Volunteers rescue reveg on Gympie River Walk

On the first Saturday in July, the Friends of the Mary, “Wandering Weeders”, led by Graham, re-started our weeding group along the River Walk in Gympie. A small group of five weeders were keen to get down to the river and see how all the plantings were faring. Graham was pleased to report that the Gympie Landcare workers have been doing a good job, brushcutting around the established trees, so he decided we should focus on the area just below the approach to Kidd Bridge.  

Here we found the usual suspects - Coral Berry, Chinese Elm, Ochna, Brazilian Nightshade and our old enemy, Cat’s Claw Creeper. But the immediate threat to the small trees was the Balloon Vine, which was running along the ground in a tangled mass, and completely covering some trees. It was flowering and already producing the characteristic balloons, some already ripe and dropping the round black seeds.

No party balloons here!

After a couple of hours, when  we had cleared around Figs, Palms, Casuarinas, Tuckeroos and stripped the Cat’s Claw from tree trunks, we were pleased with our work.

Lionel frees Palm tree

     

Jenny and Graham end an Elm

 

On the path back John pointed out a fine Balloon vine, in full fruit and flower. We attacked like terriers, it shall be no more!

Before the Wandering Weeders attacked.

Imagine how much could get done, if we had a bit more help. It is a very pleasant place to work, right beside our Mary River, so please come along. We meet at the  Albert Park Touch Footy pavilion, at 8.30 in Winter, on the first Saturday of the month.

Text and Photos contributed by Rahima.