Biodiversity Landcare
Our Volunteers
Janette Mulherrin
Volunteer
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.
Will Gordon
Volunteer
‘What! . . . tennis courts? . . . and squash courts? . . . . a pool . . . wait. . . 3 pools (one heated)! . . .a conference room . . . . multiple picnic and barbecue tables. . . .table tennis. . . . basketball . . . and a kiosk!’
I then asked myself, ‘How long has this place been here?’.
We have lived an 800 metre walk away for the last 6 years, and I had never known about this place!
What is it called? “Taylor Range Club”.
I enquired further.
I had been driving to the Centenary pool on Gregory Terrace 6 days a week for my morning swim, which I calculated on a weekly basis was about 100kms, 3 to 4 hours of travel time, costing me around $30 in fuel & some more for their membership (for a gym etc that I never used).
With 2 children in school, why hadn’t I found this place 6 years ago???!!!???
The combination of membership & travel for the Centenary pool cost me over three times what it would for Taylor Range Club membership.
‘Where do I sign?’
That was 18 months ago.
And now I cheerfully volunteer once a month for an hour or so with the very friendly Biodiversity group, to do a bit of gardening in the bushy areas of the property.
What are you waiting for?
Don’t make my mistake and miss out on many years of family fun.
It is a very family focused, family fun place. Very safe and open from 6am until late. Lots of birthday parties go on here, for little ones – all year round. Several months ago, I ran into my 25 year old niece attending one. There was an 85th birthday party here for a friend of the family (all catered for) – a great occasion.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Will Gordon
(father of 2 high school girls)