Barwon Water drives Christmas tree donations for Foodbank

Barwon Water is partnering with Springdale Community Nursery and Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) to spread some Christmas cheer to those in need this month.

As part of the bush regeneration process at Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk (formerly Bellarine Basin), pine trees have been harvested and donated to Foodbank share with people who might not have been able to afford one this year.

The festive initiative saw 40 trees provided last week to the local Foodbank to distribute.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming said it was wonderful to be able to get into the Christmas spirit and help the environment at the same time.

“It was terrific to be able to harvest the pines when they’re an ideal size to be used as Christmas trees and donate them to the community,” Mr Cumming said.

“As part of the landscape regeneration work at Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk, these self-seeded pines are weeds, but for a family experiencing financial hardship, hopefully they bring joy and help make the festive season a little bit more special.

“Removing them is a great gift to the site, too, as it supports our long-term plans for natural bush regeneration at Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk.”

Springdale Community Garden’s Anna Gillard said she was pleased to help coordinate the Christmas tree donation to help those in need this year.

“When Matt Crawley from Bellarine Catchment Network mentioned this pine-tree harvesting opportunity I thought it was a great opportunity to support the local Foodbank’s Christmas tree drive.

“I’m thankful to Barwon Water to being open to it and bringing some Christmas cheer to 40 families in need this Christmas.”

For more information about the Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk project, visit: www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/bellarine-basin

To help with bush regeneration activities and restore local habitat for our wildlife, a Friends of Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk has been established by Bellarine Catchment Network. The group meets on the Wednesday of each month, starting up again in February 2024. To register, email info@bcn.org.au.



Pictured above: (L-R) Pat Trowbridge, Daniel Morrison, Alan Swanwick, Rick Paradise, Chris Mann, Bronwyn Armstrong and Ashleigh Baldwin with two of the harvested pine trees.