Julie Whitfield - helping to save rare plants

We had the pleasure, at our January monthly meeting, of listening to Julie Whitfield, a Biodiversity Officer from DSE, describe the work that she is doing and intends to do to help secure the future of some of Victoria’s rare plants including plants that are found in the Wedderburn CMN’s area of concern. Julie spoke of the efforts to conserve such rare plants as the Kamarooka Mallee, Jericho Wire-grass, Dainty Phebalium, Velvet Daisy Bush, Spiny Rice-flower and the Northern Golden Moth Orchid among others. Julie’s work takes her to various parts of Victoria but she is keen to recruit members of the WCMN and interested members of the community to help her in her work within the Wedderburn / Wychitella area and maybe a little further afield.

Two of our members assisted Julie with her collection of seed from Jericho wiregrass plants growing at a conservation reserve at Teddy Waddy, just outside Charlton, on the 21^st of January. The group left from Jacka Park Wedderburn, spent a pleasant hour at the task then detoured round by Buckrabanyule looking for more of these plants before returning to Wedderburn. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile day.

Article by Michael Moore