Bush Care

A Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains project, in partnership with Blue Mountains City Council — held approximately twice a year

Twice a year, our volunteers spend a morning at Whitton Park, Glenbrook, planting native seedlings and restoring bushland along the watercourse.

The Lower Blue Mountains Rotary volunteer team standing together at Whitton Park
The Lower Blue Mountains Rotary team, ready for a morning of planting and weeding at Whitton Park.

About the project

Working alongside Bushcare officers from Blue Mountains City Council, our volunteers plant native seedlings, restore habitat along the watercourse, and clear weeds from the surrounding bushland — all while enjoying good company, the outdoors, and a well-earned cup of tea.

No special skills or experience are needed. Council staff brief the group, supply all tools and plants, and split everyone into small teams so the work is manageable, sociable and satisfying.

You don't need to be a Rotary member to join a Bushcare day. We welcome anyone in the community who'd like to spend a morning outdoors helping restore local bushland.

A recent working bee

On our last visit, the following volunteers gave up their morning for a spot of gardening at Whitton Park: Roger Winterburn, Amanda Roots, Peter Agar, Bruce Bailey, Warren Palmer, Pamela Noal, Terry Marshall, Joan Dennis, Michele Ellery and Irene Morrison — along with Adele Davis (daughter of past Rotarian Joan and the late past Rotarian Ian), plus Chris Behl and Jan Winterburn on catering duties.

We were joined by Karen Hising and Drew Allen, Bushcare officers from Blue Mountains City Council, who briefed the team, described the day's tasks, and divided everyone into smaller groups with all the tools and plants they needed. The teams set about their work methodically, enjoying both the camaraderie and the chance to take part in a hands-on outdoor project.

A volunteer kneeling to plant a native seedling
Careful planting of native seedlings along the watercourse.
A volunteer kneeling beside a newly planted seedling
Another seedling finds its new home.
Two volunteers planting together and smiling
Small teams made light work of planting and mulching.

Once the seedlings were in the ground, attention turned to weeding the areas surrounding the watercourse — work that Karen and Drew praised for both its quality and the sheer amount completed on the day.

A volunteer using a mattock to clear ground near a tree
Clearing weeds near the watercourse.
A volunteer clearing ground near a rock wall
Weeding and tidying around the garden beds.

Morning tea, courtesy of Karen and the Council, capped off a lovely, sunny day in the park.

Looking ahead

Council has indicated it's keen to keep working with the Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club at Whitton Park, and a follow-up maintenance day has tentatively been booked.

Next working bee (tentative)
11 April 2027
Location
Whitton Park, Glenbrook

Council has also flagged other sites in the Lower Mountains that may suit future joint working bees — we'll share details as they come to hand.

Want to get involved?

You don't have to be a member to volunteer. Please contact us using the link on the menu above.

Keep an eye on our events calendar for the next Bushcare working bee. All ages and abilities welcome — just bring a hat, closed shoes and a willingness to get a bit muddy.