From the president’s desk
After a cold dry winter, we are now enjoying beautiful early Spring days. I look at my garden and think of all the pleasure it brings me. Sometimes I'm slightly daunted by the work it creates, but I say to myself ‘get amongst it and just garden!’
I realise that parts of my garden are not native or indigenous and contain environmental weeds such as agapanthus, forget-me-nots and ivy, to name just a few. I try to control these, particularly in the lower half my garden which is predominantly native and indigenous. However, not all weeds are bad as some provide habitat and food, so be judicious!!
I look outside the front fence at our roadside or nature strip and I’m proud of how we have generated a bush environment on roadsides across Shoreham over the last 20 years. However, last week I was driving along Shands Road and saw council mowers clearing a 3m verge. Along with tree hackers, this is a real environmental problem for our roadsides.
My mind instantly went to Edna Walling who is probably Australia’s most famous and earliest landscape designer. In 1952, she published the landmark book called The Australian Roadside, that represents an early recognition of the Australian landscape and was a change from her earlier ‘Eurocentric’ works.
Walling did a photographic and written audit of Australian roadsides which she regarded as unique, fragile and under threat from modern development. She argued strongly that landholders along with local and state governments road authorities were destroying natural beauty through careless clearing, grazing and road widening. She recognised that road verges are corridors for native grasses, trees and wildlife, and are crucial for the delicate balance of nature.
Walling also made loud protests concerning many issues "to save trees, to save wildlife, to save environments, to protect, protect, protect". Popular opinion was generally against her but Walling never tired of making a point.
As it happens, there is a connection with Edna Walling and Shoreham. She trained two great Australian landscape designers, Ellis Stones and Gordon Ford. The latter had a house in Steen Avenue, Shoreham.
Bearing in mind Walling’s pioneering work on the importance of roadsides, the SCA intends to keep her spirit alive! This year we are mounting a campaign of regeneration and revegetation around Shoreham that will manifest itself in many ways including workshops and working bees. In previous years, we have obtained grants from Landcare and Melbourne Water, and we will continue to pursue these. But working in your own garden or nature strip can make a difference!
This year we are mounting a campaign of regeneration and revegetation around Shoreham that will manifest itself in many ways including workshops and working bees.
By the way, after Arthurs Seat, we have the second most tree canopy cover of any locality on the Mornington Peninsula. This is something we can be enormously proud of and let’s maintain it. Share ideas with friends and neighbours, attend our workshops, look on the Shire’s website, and talk to nurseries if in doubt.
Over the years there has been a lot of work done by the volunteer Shoreham Bushland and Road Reserves working group in Howard Street, Buxton Reserve, Nelson Street, Prout Webb Road, Byrnes Road and many other locations. It has encouraged regeneration, revegetation and habitat. Let’s keep this momentum going.
We are now planning our major fundraiser, one that is focussed on the regeneration and revegetation of Shoreham’s roadsides.
A tour of Elgee Park will take place on Saturday, November 8. There will be a limited number of tickets available for what will be a unique opportunity to see this wonderful property in Merricks North, including its sculpture park. It is an event not to be missed, so hold the date!
At this stage details are still being finalised so please keep a look out for more information on the Shoreham Community Association website, as well as its Facebook and Instagram sites.
In the meantime, get along to the wonderful Shoreham market this Sunday morning, September 21, and fill your life with locally grown, baked and made fresh produce.
Happy Spring and love your precious environment!
Russell Barrett
SCA President