We cover public land, urban blocks, acreages and farms around Brown Hill, Glen Park, Wattle Flat, Pootilla and Dean in the area between Creswick and Ballarat. From the earliest days, the group encouraged whole of family participation.

Babies and children are regular attendees at group events and planting days. Many youngsters love to help get the plants into the ground, others take pride in being the ‘official’ forestry tube collectors at planting days. While work can be slower, all members help in keeping children safe and involved and we delight in their gleeful squeals as they splash in muddy puddles and leap over creeks.

When new families move into the area, neighbours will encourage them to join the Landcare group as a way of connecting with the local community. It builds a sense of belonging and pride that we love to share with our children. 

Nine-year-old Carys from Wattle Flat said, “I like doing Landcare work. It feels like we are helping the creatures and animals on the land, and I like how we get together with our neighbours to have a barbecue at the end.”

Andrew and Sue Martin were on the founding committee of the group and involved their three daughters Emma, then nine, Kate, then seven, and Leah, then five, in all of the activities. Andrew’s father, David, was also an active member in the early days. David was the head chef at the group’s planting events until he passed away in 2021.