Grants for two Landcare groups

Two local Landcare groups have received $10,000 each to undertake planting days and educational activities.

Warragul and District Urban Landcare and Mt Worth and District Landcare will undertake two projects, each of which will engage local community members with planting days and educational activities, while achieving significant environmental benefits.

The grants were provided through the Esso/BHP Billiton Gippsland Basin Joint Venture through a partnership with Landcare Australia.

Warragul and District Urban Landcare operates in the periurban areas of Warragul. The $10,000 in funding received will see the group undertake improvements works at Moroka Reserve, a four-hectare reserve on Baw Baw Shire owned land.

The project will establish a riparian corridor, protecting existing vegetation, minimising pest threats to the corridor, improving water quality, and the local landscape. Local community members will have the opportunity to get involved in planting 3000 indigenous plants, and will reap the rewards of improved amenity along the waterway and walking tracks.

The Mt Worth State Park area is where Mt Worth and District Landcare’s efforts are focused, and the group will put the $10,000 of funding towards a science project with Yarragon Primary School and a track restoration at Mt Worth.

Grade three and four students will get hands-on experiences to learn about forest ecology and natural recycling through the project, while the Landcare group will work with the Friends of Mt. Worth Park to restore the track, reducing damage and engaging locals in the improvement of the remnant forest area.

Landcare Australia chief executive officer Tessa Jakszewicz said working with business to support and fund local Landcare projects was at the heart of what Landcare Australia does.

Ms Jakszewicz said the two projects promised numerous environmental benefits including increased biodiversity and habitat creation for local wildlife.

“Importantly, the Mt Worth project includes hands-on learning opportunities for local students, educating and inspiring the next generation of Landcarers,” she said.

Esso’s replacement pipeline project manager David French said they were pleased to partner with local Landcare groups to enhance the environment in Warragul and Mt Worth.

“Esso is currently replacing one of our key pipelines that runs from Longford to Hastings, with construction having been recently completed in the Warragul area. Being able to contribute to meaningful projects in the local community is a small gesture we can make to thank the community for their ongoing support,” he said.

Warragul State School on the corner of Victoria and Albert streets, c.1913. In front of the school and looking out the windows, is a large group of children and staff.

The school was first opened in 1878. This photograph shows the original building (in the centre) as well as later additions and alterations. The left section of the building was added to the original building as was the office located on the front right side – note the different architectural details.

Photo and information courtesy of the Warragul Historical Society.

If you have any additional information about this photo, contact The Gazette, 5623 5666, or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au.

Joy Hallyburton of Yarragon has informed us that the Armours milking shed, featured in the Snapshot of the Past on February 7, was still intact when she purchased the Armours Rd property in 1979. c.1914.

Ms Hallyburton said the structure had been renovated by previous owners into a recreation area with a kitchen and bathroom. A feature was the windows across the front of the former milking shed. She sold the property in 1987.

She also knew many of the people appearing in the historic photograph. The image was