Special Interest Training Courses

*INTRODUCTION TO MICROSCOPY

The purpose of the short course is to provide you with basic skills in microscopy. This includes how different types of microscopes work, how to prepare material to view under light and dissecting microscopes, use of stains, photography with microscopes and different structures to look for in plants, fungi, animals and microbes.

This course is for anyone no experience necessary. Why not join in, it should be fun and informative. Also, if you are interested in further studies, such as a ‘Certificates II and III in Laboratory Techniques,’ then this course can lead you into that TAFE or tertiary studies in laboratory techniques and science.

DAY: Saturday

DATES: June 17

TIME: 12 - 4 pm

FEES: $56 plus cost for amenities fee TBA for ACFE student funded places - or concession. Full paying fee students limited places.

*INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI IDENTIFICATION

The purpose of the course is to provide learners with basic skills needed to identify fungi. The course will be run in conjunction with Mycelium Laboratories, a community Laboratory. It will introduce learners to different types of fungi, their evolution, basic fungal biology and ecology, how to use online resources such as ‘iNaturalist” and the “Atlas of Living Australia” and how to identify different fungal parts including mushrooms, sporing structures and mycelium. It can also lead to TAFE, or Tertiary studies in horticulture, land management and science if desired.

Course will consist of one of the ‘Mushroom Forays’ (see prior page) and the rest of the content will be online.

DAY: Saturdays

DATES: May 13 or June 3 for ‘Foray’

Other content online - call Ema for details on: 0406 508 045

TIME: 12 pm to 3 pm for ‘Foray’

FEES: $56 plus amenities fee of $34 for ACFE eligible funded places, or concession ($90).

Full paying student fees TBA.

*INTRODUCTION TO CONSERVATION AND ECOSYSTEM LAND MANAGEMENT - GROWING ORCHIDS

This is short course - 2-3 days – TBC, is to help you learn about the basic skills needed to cultivate orchids and also about the vital role they play in ecosystems for nurseries, or bush regeneration. ‘Orchids’ are indicators of the health of the ecosystem and their presence signifies that it is ‘vibrant and lively.’ The course will be run in conjunction with Thornbury based business Mycelium Laboratories that specialises in biological and environmental sciences. The course will introduce orchid ecology, evolution, development and structure. It will also introduce different types of orchids and their fungal and pollinator associations and practical orchid cultivation and conservation techniques. This course is informal so suited for hobby gardeners, but can increase your skills and employability in horticulture and land management if those are areas you wish to pursue.

DAY: TBA

DATE: Will be in June

TIMES: TBA

COST: $150 - TBC for eligible funded and concession.

Your teacher: Melvin Xu is a mycologist and orchid enthusiast. He has researched Cordyceps fungi at Melbourne Uni and has experience working in land management including with native orchids and cultivating orchid fungi and currently has several hundred orchids in his collection.

*INTRODUCTION TO PLANT IDENTIFICATION

This short course ( 2 day sessions – TBC) provides learners with basic skills needed to identify plants for bush regeneration, your own interest, or nurseries. The course will introduce learners to different types of plants, basic plant biology and ecology, how to use online resources such as ‘iNaturalist’ and the ‘Atlas of Living Australia’ and how to identify different plants using flowers, leaves, bark, etc.

This course is an introduction to Certificates II and III in Horticulture and II and III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management and can also lead to TAFE or Tertiary studies in horticulture, land management and science if desired.

DAY: TBA

DATES: TBA

TIME: TBA

FEES: $56 plus amenities fee for ACFE eligible student funded places - or concessionFull paying student fees cost TBA.