Landcare in West Gippsland 2020 calendar celebrates 72 local groups

This 78-year-old farmer, John Topp, is just one of the people whose hard work is being celebrated in a new calendar.

Garden gang: The Arawata Landcare Group. Picture: Andrew Northover

UNTIL now, these Gippsland farmers were quiet achievers, unsung environmental champions.

But with the release of the Landcare in West Gippsland Calendar 2020, their achievements will be spruiked across kitchens, loungerooms and on the back of toilet doors in homes across Victoria.

For the second year in a row, the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority has released its annual, free calendar celebrating the work of 72 Landcare groups across five networks, from Phillip Island, through to Maffra, Warragul and Erica.

Valencia Creek farmer John Topp admits he was surprised to find himself as Mr February.

“I didn’t know I was going to be in it,” the 78-year-old admits. “There could have been someone more worthy but I do think it’s a good way to get the message out about the importance of planting trees.”

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For two decades, John has been growing native saplings on his 34ha property, in 70 varieties. The most popular are Gippsland red gum and blackwood, which he supplies to the likes of Landcare and shires to revegetate public and private land.

All up, John – who previously ran a native plant nursery in Melbourne – estimates he’s planted more than a million trees, both growing and voluntarily planting them through the Maffra and District Landcare group.

“I love working with trees, and I hope we’re making a difference to the environment. There’s a huge need for them,” he said.

Long service: Farmer John Topp features in the new calendar. Picture: Andrew Northover

“They are important for shelter belts for cattle in both summer and winter, and people are starting to realise the less trees you have the less rain you get.”

John says with the drought hitting his area of Gippsland, fewer trees are being planted by farmers, which is a “Catch-22”. Most of his tree plantings were done with the help of schools.

“Younger people are the ones who will inherit our mess and it’s great to see they’re the ones investing time to redress the balance. I find them inspiring.”

Landcare facilitator Marnie Ellis compiled the calendar and says she chose to feature John because he was one of the longest-serving volunteers.

“One of my personal favourites is the photo of John. He is such an unassuming guy and has been supplying trees to Landcare and volunteering his time for so many years,” Marnie says.

“There wouldn’t be many people in the Sale-Maffra area who are involved in Landcare who wouldn’t know John and appreciate the wonderful work he’s done.”

But, she says, the calendar — the only one to be produced in Victoria for a network of Landcare groups — offers a way for volunteers to realise their achievements.

“In each month of the calendar we have snippets of achievements. So, for instance, 118,000 tube stock trees were planted in the past year, while nearly 20,000 volunteer hours were dedicated across the 72 groups,” Marnie says.

“In the past year we had 4500 non-Landcare members — including school and community groups — help us out, which is a 45 per cent increase on the previous year. I think that’s because more parents are getting their kids away from the computer and getting their hands dirty in the environment.

“Because so much of Landcare’s work is out of sight, we thought it was important to remind people of the significant work that has been done across the region.”

Others featured in the calendar include Kevin and Coral Hughes, who have been propagating seed and planting trees on their farm at Koonwarra for 40 years.

Ellinbank Primary School students are pictured in their native garden. “The return on the investment that people are making in Landcare will be picked up by these kids and their generation.”

Elizabeth Balderstone is captured on her property at Warrigal Creek near Yarram.

“Elizabeth’s story is interesting, not only because of the work she has done revegetating and protecting waterways, but also because her property was featured in a documentary last year, the Warrigal Creek Massacre, about the slaughter of indigenous Australians on (that) land.”

Marnie says the calendar includes a rainfall chart, for farmers to fill in.

“But farmers in the east of our network said they hadn’t used it because it has been so dry,” she says.

“Even though we’re an umbrella network, the 72 groups have really contrasting weather patterns, for up to three years.

“So that means Maffra and District have focused more on drought and mental health issues, whereas in Bass Coast — where they’ve had loads of rain — their priorities have been on the ground, more about climate change.

“My own property is about 20 minutes from Maffra and the difference between my property and 10 minutes down the road — in terms of rainfall — is huge.”

Copies of the calendar can be obtained from the Traralgon and Leongatha offices of the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

Anyone wanting to become involved in Landcare can phone [phone]