10th birthday for volunteer group
From the Autumn/Winter 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
‘The Friends of Strickland’ volunteer group celebrated ten years ofsuccess during a forest barbecue in December 2008.
It has been just over a decade since Forests NSW teamed with neighboursand local community members to take on environmental and community issues inStrickland State Forest, near Gosford.
The first two years saw drastic success in combating antisocialbehaviour, and from there the group flourished to tackle issues such asinvasive weeds and walking trail construction.
“It’s a real milestone for the group,” community partnerships manager,Louise Falkner, said. “It was fantastic to see some of the original memberscome in and celebrate with the newer members, as well as some of the formerstaff involved in the projects.”
Louise made special mention of the work of forest assistant, AlfBritton, who is both a Forests NSW employee and forest neighbour.
“Alf has invested a huge amount of his personal time and energy intoupgrading facilities in the forest,” she said.
“He has worked with the group to construct a walking trail to a lovelywaterfall, designed to pass by many of the forest’s best features includinghuge palms and wildflowers like Gymea lilies and flannel flowers.”
For more information on Strickland State Forest or volunteering go towww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests
Leah Flint - Communications, Maitland
