In this issue

FEATURES

A Good Year for Robber (Assassin) Flies

-Text and photos by Richard Yank

While most of us are aware that the summer of 2024-2025 has produced an unusually high number of Cicadas in the Central Coast, the fact that robber flies have also appeared in good numbers this season has gone largely unnoticed. Below are nine robber fly species found in and around Narara Ecovillage this summer (unfortunately, few robber flies have been given English common names). Several additional species have also been observed in nearby areas of Somersby, Palm Grove and Tuggerah.

For many people, robber flies are completely unknown… so, what is a robber fly?

Flies are a large order of over 150,000 described species of insects that includes house flies, horse flies, hoverflies, flower flies, crane flies, mosquitoes and more. All of these flies have two wings. Within this order (the order Diptera) is the family of robber flies (the family Asilidae) containing more than 7200 species worldwide.

These are predacious flies and, when adult, they feed on a variety of insects typically captured in flight with the aid of their spiny legs. Robber flies are equipped with a strong proboscis that is used to inject a toxic saliva into their prey which quickly paralyses the victim and dissolves the internal tissues that are then ingested. Their prey on various insects, including other flies, beetles, wasps and bees, moths and butterflies, spiders, and grasshoppers. Most fortunately, they do NOT bite humans.

There are more than 340 described species of robber fly in Australia, but most are poorly known and rarely observed. They vary in size from as small as 5mm to as large as 30mm in length and are most often encountered in open areas such as pastures or in forest clearings and are most active on warm, sunny days. They are usually seen perched on branches, plant stems, leaves, logs or on the ground, waiting motionless for suitable prey to fly by.

Keep your eyes open for interesting Robber Flies in your area.

Photos:1 Colepia ingloria with captured prey. 2 Blepharotes splendidissumus. With a length of 25-30mm, this is the largest robber fly found locally. It is commonly called the Giant Blue Robber Fly. This individual was seen near a dam. 3 A mated pair of Zosteria fulvipubescens. 4 A member of the genus Bathypogon found in a grassy clearing along Narara creek. 5 Zosteria rosevillensis with captured prey. 6 Ommatius coeraebus 7 Ommatius species, possibly Ommatius mackayi Members of the genus Ommatius are relatively small and are distinguished by their feathered antennae. 8 Laphria rufifemorata. 9 Orthogonis ornatipennis with prey. Species 5-9 were photographed along the walking tracks in Strickland State Forest.

Six tips for eradicating slugs

A downside of mulching can be unwanted wildlife, providing hiding places for slugs that can crawl out and damage or even kill seedlings overnight. Slugs are quite visible, but because they usually hide during the day, finding them can be tricky. So here are tips from our brains trust for dealing with slugs while avoiding ever-more pesticides:

Clear

Clear dropped vegetation that they can hide under, and cut off low lying foliage that touches ground
Collar seedlings with recycled plastic containers from yoghurt, milk, etc. so that you can see them

Sprinkle

Create rings of coffee grounds, diatomaceous earth or fine crushed eggshells at base of plant … they don’t like crossing these

Catch

Start night patrols – Go out at night when they are active and collect, then drop them into containers with a bit of dishwashing liquid.
Put out planks of wood supported just above the ground and check underneath in the morning for sleeping snails and slugs; also half an orange skin works well for that. Fun for all the kids.

Biological controls

Create beetle hotels. Logs and mulch where beetles can hang out, they eat slugs.

My Skinky teacher – meet Sneaky Sebastian

-Lorraine Hawdon

The location may just be a deck in an ecovillage and not a wild Kelp forest as in Craig Foster’s “My Octopus Teacher’, but connections with nature can happen in surprising places. As Foster states, “Something happens when an animal makes contact.”

He greets me each morning, peering through the door, pewter skin glistening as it catches the early rays of the sun.

He’s busy absorbing energy for the adventures of the day. He extends his neck; enquiring how close I will come today. Turns out, he is very curious. Occasionally he climbs the screen door, hoping to enter the house! When the sun isn’t shining or it’s cool and rainy, he is still, sheltering behind or on the daybed, safe from predators.

Organic Blueberries for breakfast. Just one, cut in half. Aware and alert, he pounces as if catching live prey. When finished, he rises on his haunches, licking his long, flat mouth with his equally flat pale blue tongue. Time for adventure then as he hovers on the edge of the deck under the grapevine or stairs. He waits to spring into action as he scurries away or pounces on an unsuspecting bug that crosses his path.

Most of Sebastian’s day is spent on the deck, exploring shoes which offer seclusion and protection of nooks and crannies to hide in. If you have bare feet, watch out he may think your toe is a tasty nibble!

I look forward to my daily interactions with Sebastian.

However, I have no idea if Sneaky Sebastian is male or female (determined by comparing the length of body parts) but the name seems to suit him.

I also don’t know how long he/she will be around. I imagine he/she will disappear as it gets cooler. Eastern Water Skinks like Sneaky Sebastian are very common in Eastern Australian gardens, especially if you provide vegetation, rocks and logs for them to bask on and breed under.

If you’d like to read more about Eastern Water Skinks, here are some useful links:

Kirtan – Bringing Spirit

-by Mark O’Brien

If you experience a sense of yearning for something missing in your life then Kirtan can offer a sense of connection to that sacred space inside all of us — where beauty resides and every step is a dance with the divine. This deep connection through sacred song and mantra can be enjoyed without needing to follow any particular creed or faith.

Kirtan is more than just music; it is a spiritual practice that aims to open the heart and bring the participants into a state of peaceful unity and bliss. Through the repetition of sacred sounds and the communal experience of singing together kirtan fosters a sense of connection, peace, and transcendence accessible to anyone.

There’s no need to be musical or have a great voice. Breathing and chanting are a perfect way to release endorphins leaving us happy and peaceful. Just join in.

Recent Kirtan gatherings have garnered an enthusiastic following inside Narara Ecovillage and from the local community, with several people even attending from Sydney! It’s tuneful, sometimes soulful, sometimes raucous, but leaves you centred and content.

Check out the Events section below if you want to explore further.

Community volunteers bond over fire safety and readiness

-Shannon Anima

Mark O’Brien leads the Community Fire Unit (CFU) at Narara Ecovillage, running monthly summer drills and rehearsals that build skills and trust, along with morale and good communication among village volunteers.

“Fire safety is everyone’s number one summer responsibility,” he says. “With our hot Aussie summers, lightning storms and climate change cranking up the temperatures, we need to be vigilant and practise prevention.”

Vigilance includes ongoing management of areas around buildings and other infrastructure. “Over the past five years the whole community at Narara Ecovillage has rallied to the challenge of thinning out vegetation to prevent bushfire threats. These all-community events are run by our CFU members through the winter.

Although they can be hard work, we find people really enjoy sharing a well-earned lunch and the chance to work alongside neighbours and volunteers, and then we get to admire the incredible results of our collective effort!”

“The more people involved the better and it’s been incredible to share in the joint awareness and see the massive results of community efforts so far.”

The CFU crew sharpen skills by day and night. While it can be challenging to tog up in fire-protective gear in 40-degree heat carrying mattocks and hoses, the volunteers have bonded over their workouts, and always look forward to getting together.

A version of this story may also be found here in the Central Coast News

Narara Ecovillage Named Finalist in NSW Banksia Awards

Village members attending the ceremony: Verena MacLean (Board Chair), Sam Parris (Sustainability Practitioner), and Scout De Kalb (14-year-old future sustainability leader)

-Tanya Mottl

Narara Ecovillage has been recognised as a finalist in the Placemaking Category in the prestigious 2024 NSW Banksia Awards, which celebrate trailblazers with the aim of catalysing sustainable innovation across NSW.

The village was honoured alongside outstanding projects across the state, and having this opportunity to share our story of impact in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a phenomenal achievement.

The Banksia Awards ceremony was proudly attended by Verena MacLean (Board Chair), Sam Parris (Sustainability Practitioner), and Scout De Kalb (14-year-old student and future sustainability leader) – Pictured above.

The evening was informative and reinforced the range and depth of different organisations leading the way in Sustainability. The Placemaking Award was shared by Central Station Metro and Bridge Housing’s Glebe Aboriginal Women’s Housing project which speaks to the diversity of the applicants.

Narara Ecovillage was subsequently invited to the Central Coast Eco-Tourism Industry Breakfast which in turn precipitated another event – Talking up the Coast – Celebrating our 2024 Tourism Award Winners alongside other sustainability-focused businesses. Mayor Lawrie McKinna and Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton attended and we celebrated our collective achievements in eco-tourism, with NSW’s sustainability and placemaking efforts gaining national and global recognition.

We are thrilled to see sustainable communities and eco-tourism gaining momentum and look forward to sharing our journey further. The Banksia Awards have certainly established NEV as a significant and sustainable place and we look forward to applying for this award again as we develop.

Verena and Tanya representing Narara Ecovillage at ‘Central Coast Eco-Tourism Industry Breakfast & Talking Up the Coast’ 2024.

EVENTS

FEB Tues 18: Combine the power of the Inner & the Sustainable Development Goals

By focusing on inner capacities—like resilience, empathy, and critical thinking—the IDGs empower individuals and teams to tackle complex challenges, while the SDGs outline actionable global targets for a thriving future.

This session will showcase how immersive tools that combine the SDGs and IDGs can make sustainability conversations more engaging and demonstrate how climate action pays off.

When: Tues 18 Feb, 6-7pm
Where: online
Cost: Free
More info & Registration: https://events.humanitix.com/what-are-the-inner-development-goals-and-global-goals?

FEB – Fri 21- Sun 23: Deep Ecology workshop with John Seed & friends

Deep Ecology is a philosophy which understands that the illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world is the engine driving the 6th mass extinction currently underway.

This transformative workshop allows us to become aware of our rootedness in the living Earth and the renewal, empowerment and vision that invariably ensue.

When: 4pm Fri 21- 4pm Sun 23 February
Where: Narara Ecovillage Hall, 33 Gugandi Rd 2250
Cost: Sliding scale from $150-$600 + accommodation (25% of the proceeds donated to the Rainforest Information Centre)
More info & Registration (join waitlist): HERE

FEB – Sat 22: Narara Ecovillage Open Day

Are you interested in Narara Ecovillage or perhaps already considering living here?

The Open Day (talk and tour) shows what Narara Ecovillage is all about, and demonstrates how we are activating a resilient community with ecological, social and economic potential by:

shared food growing, natural retreats and Permaculture spaces
shared community and workplaces
examples of highly efficient low-carbon homes now and in the next stage

All are welcome.

When: Sat Feb 22, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Where: Narara Ecovillage Hall, 33 Gugandi Road 2250
Cost: $15 includes talk & walking tour around village, kids & NELN members free!
More info & registration: https://february-2025-open-day.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new

FEB – Sat 22: Making Tomato Passata

Passata Day, or ‘Tomato Day’ as it is known by Italians around the world, is when tomatoes are at their most abundant, and families and friends get together to make passata to last them until next tomato season. In this workshop, you will learn how to preserve tomatoes in the traditional Italian way.

Join Narara Ecovillagers for a hands-on culinary adventure, and immerse yourself in the rich flavours of Italy, while learning the art of traditional Italian Passata making

When: Saturday 22nd February, 1:30 to 3:30pm (following Open Day)
Where: Paperbark House, Narara Ecovillage, 33 Gugandi Rd 2250
Cost: From $20 to $99
More info & Registration: https://making-tomato-passata-feb2025.lilregie.com/

MAR – Sun 2: Kirtan and Healing Fire Ceremony, plus pot-luck community dinner

Led by Ecovillage yoga teacher and Kirtan enthusiast Mark O’Brien, supported by Gigi Grace and other local Kirtaneers and musicians, we’ve been asked to offer these special events on a regular basis.

Sacred Healing Fire Ceremony: Haven (pronounced Harven) is a traditional Indian ceremony where we chant a healing Mantra 108 times together while feeding a small sacred fire with ghee, seeds and aromatic herbs as we symbolically cast out our afflictions, suffering and set-backs into a sacred flame.

When:
- Kirtan: 3 – 5.25pm in the Village Hall
- Haven Ceremony: 5.30-6pm in the Courtyard
- Community potluck dinner: 6-7pm
Where: Narara Ecovillage Hall, 33 Gugandi Rd 2250
Cost: Kirtan & Haven by donation; Potluck: bring food to share
Registration: Just turn up! All welcome

MAR – Mon 3 – Fri 7: Earth Economics Week 2025

– with Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Future Dreaming

The current globalised economic system is destroying the living world. Over the past 50 years, a range of important alternative economic systems have been proposed to replace ‘neo-classical’ or ‘growth’ economics – including Steady State, Doughnut, Wellbeing and Degrowth Economics.

But what approaches are working? Join us for a week of important discussions about our economic systems, the alternatives that are possible and what we can do to shift away from destructive extractivism.

When: Multiple sessions starting Mon 3 March, 6pm to Fri 7,1.30pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free, but bookings are essential
More event details and registration here

MAR – Sat 8: $5 APS Plant sale

When: Sat March 8th, 11am-1pm
Where: Phillip House 21 Old Mount Penang Road Kariong (near Gosford)
Cost: $5. Cash or card accepted
Enquiries: apsccplantsales@gmail.com Web: https://austplants.com.au/central-coast-plant-sales

APRIL – Fri 11- Sun 13: Deep Ecology workshop with John Seed & friends

When: 4pm Fri, 11- 4pm – Sun 13 April
Where: Narara Ecovillage Hall, 33 Gugandi Rd 2250
Cost: Sliding scale from $150-$600 + accommodation (25% of the proceeds donated to the Rainforest Information Centre)
More info & Registration: HERE

Our galaxy

MAY – Sat 3 + Sun 4: Central Coast Edible Gardens Trail: Save the date!

On the Central Coast Edible Garden Trail, garden hosts share their passion, wisdom and practical know-how. A weekend of inspiration, connection and so much fun!

Selected Narara Ecovillage gardens will be open only on Saturday 3 May. This will be our third year participating in this fabulous event. For in-depth information on a particular garden, be sure to arrive for a scheduled tour, where the host will take a group through their garden and explain their systems, design and plant choices, what’s worked and what hasn’t.

When: Sat 3rd and Sun 4th May 2025
Where: Various locations on the Central Coast, NSW. Narara Ecovillage Gardens Sat 3rd May only
Cost: $0– $25
Registration: Save the date! Tickets available from late Feb. Early Bird discounts (after all, who better to know the early bird does get the worm than us gardeners?) More info: Edible Garden Trail Website: https://centralcoastediblegardentrail.org.au/

MAY – Sun 4: Sustainable House Day: Save the date

Once again, Narara Ecovillage will participate in this year’s Australia-wide Sustainable House Day.

Some of our brilliantly built sustainable houses will be open to view at Narara Ecovillage, including two houses retrofitted to increase thermal performance and liveability, and reduce energy use.

A variety of construction types will be on view, with owners on hand to answer questions. In addition we will hold a workshop and Q&A on retrofitting, and one on setting up a community microgrid and battery, plus much more …

When: Sunday 4th May
Where: Narara Ecovillage Hall, 33 Gugandi Rd 2250
More info: Stay tuned!

Renew’s annual Sustainable House Day

If you have a sustainably built or renovated house that you are willing to open to the public on May 4th, please register by 23rd February https://sustainablehouseday.com/.

Land or houses for sale at Narara Ecovillage

Please check out this page on the village website: “AVAILABLE NOW” at NEV

Meet Neville, the coffee cart at Narara Ecovillage

Fresh, local and wholesome food
A place to connect
Joy in every bite!

Contact the Network News Editors neln.network.news@gmail.com