Biodiversity Landcare

Our Volunteers

David Poore

Volunteer

How long have you been a member of the club & why did you join? 
I joined 4 years ago.  The main attraction was to have convenient access to a pool for fitness during summer when my enthusiasm for other fitness activity wanes.  The pool is in a very picturesque and natural setting, hard to believe Brisbane CBD is only 7km away. We are a family of 4 and occasionally we take advantage of the squash and tennis courts too.

How long have you been volunteering with the Biodiversity Land Care Group?
Over 12 months now and recently I’ve taken on leading the regeneration and planting along the banks of Enoggera Creek that Taylor Range is situated.

What were your motivations to join the monthly working bee?
Primarily to give something back to the community by helping to maintain and restore the natural environment that we enjoy in this part of Brisbane.  I was also motivated to learn skills that would help me to improve the plants and biodiversity of my garden at home.

What keeps you coming back?
There is a vision and understanding of how the landscape will look in the future.  It’s great seeing the progress that has been made in the areas around the club where we have been working.    I love the sense of camaraderie among the volunteers, it is a great mix of friendly people across all age groups and it is always very satisfying to see what we achieve at each monthly working group.  Participating is very flexible, come for as little or as long as you can and have some fun.

Janette Mulherrin

Volunteer

How long have you been a member of the club & why did you join?
We joined 12 years ago when our daughter was young, and we wanted access to the pool. Taylor Range has been at the centre of a lot of family/friend rituals over the last 14 years.  We have a lot of fond memories of times spent here.  As our needs have changed, we have transferred from a family to a single membership. My husband swims here now.
 
How long have you been volunteering with the Biodiversity Land Care Group?
Since its inception, three-four years ago. 
 
What were your motivations to join the monthly working bee?
At the time I was a member of the Board and part of the Biodiversity sub-committee. When Taylor Range partnered with SOWN, the sub-committee developed a plan to address weed management and land restoration.  SOWN had developed a successful model of working with groups of volunteers on a range of projects throughout the catchment and the sub-committee wanted to model themselves on that approach. 
 
What keeps you coming back?
Watching what a small, diverse group of people with a focus can achieve in 2 hrs, 2 months and 2 years. Learning from Janet (SOWN); watching areas of the club (including the creek bed) transform; engaging with the stories and experiences of people from the community. The two hours I spend here every month fills my cup on so many levels.  There is a lovely quote that best sums up my response to this question: A society grows great when we each plant trees in whose shade we may never sit.