Building boxes for bushfire affected birdlife

A CREATIVE, environmental initiative from Alfredton Rotary Club and aged care facilities is protecting the birdlife in bushfire affected areas of Victoria and New South Wales.

Handmade bird boxes crafted by Mercy Place Ballarat and Creswick Aged Care Facility are being sent to the Gippsland, Eden and Bermagui areas to encourage native birds to return, nest and breed.

Patterns and timber were supplied by Alfredton Rotary Club, and the finished, lacquered products are being returned to the club ready for installation.

Alfredton Rotary Club president, David Sanders said the project is not only set to benefit wildlife, but has been great for makers.

“It’s a valuable end goal, and not just something to keep residents busy. They can see they’re making a real difference in the community, so it’s a very special thing,” he said.

“Seven have come back from Mercy and half a dozen are being made out at Creswick at the moment.

“We hope we can get another 15 to 20 out to Gippsland and New South Wales in the next month or two.”

Eighty-three-year old Ray Shackleton is one of Mercy Place Ballarat’s volunteer craftsman, building boxes to accommodate small and large birds.

“All together when I’ve finished, I will have made 21, and the best part about it is that I really enjoy doing it,” he said.

“I’m making them in the Men’s Shed, and I’m in there until about eight o’clock at night sometimes.

“I have another guy helping me, Basil, who’s 90. It keeps us busy, and it’s for a good cause.”

Some bird boxes have been made for Rotary Centennial Park in Lucas, and once it’s COVID-safe to do so, Mercy Place Ballarat plans to take their residents on an outing to see their craftsmanship in action.

With the support of St John Ambulance, Alfredton Rotary Club has sent first aid supplies to the same bushfire affected areas to support animal rescue operations.