May Working Bee

It’s time to get back into planting!

Today we’ll be planting Lomandra longifolia, one of our most attractive large tussock plants, at “Booladj Kiarp Bolealong”.  This is where Barkers Creek is joined by Forest Creek to form Campbells Creek.  Friends of Campbells Creek have been working in partnership with Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation and their Youth programs to care for this Culturally and Environmentally significant site.  Only 500 m from the Castlemaine Post Office, the site supports platypus, powerful owl and many other native animal and plant species.

This Lomandra species is important in Indigenous people’s culture.  Its leaves are suitable for basket making and contain strong fibres for making twine.  The plant produces three types of bush tucker and is a larval food plant for at least two species of butterfly: the Splendid Ochre or Symmomus Skipper and the Orange Ochre or Eliena Skipper.

The quickest way to the planting site is via a 120 m walk from the east end of Yandell St. There’ll be a path cleared across Barkers Creek (it will be dry unless we get significant rain beforehand).  Limited parking is available in Yandell St, but there’s plenty of space in Gaulton St.

If the creek is up, the alternative is to park in Bruce St and walk south next to the railway line, then cross below the railway bridge.  This is about a 300 m walk.

We can ferry people with mobility issues in by vehicle if this is arranged beforehand.

Wear: gloves, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the weather.

Bring your own drinking water if you need it.

We’ll supply everything else, including light refreshments afterwards.

Hope to see you there!