Helensburgh & District Landcare Group is celebrating 30 years of trying to protect our local bushland areas from being overtaken by exotic ‘weeds’.

Helensburgh & District Landcare Group had its first weed removal day on 16 September 1993. We worked at Helensburgh Creek. The Helensburgh Band Hall (Patrick McCarthy Hall) was still in existence. Unfortunately, this historical building burnt down in 2000. We still continue to work in Helensburgh Creek. Unfortunately, as with many urban areas, once the initial weeds are removed, the area was subject to weed invasion from other weeds. The lantana and blackberry have been replaced by Madeira vine, asparagus fern, arum lilies and periwinkle.

The environmental, non-native plants that are invading the Helensburgh bushland have changed over the years since we started. We are now spending more time on removing weeds from our local bushland which some people are still growing in their gardens, e.g. arum lilies, periwinkle, liriopes and Japanese sacred bamboo. Some of the older weeds still persist, e.g. Madeira vine, morning glory, honeysuckle, trad.

Whereas 30 years ago we had up to 10 people come along to our work days to help, these days we are lucky to get four or five.

I’m sure there are still many locals who love and appreciate our local bushland. Why don’t you think about giving nature a helping hand by either removing invasive plants from your gardens, or coming along to one of our Landcare/Bushcare workdays. Membership of Helensburgh Landcare is only $10 for individuals and $15 for a family. This covers you for Volunteer Workers Compensation and Public Liability.

For more information, please email merilyn@helensburghlandcare.org.au or ring me on 0414 819 742. There is lots of information on our website, including local environmental weeds, and suggestions for becoming a Bush Friendly neighbour.

Please join us for our annual Wollongong Council Rise and Shine Community Clean-Up on Sunday, 12 November. We will be cleaning up around the Helensburgh Station area and Helensburgh Station Reserve. We will meet next to the sewerage pumping station opposite the Glowworm Tunnel.

Visit www.helensburghlandcare.org.au