Plantout success

Hindmarsh Landcare Network will turn its sights on a 2019 Project Hindmarsh Plantout after volunteers helped revegetate sites near Kaniva.

Organisers of this year’s event, on July 6, 7 and 8, declared the annual plantout a success, with more than 130 people gathering to plant trees and shrubs at two sites at Dinyarrack, north of Serviceton.

Hindmarsh Landcare facilitator Jonathan Starks said the project involved a 5.5-hectare area of grey box and buloke woodland and a second 8.4-hectare black box swamp, which was also a section of Tatiara Creek.

“Steady rain falling through the wee hours of the Saturday morning threatened to turn our planting day into a washout, but dawn broke and the showers cleared,” he said.

“The overnight rain certainly made the swamp and creek site a bit muddy, but through the amazing efforts of all involved we blitzed it, and got nearly 12,000 plants in the ground, guarded and watered by 4pm.

“We then headed back to Kaniva to relax, freshen up and grab a well-earned drink.”

Mr Starks said volunteers were then treated to a feast of curry and stir-fry, catered for by the district’s Karen community, followed by traditional Karen dancing.

“Many thanks to our hard-working volunteers and to everyone involved who helped make the 2018 Project Hindmarsh treeplanting weekend such a success,” he said.

“We also thank Landcare Victoria, Wimmera CMA and Ace Radio through The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM for funding this year’s planting weekend, and to Luv-a-duck for its sponsorship.”