A group of 17 flew in on 31st August for the last weeding tour in 2014. It was a very experienced group, with most participants having been on many trips in previous years.
The group mainly worked in the Transit Hill area, carrying out follow-up work on Climbing asparagus. But at the request of Sue Bower, the LHIB Flora Manager, the group spent a morning clearing the heavy growth of Blue morning glory from a lease behind Ned’s Beach; this was preparation for the LHI Board staff to follow up with herbicide spray on the new growth.
The group also walked the Muttonbird point track to see the effectiveness of the program to remove Broad-leafed paspalum (funded by Friends of LHI); all were very pleased with the result. The group spent time on the dune weeds: Sea spurge on the Lagoon Beach dune, and on the North Bay day the group cut and painted 420 Formosa lily plants from the North Beach dune.
The group was active and enjoyed many of the favourite walks in the afternoons – Malabar, North Bay, Muttonbird Point, low tide reef walk, Little Island. Five of the group tackled Mount Gower with guide Jack Shick, including Bruce Bensemann on his 10th ascent, accompanied by his two grandsons Callum and Russell. Also on this week was student Lily Young from Hervey Bay, doing a week work experience in tourism and conservation.
As special thanks, the LHI Board CEO Penny Holloway invited the tour members to drinks at Government House – enjoyed by all.
