Third community planting day a stunning spring success

BELLARINE Peninsula residents and community members gathered to celebrate the first weekend of spring at The Point’s third annual community planting day.

The event was hosted by Moremac Property Group in partnership with local environmental community group, the Bellarine Catchment Network.

More than 30 volunteers gathered on Father’s Day to plant more than 400 indigenous plants along Amphora Way at The Point.

Under the watchful eye of Bellarine Catchment Network Biodiversity Coordinator Lachlan Forbes, participants were instructed how to install recycled milk cartons around each plant to protect them from rabbits and pests.

Moremac Property Group project director Doug Vallance said it was great to see so many excited residents eager to contribute to their community.

“Our community planting day has always been well supported by local residents and the Point Lonsdale community, and I want to thank everyone involved,” Mr Vallance said.

“It was a stunning sunny morning and a perfect Father’s Day activity, with many fathers teaching their sons and daughters how to plant and nurture the plants.

“It was great to see such a mix of newcomers and familiar faces on the day, and it was especially heartening to see many families examining the progress of the native trees and shrubs they had planted in previous years.”

Bellarine Catchment Network biodiversity coordinator Lachlan Forbes said The Point’s annual community planting day was a great opportunity for the community to learn about the environment and make new friends.

“Volunteers were eager to learn about the local plants in the area and what would work well in their own backyards,” Mr Forbes said.

“We had many questions about how to identify various indigenous plants and implement new planting techniques.

“Explaining the role of indigenous plants and how residents can protect their local ecosystem is so important for the local environment to continue to grow and flourish.”

Residents and community members were treated to a complimentary barbecue following the hands-on morning of planting at The Point.

The day concluded with an educational guided walk by Mr Forbes through the reserve.

The Point community planting day is just one of the many community initiatives The Point offers residents and the wider Bellarine community.