BITOU BUSTERS ANNUAL REPORT for 2026
Another year passes by in the weed removal/native planting activities in Hawks Nest supported by Mid Coast Council and Myall Koala and Environment Group.
This year again proved challenging to complete our 8 monthly Saturdays and ‘commando’ week-day sessions, due to poor weather during the winter months. With dates moved due to weather and clashes with other events, the attendance was down a little. We completed 150 hours of volunteer work with an average attendance of 12 each month. It was greatly appreciated by MCC via Steve Howard, Community Liaison Officer. Council’s appreciation is shown by a lunch for all volunteers, usually held in May.
While the main focus for the year was the riverbank habitats along Moira Pde, we opened the season further down river at The Anchorage, planted eucalyptus species in koala significant reserve at Shearwater on ‘Wild Koala Day’ in May. Spent time at Bennetts Beach Surf Club and along Jummy’s Beach on dune restoration and stabilisation. With weather stopping outdoor work in June, we organised a tool cleaning and sharpening session led by Sharon Taylor at Benchmark. It was well attended and lots of chatting and coffee made for a pleasant morning indoors!
Weed species removed or poisoned include:
Bitou, Mother of Millions, Asparagus fern spp, Easter Cassia, lantana. Cape honeysuckle.
Native plantings – tuckeroo, Lillipilli, Calistemon, melaleuca, banksia, swamp lily (along Jimmy’s Beach and Moira parade) pigface and spinifex in the dunes and Eucalyptus spp at Shearwater
A big thanks to Kowan at Benchmark and MKEG for sponsoring our end of year BBQ held after our last session. This ‘less arduous’ work started with some weeding at the Peter Sinclair end of Moira Parade, then we walked the newly signed Habitat Walk across to Bennetts Beach, followed by coffee of course, at Benchmark!
I’ve had a few enquiries for BB via the MKEG website, so hopefully a few new faces in 2026. We welcome a wide range of abilities into the group – some are better suited to heavy duties, others light work or assisting where needed. When we combine some physical labour with social interaction it benefits and environment and our own well-being!
If you know anyone who is reasonably fit and may be interested, whether you’re a Bitou Buster or not, please ask them to contact me and I’ll include them in our first email for 2026 in March.
Trish Blair
Ably assisted and supported by Adrienne Ingram and Sharon Taylor
Another year passes by in the weed removal/native planting activities in Hawks Nest supported by Mid Coast Council and Myall Koala and Environment Group.
This year again proved challenging to complete our 8 monthly Saturdays and ‘commando’ week-day sessions, due to poor weather during the winter months. With dates moved due to weather and clashes with other events, the attendance was down a little. We completed 150 hours of volunteer work with an average attendance of 12 each month. It was greatly appreciated by MCC via Steve Howard, Community Liaison Officer. Council’s appreciation is shown by a lunch for all volunteers, usually held in May.
While the main focus for the year was the riverbank habitats along Moira Pde, we opened the season further down river at The Anchorage, planted eucalyptus species in koala significant reserve at Shearwater on ‘Wild Koala Day’ in May. Spent time at Bennetts Beach Surf Club and along Jummy’s Beach on dune restoration and stabilisation. With weather stopping outdoor work in June, we organised a tool cleaning and sharpening session led by Sharon Taylor at Benchmark. It was well attended and lots of chatting and coffee made for a pleasant morning indoors!
Weed species removed or poisoned include:
Bitou, Mother of Millions, Asparagus fern spp, Easter Cassia, lantana. Cape honeysuckle.
Native plantings – tuckeroo, Lillipilli, Calistemon, melaleuca, banksia, swamp lily (along Jimmy’s Beach and Moira parade) pigface and spinifex in the dunes and Eucalyptus spp at Shearwater
A big thanks to Kowan at Benchmark and MKEG for sponsoring our end of year BBQ held after our last session. This ‘less arduous’ work started with some weeding at the Peter Sinclair end of Moira Parade, then we walked the newly signed Habitat Walk across to Bennetts Beach, followed by coffee of course, at Benchmark!
I’ve had a few enquiries for BB via the MKEG website, so hopefully a few new faces in 2026. We welcome a wide range of abilities into the group – some are better suited to heavy duties, others light work or assisting where needed. When we combine some physical labour with social interaction it benefits and environment and our own well-being!
If you know anyone who is reasonably fit and may be interested, whether you’re a Bitou Buster or not, please ask them to contact me and I’ll include them in our first email for 2026 in March.
Trish Blair
Ably assisted and supported by Adrienne Ingram and Sharon Taylor
