Chris and Sharri Longmore from G.J. Gardner Homes Shepparton are generous supporters of local community groups, and their tree planting projects. Since 2020, Chris, Sharri and their team have purchased 2,595 native plants for the Goulburn Valley district.

To keep the local connection, all trees are organised to be planted in the Goulburn Valley. Local Landcare groups determine the best tree species for the site. The seedlings themselves are often grown by local independent nurseries who have collected seed from the region by hand. The sites that have been planted over the past 5 years have included nature reserves, parklands, roadsides, riverbanks & rural properties.

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 is planting forests, which is very much the same thing; safe, secure places for our native wildlife to grow and thrive.

2025 Planting | 450 Native Trees

The trees were planted at two sites – the first site along the banks of the Campaspe River, and the second site along the fence-line at Nanneella Primary School. Facilitated by The Goulburn Murray Landcare Network and joined by landcare volunteers and enthusiastic students of Nanneella Primary School the native trees were planted over the spring months.

At the school site, the day was filled with muddy hands and a strong sense of purpose. For the students of Nanneella Primary, it was more than a day outdoors – it was a hands-on lesson in caring for Country and understanding how small actions can have lasting impact.

At the Campaspe River site, volunteers planted a beautiful mix of wattles, eucalypts, native shrubs and grasses – species carefully chosen to suit the local landscape and help restore the natural ecosystem. Over time, these young plants will strengthen the riverbanks, reduce erosion, and provide vital shelter and food for native wildlife. Already, the area is home to some of Australia’s most elusive species, including the platypus, the water-loving Rakali (native water rat), and the Squirrel Glider. As the trees mature, they’ll offer shade, nesting sites, and an abundance of native flowers and insects – ensuring the river remains a thriving wildlife corridor for generations to come.

The environment and all involved deeply appreciate the generous contribution of native plants for our project. These trees and shrubs are more than just plants – they represent a shared commitment to caring for our local landscapes.

Each seedling planted helps to strengthen the health of the Campaspe River and supports the incredible biodiversity that calls this region home. On behalf of the Goulburn Murray Landcare Network, I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who played a part to make these plants available for this project. Thank you to GJ Gardner Shepparton and to the Nanneella Primary School students and teachers who helped get them into the ground.

Dan Walker | Facilitator |Goulburn Murray Landcare Network

2024 Planting | 360 Native Trees

This year we planted 360 native trees with the Northern Goulburn Broken Catchment Group (NGBCG) at 3 separate locations on Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung Country at Stanhope, Lockington and Nanneella. Over the course of winter and spring, over 90 volunteers attended the tree planting days across the 3 sites, including students from Girgarre Primary School. These trees will increase biodiversity, habitat and food sources for the native fauna.

The community and school really enjoyed getting out and planting native plants. It’s such a great way to engage and contribute to our local environment.

Dan Walker | Landcare Facilitator | GM Landcare Network

2023 Planting | 750 Native Trees

The trees sponsored by GJG Shepparton, were planted at Katunga, a 30 min drive north of Shepparton, VIC by the community of Katunga Primary School with assistance from the Wunghnu Drumandure Landcare Group (WDLG).

The trees were planted to help restore the native flora in the rural farming district which in turn will provide habitat for native birds and animals. The trees were a mixture of wattles such as Golden, Silver, Gold Dust and Mallee, with some hop bushes, native grasses and flax plants planted between the trees.

Some of the native mammals that will benefit from the restoration work at Katunga include brush tailed, ring tailed squirrel and sugar glider possums, as well as koalas. Birds will also benefit, such as Eastern Rosellas, Red Rumped Parrots, Galahs, Cockatoos,  Magpies, Mudlarks, Willy Wag Tails and the Superb Parrot.

Thank you to Sandy Rodwell from WDLG for coordinating the revegetation work at this beautiful site at Katunga and of course to Chris and Sharri for your ongoing sponsorship of local environmental projects.

2022 Planting | 600 Native Trees

This year’s trees were planted at 3 sites, including the township of Numurkah, Wunghnu and Broken Boosey State Park. The plants were a selection of wattles such as silver, lightwood, weeping boree, black and mallee, and smaller tree species such as bottlebrush, saltbush and hedges.

Site 1. On the outskirts of Numurkah, an old irrigation channel was infilled with a range of native trees and shrubs, while in the township itself, the Urban Landcare Group (ULG) planted along the streetscape.

Site 2. At Wunghnu, people from the Community Correctional Services in Shepparton helped plant out native plants at the Moira Miniature Railway site.

Site 3. At Broken Boosey State Park, hundreds of plants will help revegetate this important ecosystem that runs along sections of Nine Mile Creek, Boosey Creek, and Broken Creek, between Shepparton and Tocumwal. The trees will help repair the damage the creek systems have endured since European settlement. There are several threatened and endangered species doing their best to survive in the remnant vegetation. The Squirrel Glider (L) and Superb Parrot (top R) and The Bush Stone Curlew (bottom R) are examples of native wildlife that make this park their home.

Thank you to the Australian Native Farm Forestry for supplying the plants, and Sandy Rodwell for coordinating the planting across the Wunghnu and Numurkah district of the Goulburn Valley with a number of organisations.

202o + 2021 Planting | 435 Native Trees

Sturdy boots, a hat, sunscreen and drinking water are the perfect accompaniment to a tree planting day and that’s all the preparation the good folk from Wunghnu Landcare needed, along with a passion for nature, for their tree planting adventures in the Goulburn Valley.

The 435 trees were planted in the township of Wunghnu thanks to the local Landcare crew and G.J. Gardner Homes Shepparton. Wunghnu population is a tiny 334 people, and is on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta people. Offering an abundance of wildlife in the area, these new trees will serve the land well.

If you are also interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer

Lou Ridsdale is a big fan of words and has been our Comms Manager since 2019.

Her passion for education and communication being the most empowering tool for change is reflected in her setting up her own digital/comms agency Hey Hoe Let’s Grow Socials. She also founded Food Is Free Inc. a unique grassroots food security platform specialising in food security education. She fell in love with trees after reading The Magic Faraway Tree as a child. You can find Lou here