By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
The escaped noxious weeds blighting Cardinia Creek once seemed “insurmountable” to Casey’s recently-crowned environment volunteer of the year Judy Smith.
For 18 years, the Berwick green-thumb and other co-founders of Friends of Cardinia Creek have culled the exotic plants, removed shopping trolleys and rubbish, and revegetated the reserves.
“I didn’t think we’d get this done in my lifetime,” Ms Smith said.
Though, of course, the task – as with any weeding job – doesn’t have an end date.
“The creek will never have a clean bill of health because the (weed) seeds are still there.”
One of the worst is pittosporum – a tall East Gippsland-native with orange berries and cream flowers favoured by some gardeners as a hedge.
“Nothing grows underneath them – only the other weeds,” Ms Smith said.
Ms Smith’s 25-year commitment to the creek’s bushland reserves was recognised by Casey Council creating a seat – with a bronze plaque in her name – by the creek.
Her announcement as volunteer-of-the-year was at a civic reception on World Environment Day on 3 June.
“I’m not a front person. I do the work but I’ve got a good team to work with – six of the original Friends members are still there with me.”
There’s still a need for new, young members, she adds.
“People say you can come and do my garden but they never say I’ll come and give some help.
“But they do say thank you for the work you do.”
Fittingly the plaque seat will be planted near a platypus sign that marks the re-introduction of platypi in 2004 – an indicator of the creek’s continuing good health.
Recent surveys have been encouraging, with a platypus recently spotted as far away as Inglis Road, Beaconsfield.
Each year, the friends group organises Clean Up Australia Day working-bees in Berwick and Beaconsfield, collecting more than 40 bags of rubbish.
Ms Smith does her own clean-up round twice a week in the area.
She went to the first meeting of Wilson Botanic Park when the first seeds of transforming the abandoned quarry site were sown 25 years ago.
A member of Australian Plant Society, she’s helped flourish a native-plant section in the beautified park
She’s a person who likes to be near the earth, bushwalking in pristine marvels like Wilson’s Promontory or helping her son establish his garden in Warburton.
As Casey-Cardinia fills with houses, the creek, the botanic park and Beaconsfield Fauna and Flora Reserve are increasingly “precious” places.
Ms Smith feels at home by the creek.
“I really enjoy Cardinia Creek and I want to make sure others can as well.”
