November 6th, 2026Hepburn Wildlife News
Pickles the puggle has grown up…
In December last year I wrote about a baby echidna who was brought to the wildlife shelter. Her mother had been terminally injured when a property owner using heavy machinery moved branches where her burrow was located.
The mother died of her injuries but the little puggle, who Gayle Chappell from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter named Pickles, has grown to become a healthy, curious, adventurous young echidna.
Initially Pickles spent most of her time sleeping, waking to suckle milk every three days. As she got older she became more active and progressed to a different specialised feeding regime suitable for a growing echidna.
She began to explore her environment and, in line with the soft release practised at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, she was able to explore the environment beyond the safety of the shelter, moving further away and becoming familiar with the bush whilst still able to access the safety and security of the shelter.
Pickles has been regularly exploring the bush around the shelter and has now established her own territory, although she still comes back to visit the shelter now and then for dinner.
The successful survival and growth of this little animal is due to the skilful care she received at the hands of Gayle Chappell and Jon Rowdon at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter.
by Dr Marita McGuirk Contracts awarded to improve safety At the October meeting, Council awarded three separate contracts that will help to improve road infrastructure and safety in our Shire.
Firstly, Stanbridge Street and Central Springs Road in Daylesford will receive some much-anticipated safety upgrades after a tender was awarded for almost $1 million of improvement works.
Council also awarded a contract for around 15,500 tonnes of gravel material to deliver its annual gravel resheet program. The 2026/27 program will deliver gravel resheeting across approximately 15 kilometres of Council’s unsealed road network.
The last contract to be awarded at the meeting was to replace Council’s 2015 Isuzu tipper truck. This is part of the 2026/27 Capital Fleet Renewal Program.
To read more visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/news
Dr Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita writes monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org
