Last Saturday, 2 August, 17 Geocachers joined the Friends of Gembrook Park in a hands-on environmental effort to weed out Tradescantia fluminensis from the forest reserve in Gembrook – it marked the third time the Geocaching community – usually busy treasure hunting with GPS, has swapped their search for hidden caches to help with a cache in, trash out (CITO) event.
Secretary of Friends of Gembrook Park, Merle Mathisen said Geocachers are an amazing group.
“They travelled long distances and chose to help us, andwe’re so grateful,” she said.
This year, the targeted weed was Tradescantia fluminensis which is an environmental pest originating from South America.
The weed is also known as ‘Trad’, it’s a fast-spreading creeper that thrives in damp, shady areas and forming dense mats that smother native vegetation – just one noded piece of stem can root and form a new plant.
“If you have it in your backyard, it’s notorious for creeping under fences and invading other areas,” Ms Mathisen said.
“Please consider removing this plant if you have it at your place.”
As the Friends of Gembrook Park celebrate 30 years of stewardship, the significance of this effort is even more meaningful.
The 29-hectare damp forest, just a 10-minute walk from the Gembrook town strip is home to tall Mountain Ash trees, fern gullies, cockatoos and lyrebirds.
Since 1994, the Friends group, with support from Cardinia Shire, have worked to protect and restore this unique environment.
For Ms Mathisen, the journey has been deeply rewarding.
“Caring for Gembrook Park has meant commitment and dedication, residents and others have benefited from regular exercise in the fresh air and the camaraderie of working within a group,” she said.
This year, local Ecowarriors from Gembrook Primary School and students from Officer Specialist School also joined the cause to take part in weeding and planting days in the park.
“Seeing students and Geocachers involved is inspiring,” Ms Mathisen said.
“It encourages me to keep providing opportunities for others to experience caring for the natural environment.”
In 2019, the CSIRO released Kordyana brasiliensis, a smut fungus, to help biologically control Tradescantia across the Dandenongs and beyond.
But in Gembrook Park, weed removal still happens the old-fashioned way – by hand, with each plant carefully bagged and removed as green waste.
Weeding days also double as social gatherings.
“All manner of conversations take place while working, and we always stop for a cuppa at morning tea time,” Ms Mathisen said.
As the group marks its 30-year milestone, Ms Mathisen hopes more people will continue to engage with the park.
“Preserving places like Gembrook Park is essential,” she said.
“It provides habitat for animals and birds, fosters indigenous vegetation, and gives people a place for peace, healing, and exercise in nature.”
New volunteers and visitors are always welcome.
To learn more or get involved, visit Friends of Gembrook Park on Facebook.
