Watering every day, or ensuring they would be watered if I was away, soon took priority.

And then seeing them poke through the soil and develop into beautiful seedlings gave me a huge sense of achievement.

I even rescued a couple of abandoned boxes of seedlings – a volunteer couldn’t look after them in the end – and despite being advised they wouldn’t amount to much as they were in such a sorry state, I nurtured them back to health.

These orphans, or runts of the litter if you like, were probably the ones I felt the most proud of.

Half of my seedlings are going to help revegetate a fruit block on the banks of the Murray River in Paringa. I know the property and the landholder well and know they’ll be well cared for – and will play some minute part in the river’s well-being.

Likewise, the other half will go along the river in Berri, thanks to the local Lions Club up there. Part of an on-going revegetation project, the area is used by many locals, including wheelchair-bound nursing home residents.

As well as learning first-hand what it’s like to be a grower for TFL

I’ve also spent a good part of this year out and about at expos and field days

Apart from getting out and seeing just how drought-ravaged the countryside is, it’s been extremely worthwhile to sit down and talk to the landholders in the various regions.

h3.]Our country neighbours are doing an incredible job. Not only have they been dealing with drought conditions and, in turn, poor crops or concerns over keeping their stock alive, many are also very mindful of how important native vegetation is.

Specifically, I’ve come across many older landholders who openly admit their fathers “tore down” most of the trees on their property and they now feel it’s time to revegetate the landscape. Bravo to them.

So to all those who voluntarily grow seedlings for our rural landholders, or for revegetation projects, and to those who plant them, well done.

Your achievements aren’t often recognised or rewarded, but be assured that you’re certainly making a difference in the grand scale of things.

Future generations will look up at your trees and be thankful that someone made the effort.

On that note, I’m now off to earn my stripes in bushcaring … there’s always more work to be done!

Tania Kearney,
Media & Communications Manager