The Friends of Canadian Corridor (FoCC) as an organisation has grown significantly since its early days with us now having 135 financial members, over 1200 friends on our mailing list and 1300 followers on Facebook.
As many will recall, our initial purpose was the establishment of Woowookarung Regional Park, which continues to increase its visitor numbers and with the Dementia Friendly Walk is becoming an important attraction for both tourist and locals alike. The FoCCs positive working relationship with Parks Victoria (PV) staff has continued to grow with our regular meetings and input into PVs infrastructure planning and their new biodiversity projects for Woowookarung that will commence in 2025.
One of the significant successes for the FoCC has been our ability to build positive working relationships with a broad range of organisations including the City of Ballarat and its councillors, Parks Victoria, Midwest tourism, Dementia Alliance, and Ballarat Field Naturalists as well as a number of commercial companies.
In 2022 the FoCC committee adopted the Advocate, Educate and Activate mantra as its statement of purpose.
In our advocacy work within the Canadian Corridor, the completion of the Recreation Road Bushland reserve project has been a highlight. The reserve is now a regularly used link that connects the people of Mt Clear with Woowookarung. This reserve is also an important link in the Bunny Rail trail project.
The official adoption by the City of its Biodiversity plan, which FoCC had considerable input, has highlighted the positive relationship that we have developed with the City.
This year also saw a significant successful VCAT challenge to an inappropriate development in the area, alongside proposals and meetings with the City of Ballarat in regard to the upgrading of Recreation Rd.
The FoCC was represented on a working party facilitated by PV. This group discussed future research and Citizen Science projects within Woowookarung. These projects, to be initiated in 2025, will provide a better understanding of the complex biodiversity within the parks ecosystem. These projects align with our Educate role.
The completion of our fourth Wildlife brochure “40 Species Checklist” has proven to be a hit with families and school groups. I would like to take this opportunity to thank two of our committee members for their work in producing this amazing resource, Joel Ellis and Hayley Inglis.
The pop up Mining Heritage walk and the pop up Wild flower walks, held in May and October, continue to draw considerable numbers and have become very popular annual events. A big thankyou goes to all those involved with the setting up and promotion of these events.
Our bi monthly meetings also showcased a number of guest speakers who provided valuable insights into our local area. Norman Houghton’s talk on the Buninyong Railway Line ensured an informative connection between the old railway and the Bunny rail trail project.
Spikey News continues to provide a wealth of information regarding the Canadian Corridor including the regular Bird of the month article. A special thank you to Jeff Rootes and Joel Ellis for producing this very important community newsletter every month.
The Activation of volunteers for tree planting this year saw FoCC plant its 5000th tree in Woowookarung as part of our annual tree planting project. The task of this mile stone planting was entrusted to a group of young enthusiast tree planting FoCCers.
With a grant from the CCMA, FoCC able to was able to clear a significant pine infestation adjacent to the Mt Clear Bushland reserve as well as plant out areas along Mr Toms creek, which passes through the reserve. Trees were also in a council reserve in Haymes Rd by the a group of local residents.
Considerable work has also commenced on the Urban ripple tree planting project which will commence in 2025. Under this project, FoCC plans to plant 6000 trees, shrubs and grasses across 4 sites.
All the above would not have occurred without the dedicated volunteers who continually turn up and support our efforts. I want to take this opportunity to thank you and acknowledge your role in improving our local environment.
I especially want to acknowledge and thank the members of the FoCC committee for their work, support and enthusiasm. Through your drive and passion FoCC has provided community leadership and helped protect and enhance our local environment.
As president of FoCC, I am looking forward to 2025 with enthusiasm and hope for further growth and success for this unique organisation.
Bob Hartmann