Ross Morley, Managing Director of G. J. Gardner Homes has been supporting our native environment (through Fifteen Trees) since 2013 and has helped plant 1000’s of trees across Victoria and Tasmania. For every new home built, Fifteen Trees organises the planting of 15 trees in the local district. This year, the project will see over 8,500 trees planted by schools, landcare and various environmental groups. Rob McMaster from G. J. Gardner Homes Ballarat is a generous supporter of local community groups and their tree planting projects. This year, Rob and his team have purchased 1170 trees for the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group with 720 trees planted in Elaine and 450 planted in Garibaldi landcare area.   [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

  In May, two separate tree planting days were held on Russell and Marie Ford’s property at Elaine. In total 320 trees were planted. The first tree planting day was held on the 6 May 2016. Nine, year 10, students from Damascus Secondary College planted 120 trees. The second planting day was held on the 30 May. Twenty, year 8 students from Ballarat Grammar planted 200 trees. The trees were planted in the Riparian zone and adjacent to the Upper Williamson’s Creek on parts of the property that was burnt by the Scotsburn Bushfire in December 2015. On the 28^th of July 2016, 400 trees were planted at David Well’s property in Elaine. Approximately 40 students from Covenant College, Geelong attended this event. Three staff from GJ Gardiner homes also attended. The trees were planted on the roadside for a shelterbelt, replacing an existing plantation that was destroyed by the Scotsburn Bush Fire. This planting links with Williamsons Creek. A tree planting day was also held on 29 June 2016, at South Durham Bridge, Garibaldi.   Nine children from the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperatives school holiday program planted 100 trees. The children were aged between 4 and 8 years old. The indigenous species trees were planted adjacent to the Yarrowee River.   [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

  The Garibaldi Landcare Group held a tree planting day on 28 July 2016, at Sand Road, Garibaldi (Garibaldi Bridge Reserve). Approximately 12 students from Covenant College, Geelong attended this event. 200 trees were planted. Also in the Garibaldi landcare area, 150 indigenous trees were planted at Chris Forsyth’s property. Chris and his family planted the trees to help provide shelter from the wind and improve the biodiversity of the area.   [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Over 1,100 trees have been planted in the Ballarat district thanks to the generosity of Rob and his team at GJG Ballarat. A wonderful contribution to the re-vegetation efforts of the local Landcare group. Thank you Rob for your on-going support of tree planting projects in your local district. The trees have found a great home at a number of sites and have been planted by many different groups. Many of the plants have gone to landholders affected but the Scotsburn fires and are greatly appreciated. Slàinte – Colleen Tree Summary 320 at Ford’s property in Elaine 400 David Well’s property in Elaine 200 Garibaldi Bridge Reserve 100 Garibaldi Sth Durham Bridge 150 Garibaldi Chris Forsyth, 393 Buninyong- Mt Mercer Road.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]