Phillip Island Landcare Community Shed OPens

After 33 years, Phillip Island Landcare Group is excited to finally have a home to store their resources, as their Phillip Island Landcare Community Shed officially opened on Saturday 12 December. The new facility sits amongst beautiful gums just 100 metres from the Barb Martin BushBank community plant nursery at the Koala Conservation Reserve.  
The event was held outside the shed in glorious sunshine and the 40 attendees were treated to entertaining speeches on the previous Landcare ‘sheds’, a few words from the major sponsors, and some poetry from Mike Cleeland.  The shed opening was marked with the cutting of a ribbon. In addition, the group unveiled a Life Membership honour board, a President’s honour board and a plaque recognising the momentous occasion.  
The Phillip Island Landcare Community Shed was named thanks to input from the community. 
Group President David Rooks stated: “We can’t thank the community around us enough.  Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bendigo Bank and Council have all shown a huge interest in our group.  The community helped build the shed, and as a group, we now want to give back to the community through the benefits the shed offers. When the BushBank re-opens on January 9th, Landcare members who pick up plants from the BushBank will now have access to a variety of guards and stakes from the stores in the shed close by.  Furthermore, our fantastic planting trailer can be used by other community groups such as the Coastal Care Groups and Nature Parks.”

The Community Shed was opened on 16th December 2020, on the same day as the Phillip Island AGM. Those interested in knowing more about the Phillip Island Landcare Group or who wish to join can visit our page. Membership enquiries can be made direct to Robyn or Thirza on 0417 106 361 or [email protected]

​The shed was funded through in-kind and financial support from the Nature Parks, a successful grant of $12,650 from the Bendigo Bank, and $3,500 from the Bass Coast Shire Council community grants.   Those three groups were represented on the day.  Mayor Tessari attended on Council’s behalf along with Nature Parks CEO Catherine Basterfield, and Joan Matthews the board chair from Bendigo Bank. 
Catherine Basterfield said: “It’s great to see the relationship between Landcare and the Nature Parks continue to grow.  We share many similar objectives, and this shed will help both groups achieve outcomes for our land.”
Prior to the shed opening, the group held its AGM and offered a choice of two tours.  At the AGM, the interest in the group was so high there were more people wishing to be involved in the committee than positions available.  This is a great outcome and Phillip Island Landcare President David Rooks commented: “We welcome all volunteers, some will be involved as committee members, some will attend committee meetings but not have a vote, and some will work on special projects outside of attending committee meetings.”   
The choice of complimentary tours on the day were either BushBank or the Koala Conservation Reserve.  Landcare thanks the Nature Parks for providing these informative tours.