Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday has completed two projects on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail. Read here about the mission to plant 100 Trees for 100 years of Rotary in Australia.

Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday has completed two projects on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail. As part of the goals for her year, 2021-2022 President Gail Sellers decided that the club would plant 100 Trees for 100 years of Rotary in Australia. 

Len Woodman then made a valiant attempt to work with Gladstone Regional Council to plant trees somewhere in the Gladstone area. The club took Darryl’s bus for a trip to the Boyne Valley and checked out their previous tree planting at the Nagoorin Cemetery; and then had a close look at the rail trail, tunnels and the site for the planting of our trees.

The club had a budget of $12,000 for the tree planting, included in this was a $5,644 grant received from the Civic Beautification Committee. A concept plan was commissioned with Derek Bacon of Alderson & Associates Landscape Architects. Keith Geljon then organised a Tree Planting at Golembil Siding for the 11 – 13 March. Great organisation was necessary on two fronts.

Firstly, Keith organised the trees, soil, gro-bags, stakes, mulch, fertilizer, water retention beads, equipment hire and water. The trees, all native to the area, were planted on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail at Golembiel Camping Grounds. 106 trees were planted including: Hoop Pines; Bottle Brush; Tuckeroo: Figs and Burdekin Plums.

Secondly, Kath Thomson worked on the accommodation, food and drinks. This involved a two-night stay in the Boyne Valley at the Discovery Centre for some, and caravans for the remainder. The team worked so very hard as the Golembil Siding Site was very rocky and it was very hot as that time. The weekend was enjoyed by all in attendance, and everyone was delighted with the success of the project. The club's involvement was finished at this time and the watering was taken over by the committee of the BBIRT. The club is delighted that upon inspection this month, it can be reported all trees are alive and flourishing.

Buoyed by its success and feelings of accomplishment, in late 2021, Midday Rotary applied for a Federal Grant for Planting Trees for the Queens’ Jubilee. This project was again on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail but situated at the start of the trail in Builyan. The club was successful with its grant application and received $9,000.

This was a much smaller project with 60 trees planned and another concept plan being prepared for the site. These concept plans are essential to the overall development as the initial planting has to be tied in with planned future use. There are areas for caravans, toilet facilities and stables.

The weekend of 5 and 6 November was chosen for the planting of the 60 trees. Saturday the site was marked out with Derek Bacon of Alderson & Associates Landscape Architects. Machinery was used for the digging of the holes and prepared for planting. Thirty trees were planted on Saturday morning. Thus, the second group of workers who arrived on Sunday morning found only thirty trees to plant. Work was completed by 11am on the Sunday morning; again Midday Rotary handed the project over to BBIRT for watering and maintaining.

There are plans to design, build and install signs on both the Golembil and Builyan Sites. As part of the conditions of the grant an opening ceremony will be conducted.