IF you go down to Windeyer today, you’re in for a big surprise!
Waiting for you aren’t teddy bears but sleeping beauties.
They’re a brace of beautiful red cedar, sandpaper fig, and Red Kamala trees that have been revealed after being hidden from sight for 25 years.
The big reveal is thanks to the volunteers from a local Landcare group, Sustaining the Williams Valley Inc (SWV).
They’re slowly rehabilitating a section of Myall Creek from Bennett Bridge to Windeyer Street in Dungog – a project that initially began in 2001.
“Despite a huge initial effort then, the project eventually languished over the years,” SWV Landcare group president Sam Bean said.
“Privet and vines grew over the plantings, and rubbish was dumped in the area.”
However, the young saplings proved to be resilient.
“Last year we began removing the thick privet, and peeling back the layers of vines,” Ms Bean said.
“We discovered that some of the rainforest trees planted 25 years ago were still there.
“We’d love people to take a walk along Windeyer Street to see how these sleeping beauties have been revealed.”
To date, the group has planted over 200 native and endemic species on the Myall Creek site, with a high retention rate.
The dedicated volunteers currently care for three different regeneration sites. These include Frank Robinson Park, a section along the Williams River at Abbotts Flat, and Myall Creek’s Windeyer Street.
Members meet weekly for hand weeding and planting.
“We’re always looking for volunteers who share our passion for caring for the land,” Ms Bean added.
To learn more about the group, call her 0447 833 120 or email samantha.bean29@gmail.com
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