Plant, guard and weed this Tree Day

AS National Tree Day approaches on the first day of August, volunteers are preparing to give Mullawallah Wetlands’ own Rotary Centennial Park a bit of tender loving care.

Led by Alfredton Rotarians, a working bee with a focus on weeding, re-guarding, and replanting will take place at the Link Road and Remembrance Drive site on the edge of Lucas, subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

Rotarian and passionate environmental advocate David Sanders is leading the morning of action.

“This will be a good chance to tidy up and re-stake some of the trees that are now well established at our park, and we do need to replace some trees along the west boundary,” he said.

“I will supply the trees, stakes and tree guards, hammers and shovels. It is a nice big area, and we can make sure people are well spaced.”

With the support of local Rotary clubs and the wider community, including Ballarat Environment Group, Mr Sanders said the park is developing well and looking great.

It’s a project that has been in action for the last 24 months.

“We’ve had really good engagement, working with Integra. A lot of the local residents have helped put trees in, and some ran a Clean-Up Australia event, so community is taking some ownership and having an active interest in it,” he said.

“We’ve planted 500 trees so far including natives from the area like eucalypts. Some have needed to be replaced because rabbits have eaten them, or they haven’t survived the dry, but some are up to two metres high.

“We’ve also installed some bird boxes, and are looking forward to enjoying the birds they attract.”

In the coming weeks, a large sign on site identifying native wildlife and the environmental benefits of wetlands will expand, with the addition of some Rotary history and the names of the park’s supporters.

Mr Sanders said the Alfredton Rotary Club is seeking a grant for a rotunda and water tank, so they can water the trees more regularly and sustainably.

They are collaborating with the Indigenous community in the hopes of establishing a community garden, including native bush foods.

The Club has teamed up with the Department of Justice to help maintain the park and a preliminary strategic report is set to be written, with mention of the City of Ballarat’s work to create a walking path around the area.

Hand sanitiser will be available at the working bee on Sunday, 1 August, but attendees need to bring their own facemask, gardening gloves, and wet-weather appropriate clothing. No food will be provided this time.