On 15 July seven young people graduated from the latest Green Corps project in the Northern Rivers region, in an event held at Imogen’s Farm (winery and farm-stay) at Whian Whian. The team, headed by trainer Monica O’Reilly, worked mainly in the Branch Creek region of Whian Whian during the practical component of the project.
The Federal Government funds the Green Corps program and the delivery agent for this particular project was NewTRAIN. Whian Whian Landcare Group was the partner agent for the project.

The participants each spoke of their experiences and reported on the outcomes of the project at the graduation. During the six-months-long project, their activities included:
• Bush regeneration: 2.5 ha of weeds were cleared;
• Planting of 1,200 trees, including koala food trees;
• Plant identification;
• Water quality testing;
• Fauna surveys using sand pads, observation of scats, spotlighting etc.;
• Building, placement and monitoring of 20 nest boxes;
• Nursery experience at Firewheel Nursery (Dorroughby);
• Community ventures:
• landscaping of Dunoon Preschool grounds in preparation for the planting of a food garden;
• participation in a public “cane-toad” muster held at Whian Whian Hall in conjunction with staff of Byron Shire Council; building of a cane-toad trap at Whian Whian Public School with the Whian Whian students.

They were also trained in First Aid, resume writing and interview techniques, and will each receive a Certificate I in Conservation Land Management.
NewTRAIN manager, David McMurray travelled from Tamworth to the event, which was well attended by about thirty people. He said the project had been a great success, as seven participants out of the ten who started had finished (and gained some very useful skills in the process).
Monica O’Reilly, the team leader, spoke of the incredible personal growth in each graduate and about the large number of people that had worked together during the project, from the person who kept their bus running to the Whian Whian Landcare members who had initiated the project.

Nathan Kesteven, president of Whian Whian Landcare said he was inspired by the work of the team. He said projects like this are much more effective than grants the Landcare Group had accessed in the past, where funding was primarily available for materials, not labour. Also, the weed removal done by the team (such as the eradication of a large infestation of Balloon Vine) would have far-reaching effects, as it would stop the spread of those weeds’ seeds down the creek.
Emma Stone, vice president of the Landcare group said Branch Creek (which originates in Whian Whian National Park) is part of an important wildlife corridor. Twenty-six threatened plant species and over thirty threatened animal species have been found in the area. She said the aims of the project were to improve habitat and to curb the effects of feral species. She is confident that the work of the Green Corps team will achieve those aims.
Jessica Lowe, Imogen’s Farm
Photos by: Julie Gavin, NewTRAIN