Bob Jenkins is keen to get the next generation as interested in preserving the environment as he is.
Bob Jenkins is keen to get the next generation as interested in preserving the environment as he is.
The retired businessman says as a child he loved nature, spending many hours outdoors while growing up in Ringwood, then a semi-rural outer suburb of Melbourne.
These days Mr Jenkins is surrounded by native flora and fauna: the Jenkins placed a full Trust for Nature covenant on their eight acre property near Wunghnu, which they bought in the early '90s.
"We saw the huge trees on the property and wanted to preserve them," Mr Jenkins said. "We also did a lot of revegetation work and it's been really rewarding to see all the wildlife that's come back – that's what you do it for really, the small, daily joys of seeing a rare bird or wattle in flower."
Mr Jenkins is also a Broken Boosey Conservation Management Network (CMN) committee member and helps out with a range of activities.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) CMN co-ordinator Janice Mentiplay-Smith said Mr Jenkins was a "legend".
"He's so reliable – when we have field days or other activities I can always rely on him to be there to help out and be welcoming," Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
"He also manages our Facebook page, takes great photographs for newsletters and is generally a good-doer."
Mr Jenkins said he enjoyed attending events and watching people learn and respond to new information.
"At the recent bat events held here it was fantastic to see people who had never really thought much about bats realise how interesting they are and how important they are, for example, in controlling pests," he said.
"School activities are also very rewarding – the kids are so enthusiastic and hopefully by showing them what 'we' are doing and why, it will encourage them to get involved, too."
Goulburn Broken CMA CEO Chris Norman said the Goulburn Broken CMA relied on volunteers who gave up their time and "did their bit" to help the environment, to deliver its programs.
"Volunteer Week, with its theme of 'Thanks a Million', is the perfect time to recognise and thank people such as Bob who are helping us protect and enhance the Catchment's natural resources," Mr Norman said.
"The Goulburn Broken CMA is committed to improving the resilience of our waterways, biodiversity and landscapes but we can only do this with the support of community members," he said. "I encourage anyone who is keen to get involved in natural resource management to contact us to find out more about the various volunteer groups we support and work with across the Catchment."
For more information about the Broken Boosey CMN, phone Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 5761 1644, or visit www.brokenbooseycmn.com or the group's Facebook page.To find out more about Goulburn Broken CMA programs and activities visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
Photo: Bob Jenkins