Rohan Smith, Paul Delgallo and Darren Beckwith-Smith, co-directors from G. J. Gardner Homes Geelong have been supporting our local tree planting projects since 2013.  This year, the trio purchased 300 trees (plus guards) for their local district.

G.J. Gardner prides itself on being a practical, hands-on family affair, and in past years, staff have happily gone out with their local community to plant their trees themselves. Local Landcare groups determine the best tree species for the site. The seedlings themselves are grown by local independent nurseries who have collected seed from the region. The sites that have been planted in the past have included nature reserves, parklands, roadsides, school grounds, riverbanks & rural properties.

Gardner Homes Geelong are very proud to have supported Fifteen Trees for the past 13 years which has resulted in over 12,000 trees being planted that will benefit the community and the planet.

Given our industry produces CO2 emissions with the numerous products that go into building our beautiful homes, it’s great to know that we are also assisting with the reduction of these emissions by supporting Fifteen Trees and the fantastic work that they do.

Darryn Beckwith-Smith | General Manager | G.J. Gardner Homes Geelong

G.J. Gardner’s core business is building homes. Safe, secure places for families to grow and thrive for many years to come. We love that alongside this, G.J. Gardner Homes is planting forests, which is very much the same thing; safe, secure places for fauna and flora to grow and thrive for many years to come.

This year, the trees were planted by the Leigh District Landcare Group (est 1989). The group is based in the district surrounding Inverleigh, Teesdale, Wingeel and Shelford and encompasses some important environmental reserves including patches of remnant native grasslands, the Leigh River and tributaries, grassy woodlands, big old River Red Gums, and the Inverleigh Nature Conservation Reserve. The aims of the group are to support landholders to overcome land and environmental degradation issues across the district.

On 26th July 2026, a community tree planting activity was held at the Murgheboluc Hall Reserve. Ten members of the group turned out to help plant the native trees and shrubs. Species included – Wattles (Lightwood, Blackwood, Golden wattle), Sheoaks (Black sheoak, Drooping sheoak), Eucalypts (River red gum, Yellow box, Swamp gum, Red box) and shrubs such as  Hop bush, Hop goodenia, Willow-leaf hakea, sweet-scented hakea, Cross honey myrtle, and Callistemon.

The site is valuable as a public reserve which is available for use by the general public. The site has a small old hall surrounded by a bushy reserve and includes an ephemeral waterbody which provides good habitat for birds, reptile and other native creatures. The reserve is located in the vicinity of the Barwon River and Bruces Creek, a tributary of the Barwon. As such, the site contributes towards the role of the Barwon River as a vital corridor of biodiversity running through the farmed landscape, used by many native species.

Leigh District Landcare Group was so thrilled by the plants given to us by G.J, Gardner Homes Geelong. As stewards of the land, being given opportunities to restore and enhance our natural environments, by creating habitats for our beloved wildlife is so important.

Elissa Ashton-Smith | Landcare Facilitator | Geelong Landcare Group. 

The species planted will enhance the local environment by providing biodiversity and habitat. The species will provide shade once they are mature and sources of food and shelter for native fauna. The species that were planted are native to the local area. A variety of species was selected in order to provide different types of niches in the vegetated habitat, including tall long-lived tree species like the River Red Gum, medium-sized shorter-lived pioneer species such as the wattles, and shrubs that are relied upon by smaller birds. Flowering species such as callistemon will provide a food resource for birds and other native animals.

We also thank the team at GJG Geelong for the additional funding for tree guards. These guards help protect the new seedlings and gives them protection from grazers, in particular rabbits and kangaroos. Inside the plastic sleeves, the microclimate created protects the seedlings from harsh UV, drifting sand, frost, and wind. Once the seedlings survive their first summer and get the opportunity to develop a strong taproot, their chances of survival skyrockets.

Here at Fifteen Trees, we are always happy to discuss about the best way to incorporate CSR into your organisation. It’s a lovely way to connect with the broader community and reduce some of your company’s environmental impacts. If interested, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer: Colleen B. Filippa

With a background in Environmental Science, Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start the company. Fifteen Trees is a social enterprise assisting individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community groups such as Landcare, schools and environmental networks.