Weed bonds over 25 years

THE Chandlers Hill Parkcare Group is this year celebrating 25 years of weed whacking in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The hard-working volunteers have established an almost weed-free 1km strip of parkland, stretching from The Bain to Ferntree Gully.
In the past three years, the group has removed an estimated 40,000 weeds including blackberry, ivy, forget-me-not, watsonia and angled onion.
The team meets every Monday and comprises Ray Cowling, Swee Oon, Lynne Jones, Adrian Batt, Erica Peters and John Exon.
To celebrate this milestone, Parks Victoria is putting on a lunch for the past and present group members on Monday 14 December.
The group was started by the late Gordon Carter and the late Bruce Thomson, two retired Boronia residents.
These two often walked the Chandlers Hill section of what was then the Ferntree Gully National Park, and were concerned about the unchecked weed growth.
They contacted Parks Victoria, offering to help remove weeds.
Thus, the group was formed.
With some guidance from Parks Victoria, the group has been removing weeds now for 25 years.
Member Erica Peters said the group shared a special bond.
“Our group is united by the enjoyment of working together in a natural environment and a shared concern about weeds smothering indigenous plants and disappearing habitat for local birds and wildlife,” she said.
The group is always looking for new volunteers.
Interested people can contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63.
Alternatively, email chandlershill@gmail.com.