National Tree Day 2025 (take 2) on Campbells Creek

Posted on 25 August, 2025 by Lori

A wonderful morning was spent on djaara country with over 110 volunteers celebrating (a postponed) National Tree Day on Sunday 24 August along the Campbells Creek.

After having to postpone the event from its scheduled date (the last Sunday in July) due to the very wet conditions, the weather gods shone brightly on us and it was all perfect blue, sunny skies. Kangaroos grazed in nearby paddocks and the heady smell of early flowering wattles hung in the air as the great swarm of people planted over 3000 plants along both sides of the newly completed shared trail upstream of Princess Street, Campbells Creek.

The site was well prepared and soft for planting following ripping by Council earlier in the season. The plant list included a great array of largely ground storey plants – Poas, Lomandras, Carex and Stipas – including some threatened species of Dianella and Lomandra. Silver Banksias, Meleleucas and Bursarias were also in the mix to help build that critical middle-storey habitat so often missing in our local landscape.

A big shout out to Sophie from the Community Bank Maldon and District and Helen from the Victorian National Parks Association for keeping kids busy making nature-themed badges and mini-forests whilst parents planted nearby. A good BBQ feed provided by Castlemaine Rotary helped refuel the energy needed to help finish planting into the early afternoon.

Thanks to all that came along and helped out and a big thank-you to our event partners Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group who did a great job on coordinating the planting and Grace from Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation for showcasing some of the local bushfoods being grown at MeMandook Gulk.

This event would not have been possible without the wonderful support from local event sponsors The Hub Foundation, Community Bank Maldon & District, Mount Alexander Shire Council.