Woodend Landcare members past and present are grateful and proud to have been awarded the MRSC Community Awards 2024 – Healthy People and Environment Award.
Woodend Landcare, and its predecessor ‘Friends of Five Mile Creek’, has been active in Woodend for nearly 30 years. Run and organised by volunteers, the group has done an enormous amount of work on public land along Five Mile Creek and its tributaries within and around Woodend, such as Slatey Creek Reserve and various railway reserves. Woodend Landcare conducts about ten Sunday morning working bees every year and the ‘Thursday Crew’ works every week when weather permits. These are open for anyone to attend and the group is always happy for non-Landcare members to join in and join up (see woodendlandcare.org).
As well as along Five Mile Creek, Woodend Landcare provides advice and guidance on request to local groups and private landholders. Woodend Landcare is a member of the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, and works closely with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council (MRSC), North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) and local community groups and schools.
The aim of Woodend Landcare has always been to restore areas which have been degraded by introduced weeds, and to preserve and enhance areas of indigenous vegetation. In all, our volunteers have planted over 30,000 native plants. One particular focus has been ensuring the survival of Woodend’s unique threatened tree, the Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata).
Woodend Landcare also supports the Indian Myna trapping project (MRIMAG) and one committee member performs ‘Waterwatch’ in collaboration with NCCMA, to monitor water quality in Five Mile Creek. We have provided numerous letters of support and auspiced projects run by other groups and private landholders that align with our ‘caring for the land’ values.
In 2022 we partnered with Council to develop the Woodend Five Mile Creek Master Plan – to guide habitat restoration projects, support grant applications and inform infrastructure needs to improve accessibility to the creek for a broad range of recreational activities. Check out the Master Plan here.
In 2023 Woodend Landcare also oversaw the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over Five Mile Creek, thanks to a bequest from Woodend Landcare’s ex-President, Jo Clancy. This, together with all the work undertaken by Woodend Landcare volunteers, is for the benefit of all Woodenders to enjoy.
Looking back – Woodend Landcare in action over the years:
Read more about the award here:
Want to be part of the action?
Our working bee calendar has been updated through to December 2024. We always welcome new volunteers keen to help nature in Woodend.
Download a copy of the Landcare Calendar Jan-Dec 2024 here
The next working bee is on Sunday 3 March in tandem with Clean Up Australia Day. See you there!