Wildflowers prompt learning and friendships

THE native plants and animals on Sandy Beach’s rural property are connecting her to fellow lovers of the wild Australian environment.

The owner of a 14-acre block burnt in last year’s Bunkers Hill fire, Ms Beach has let the land around her home regenerate naturally.

Incidentally, 18 species of vibrant wildflowers, from ground cover to taller varieties are thriving, including orchids and purple chocolate lilies.

“We live on an open corner and I spend most of my time outside. We’ve gotten used to cars stopping and people getting out to have a look at the flowers,” she said.

“They’re curious about what else we have on our property, and for a moment of your life, you start a conversation and make friends with these people.

“They know what they’re looking at, and we’re able to share knowledge and information which is really important.”

Regularly ridding the property of weeds by hand, Ms Beach rarely cuts dead or burnt trees down as they are the habitat of bats.

The land includes a wetland area with islands, and iconic wildlife including echidnas, possums, kangaroos, frogs and turtles live there.

“We have a fallen gum tree in the water which has been in there for five years. Underneath, there is a whole ecosystem.”

One hundred and seventy-two species of birds have been documented on site, bees are supported by the wildflowers, kangaroo apple thrives with its bright purple flowers, and plenty of bottlebrush is popping up naturally at about 20 centimetres high.

“There’s so much bush medicine in this area, which people mow over or slash. They think the property is unkept, but I invite them to come in and have a look because they don’t know what’s here,” Ms Beach said.

“I wish people could understand and see the value of this land for themselves.”

She emphasised that her family is “not naïve,” but in fact “very fire aware.”

In case of a fire emergency, Ms Beach has seven water tanks, firefighting training and equipment, radios, and full fire-resistant clothing.

She is working with Wadawurrung traditional owners to manage the space’s native growth and level of safety.

“Once the season is over, we do a cultural burn. We do it in patches. We don’t leave it like this, we do look after it.”

Traditional artefacts have been found on the property. A cultural dig is planned.

“We want to share the land with the Wadawurrung people regularly and have that friendship. They learn, and we learn,” Ms Beach said.

She is exploring putting a permanent Trust for Nature conservation covenant on the 14 acres so the property is never subdivided, and wildlife is protected.