The enthusiastic volunteers from South West Rocks Community Dune Care invite volunteers to join them at Smoky Cape Lighthouse barbecue area on Sunday, July 22 from 9am to 1pm.

“We had a record 37 volunteers last month to help remove invasive weeds from public bushland at Back Beach,” SWR Community Dune Care President Ian Burnett said .

“And we didn’t even have any visiting volunteer groups then to boost our numbers – it was all willing locals. They’ve seen the native bush recovering at an amazing rate after we remove the weeds, and they are keen to keep up the momentum.”

With a lavish morning tea at 11am and barbecue and salad lunch at 1pm, it’s no wonder this monthly community event has been attracting record numbers. 

“In July we are hosting about 16 young, energetic visiting volunteers from the Newcastle University Student Environment Club (NUSEC), so we want to make the most of their zeal to work on the slopes below the barbecue area at Smoky Cape Lighthouse,” Mr Burnett said.

“This area was once almost a mono-culture of bitou bush, and the native plants have recovered superbly, but it’s time we followed up with a big crowd to get any regrowth of bitou, lantana and other weeds underneath the banksia and wattles.”

But there are other areas for the less energetic volunteers, such as weeding close to the flat barbecue area or gathering Mother of Millions on the path to the lighthouse. 

It is South West Rocks Community Dune Care’s strategic approach to overcoming invasive weed infestations that attracts many of the regular volunteers.

“Every time we turn up to the monthly Sunday working bees through winter, we can see the progress and that’s really rewarding,” Jane Oborn from Arakoon said

“They get the contractors to treat the really tough impenetrable walls of bitou and lantana, for example, and then we follow up regularly to get all the new weeds that sprout from seeds in the ground. Every time we go back to an area there are fewer and fewer weeds and more and more native plants popping up. It gives you a real sense of achievement.”

South West Rocks Community Dune Care welcomes new volunteers - first-timers, visitors and locals who may want to try bush care, with no obligation to join the group permanently. You don’t need any experience, as training is provided. 

Over the past 25 years this community environmental group has been restoring native bush on public land along 15 km of coastline including Back Beach, Gap Beach, Smoky Beach, Main Beach, Arakoon and Little Bay. It is mainly funded by 3-6 year grants from the NSW Environmental Trust, and supported by National Parks and Wildlife Service, Kempsey Shire Council and Local Land Services North Coast.

If you’d like to join in this Sunday, July 22, volunteers need to wear enclosed shoes or boots (not sandals), long pants, long sleeves, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and take water. Gloves, tools and training will be provided.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the BBQ area north of the Smoky Cape lighthouse car park at 8.45am for a briefing. 

If you prefer mid-week activity, Arakoon Bush Care welcomes volunteers each Wednesday morning from 9-11am, followed by morning tea. For more information contact National Parks and Wildlife Services Ranger Cath Ireland on 0459 846 833.

For more information please see Facebook SWRcommunitydunecare, or website  www.swrdc.com.au, or phone Alan Hill on 0419 012 640.