Scott Doughty and Judy Corcoran from G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington are longtime supporters of local community groups and their tree planting projects. This year Scott, Judy and their team purchased 150 native trees for the Sunshine Reserve at Mount Martha, VIC. This brings their tree tally to 2,625! They have been supporting us since 2016.

On National Tree Day (last Sunday in July) the Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group along with community volunteers planted  1,300 native trees, shrubs and grasses of which 150 were donated by Judy and Scott.

What a day on Sunday National Tree Day 2026! It was an absolute success.

We’re deeply grateful to Uncle Lionel from Living Culture for opening our morning with a powerful and cleansing Smoking Ceremony, grounding us in Country and purpose.

A huge thank you to our sponsors and volunteers. Together we planted over 1,000 indigenous plants, each one a gift to our bushland and to future generations.

This community effort reminds us that caring for Country and restoring habitat is a shared journey. To everyone who came along, supported us, sponsored us, planted a tree or simply cheered us on, thank you. Sunshine Reserve is stronger because of you

Angie Fly | Coordinator | Sunshine Reserve Conservation Group.

Some of the species planted on the day included; Sweet Bursaria, Swamp Gum, Manna Gum, Snow Gum, Caroline Range Gum, Snowy Daisybush, Spiny-headed Mat-rush, Short-stem Flax-lily, Kangaroo Grass, Veined Spear-grass, Pale Spear-grass, Tall Sedge, Kidney Weed, Ivy-leaf Violet, Native Raspberry, Black She-oak, Kangaroo Apple and Tree Everlasting.

Over time, these plants will improve local biodiversity by providing food and shelter for native birds, insects, and animals. They will also help stabilise soil, reduce erosion, support natural water filtration, and restore important layers of the original bushland ecosystem. Some of the native birds re-establishing themselves in the reserve include Superb Fairy-wrens, Grey Fantails, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Yellow Robin, Pardalotes, Thornbills, Tawny Frogmouths, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Southern Boobook Owls and Powerful Owls.

Equally, planting days brings people together, giving them the opportunity to connect with Country, learn about First Nations people and promote ongoing care for our beautiful native landscape.

Thank you to Scott and Judy for your continued support since 2016.

Thank you also 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.

If you would like to know more about sponsoring community tree planting projects and how we can assist you in becoming a more sustainable business, 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.