Ross Morley, Managing Director of G. J. Gardner Homes has been supporting our native environment (through Fifteen Trees) since 2013 and has helped plant over 30,000 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 GJG and Fifteen Trees project will see over 8,500 trees planted by schools, Landcare and various environmental groups. Garry Cox and Gill Hardman from G.J. Gardner Homes Bass Coast have pledged 315 trees for their beautiful island home. These trees went to Geoff Trease from Bass Coast Landcare and from there the trees went to Diane and Micheal and their property at Ripples N Tonic Farmstay on Philip Island.    

Firstly thank you very much for the opportunity to apply for and receive a grant to assist us with our planting vision. The Ripples n Tonic Farmstay will benefit greatly from the trees that we have received.  There will be environmental benefits for our community to enjoy one day in the future. We were blessed that our planting time occurred during the school holidays so we had plenty of guests that were happy to get involved and lend a helping hand. Firstly we needed to erect fencing trees and plant guards to ensure the trees did not get eaten on by our cattle, alpacas and sheep as well as rabbits and the occasional passing wallabies. This took some time and required some help from a large tractor and some strong friends. Then we slowly began the planting around the North, West and Southern perimeter boundary. We had a few helpers depending on the day and the weather. We had some guests from overseas in China and some from Melbourne and regional Victoria. We made sure to tell them all that these plants were generously donated through a grant from GJ Gardner and assistance from Landcare, and that they would help revegetate the natural area. Thanks again for the assistance you have generously provided to us. Kind regards and sincerely, Dianne and Michael | Bass Landcare Group Members

Slàinte – Colleen