The Geographe Community Landcare Nursery held a ceremony to award past staff and long time volunteers with life members.
Included in this list was Dr Robyn Paice from Ottelia Ecology, whose vision lead to the creation of the Nursery in 2001.
Honoured posthumously was Dennis Cooper in recognition of his more than 50 years of community service, and dedication to growing Local Flora, especially rare Verticordia species.
Mal Cooper accepted the Award on behalf of the family, and said that his father always looked forward to coming to the nursery because of the extraordinary way that " everyone looked after each other".
Also awarded were Dick Shore is a founding member/ first Volunteer and continuing contributor), Edna Moore and Don Tulloch ( 2019 Senior Volunteer of the Year) as well as his wife Pam ( deceased), both of whom played important roles in the early development.
Past Coordinators Lynne Boladeras and Anne Bentley were honoured for their important roles in developing the nursery .
The Geographe Community Landcare Nursery is a not for profit, self funding, community based, volunteer driven nursery, specialising in growing local plant species for Landcare projects and domestic gardens.
It employs four part time staff and provides work for around 80 volunteers every week, from a range of backgrounds and abilities.
Tasks include seed collecting and processing, pricking out of seedlings, taking cuttings, dividing reeds, preparing orders, pot washing, seed sowing, data entry, metal fabrication and general gardening.
Committee Chairman Andrew Weinert said plants go to a range of customers including local government and community projects, state government departments, catchment councils and mining rehabiliation.
"We are not subsidised in any way, all of our running costs are funded by sale of plants" he said. " Infrastructure improvements are funded by Grants," he said.
Coordinator Rod Cary added that this year, has seen the fourth expansion in ten years with the development of a new Growing Area to meet increasing demand.
"This was entirely funded from plant sales and will allow us to grow stock in larger sizes due to popular request," Mr Carey said.
"We can now produce about 300,000 plants per year, and over 500 species , mostly from the Southwest of WA".
For more information ring 0429644885 or visit our website gcln.org.au
