Certificate as winner of the Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Award (Active Citizenship Award – Community Group) – January 2023
The Merredin Branch was thrilled to receive this Award for the work they do in the community to promote and conserve the native flora.
Branch Activities:
Advice and assistance to Shire Council provided for new plantings in the CBD redevelopment and Apex Playground upgrade.
Merredin Street Tree Master Plan. Members provided input when this Plan was audited by Council in 2019.
Merredin Plantation. Members reviewed the history and value of this plantation. In 2020 they submitted a comprehensive report, with recommendations to Council that the plantation be included on the Shire Heritage List.
Collgar Scenic Drive. In 2022 members initiated and publicised a scenic circuit of approx. 80 km, close to Merredin. The drive passes through very diverse native bushland and beside two large granite outcrops. The circuit includes Scott Road, Merredin’s only Flora Road. The large turbines (“wind towers”) of the Collgar Wind Farm are an added attraction on this drive. More information about the Collgar Scenic drive can be found here.
Totadgin Rock Reserve. In spring 2022 members accompanied two interstate tour groups. In preparation for these visits members did an inventory of some of the Reserve vegetation and this document is now available for use by residents and visitors.
Active citizenship and enhancement of community life
Through working bees, plant collecting activities, responding to requests for help and advice from local residents and Shire Council. Activities publicised through local paper, The Phoenix. Communications to members and supporters via Facebook and emails, telephone and text, and monthly meetings at the Herbarium.
In 2020 the Branch held a Weekend of Celebration of the new herbarium, location in the Old North Merredin Primary School Precinct. Invited guests included Shire Council representatives, former Branch members and State Wildflower Society of Western Australia representatives. Tours were conducted of local sites Zig Zag Garden, Tamma Parkland, Caw Street Reserve.
Wider community contributions
Plant specimens (duplicates of those held in the Merredin Herbarium) are provided to the Western Australian Herbarium. Locations of plants collected are documented online on Florabase https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
