Bushcare Picnic 2016: Catching up with old friends, presentations, childrens activities …

Sun Valley Reserve came alive on a sunny Saturday afternoon last July. The sounds of  chattering, picnicking bushcare volunteers and council staff together with folk music provided by The Blue Mountains Bushcare Trad band, The Fannigans and The Plough while a sizzling barbeque filled the air. Mayor Mark Greenhill and Councillors Hollywood, van der Kley, Fells, McGregor and von Schulenberg were on hand to express Council’s appreciation for the hard work of our Community Conservation volunteers and present the annual awards.

This year The Golden Trowel trophy for the BMCC Bushcare Legend of the Year went to Steve Barratt of Warrimoo.  Steve is a member of the Blue Mountains Bushcare Network, co-ordinates the Fitzgeralds Creek Catchment Group and Streamwatch as well as being active in the Warrimoo Citizens Association and the local RFS. Certainly a deserved winner of the Legend title! Unfortunately he was unable to attend so the trophy was presented by Mayor Mark Greenhill to Tony Montgomery on Steve’s behalf. fellow member of Cross St Warrimoo Bushcare Group and Long Angle Gully Landcare Group.

Landcare Legend of the Year is Lisa Scott-Smith who was recognised for her ongoing, long-term commitment to Leura Public School Swampcare. Lisa has ensured that the whole student body has learnt about and visited the Endangered Ecological Community on the school’s doorstep, written grant applications, introduced new parents to the group and routinely monitors the groundwater levels in the swamp as well as co-ordinating the regular monthly Swampcare group.

Nick Franklin was presented with a Masters Award for his commitment to Birriban Katoomba High School Landcare for Sport, Banksia Park and Katoomba Creek Bushcare. Neil McGlashan also won a Masters for his dedicated attention to Glenbrook Lagoon and the Friends of Glenbrook Bushcare Group. A Hard Yakka award went to Ray Richardson for his long term involvement with Wilson Park North Lawson (now the Homeschoolers Bushcare site) and also assisting us in the Bushcare office with events display material and developing the weeds website.

And our Junior Legend of the Year is Meri Tinkler, a very engaged and committed member of the Garguree Swampcare Group.

weed bag races, honeysuckle tossing – fun for young and the young at heart

energy and enthusiasm wins the Montbretia on a trowel race!