Alan Stafford - Paul Harris Fellowship Award

Fencers Without Boundaries.

Alan Stafford was recently presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary Club of Yea.
As a volunteer with the Uniting Church Alan has been coordinating the rebuilding of fences throughout the shires of Murrindindi and Mitchell since shortly after the 2009 Black Saturday fires.
Since joining forces with the UGLN fire recovery program ‘Fencers Without Boundaries’ in March 2010 Alan and his team of volunteers from Shepparton and Benalla have rebuilt over 100km of fences.
The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs.
Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.
Chris Cobern.

Lorax project winds down for 2010

The Lorax project is winding down now until next treeplanting season.

Most of our seedlings have been distributed by Chris , Cathy & Janet .
A waiting list for next years plant selection is being compiled .
Plans to seed collect for growing next years plants are being made .
Volunteers growers are being recruited.

• 13,200 seedlings were planted by volunteers this year.


• A further 12,500 plants were given to fire affected landholders for them to plant.


• 22,000 stakes were used.


• 7,600 tree guards used.


• 20 stainless steel 'hamilton' treeplanters are still in the landcare tool trailer


• 4 mallets were lost , 16 remain.


• 220 pairs of work gloves were worn out .


• A valuable partnership between Upper Goulburn Landcare Network and Treeproject has been formed.

Where did all these plants come from ?

Where did all the trees we have been planting come from ?

Actually most of what we have been planting are not trees but are understorey plants .

Shrubs , low bushes , ground covers , herbs and grasses. ( nothing too fire prone )

Our plants had been grown from locally collected seed by volunteer groups.

Euroa Arboretum grew 9,000 . Thanks to Sam Strong , Rob Hall and their volunteer workers

Tasmanian Understorey Network volunteers grew 3000 plants and Janet & Justus travelled to TAS to thank the growers and collect the plants . Not much happens in Hobart on a Sunday and the local press & TV reporters covered the story of plants going to Vic for Bushfire Victims.

I was even interviewed by Lindy Burns on 774 Drivetime about the project! We collected plants from Devenport , Launceston and Hobart and met some beaut people along the way.

Rotary Clubs in Melbourne grew 10,000 plants at the Kevin Heinze Centre .

What great effort by many people .

Backyard Blitz in Wandong

September 27 & 29th 2010
ANZ Finance Dept - 17 volunteers
plus Janet & Chris.
Todays project was to finish a garden make over for Mary-Anne & Chris Mount View Rd Wandong .
The house was saved from the fire but their garden was devastated.
We planted exotic shrubs in the newly landscaped front garden and native shrubs around the fencelines . Lots of shovelling piles of mulch around the garden and watering plants in ( believe it or not the soil was quite dry ) and general tiding up .
Chris had a bad morning and travelled many kilometres before arriving at Wandong .
The he set out from home very early but unplanned for events kept cropping up ! The seedlings in Yea needed an urgent watering , Alan Stafford needed accomodation booked , the landcare equipment trailer needed to be picked up from Kinross Farm but the gate was locked and to top it all off he had a flat tyre when he finally got to Wandong . Poor Chris , he was relieved when the day was over.
Another team from the ANZ was doing a similar job for the next door neighbour the following day with supervision supplied by Treeproject

A nice letter

Mr. Chris Cobern
Fire Recovery Landcare Coordinator
Upper Goulburn Landcare Network
Shop 5/10 High Street
Yea, Vic., 3717


Dear Chris,

RE: FIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS


We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the Management and Staff of the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network for the assistance rendered to us since the ‘Black Saturday’ Bushfires.

As you are aware, we suffered fire damage during the fires, and lost most of our fencing, trees and pasture. We were in dire straits here and were extremely thankful that you were able to kindly help us during this trying time.

Your untiring efforts on our behalf, in coordinating all aspects of the work are most appreciated, and we would ask that you pass on our thanks to all concerned. The assistance of staff from the NAB Bank was also appreciated, as well as the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group, and the other volunteers who attended with both yourself and Janet Hagen, to re-establish our fencing and plant trees, and we will be forever grateful.

Thank you once again.


Yours sincerely,


Beverly and Jim