Farewell and thank you Naranga

You will have read in past newsletters about our work with the young people from Naranga School. For the last five years we have been working together each month in the reserve. Much has been achieved. This year however, a change in timetable has meant that this work can no longer be managed, either by us or by the school. So the decision was made that it was time to say goodbye. We hope that over the five years we encouraged, through our work, an interest in the environment, an improvement in social interaction and a committed work ethic. That was our intention. We have seen many different faces and experienced many different responses to us and our work, some enthusiastic, others less so. It was very pleasing to hear afterwards, that some students had gone on to find paid work in the environment. Over the five years the Naranga students have helped keep the track to the Centenary Bridge from the Liddesdale Avenue entrance, weeded and planted. The many young trees and shrubs you see there were planted by successive student teams and the steeper slopes have been enthusiastically mulched many times. Mulch on slopes doesn’t stay for long. 
We want to thank Naranga School students for all their help and, of course, we thank their accompanying staff for their cheerful assistance.
 

Saturday Weeding Group 2018     

The Saturday group meets on the first Saturday of each month from approximately 9.00 am till 11.00 at the Hoadley Avenue entrance.

We have met twice since forming in February. The first meeting was a noisy affair with many participants of all ages. Several joined up as AWSC Inc volunteers. With support from the Thursday group members, Sally Harding took the newbies to our designated area of the Creek Track, including the much loved Granites, and introduced us to weeding techniques, tools and weed identification. We learnt how important it is not to leave bare patches for new weeds to germinate and to focus on weeding areas of strong indigenous growth i.e. don’t waste time weeding large areas where the weeds have taken over and there is little indigenous growth. We were advised to take care not to damage existing plants when targeting the dreaded weeds! Health and Safety was also a feature of the first session.

With autumn advancing, it is anticipated that the weeds will become more prolific. The Creek Track was very dry after the summer heat and lack of rain and although there were areas with asparagus fern, rambling dock and other weeds, it was not too overrun.

Posters have been placed around the reserve to advertise the ongoing nature of the group and it is hoped that the Saturday group will attract new volunteers.

To confirm attendance:

sweetwater.action@gmail.com 

0412 844 112 

Gillian Kinnear