Woodend Landcare: A slow and steady story of change

3 to 9 of August 2026 is Landcare Week – an annual celebration of local environmental volunteers and groups. This year is particularly special – it has been 40 years from when Landcare first began in Victoria. To celebrate, Woodend Landcare will share a series of news articles featuring some of our sites, volunteers and stories of change.

First up, Woodend Landcare was recently featured in the Landcare Victoria 40th Anniversary online magazine. The article is a worthy acknowledgement of the countless hours of volunteer work that has gone into the group and natural places around Woodend over many years. It is a brilliant read – check out the link below.

If there is one thing that sits at the heart of the Woodend Landcare group, it is not a single project or planting day, but a commitment that has quietly endured for more than three decades.

https://www.landcarevic.org.au/landcare-magazine/landcare-magazine-winter-2026/a-slow-and-steady-story-of-change

Thanks to all of our volunteers and members for your support of Woodend Landcare and our natural environment. Every contribution – big or small – is valuable. Thanks also to Belinda Pritchard, North Central Regional Landcare Coordinator, for the writing this article and to Nicole Middleton, Woodend Landcare President, for providing the inspiration, information, photos and editing.

Feeling inspired?

Woodend Landcare always welcomes new volunteers and members. Our calendar of events has recently been updated:

We hope to see you at our next Sunday Working Bee on the 23 August 2026 around Jo’s Bridge. Click here to find out about more ways to be involved in Woodend Landcare – including becoming a member, donating or joining the Thursday crew.

You can learn more about local Landcare groups this Thursday 9 August as part of Council’s Experience Landcare: Stories from the Macedon Ranges event. Click here for more information and to register.

Working Bee 24 May 2025 plus more

On Sunday 24 May we will protect rare Black Gums and habitat for local Swamp Wallabies in the bushy area behand Ruby McKenzie reserve. Come along to help us remove woody weeds and share in a tasty morning tea. New volunteers are always very welcome.

Other local environment events

Wednesday 20 May Spotlighting: Wildlife watch– Barringo Reserve

Sunday 24 May Glenlyon and District Landcare Working Bee – Loddon Falls

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 May ACUP Training (eligible participants pay only $60 after the Government subsidy)

Tuesday 2 June Decisions Under Pressure: Excellent Farming in Uncertain Seasons – A practical half-day workshop for farmers navigating a high-risk, high-stress season – Inglewood

Thursday 4 June Decisions Under Pressure: Excellent Farming in Uncertain Seasons – A practical half-day workshop for farmers navigating a high-risk, high-stress season – Maryborough

Thursday 4 June – Native Mistletoe Presentation – Macedon

Wednesday 24 June Community led rabbit management workshop – Lancefield

Planting Day – Sunday 26 April

Help us to plant seedlings and care for our existing revegetation sites near the tennis courts on Five Mile Creek. On Sunday 26 April, volunteers will plant tube-stock, spread mulch, hand-weed and remove old plant guards. We have tools for moving mulch, but more might be handy, so if it’s easy to do, please bring a wheelbarrow, rake or shovel. Morning tea will be provided.

Woodend Landcare in the news

Thanks to the Star Weekly for featuring our work along Five Mile Creek and our upcoming Fauna Discovery Project. You can check out the article here: https://sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/news/the-secret-life-of-five-mile-creek/

Clean Up Five Mile Creek wrap up

On Sunday 1 March, 15 people met at the Woodend Information Centre. They scoured up and down Five Mile Creek between Buffalo Stadium and Campaspe Park. Their mission was collecting rubbish. Still, some of us couldn’t resist the temptation to pick a weed or two along the way!

In total, we filled 8 big bags. They contained approximately 1,120 pieces of rubbish. This is an increase from 747 items in 2025. The increase is mainly due to soft plastic.

Of note:

  • 11 plastic soy sauce fish (not the type of fish we want in our creek!)
  • 20 dog poo bags (including some unused bags)
  • 12 balls (tennis, golf, dog toys)
  • 1 shopping trolley
  • 1 pallet
  • 2 vapes

It was pleasing to find no plastic straws, syringes or facemasks this year.

Additionally, no plastic plant guards were found. Instead, there were 4 biodegradable cardboard plant guards. This reflects Woodend Landcare’s switch to these for revegetation within the Five Mile Creek flood zone. Although cardboard guards are more expensive, it results in better outcomes for our local environment.