News & Events

Have you seen a rakali? 2005-2-23

Have you seen a rakali?

February 23 2005

Benalla Ensign

Having been successful in obtaining funding for a healthy waterway project, the Benalla and District Environment Group is encouraging district residents to be on the look out for water rats and platypi.

Instigated by BDEG with the assistance of Landcare facilitator Trevor Verlin, the Rakali Project - which takes its name from the Aboriginal word for water rat - will be officially launched during the Benalla Festival on March 16, but president Christine Holmes said there was no reason locals could not start searching for the shy creature right now.

"The Rakali is native and an iconic inhabitant of Lake Benalla and surrounding waterways, most often glimpsed swimming on the surface of the water in the early morning or late afternoon," Ms Holmes said.

"It is similar in size and colour to the platypus.

"We are encouraging anyone who has seen either a platypus or rakali is encouraged to write in to The Ensign or the Benalla and District Environment Group at PO Box 642, Benalla, and tell us about it.

"We will present these sightings at our opening at the Art Gallery on March 16."

Part of a larger project to improve flow and habitat in the Broken River, it is hoped the Rakali Project will help the community to develop a greater commitment to the importance of habitat and waterways.

"Our long-term goals are to establish an ongoing working group to provide further opportunity through community activities," Ms Holmes said.

"We hope the community will get behind the project and support our vision for urban living in a healthier waterway habitat."

The launch of the project will take place at the Art Gallery on March 16 at 5.30 pm.

On March 18, members of the project will lead an evening walk around Lake Benalla.

For more information, phone 5762 5638.

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