Meet a local platypus protector

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The Nugget
December 13, 2024

★MEET A LOCAL PLATYPUS PROTECTOR★

Rob “platypus protector” Law

Three fun facts I learned from Rob Law, award-winning musician, podcaster and Campbells Creek Landcare legend:

  • an estimated 7 platypuses live in Campbells Creek

  • There are more Landcare groups in Castlemaine, per capita, than anywhere in Australia

  • Exciting changes are coming to Campbells Creek

Let’s get into it.

Rob used to see platypuses in Campbells Creek somewhat regularly - until the floods a few years back. Then, nothing. But a few weeks ago, there was a sighting.

"I was just in the rain walking my dog through the creek in bare feet and it was just there, swimming next to us, which was pretty amazing," Rob says.

"It's a good sign that it's still there. Of course, I'm never quick enough to get the phone out so it didn't get documented."

Not that time, anyway. Shannon Schultz did get a quick video of the elusive platypus when she was walking at the creek with her kids in late Nov.  

It's like the platypuses know - things are happening in Campbells Creek and they’re sticking their heads up to get a better look.

For 22 years, locals have been advocating for support to build the missing link to connect the Campbells Creek trail into the Camp Reserve footy oval in Castlemaine.

"It's been a long time coming," says Rob, inadvertently channeling Taylor Swift.

One of the founders of the Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare group wrote his first letter to the council about the issue when his daughter was a little kid.

 "Now she's at university," Rob says. "That's just the way things go."

 The Castlemaine to Campbells Creek trail development is finally underway, moving quickly and due to be finished by March. Crews are building 596m of off-road trail, including a gravel path, short sections of boardwalk and two bridges.

 One of the bridges is going up behind Rob's house.

"It's pretty epic. They've built a road down through the creek and across to the other side. Today they've just been driving in the big steel beams," Rob says.

"We're feeling a little bittersweet about it here because it’s sort of been this nice, private little spot." 

That stretch of creek has been a magical playground for his kids, inspiring the family to create The Creek Kids podcast series. Gorgeous listening for car trips with kids, btw.

It’s about adventures neighbourhood kids have along their creek, complete with mysteries and encounters with wild creatures. 

Rob, who is on the committee of the Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare group, says opening up access to the creek have get more people interested in protecting it.

"The creek is this thing that people cross over and move around but don't pay that much attention to, especially when there's no trail. The trail's a really important way to bring people in to experience it."

 Once the trail is finished, Rob, who happens to be an award-winning musician, will be launching a geo-located Sounds Walk.

Folks will be able to download the Sounds Walk app and, as you walk the trail, the GPS on your phone will trigger soundscapes, interviews and stories about different parts of the creek.

Platypuses, a beautiful trail into town, a podcast and a Sounds Walk - all this would have been bloody hard to imagine back in the early 2000s.

 Aerial photos from the time show a couple of lonely trees in a barren landscape.

This was when the determined Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare group was formed. Since then, literally millions of dollars in volunteer hours have been spent restoring the land along the creek. 

"I've just loved everything they've done," Rob says. It's been a lot of work to restore the habitat and gradually we have seen more wildlife coming back to it. It's pretty inspiring.

A survey done in 2021 showed the platypus population over 8kms of Campbells Creek had grown from four to seven since the previous survey in 2001.

This is the payoff of 18 years of work by the FOCC to improve the health of the creek.

Rob says FOCC is keen to inspire more people to get involved.

You don't have to be a nature guru or gardening expert. Heck, you don't even have to join.

"You can just come along to a working bee and get told what to do for a couple of hours. It's always good fun and fairly easy going. It's nothing too strenuous," Rob says.

Weeding to make room for native plants, for example, can have a great impact.

Rob says people in the group have become friends over the years.

"That's what I like about Landcare across the whole country. It is a really strong social connector and can bring people together despite political or other differences."

Surprising to nobody, Castlemaine has the most Landcare groups per capita.

Like the ice cream trucks in New York City, each Landcare group has its own turf.

"It's amicable. One of my friends likes to think we're all at war with each other."

Not true, though it would make a good story.

Rob says the FOCC has big plans for 2025 – exciting stuff he can’t reveal yet. Keep an eye on the FOCC socials for the big reveal and news about how you can get involved.

In the meantime, you can help by picking up ya dog poo along the creek. There is so much of it at times that it affects the water quality and is harmful to the platypuses.

❀ GOODEST BOY ❀

Big ups to the Good Op Shop’s shop dog. Monsieur Professor has graduated from puppy school. He’s still got a lot to learn, and will be more than happy to accept a treat for good behaviour.

♡˖ EVENTS ˖♡

𖥔 TALK TO MOI PLOISE 𖥔

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