Hidden away in the extensive bushland across Wollongong are scores of mammals, busy burrowing, digging and collecting to improve their habitat.
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Often they wear matching shirts, identifying themselves as members of the various bushcare groups who help keep the native bush around leafy city from being overgrown by weeds.
They are the bushcare volunteers, a mob of willing sorts who give up some of their spare time in order to do their bit for the local environment. And when we say local, we mean weed by weed.
Wollongong has 60 different groups of volunteer bush regenerators, each working locally to their own suburb, or on a stretch of favourite bushland.
But they are in a constant state of recruitment, and are this week calling out for more volunteers to help out.
Their own regeneration, if you like.
Paul Wells has been volunteering since he retired and said it’s a great way to spend some time in the bush doing something constructive.
He’s learning on the job and while he’s not a tree expert yet he knows “the goodies from the baddies”.
Mr Wells is in a group which has concentrated on the bush near Puckey’s Lagoon which is now looking great.
Bushcare volunteer numbers are drawn from all age groups, but retirees and those on work for the dole projects feature prominently – and these demographies can bring with them a limited timeframe of active involvement.
“I don’t think people realise how enjoyable it is to spend some time in the bush,” said Lynne Kavanagh who is a volunteer co-ordinator working at Mangerton.
“It’s not very physical and it’s very social. We have a great team of people.
“I’d like people to come and give it a try; you don’t have to commit.”
The 60 groups are all involved under Wollongong City Council’s Bushcare program.
“If you like the outdoors, are physically able, and have some time, we can provide training in different aspects of restoration work,” council’s natural areas co-ordinator Paul Formosa said.
“It’s a healthy outdoor activity.”’
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said keeping the bush tidy and free from weeds was a job too big for any council to do on its own.
“The 60 groups represents the fact that Wollongong has so much bush and green space that needs to be maintained,” he said.
“We all love the bush and the green space but [it’s] a highly demanding resource to manage properly, especially with noxious and invasive weeds.
“It is vital that we have these volunteer groups otherwise we wouldn’t be able to manage it.”
For more information call council on 42277111 or find contact details on the council’s website here or its call for volunteers here.