In a country dominated by the grocery shopping duopoly that shall not be named, IGA stands proud as an independent franchise responsive to the needs of its local communities. There are over 1400 IGA stores across Australia, and every single one is different.

They also listen to their communities when it comes to giving back too, though the IGA Ballarat (Northway, Pleasant Park, Midvale) and Beaufort Community Rewards Program. This is a program that is unique to this local store. Funds are raised on an ongoing basis and IGA puts them right back where they’re needed – into clubs, community groups, charities, and even into the environment.

Support in 2022

This year, Fifteen Trees were very pleased to hear that we had received the funds to plant 120 native trees in the  district of Ballarat. The trees were planted over the course of the winter at 2 sites; Ross Creek and Napoleons. In the interests of biodiversity the plants were a mixture of trees, shrubs and ground-covers.

Ballarat and district is home to many birds of prey such as the Powerful Owl (top L), the Black Kite (top R), the Nankeen Kestrel (bottom L) and the Grey Goshawk (bottom R). All these predatory birds will benefit from the recent planting at these sites. These native trees, shrubs and grasses will attract insects and small mammals that will become a food source for these mighty birds.

Support in 2021

This year, we planted 75 trees on the behalf of IGA Ballarat and Beaufort . They were a mixture of Tree Violets, Messmate Stringybarks, Peppermints, Snow Gum, Candlebark and Manna Gums and were planted over the course of a few weeks by Matt, Lulu and the Education Team at Narmbool, Elaine.

Owned and operated by Sovereign Hill, Narmbool exemplifies sustainable farming within a diverse and fragile ecosystem.  Narmbool protects bushland and Williamson’s Creek as habitat for native wildlife and flora. These trees are part of a huge revegetation project that Fifteen Trees and supporters has been contributing to at Narmbool since 2010.

Support in 2020

IGA Ballarat and Beaufort has partnered with Fifteen Trees to plant 200 trees in the Ballarat region this season. All the trees are native Australian species. They will provide habitat, stabilise soil, improve biodiversity and fight against weed invasions. The trees were planted by Carolyn Barrie and Meredith Landcare in Cargerie, VIC. Meredith is revegetating farm land back into indigenous native land. These trees will help control erosion, capture carbon in the soil and provide native wildlife with habitat.

Thanks to IGA and Fifteen Trees, I have planted 200 manna gums and red gums throughout the property. They will look fantastic in years to come. There are already a variety of birds and flora due to the lower story, these trees will add upper the storey levels and give biodiversity a real lift. Flycatchers were in my face as I was planting.

Carolyn Barrie | Member | Meredith Landcare

In fact, those trees will become an integral part of the region’s natural landscape, much like IGA is an integral part of our built landscape. Where we spend our money matters. With every dollar we put through the till, we make a statement about the kind of world we want to live in. We think independence, community spirit, and environmental awareness are pretty important, and we’re glad your local IGA does too.

Writer – Sarah Hart.

Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form. You can find Sarah here.