Officially, BEAM Mitchell Environment Group has been working to protect the Mitchell Shire’s natural world for almost three decades.
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In 1997, BEAM was formed alongside the amalgamation of the Seymour and Broadford Shires.
Based on Tangurung and Wurundjeri lands, BEAM is made up of a fusion of different environment groups across the region, including the Seymour Environment Group, formed in 1978, the Broadford Environmental Action Group, created in 1989, as well as Kilmore’s Friends of Monument Hill, founded in 2001.
Today, the volunteer-driven, independent group accounts for over one thousand members and supporters across the Mitchell Shire.
In its 27-year history, BEAM has achieved significant feats.
In the 90s, they stopped a mining proposal at Mt Piper Nature Reserve near Broadford, in 2012, they campaigned for approval of the Cherry Tree Wind Farm located in Trawool, and in the early 2020s, they stopped logging in the Tallarook State Forest.
BEAM secretary Georgia Webster said the group’s scope broadens also to education and promotion.
“We’ve also produced ‘Natural Treasures of Mitchell Shire’, a series of brochures promoting the 36 nature reserves across the shire,” Ms Webster said.
“In 2024, we developed this into an online guide, showcasing the beautiful local reserves and natural places that people can explore in our region.”
Ms Webster said, behind BEAM is a “vision of a thriving community that is locally active for a healthy environment.”
“We advocate and act to protect natural systems and ecologies in Mitchell Shire,” Ms Webster said.
“We respect First Nations’ connection to this country and seek to be informed by their wisdom and knowledge.
“We recognise the importance of seeing our place and responsibilities in local and wider ecosystems, and we promote respect for every living being and their communities.”
BEAM is governed by a committee of 10 who all operate under the same shared vision and principles.
Despite being of like-minds, Ms Webster said the strength of BEAM lies in the diversity of its many members and committee.
“BEAM members bring a wide range of skill, life stories and areas of expertise to our work,” Ms Webster said.
“We are keen collaborators, both within our group and also with other like-minded organisations.
“This is a real strength of our community.”
Today, BEAM makes a range of contributions to the local community.
From guided nature walks, often with the purpose of surveying endangered fauna or rare flora, to their weekly ‘EarthChat’ community radio program and podcast featuring on Seymour FM, which showcases to listeners environmental-based activities throughout the shire and beyond, and addresses key environmental issues.
Alongside facilitating the BEAM Bulk Foods Scheme, which allows locals to access affordable, ethically produced and organic produce, BEAM regularly contributes to local, state and federal policymaking and strategies.
“We’ve participated in the development of various council strategies and policies including the Mitchell Shire 2020 strategy and Shire Planning Scheme Review, the Climate Emergency Action Plan, the Open Space and Recreational Trails Strategy, and council’s Structure Plans for Wallan, Kilmore, Wandong and Heathcote Junction, Seymour, and Broadford,” Ms Webster said.
BEAM also led the development of Sustainable Seymour, an initiative which has integrated into the development of renewable energy in Seymour, now governed by community-led and council-partnered group Mitchell Community Energy.
Ms Webster said the power of regional environment groups lies in local knowledge.
“Locals are wonderful advocates for our environment,” Ms Webster said.
“We know our own area, including our own waterways, soils, wildlife, forests and landscapes, and we want to look after them.
“Having ways to take action together as a community is really important, so that we can work together to look after the precious natural places and features of our region.
“In the face of serious threats to our environment from climate warming, species extinction and landscape degradation, BEAM creates opportunities that allow the community to take actions that turn anxiety into hope and power.”
This year, BEAM has partnered with Central Victorian restoration and protection organisation Biolinks Alliance on the Murchison Gap Greater Biolink project, an initiative which aims to provide a connecting habitat for Greater Gliders between the cool plateaux of the Tallarook and Mt Disappointment Forests.
“The bigger their habitat, the more chance these animals, which are the largest gliding possums in the world, will be resilient in the face of global warming,” Ms Webster said.
“By creating more forest links and nest boxes along the 10-kilometre stretch of the Murchison Gap, we’ll be building on the work of local landowners and Landcare groups who have been tree planting there for decades.”
To stay up to date on all BEAM is doing for the natural world of the Mitchell Shire and beyond, head to www.beam.org.au
Cadet Journalist