THE WANDILLAH STORY

Posted by Robert Horn 
on Sep 09, 2013
 
     It started 22 years ago. In 1991, DG the late John Hardy, challenged presidents-elect to take up Trees for Life. I
brought back this challenge to Community Service Director Mike McAuliffe. And the club is still planting trees and re-vegetating after 22 years! What a determined and dedicated commitment to the project. 
     The numbers following refer to the photographs in the Club Runner Photo Album, accessible from the Home Page using the TREES FOR LIFE - WANDILLAH  quick-link down the left hand side. (Or you can click here if you are so disposed.) Click on each photo for an enlarged view.Image
2 Seedlings. Mike made up some strong tables and Andrew and Jennifer Love offered to nurse the seeds and seedlings over summer. Propagation was done adhering to Trees For Life guidelines. A slow and laborious process, but providing a good opportunity for club fellowship.
3 Tables Enthusiasm for the project was so great that members requested the opportunity to follow the project through to the planting stage. This a long association between the club and Ken and Mary Adams of the Herbig Homestead, Springton, who were developing and revegetating their property in the Barossa Valley.
8 Tiverton Just south of Burra, became involved through a club connection between Kathryn and Theo Kruys and the owners, Murray and Jan Tiver. The propagation system was streamlined as Theo Kruys and Geoff Pitcher now grew the seeds, providing about 600 trees for each property per year, with high survival rates once in the ground.
9 Wandillah Another property of the Tiver family east of Burra and intended for development by Andrew Tiver until his tragic fatal accident, was lying idle with severe erosion problems and only sparse vegetation. An offer by Murray Tiver to Rob Horn led to Rob’s restoration of the original homestead.
10 Homested Aside from a few trees surrounding the homestead, Wandillah is 3000 acres of bare rolling hills. Rob decided that he would like to put something back into Wandillah, by planting some trees.
11-16 First planting in fenced area The first planting at Wandillah was an enthusiastic weekend, with 500 seedlings planted in a small fenced area.Image
18 Lunch Lunches at Wandillah are a friendly affair. 
One week later, the dreadful news arrived: - the seedlings had been eaten by kangaroos! 
19 Andrew Love Andrew Love was determined to proceed, and planted a small group of trees with each surrounded by chicken wire. But Rob had another more ambitious idea. Robert Horn – what was your response to this setback?
Planting each tree in a 200 litre drum. This involved bringing over 1000 drums on site. I developed a giant tin-opener to remove the bottoms of the drums.
20-23 Drums
24 Erosion The decision to use drums meant that trees could be planted anywhere, and the obvious locations were the erosion gullies appearing on the property. 
35 BBQ
36 Fire
40-41 Electric fences Later, Land Care grants were received to place an electric solar powered fence around gullies lined with newly established trees after the drums were removed. Robert, how successful have the electric fences been? They have slowed the roos, but not proved as efficient as the drums. The combination of drums and electric fences has been best of all. James Heyworth and Richard DeGaris have also assisted in propagating the seedlings in more recent times.
Image
42 Rip line Murray Tiver has made rip lines in the soil, which greatly assists our planting efforts.
44 Before and after – Original planting What has been achieved?
49 Best example This conservation and environmental emphasis of the Rotary Club of Hyde Park has generated great enthusiasm as the results of our efforts can be seen and many members have participated actively, enjoying good fellowship throughout.

Rob Horn