General News
1 April, 2026
Russell’s regional view of orchids
HUNDREDS of native orchid species have been recorded the Friends of Kooyoora’s latest book.
HUNDREDS of native orchid species have been recorded the Friends of Kooyoora’s latest book.
Russell Stanley’s Native Orchids of Central Victoria was launched at Rheola on Sunday.
The noted orchid authority had been recording the region’s species for many years but said the three “incredibly dry years” had challenged compilation of the new book.
“I had already covered about half the region - the book for Inglewood and Kooyoora was released in 2022 - but I had decided back then to expand the area and put together a larger book,” he said.
“That was at the start of what has been three dry years, three of the most miserable years, when it comes to photographing and detailing the region’s orchid species.
“I was glad that I had already done Kooyoora and we still managed to report on new areas.”
Russell was joined by member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards to launch the new book on Sunday.
Friends of Kooyoora’s Michael Barkla said Russell’s latest contribution to the group’s release of books and field guides encouraged awareness and understanding of the region’s flora.
Julie Radford spoke at Sunday’s launch on her conservation work with rate native orchids.
At her home laboratory, Julie has propagated and potted more than 800 rare endangered orchids native to central Victoria.
Julie has been working with the Australian Native Orchid Society and Bush Heritage to strengthen the colonies of the Stuart Mill Spider Orchid
Friends of Kooyoora say that for the enthusiast or those beginning to be enchanted by orchids, Russell’s new book will assist with the identification of the different orchid species occurring in the central Victorian goldfields.
Organised alphabetically by genus, the book describes 130 species as well as some hybrids.
Flowering time, habitat and broad location details are included in detailed descriptions of the main identifying features of each species.
Multiple photographs of each species show variations of the orchid in different locations within the goldfields and close-ups to highlight special features. Many of the orchids are common, others rare, endangered or occur in specific locations only.
A reference list that includes field guides and scientific papers.
Read More: Kingower, Inglewood, Loddon Shire