Welcome to the Summer edition of Gecko – finally. I hope you’ll forgive us for this very late edition – what a busy few months it has been.

The Bushcare Network did a magnificent job of organising the inaugural Bushcare Network Conference which showcased the wonderful plant communities we work to protect, a successful example of how to do it and the direction of BMCC bushland rehabilitation planning – catchment protection. It also gave us a chance to celebrate Bushcare’s 21st birthday with some cake!

Then came the fires which affected many of our bushcarers either through damage to homes, Bushcare sites or gardens. The Bushcare Network is considering ways Bushcare can assist in the recovery, so if you have any ideas please contact me at the Bushcare Office on 4780 5528.

Then there was Christmas, and its usual frenzy of activity – a big thanks to Tracy for kick-starting the lower mountains festivities again. Please see her write up in this edition.

The Bushcare Team says a big thank you for your patience while our team plays musical chairs! On a personal note, I’m very excited to be taking a turn at the helm of the Bushcare Program while Erin’s maternity leave continues. Thanks to Pete for stepping up for the first six months. We expect Erin to return in a part-time capacity soon. In the meantime, you’ll be seeing more of our wonderful casual Bush Care Officers – Jane Anderson, Jo Fenner, Lesley Sammon and Stephanie Chew. They all come to us with a wealth of experience, both on and off the mountains, and I’m sure you’re all as glad as the rest of the team is to have them on board.

Until the Autumn issue, Happy Bushcaring,