We had another good roll up of thirty-six (36) for this event which included five (5) new members Anthony Boulus, Mark Manchee, Derek Phillips, Guy Roberts & Owen Schulz – Welcome Anthony, Mark, Derek, Guy & Owen.
Also, we were fortunate enough to have our coach driver Nick Peters & Zilmark Project Staff Mark Norman & John Kennedy join us for lunch bringing our lunch total up to 39 – Welcome Nick, Mark & John it was great to have you join us on the day.
The attached three-page handout (below) provides a good summary of the project scope, species of trees planted, duration of the project & status, & I recommend that you read it.
Our first stop for the day was the Millmerran rest area where Mark & John joined us for smoko, &, after smoko Mark welcomed us, gave an overview of the project & conducted a Q & A session.
We then travelled to the Machinery shed where we were able to view the machinery used to plant the trees & ask questions about how the plantings were carried out.
The final leg of our guided tour was a drive through the project site, being able to see the trees planted to date, their various stages of growth, & on the way to the Mill Inn Tavern for lunch see the trial plantings over the past fifteen years or so – All in all it was a great tour.
Following lunch, we had our usual birthday cake etc., with birthdays for the following members falling in March acknowledged & celebrated in our usual manner, Viz. Damian Carroll, Warwick Dingle, Greg Harvey, Derek Phillips, Harley Storch & Andy Yates.
In closing, special thanks to those who contributed to making this another safe & enjoyable event for all attendees, including:
Peter Thompson, Mark Norman & John Kennedy – For organising this event; & Mark supported by John for his very informative & educational presentation along with a great guided tour & handouts.
Peter Taylor – For looking after our PA System; ensuring we were all on board before the coach departed at each stop; & for taking the photos.
Russell Mauch & Michael Bourke – For looking after our finances & name badges including receipting & banking of surplus cash.
Russell Mauch & Mark Rowland – For assisting the kitchen staff in delivering meals & cutting up & serving of our birthday cake.
Tegan & Staff – For our great lunch.
Peter Thompson – For his usual Gig of ensuring we all got on & off the coach safely at each stop.
Mark Manchee & Peter Weinthal – For looking after our hydration needs, along with ensuring the coach was loaded & unloaded as required.
Tony Wind & Mark Rowland – For being on duty as our trusty & reliable first-aid officers.
Jan Neal – For making our much-appreciated birthday cake.
Finally, our coach driver Nick Peters for transporting us to & from Millmerran safely.
Dick
8 March 2024