Caring for community, caring for the land

Green shoots of new growth are everywhere the eye can see along the banks of the Mandagery Creek in Eugowra. Two years on from a flood described as an 'inland tsunami,' a new community group is helping prepare landscapes, waterways and pastures to bounce back and be stronger for the future. Supported by Mid-Lachlan Landcare, the Eugowra Catchment Landcare began with a few test sites in private paddocks, hoping to 'Slow the Flow' of rushing waters during wet seasons, and to maintain soil moistures during hot, dry summers. Between sausage sizzles and locally-written songs presented by Nerida Cuddy and Adam 'Dr Fish' Kerezsy, the history of Eugowra's plant and water life was shared and celebrated on a balmy spring evening. Eugowra Catchment Landcare Chair Therese Welsh made the history and mission of Landcare clear, "Eugowra is a thriving community, and as a community, we have a common unity; in the words of Wendell Berry, 'Earth is what we all have in common.' Our mission as the Eugowra Catchment Landcare Group is to preserve and improve the health of the Eugowra catchment. By providing sustainable environmental activities for all members of the community." Students from St Joseph's school also demonstrated an entry they had trialed as part of the STEM-MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: Make a Difference) program; an early warning system designed to warn the the town during instances of rising water levels. St Joseph's student, Sam Moxey said "The town was obviously devastated after the flood, so being able to make a difference and we thought it'd be nice to help, and this is our way of helping." St Joseph's Principal Cathy Eppelstun said to her students "We're still rebuilding - but we'll make it next year won't we? We'll finish it." Following presentations, Landcare members and guests walked to the banks of the Mandagery, to plant two wattle saplings, dedicating to the new growth and opportunities for the Eugowra community. Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, and Independent Member for Orange, Phil Donato, helped plant the young shrubs, with Mr Gee dedicating them to the "future of Eugowra, and the future of our country." The choice of the Hairy Wattle was deliberate, sometimes called 'Weeping Boree', because the native Australian flower is known as a 'recovery plant' "They're the first things to grow back after a fire or flood,” said Ms Welsh. Mr Gee said the date of the launch, close to the second anniversary of the floods was a reminder for many of the long road to recovery. "The work that's being done here will be felt for generations. You've got a community that was absolutely devastated - the recovery process is still going on, it's still a long and hard process for a lot of people. We shouldn't underestimate that Eugowra is nowhere near through this yet. But here you have a community looking forward - building for the future." Mr Gee said. "A lot of people said Eugowra wouldn't come back after that absolute devastation in November 2022. But I think it's because people in Eugowra were connected and close, and they looked out for eachother that they saved so many lives." Belting out a cover of Goanna's 'Solid Rock,' and an English-Wiradjuri rendition of The Seekers' I Am, You Are, We Are Australian - Nerida Cuddy and Adam Kerezsy set the tone of united community spirit, with Eugowra's people arm in arm with Landcare for the long, upward road of stewardship of both land and people ahead.