Results from Blackberry Bash

On Sunday 6th Dec, Flowerdale held its inaugural Blackberry Bash. Many community members had expressed interest in taking advantage of the weed suppression effects of the February fires, and felt that they would like to stay on top of a problem that had been enormous and was now manageable.

The community funded chemical, wetting agent and dye for the operation, as well as food and drinks for the celebration afterwards(this is Flowerdale). Teams were built up in Old Spring Valley Rd, Spring Valley Rd, Moores Rd, Collins Rd, Broome Rd and Creekside Drive. The Spring Valley Rd team worked on Saturday the 5th, as they had family gatherings on Sunday, but all the other teams worked on Sunday.

Over 40 people appear in the photo taken in the Moore's Rd Reserve after the Bash, but Saturday's crew and the two blokes who came all the way from Research to help were not there to be recorded for the Blog. In all, over 50 people were associated with this successful operation. Some 3500 litres of chemical were made up and sprayed on the day, and another 1000 litres worth of chemical were distributed for follow-up works. This is a phenomenal result.

There is a strong interest in making the Bash an annual event, including more members of the community and expanding the range of works. We can look forward to getting over 100 people to the second Bash, in 2010.

An important element in the weed suppression activities for Flowerdale is the connection with Strath Creek Landcare, DPI and CMA; all are keen to work with the Flowerdale community to achieve the best possible results.

Flowerdale Community Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight 2009

The Blackberry Bash - Turning a crisis into opportunity

The fires on Black Saturday caused massive destruction in the Flowerdale community but it also burned out most of the weeds and blackberry bushes that had created problems in the natural waterways and natural environment for many years. The photo of the king Parrot Creek above couldn't have been taken before Black Saturday and we are determined to ensure the creek is accessible and healthy.

Peter Auty got the community together and they decided to have the first blackberry Bash. Effectively the fires have created an opportunity to fully eradicate the noxious weeds with a concerted effort. The blackberry bash is being held today on the 6th December with many community members coming together working with sprayers and tools to get on top of the problem.


The Blackbery Bash held today is the start of a three year program to get things under control. It is great to see people across the community working together and it continues the spirit of collaboration, togetherness and tackling problems off our own bat that has emerged and continued to get stronger since the fires.

It also reinforces the importance of the natural environment to the community which is a key part of the overall recovery of Flowerdale.

The Bush is coming back

Many people outside the bushfire affected regions are asking about how things are looking and how the natural environment is recovering. The heatwave in November quickly browned off the green grass. Thankfully recent rain has got the creek flowing again and the trees are recovering.





The trees have leaves gowing up the trunks, which is technically called 'epicormic" growth, which is how trees recover. It is not the same as it was but things are coming back and will recover. The process ill take time but it does have its own beauty.

Flowerdale Community Update Nov/Dec

Flowerdale Community Recovery Update November