so low in Bass Coast!From tomorrow (Wednesday, 13 May) the following Council services and facilities will change following the State Government’s announcement of easing of Stage 3 restrictions:

What’s changed?
• Beaches will re-open for all activities
• Boat ramps, piers are now open for recreational fishing and boating
• Parks, recreation reserves and open spaces are open for casual recreation activities
Groups of 10 or less are permitted and social distancing must be maintained at all times.

What hasn’t changed?
• Skate Parks, Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and BBQs are closed
• Club sports are on-hold including training and competitions
• Caravan Parks are closed
• Council Customer Service Centres are closed for face-to-face service
• Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre is closed
• Transfer Stations are open for essential purposes including businesses and those who don’t receive a kerbside bin service

We hope that the end of the month will bring more good news and that more of our normal activities that we all enjoy can resume. Please continue to stay home whenever you can and look after each other.
For more information on changes to Council services visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/covid19.
For information on all restrictions visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus ... See MoreSee Less

An update from Bass Coast Shire council in the light of Premier Daniel Andrews announcement yesterday re some lifting of some Covid 19 restrictions. Remember - keep up the social distancing and wash your hands often! Thanks everyone for keeping the infection rate so low in Bass Coast!

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Churchill Island Friends Society Inc.

4 weeks ago

FOCIS is saddened to hear of the recent death of Mr Carroll Schulz, who was manager of Churchill Island from 1978 to 1996, and the instigator of FOCIS. Carroll was a meticulous manager with foresight and a wonderful way with volunteers.He and his wife Amy lived in the log cabin on Churchill Island for many years and together cared for many injured wildlife voluntarily on top of the work involved in running Churchill Island. Carroll worked with FOCIS on many, many projects and fundraisers. He is pictured at right. He was one of nature's true gentlemen and will be sadly missed. ... See MoreSee Less

FOCIS is saddened to hear of the recent death of Mr Carroll Schulz, who was manager of Churchill Island from 1978 to 1996, and the instigator of FOCIS. Carroll was a meticulous manager with foresight and a wonderful way with volunteers.He and his wife Amy lived in the log cabin on Churchill Island for many years and together cared for many injured wildlife voluntarily on top of the work involved in running Churchill Island. Carroll worked with FOCIS on many, many projects and fundraisers. He is pictured at right. He was one of natures true gentlemen and will be sadly missed.

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