Bega River and Wetlands Landcare Group - BRAWL

May 2025 working bee
2025-05-05 09:30 - 12:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Details TBC, watch this space, or sign up for our email updates to stay informed about upcoming events by emailing us at begariverandwetlandslandcare@gmail.com. 🌎✨

June 2025 working bee
2025-06-02 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
With last week’s generous rainfall, the Bega River reached a low flood level—just enough to cause some bank erosion in places, but thankfully not enough to damage our plantings. Phew! The upside? The soil profile is now moist and the groundwater nicely recharged, creating ideal conditions for our plantings to thrive through the winter.
We had originally planned to shift our efforts to Spenco Lagoon for this working bee, but due to the elevated water levels, the site is currently too inundated to work effectively. Instead, we’ll be redirecting our focus back to Site 4.
Recently, we’ve been concentrating on Sites 4 and 5—you might remember these as the newly opened areas between the Old Bega Racecourse and the anabranch/causeway on Jacksonia Grove. These sites were heavily dominated by mature privets, so it’s no surprise that privet seedlings and suckers are still popping up. For our June working bee, we’ll be tackling weed control in Site 4, with a particular focus on managing privet regrowth.
But it’s not all weeds! We’re starting to see signs of natural regeneration, specifically from native acacias. This is a big win for the Bega River. Over a century of clearing, farming, excavation, rubbish dumping, and invasive weeds have severely limited native plant regeneration. Now, thanks to the removal of weedy overstorey, revegetation with native plants, ongoing weed control, and a partial absence of the smothering Wandering Trad, we’re finally seeing native seedlings emerge on their own. This is exactly the kind of ecological recovery we’re working toward.
It’s still early days, but the signs are promising. Natural recruitment means the ecosystem can begin to sustain itself—an exciting step in the right direction.
Join us this Monday to help give our existing plantings—and these new native recruits—the best possible chance to thrive!
Here are the details:
When: Monday 2nd June, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, weeding – focus on privet.
Where: Meet at the top of Site 4 (approx 100m west of the Old Bega Racecourse carpark on Jacksonia Grove – look for the BRAWL flag).
Bring: Drink bottle, Garden gloves, secateurs, weed bags, weeding tools (some tools will be provided)
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.
I hope to see you there. (Erin)
PS Sign up for our email updates to stay informed about upcoming events by emailing us at begariverandwetlandslandcare@gmail.com. 🌎✨

July 2025 working bee
2025-07-07 09:30 - 12:30 | Spenco Lagoon, Gipps St, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Weather permitting (I am watching this easterly low coming in…) we will be going back to the southern side of Spenco Lagoon, meeting at the northern end of Gipps St at 9.30 am.
Because of the work we have done, this area is looking good -quite the place for a relaxed morning tea looking over the lagoon.
One of our tasks is to attend to last year’s plantings where we used large mesh tree guards to protect plants from Wally browsing. The trees that have taken generally need pruning and weeding, and perhaps we should lift some of them so that the trees are protected higher up -I noticed in at least one case that wally had been browsing a tree that had poked its head above the top of the guard.
Paddy is bringing some trees and shrubs for us to plant at guard locations where planting was not successful.
There’s also some privett that needs pulling where possible or more drastic action if not.
Paddy and crew have been doing some fantastic work on the honeysuckle, blackberry and privett on the eastern side of the lagoon, which is rampant in places.
Here are the details:
When: Monday 7th July, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, weeding.
Where: Meet at the northern end of Gipps St .
Bring: Drink bottle, Garden gloves, secateurs, weed bags, weeding tools (some tools will be provided), gum boots.
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.
If you plan to come, please check emails on Sunday evening. I will confirm whether the bee is going ahead -if there has been a flood I may decide it’s better to postpone for a week.

August 2025 working bee
2025-08-04 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
We’re heading back to Site 5 for our next Landcare working bee, and we’d love your help!
Thanks to recent efforts, we’ve made great progress in this area—but some persistent weeds are making a comeback. This session, we’ll be targeting boxthorn, cape ivy, madeira vine, turkey rhubarb, moth vine and privets.
Because of the momentum we’ve built, we’re hoping to sweep across both Sites 4 and 5 (between the anabranch and the racecourse) to get on top of these problem weeds quickly and effectively.
Here are the details:
When: Monday 4th Aug, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, weeding
Where: Site 5 (near the Old Bega Racecourse carpark on Jacksonia Grove – look for the BRAWL flag).
Bring: Drink bottle, Garden gloves, secateurs, weed bags, weeding tools (some tools will be provided), and your usual enthusiasm!
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to the group, your help makes a real difference. Let’s keep the momentum going and give our native vegetation the upper hand.

September 2025 working bee
2025-09-01 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
For this bee we’ll be heading back to Site 2 (the old bamboo site) to care for our December 2023 plantings and prepare the area for next month’s tree planting. We’ll also be tackling weed control—targeting turkey rhubarb, privet, hemlock, and some madeira vine that’s recently been spotted on the site.
This site has come a long way over the past decade and a half. With bamboo finally under control, we’re starting to see strong growth from our plantings and a real shift in the site’s recovery.
📍 Working Bee Details:
When: Monday 1st September, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Planting maintenance, weeding, preparing the site for tree planting next month.
Where: Site 2 (meet at the picnic tables at main river reserve – cnr Auckland St & Jacksonia Gr – look for the BRAWL flag).
Bring: Drink bottle, garden gloves, secateurs, weed bags, weeding tools (some tools will be provided), and your usual enthusiasm!
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.
Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

October 2025 working bee
2025-10-13 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Details TBC closer to the time.
If you would like to signup to receive our event and working bee information, please email begariverandwetlandslandcare@gmail.com.

November 2025 working bee
2025-11-03 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Our November working bee is almost here! The turnaround feels quick after October’s bee, thanks to the long weekend. What a fantastic effort last time—250 seedlings planted and well watered, with a little followup rain to help them along.
This month, we’re heading back to Sites 4 and 5, the focus of our Environmental Trust project (2021–2024). We’ll be tackling priority weeds and maintaining our plantings. Target weeds include privet, turkey rhubarb, cape ivy, madeira vine, and Chinese boxthorn.
Details:

When: Monday, 3 November, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
What: Planting maintenance and targeted weeding
Where: Meet on Jacksonia Grove, midway between the Anabranch and Racecourse—look for the BRAWL flag or follow this link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sSMdnqS1kUhfX8q27
Bring: Drink bottle, garden gloves, weed bags, weeding tool (some tools provided)
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat, and sun-smart clothing
Morning Tea: 11:00 AM—please bring something to share or enjoy yourself

If you would like to signup to receive our event and working bee information, please email begariverandwetlandslandcare@gmail.com.

December 2025 working bee
2025-12-01 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
It’s hard to believe, but our Christmas Working Bee is just around the corner! This is a special event where we take a break from the usual routine to enjoy an extended Christmas morning tea feast together. It’s the perfect time to celebrate our achievements from the past year, share ideas for the year ahead, and, of course, indulge in some delicious treats.
Before morning tea, we’ll tackle the Cape Ivy growing over the lomandras and other native vegetation. It’s a relatively easy task with a big impact—helping to improve the gardens and native pathway around the River Reserve Picnic Area.
Event Details

When: Monday, 1 December 2025 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
What: Weed control, focusing on Cape Ivy
Where: Main River Reserve (corner of Auckland St and Jacksonia Grove) – eastern picnic tables
Bring: Drink bottle, garden gloves, weed bags, and a weeding tool (some tools provided)
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat, and sun-smart clothing

Morning Tea
We’ll pause at 11:30 AM for a celebratory extended morning tea. Please bring something to share or enjoy yourself!
Note: There will be no working bee in January 2026. We’ll return on Monday, 2 February.
If I don’t see you on Monday, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you to all of BRAWL’s wonderful, dedicated volunteers—your hard work makes everything possible.
If you would like to signup to receive our event and working bee information, please email begariverandwetlandslandcare@gmail.com.

February 2026 working bee
2026-02-02 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia

April 2026 working bee
2026-04-13 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Our April working bee is just around the corner. However, as Easter Monday falls on our usual working bee date, we’ll be postponing the event by one week.
For our next working bee, we’ll be heading to Site 2 — the former bamboo site. This area was once an impenetrable thicket of highly invasive bamboo, covering around half a hectare, excluding all native plant growth and posing a significant fire risk. On the day, we’ll be checking on the plantings from last October, tending established plants, and targeting priority weeds including privet, turkey rhubarb, bamboo, hemlock and wormwood.
At our upcoming working bee, we’re delighted to welcome Council’s Biosecurity team, who will be joining us for a special weed‑focused chat over morning tea from 11:00–11:30am.
This will be a great opportunity to ask questions about all things weeds, including:

How to identify common weeds
The most effective control methods
Which weeds should be prioritised
Non‑weedy alternatives for home gardens
The difference between Weeds of National Significance and regionally significant weeds
How Council prioritises weed management

You’re also welcome to bring along weeds from your own property for identification — please ensure samples are contained in a bag.
Want to support BRAWL but working bees aren’t your thing? Maybe social media is! BRAWL is looking for a volunteer member to help with our social media promotion. This is a small commitment — approximately, one post per week — and would make a big difference in helping us share our work with the wider community and build our membership. If you’re interested, please get in touch via return email.
BRAWL Working Bee Details

When: Monday 13 April, 9:30am–12:30pm
Where: Meet at the Main Picnic Reserve (cnr Auckland Street and Jacksonia Grove – most eastern table – Look for the BRAWL flag)
What: Planting maintenance & weed control
Target weeds: Privet, turkey rhubarb, bamboo, hemlock and wormwood
Bring: Garden gloves, water bottle, shovels, pruners/pruning knife, weed bags for tubers
(Some tools will be provided)
Wear: Sun-smart clothing, hat and sturdy boots
Our work is looking fantastic, and hardly a week goes by without someone from the community stopping to say how much they love and appreciate this beautiful place. It’s a space we’ve all helped create—somewhere for people to walk, exercise, and enjoy being immersed in nature. Let’s keep up the good work!
I hope to see you there! 🙂 Erin

May 2026 working bee
2026-05-04 09:30 - 12:30 | Bega River Reserve, Bega River Reserve, Bega, NSW, 2550, Australia
Once again, autumn has delivered its trademark magic, and the past week has been no exception. I hope you’ve managed to enjoy some time outdoors under the sunny skies and calm, clear days.
Our May working bee is just around the corner, and this time we’ll be returning to Spenco Lagoon (Site 7 – eastern side)—an area we haven’t visited for quite some time. We’ll be working within the native Phragmites reed beds to tackle Japanese honeysuckle, blackberry, and privet. Each visit to this site feels a little daunting at first, yet every time we leave having made a significant dent in the honeysuckle. It’s always inspiring to see just how much we can achieve together.
Event Details

When: Monday 4 May, 9.30am–12.30pm
What: Weed control at Spenco Lagoon (Japanese honeysuckle, blackberry, privet)
Meet: Anabranch Picnic Area, Jacksonia Grove (We’ll walk into the site via the footbridge)
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kgb2MfVPmmzmJKxC7
Please bring: Water bottle, gloves, secateurs and hand weeding tools (Some tools will be provided)
Wear: Enclosed, sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun‑smart clothing

Morning tea will be at 11am—feel free to bring something to share, or simply to enjoy.
I hope you can join us for another great bee.
Warm regards,
Erin 😊
