Plant nursery celebrates 21 years

Landcare president Bernie Malone, nursery manager Fiona Love and the nursery's first coordinator Michael Connell celebrated the Bellarine plant nursery's 21 years with volunteers. (Supplied)

A Bellarine plant nursery has celebrated more than two decades of caring for indigenous plants to help restore the unique Bellarine Peninsula.

Past and present volunteers attended a BBQ event on Wednesday, December 13, at the Marcus Hill Memorial Hall to celebrate the nursery’s success.

The nursery has produced more than a million since it began in 2002, with hundreds of people involved with it over its 21 years of operation.

The event was supported by community volunteers and generous donors, with current Landcare president Bernie Malone congratulating everyone involved in the nursery’s foundation.

The nursery produces more than 50,000 plants a year through the hard work of its volunteers and nursery manager Fiona Love, who put a lot of time and energy into its maintenance.

The nursery’s first coordinator, Michael Connell, also attended the event with his wife and daughters, and Ms Love paid tribute to everyone who helped produce local native plants.

The hub supports around 35 weekly volunteers who help contribute to the community’s and environment’s health, helping distribute more than 200 indigenous plant species.

The Bellarine Landcare group’s volunteers and the Bellarine Secondary College’s principals, teachers, and administrative staff have worked together on the nursery and shared its success.

Volunteers have engaged in many jobs across the nursery, helping it to flourish and become a positive and productive asset for the community.