When a local business steps up for its community, everyone benefits. This month, we are thrilled to shine a light on Jaymak, a Ballarat-based company doing exactly that. Specialising in the cleaning and sanitising of cool-rooms, fan units, air conditioners, dishwashers, ice machines, and more, this hardworking team keeps food businesses, hospitality venues, and facilities across the region running smoothly.

And now, a making a big difference to the local environment too.

In support of local revegetation projects, this company has purchased 175 native trees for Fifteen Trees to plant on their behalf right here in the Ballarat district. These trees will help restore habitat, support biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of our local landscapes, benefits that will continue to grow for decades.

We do a lot of travel annually in our work vehicle and wanted to help reduce the carbon emissions that it creates. This initiative was a perfect fit for us, as it helps us achieve that goal as well as aiding the environment.

Ken, Heather & Dan Hocking | Owners | Jaymak Ballarat

Jaymak’s commitment is a great example of how businesses can take meaningful climate action without complexity.

Grenville, VIC | 175 trees | 2025

Emily and Jason Hutchins have spent the past decade quietly transforming their corner of Wadawurrung Country at ‘The Pines’ on the Yarrowee River in Grenville, VIC. What was once an old pine plantation is slowly returning to a thriving landscape of native bushland, thanks to countless weekends spent clearing invasive weeds, nurturing young seedlings, and restoring the riverbanks and creek lines. This year, their efforts gained an extra boost through support from local business Jaymak, allowing them to continue the steady revegetation of their property.

Over several months, the planting became a true family project. Emily and Jason were joined by their three children, Logan, Nell, and Ella, whose small hands helped plant native trees such as Blackwood, Yellow Gum, Blue Gum, White Ironbark and a variety of Bottlebrushes seedlings into the soil. Every tree is part of a bigger story – creating habitat, strengthening biodiversity, and forming natural wildlife corridors that connect the landscape back together.

‘Thank you Jaymak for providing these trees for this restoration site at Grenville. We are deeply grateful for your support, which not only helps us restore the native vegetation but also strengthens local biodiversity and contributes to a greener, healthier community for generations to come’.

Emily and Jason Hutchins | Grenville, VIC

Already, the property is showing life. Platypus slip through the cool bends of the Yarrowee, echidnas waddle through the undergrowth, and kangaroos and wallabies graze along the open edges. Overhead, magpies and kookaburras keep watch, while black cockatoos and bright parrots flash through the canopy. Even the river tells its own story, home to eels and spiny freshwater crayfish that thrive in its clean, shaded waters.

We also thank the team 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.