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We’re incredibly fortunate to live in a place like Kinglake—where the air is fresh, the soil is rich, and space isn’t just a luxury—it’s part of daily life. Our surroundings are perfect for creating thriving gardens, and even better, they’re ideal for involving children in the fun. A garden built with kids in mind doesn’t need to be manicured or fancy. In fact, the best kind of children’s garden is a little wild, a bit messy, and full of opportunities to explore, imagine, and create. And a kid-friendly garden isn't just about play - it's about planting the seeds of connection, confidence, and curiosity. It's a place where kids can grow alongside the plants, where dirty hands and muddy boots are part of the fun, and where lifelong memories take root. Start with the big stuff—trees. A strong Blackwood Wattle or a deciduous tree with spreading branches makes a fantastic climbing tree down the track. Sure, it might be a while before it’s ready, but that little sapling could be the perfect playground for future grandchildren. Shrubs and bushy plants are great for creating secret cubbies or quiet hideouts, while logs, rocks, and stepping stones encourage imaginative play and exploration. Think of your garden as an adventure zone, not just a planting space. When choosing plants, go for variety. Bright flowers like marigolds or sunflowers add colour and cheer. Herbs like lavender, mint, and rosemary engage the senses and invite kids to touch and smell. Look for interesting textures and seed pods to keep little hands busy. Set aside a corner for creativity—a messy patch with sticks, bark, and leaves becomes the perfect spot for building cubbies and teepees. It’s often the process of building, not the finished product, that kids enjoy most. Add a sandpit or even a simple mound of dirt to dig in, roll down, or climb. A swing, rope, or even a flying fox (for the brave-hearted!) adds excitement and encourages active play. And don’t underestimate the magic of water—an old pot and spoon can become the heart of a mud kitchen where hours slip by in the blink of an eye. Edible plants like strawberries or cherry tomatoes are always a hit, and a worm farm is a great way to introduce composting and responsibility. Equip kids with a magnifying glass, some collecting jars, or a pair of binoculars, and suddenly your backyard becomes a living science lab. Best of all, your garden doesn’t end at the back fence. Our local National Park offers stunning trails, towering trees, and endless opportunities to extend that love of nature beyond home. A kid-friendly garden isn’t just about play—it’s about planting the seeds of connection, confidence, and curiosity. It’s a place where kids can grow alongside the plants, where dirty hands and muddy boots are part of the fun, and where lifelong memories take root. So, this weekend, gather the kids, grab a shovel, and start something special. The garden—and their imaginations—are waiting.

Autumn Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in April transitions into Waring or Wombat season until July. Shorter days, longer nights, misty mornings, and cooler. Activities just gone or continuing Thanks again to the great turnout of active volunteers at our regular Clean Up Australia Day at Wallaby Springs Reserve, Kinglake West in March and a photo of recognition of their service. As reported in detail last month, Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of Upper Goulburn Landcare Network’s Fencers Without Boundaries which is working with affected Landcarers on rehabilitation of natural assets in the affected area of Upper Goulburn. Tasks include restoration of fencing for control of stock and protection of crops and the regeneration of their local trees, shrubs, grasses, and ground flora essential for fodder, habitat, shade, windbreaks, stopping soil erosion etc. A joyous celebration was held at Strath Creek Faith Community Church in April to mark the formal handover from Benalla Uniting Church Emergency Fencing Team to UGLN of their extensive fencing equipment and vehicles. UGLN is still actively seeking volunteers and donations to assist landowners impacted by the 2026 Longwood Fires in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires and is calling out for skilled and unskilled volunteers to assist. Fencing experience would be helpful but not essential as a lot of the initial work is removing the burnt and damaged fencing. For more information contact Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or by email ugln.projects@ugln.net As climate change amplifies the weather extremes we must develop even better responses to bushfire threats. Good property planning, building and maintenance for fire protection including escape routes and dedicated fire water storage in our plans. Of course, taking all actions to stop the world continuing to develop, burn fossil fuels causing the already clear evidence of increasing climate change and volatility. By electrification of our homes (solar/batteries, heat pumps etc) and vehicles we can personally take climate action and reduce some of the effects of being so fossil fuel dependent. Get our free booklet “Caring for Your Patch” covering backyard garden design, food growing, plant selection, weed and pest animal management and more, is available from Kinglake Library, KRNH, Kinglake Heritage Centre, local garden suppliers, Landcare events, some local shops and servos, or online from our website kinglakelandcare.org. Membership New members can contact Landcare through our website kinglakelandcare.org to join for $11 per year. Alternatively, you can be added to our free “friends” mailing list for notification of events. Coming up National Tree Day Sunday 26th July. Other activities advised by email or on our website. Next meeting: 7.30pm Monday 20th May upstairs at Kinglake Memorial Reserve Hall. All welcome. More books to give away.

Autumn Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in April transitions into Waring or Wombat season until July. Shorter days, longer nights, misty mornings, and cooler. Activities just gone or continuing A great turnout of active volunteers at our regular Clean Up Australia Day at Wallaby Springs Reserve, Kinglake West on 1st March. A popular visitor spot but spoilt by rubbish dumpers. Amongst rubbish collected were gas bottles, a motor mower, wheels and tyres, and the plastic/aluminium coatings of possibly stolen copper cables (see photos). Bushfires eased by March assisted by some good rains. However, the widespread damage is still being tackled. Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) has been rolling out its new team Fencers Without Boundaries (see photo). Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of UGLN which is working with affected Landcarers on rehabilitation of natural assets in the affected area of Upper Goulburn such as restoration of fencing for control of stock and protection of crops and the regeneration of their local trees, shrubs, grasses, and ground flora essential for fodder, habitat, shade, windbreaks, stopping soil erosion etc. UGLN is actively seeking volunteers and donations to assist landowners impacted by the 2026 Longwood Fires in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires and is calling out for skilled and unskilled volunteers to assist with Fencers Without Boundaries. Fencing experience would be helpful but not essential as a lot of the initial work is removing the burnt and damaged fencing. Monetary donations to help UGLN continue this important work can be made to the following account and reference 'Fires 2026'. Account Name: Upper Goulburn Landcare Network BSB: 633 000 Account No: 146 003 595. For more information contact Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or by email ugln.projects@ugln.net As climate change amplifies the weather extremes we must develop even better responses to bushfire threats. Good property planning, building and maintenance for fire protection including escape routes and dedicated fire water storage in our plans. Of course, taking all actions to stop the world continuing to develop, burn fossil fuels causing the already clear evidence of increasing climate change and volatility. By electrification of our homes (solar/batteries, heat pumps etc) and vehicles we can personally take climate action and reduce some of the effects of being so fossil fuel dependent. Get our free booklet “Caring for Your Patch” covering backyard garden design, food growing, plant selection, weed and pest animal management and more, is available from Kinglake Library, KRNH, Kinglake Heritage Centre, local garden suppliers, Landcare events, some local shops and servos, or online from our website kinglakelandcare.org. Membership New members can contact Landcare through our website kinglakelandcare.org to join for $11 per year. Alternatively, you can be added to our free “friends” mailing list for notification of events. Coming up National Tree Day Sunday 26th July. Other activities advised by email or on our website. Next meeting: 7.30pm Monday 20th April upstairs at Kinglake Memorial Reserve Hall. All welcome. More books to give away.

Autumn Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in March brings Luk (Eel season) when days and nights are equal and cooler. Activities just gone or continuing Bushfires aided by the historically low rainfall in the new year dominated our attention when some of our members in Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) lost animals and property. Fortunately, since late last year, UGLN has been setting up a fencing team for such occasions with equipment generously donated by a retiring United Church fencing team (see photos). Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of UGLN which is already working with affected landcarers on rehabilitation of natural assets in the affected area of Upper Goulburn such as restoration of fencing for control of stock and protection of crops and the regeneration of their local trees, shrubs, grasses, and ground flora essential for fodder, habitat, shade, windbreaks, stopping soil erosion etc As climate change amplifies the weather extremes we must develop even better responses to bushfire threats. Good property planning, building and maintenance for fire protection can also include appropriate weed control eg exotic grasses are usually drier in summer than indigenous grasses such as Weeping Grass, placement of the right species in the right places, including escape routes and dedicated fire water storage in our plans. Of course, taking all actions to stop the world continuing to develop, burn fossil fuels causing the already clear evidence of increasing climate change and volatility. Electrification of homes (solar/batteries, heat pumps etc) and vehicles are also some of the important ways we can personally take climate action. Volunteers from Camp Kiah at Stony Creek Reserve (last photo) checked nest boxes finding Sugar Gliders and pruned along the track. Afterwards they went for a swim at Wallaby Springs Reserve where they helpfully picked up five bags of rubbish for collection by DEECA. Get our free booklet “Caring for Your Patch” covering backyard garden design, food growing, plant selection, weed and pest animal management and more, is available from Kinglake Library, KRNH, Kinglake Heritage Centre, local garden suppliers, Landcare events, some local shops and servos, or online from our website kinglakelandcare.org. Membership New members can contact Landcare through our website kinglakelandcare.org to join for $11 per year. Alternatively, you can be added to our free “friends” mailing list for notification of events. Coming up Join us at our regular Clean Up Australia Day at Wallaby Springs, Kinglake West on Sunday 1st March and watch for our mailouts of other activities.

Summer Kinglake district is the traditional land of the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation which in February gradually sees the change from Biderap (dry season) into Luk (Eel season) in March. Activities just one or continuing Bushfires dominated our attention in the Upper Goulburn district in January and some of our members in Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) were among those hard-hit losing animals and property. Kinglake Landcare Group (KLG) is an integral part of UGLN which is currently developing plans to assist with the rehabilitation of natural assets in the affected area of Upper Goulburn such as restoration of fencing etc. Positive news - welcome good rains in November helped keep some areas greener with the added benefits of increased animal activity such as at my place. Black Saturday in 2009 burnt all vegetation and my whole street, so as we rebuilt, we have also been gradually enhancing the creek easement through our small property. Extending pondage and riparian revegetation has reduced creek erosion, captured more water and enhanced habitat for wildlife so that now we have more fauna sightings of, for example, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, frogs, skinks, Blue-tongued Lizards, and Yabbies (see photos). A Lace Monitor was even recently sighted in nearby Stony Creek and we are pleasantly surprised at the flora and fauna found there which is why we encourage volunteers to assist us control weeds and clear the walking tracks whilst enjoying the flora and fauna there. As climate change amplifies the weather extremes we must develop the best responses to bushfire threats. Good property planning, building and maintenance for fire protection can also include appropriate weed control e.g. exotic grasses are usually drier in summer than indigenous grasses such as Weeping Grass, placement of the right species in the right places, and including escape routes, and dedicated fire water storage in our plans. Get our free booklet “Caring for Your Patch” covering backyard garden design, food growing, plant selection, weed and pest animal management and more, is available from Kinglake Library, KRNH, Kinglake Heritage Centre, local garden suppliers, Landcare events, some local shops and servos, or online from our website kinglakelandcare.org. On the site you can also locate detailed vegetation reports on selected local roads. Membership New members can contact Landcare through our website kinglakelandcare.org to join for $11 per year. Alternatively, you can be added to our free “friends” mailing list for notification of events. Coming up 10.30am Sunday 1st March Clean Up Australia Day at 1825 Whittlesea-Yea Road, Wallaby Springs, Kinglake West. All welcome. Light lunch provided. Other events will be advised by our mailouts.