Planting trees and making memories

Organiser Dan Walker was glad to see around 20 local faces contribute to the efforts, providing new homes to multiple native species.

“Always native, but depending on your soil, you might need certain species that do better in heavier soils,” he said.

“This is beautiful soil, so we could have a bit of a range of species.

“I think there was about eight different species.”

While the planting is all done in a day’s work, the preparation begins months before.

“You need to order them like 10 months in advance,” Mr Walker said.

“The ground prep’s usually done in summer, so we had a grader come in, ripped the ground, and then we covered it back over so it’s nice and soft on top.

“It allows for all that winter rain to get down.”

At the event, Aunty Neva Takele performed a Welcome to Country, recognising the value of the day for the environment.

Aunty Neva has attended previous Regen the Plains events, as had the late Aunty Faye Cooper and Aunty Greta Morgan.

“(Aunty Neva)’s been really supportive of this,” Mr Walker said.

“It’s an important part for people to make those connections and learn a little something about Echuca and Wollithiga.”

This year, the planting spot was on community land, a change from the farmland that normally receives the botanical love.

The Nanneella Community committee reached out to Mr Walker offering the space, located beside the school.

“I was looking for a central location for everyone,” he said.

“The oval hasn’t been used for decades, so put a bit of energy back into something old.”

Mr Walker also reflected on the value of the younger generations joining in on the day.

“Hands in the soil, and if it’s only for a couple of plants, too,” he said.

“For a kid, that’s enough to make a memory they can remember.”