People power (and their shovels) in Gunnedah are fast-tracking Motor Neurone Disease research.
More than 60 volunteers planted about 500 trees on Wandobah Reserve last weekend to raise money for MND research.
The fundraising event was organised by Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group (GULG) and Rotary Club of Gunnedah West.
The not-for-profit groups helped plant the native trees on behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council following its flood mitigation work on Blackjack Creek in 2018.
Rather than council planting the trees directly, funds were contracted to GULG for the tree planting.
Rotary and Landcare called on their members others in the community to volunteer their time to plant the koala habitat trees.
The new trees were planted in vacant land between the cemetery and the new off-leash dog park.
The community groups will use the money saved in labour costs to support Australian Rotary Health to fund a three-year PhD Scholarship to research Motor Neurone Disease.
The scholarship will cost about $36,000 and is expected to start next year.
Rotary Club of Gunnedah West is aiming to raise about $12,000 each year to help fund the scholarship.
Club vice-president Prue Kesby said the fundraising initiative was a great collaboration for a cause close to many hearts of many in the community.
“I’m really excited about this,” Prue said.
“MND has touched so people in town.
“Everyone thinks what can we do?”
Prue said the tree planting campaign was one way the community could help local families affected by the disease.
Importantly, she said all money raised during the tree planting will complement and not compete, with Gunnedah’s existing funding activities for MND such as the Big Freeze and annual golf day.
Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group president and fellow Rotarian, Mark Kesby, said the tree planting on Wandobah Road was one of the area’s first in about 20 years.
He said last weekend’s project was a big win in many ways.
“MND is a big issue,” Mark said.
“This is a win for council, a win for landcare, MND research and the community.”
“There’s a lot of boxes being ticked.
“In a lot of ways there’s not a lot we can do, but other ways [like this] we can.”
About 450 trees were expected to be planted on Sunday, and a further 150 in August.
Gunnedah Shire Council assisted with pre-dig holes and spraying before the community tree planting.
It is understood the tree growth would be mapped and tracked by council to ensure to suitable koala habitat is established.
A council spokesperson said council will identify and GPS each koala food and shelter tree that is planted in Wandobah Reserve.
“This will allow council to conduct annual returns for two years about the survival and health of each plant in the establishment phase,” the spokesperson said.
“Council will continue to replace any trees lost over winter and complete a second planting in August 2025.”
Blackjack flood mitigation background:
The Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project aimed to reduce the impact of flooding from Blackjack Creek to properties and residences in the Wandobah Road area. Flooding on the stream is “flash flooding” in nature, with flood levels peaking 3-4 hours after the commencement of heavy rainfall. Major storms in January 1984 and November 2008 are reported to have caused surging of the creek, resulting in flooding extending into the residential area. The project was recommended by the Blackjack Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2010 following extensive investigations on the matter. The project aimed to ensure one-in-100-year flood events are contained and surrounding properties and residences are protected.
