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Progress in 2011
Since the beginning of 2011, our volunteers have been busy working on the rail trail taking advantage of improved planting and growing conditions.
Along the the section of the trail between Whitehorse Road and Kildorary Street, several working bees have carried out more than 800 new plantings, a considerable amount of weed spraying and mowing has been done, and many tonnes of mulch spread to consolidate the benefits of good rainfall. Two new picnic tables have also been constructed and installed, one just south of Whitehorse Road and the other near Kensington Road.
Much has also been achieved in the vicinity of Melaluka Road, where we contributed towards Clean-up Australia Day, recovering 11 garbage bags of litter, a quantity of polyester piping and just one discarded car tyre.
During April - prior to Anzac Day - our volunteers joined with members of the Ocean Grove RSL and members of Legacy in planting a Lone Pine tree in the Avenue of Honour on the rail trail at Curlewis. The tree is significant in being a direct descendant of the original Lone Pine seed brought back from Gallipoli, and is one of 18 in the Geelong and Bellarine region and likely to grow to a height of about 15 metres. The ceremonial planting was conducted by John Burton of Geelong Legacy, Alistair Macintosh, President of the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail, and Bill Huggins, President of the Ocean Grove RSL.
We have also welcomed several new faces to our volunteer group this year, lessening the workload on our regular stalwarts and adding impetus to our efforts to further improve the Bellarine Rail Trail as our very own local - free to use - recreational asset.
If you haven't already done so, please contact us to add your own contribution to this highly successsful joint community effort.
For further information refer to contact details as shown on this website.
Queens Birthday 2010 Honours
 Fred Cook, has been recognised for his tremendous voluntary contribution as Works Co-ordinator for the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail, with a place on the Queen's Birthday Honours list for 2010.
Fred has been awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for leading this volunteer group in the revegetation work along the trail since 2002. The work goes on, but the trail has already been substantially transformed under Fred's supervision, with his constant planning, arranging of plant acquisitions, organising the volunteer working bees, and providing tools, water and mulch on site as required. Fred represents the organisation on the Bellarine Rail Trail Advisory Committee, and is also its representative on the Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Committee and the Bellarine Catchment Authority. His enthusiasm provides the essential motivation for the team of volunteers to continue despite cold or hot weather conditions, and to overcome the difficulties brought on by drought, so as to achieve a remarkably high retention rate for new plantings.
Fred Cook is deserving of the highest recognition for his efforts, which provide a wonderful example of just what can be achieved through the determined effort of volunteers in our community.
Rock Garden Development at Christies Road, Leopold
A new raised garden bed has being developed in the reserve adjacent to Christies Road. Several large rocks have been installed to provide an attractive visual feature, whilst at a recent working bee, 450 native seedlings were planted, watered, mulched and plant guards installed in this area. The rocks were provided by way of donation, and we also gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance of Robertsons Transport who transported the rocks and positioned them on site.
Our volunteers have been busy constructing and installing two new picnic tables and seating in this reserve, and we hope to see future development of this area possibly to include barbecue facilities and playground to create a complete family recreational facility.
Environment Day Award
The Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail volunteer group has been recognised by the City of Greater Geelong for their work along the trail, work which benefits all of the Bellarine community.
The presentation of an Environment Day Award was made on Friday 5 June 2009 by Mayor John Mitchell and Environment Portfolio holder Councillor John Doull, to key members of the group including Alistair Macintosh of Newcomb, and Fred Cook and Trevor Jennings both of Leopold. The award reads "In recognition of outstanding services to the environment".
The group has committed many hours to revegetation of the 16 kilometre section of the trail between South Geelong and Drysdale since beginning in 2002, and the results of this effort are now obvious. Despite the drought, vigorous growth has transformed many areas along the old rail corridor, much of which had been almost bare of vegetation for years since the rail service was closed, or overgrown with weeds. This work has required careful planning and determined effort on the part of the volunteers not only to plant many thousands of native trees and grasses, but also to follow up with mulching, weeding and watering to ensure a high retention rate.
Two areas which have changed dramatically are at the site of the former Curlewis rail station adjacent to Portarlington Road , and in the Leopold area between Christies Road and Kensington Road . This latter area has been the site of intensive effort particularly over the last two years with the planting of more than 4000 trees and grasses, whilst council has arranged and helped finance the sealing of this section of the trail together with the provision of a shelter and toilet block.
The Friends group has installed several seats and tables in this and other locations to provide an attractive place for both local residents and visitors to walk or ride for fitness, and to commune with nature over a cup of tea and perhaps a picnic lunch. Several bird nesting boxes have also been installed to encourage native bird life.
Youth Environment Awareness
Our group is committed to the encouragement of environmental awareness across the community, but especially among young people. Today most young people are aware of the importance of revegetating areas which have been degraded over many years, and they also appreciate the opportunity for some hands-on training which our experienced group are keen to provide. We have recently had several youth groups working with us in revegetation work along the trail.
We have worked with several local schoolsand youth groups in recent years planting a wide range of indigenous shrubs and trees including Berllarine Secondary College, Leopold Scout Group and Nelson Park Special School.
We welcome enquiries from other schools or groups who may wish to participate similarly.
Trail Improvements
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