Life Membership appreciation by Robyn Gill

Lois and Judy- Landcaring locals

My Life Membership of CPPA means a lot to me but my contribution has been possible only because of the effort, knowledge and support of a small group of very enthusiastic and aware “locals” who made it possible to keep up and grow the hours and quality of the work we do in our reserves.

For the first 10 years of the Landcare Group the monthly working bees on Sundays, combined with projects involving other sources of help such as Green Corps, achieved a lot. Gurranba Reserve had the first such project with the gully that carried ridge runoff but had become a Lantana filled wasteland being transformed. 

Burnage planting 2001

At Burnage Reserve Suzanne Pritchard, Grahame Wrightson and Tony Dynon managed another transformation of a weedy but special rainforest patch that was also carrying large runoff. An Envirofund Grant for Stansfield Reserve involved John Greenhalgh and the “team” in an interesting challenge…a mass of Asparagus Fern.

These projects needed continuing upkeep beyond the usual monthly working bees and some of us became envious of the fun the BITT (Bushcare in Threlkeld Thursday)

Jean Austen and Bonnie

Group, among them Grahame McCrohan, Jean Austen and Audrey Diggins, were having every week in that special patch so decided we could do the same in some of the other 12 reserves of Coal Point and Carey Bay.

Judy Kelly (who now lives at Medlow Bath but visits us), Robyn Garrett, Judy Hughes, Dianne Onslow, Lois Simpson and Margaret Byrne have, with their enthusiasm and commitment made weekly landcaring happen. They have ensured more is achieved and several more reserves including Carey Bay Wetland (at Janelle Heslop’s suggestion) and the large, growing (as council acquires more land), very special West Ridge Reserve, are cared for.

The Threatened Species Last Stand Project has become “the icing on the cake” for the small local team.

I value the belief in local action but wider awareness that has supported the Progress

Association ever since its formation in 1946 but especially with Suzanne Pritchard’s leadership for the last 20 years and am thankful for Life Membership for doing something I enjoy so much.