Seeding grant for trees

An innovative project at Drouin some 40 years ago that has largely “died off” is to be reborn thanks to a $12,000 grant from the ANZ Bank.

The Trees of Nations Park in Drouin bordering Alex Goudie flora and fauna park at the rear of the Old Drouin Butter Factory and south of the railway line was established with not just native trees but others from nations from which many Drouin residents had migrated. Over the years many of the trees have died.

The grant to the Committee for Drouin, one of 21 awarded nationally this year by the ANZ Seeds of Renewal Program, will restore and expand the Drouin park.

Committee president Rhona Hendrick said the project expected to begin in February would be led by the Friends of Drouin’s Trees group partnered by a number of other organisations including Baw Baw Shire, local schools, Drouin Men’s Shed, Drouin History Group and Rotary club. In addition to the grant it is estimated in-kind support mainly consisting of volunteer labour will boost the value of the project to more than $30,000.

Further research is being undertaken into appropriate trees to plant to reflect the cultural make-up of the community.

Working bees will be held to remove weeds and lay mulching, build nesting boxes and plant an understory.

ANZ Seeds of Renewal started 17 years ago to assist regional, rural and remote communities.

Other grants awarded this year include for a Bee Sanctuary on Kangaroo Island after the habitat of the green carpenter bee was destroyed by fires in 2017 and to propagate 200 native trees, re-establish a community garden space and refurbish an ageing nursery at the Cocos Islands.