More than 60 volunteers from fishing clubs right across Victoria turned out to plant around 600 trees and shrubs on the Steavenson River near Marysville on a cool crisp morning earlier this month (May 5).
Goulburn Broken CMA’s Sue Kosch said Kris Leckie from VRFish and Adam Cox and Terry George from the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF) initiated the event.
“As keen anglers who recognise that bank vegetation is critically important for providing food and shelter for fish, Kris, Adam and Terry approached us about accessing funds to improve this section of river by installing stock control fencing, carrying out weed control and planting native species along this stretch of the river, which is a very popular fishing spot,” Ms Kosch said.
“Fortunately we were able to secure funding through the Victorian Government’s $1 Million Angler Riparian Partnership Program for the project and after a lot of pre-planning and organisation, it was fantastic to see so many people getting involved in improving river and fish health.”
Volunteers from Marysville, the Victorian Fly Fishers Association, The Council of Victorian Fly Fishing Clubs and the ATF along with members from many other fishing and angling clubs including Southern, Yarra Valley, Albert Park, Hawthorn, Northern and Sunshine, planted trees and shrubs – including blackwoods, prickly currant bush and sedges - in a couple of hours.
“It really was a terrific effort by all involved,” Ms Kosch said.
As well as all the volunteers who helped with the planting, Ms Kosch also thanked the Taggerty Community Progress Group, who provided morning tea and pumpkin soup and sausages for lunch, and Tony Thompson from Maryton Park B & B.
“Tony’s support, as the licensee of the crown land where the work was completed, was absolutely critical – if he hadn’t agreed to the fencing and works, this couldn’t have happened, so we’re all very, very grateful for his support,” Ms Kosch said
The site will be monitored and once the plants have established the guards and posts will be removed and reused at future planting sites.
For more information about how to get involved and future planting days, please contact Sue Kosch on 5822 7700.