2025 July & August
​The rain gods have so disrupted our year's work we were hardly surprised by this forecast on the eve of our July weeding. Luckily, the worst held off in the morning, while we hunted Bryophyllum and Corky Passion across the island’s NE tip. But, as Tim Herse's rainfall records show, the 26th was still the wettest day of July.
Just a fortnight later, on Saturday 9th August, we were back on C Block reaching the culmination of our conservation grant from the Redland City Council. Two long shifts, worked by 15 volunteers, planted some 600 seedlings. The planting was made up of Blady grass, Wiry panic, Lomandra, Barbed Wire grass, and Dianella supplied by Coochiemudlo’s splendid Native Nursery, and Wallum Nurseries at Gumdale.
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As you can see it was a damp day, but that was a blessing for the newly-planted stock. And, as Tim's rainfall stats show, the ground was wet from 24mm the day before, and another 18mm fell four days later. A week later 64mm was recorded over four days.
It was a great effort, thanks to our faithful volunteers, joined by four new recruits. We'd scheduled a Monday session as well, but it wasn't needed. We were still very chuffed by the number of further volunteers who had signed up to help.
The project was greatly facilitated by our RCC friends at Bushcare HQ. Special thanks go Brianna Meyer, our island officer, who first suggested we get a grant to tackle the worst of Block C's weeds. Mim Skelly, who heads the council team, and Lenore Bennett, were always there to help. The council grants team were very responsive and supportive throughout the process.
The grant was wholly spent on engaging a regeneration contractor to knock the C Block weed mass back to a level which our volunteers can further reduce to an absolute minimum. The work done and our future management strategy are usefully summarised in the contractor’s final report.
