On Saturday the 6th of February more than 80 people gathered in Mark radium Park, Berry to help Berry Landcare celebrate and  honour Landcare heroes/co-founders Philip Toyne and Rick Farley by planting trees, and sow seeds for future Landcarers by presenting a cheque to Intrepid Landcare.

Memorial Trees had been planted in 2006 following the death of Rick Farley. With the death of Philip Toyne in 2015 another memorial tree planting was organised, in which of the original trees, now ailing, would be replaced.

Will Armitage, chair of Berry Landcare acted as master of ceremonies. Sonny Simms gave the welcome to country and spoke of his long connections to the Berry area.  Ms Molly Harriss Olsen and the Honourable Linda Burney MP planted trees in honour of their late husbands, Phillip and Rick, who had played such a crucial role in the formation of the national Landcare movement and who continue to inspire Landcarers

The gathering brought together a number of Landcare champions with our own Berry Landcare members, the Berry community and their Representatives and Community leaders, including Deputy Mayor, John Wells, Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis, former Liberal Leader John Hewson, representatives from District Landcare Networks and Landcare NSW, and the Local Land Services Landcare Support Programme Manager, Kate Andrews, paying their respect, honouring two extraordinary men, celebrating Landcare and supporting local Landcare.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation to Megan Rowlatt Chair and Christopher Brunero, Vice Chair of Intrepid Landcare, a new national initiative to engage young people in Landcare, of a cheque for $1250, raised by members of Berry Landcare. One of their board members Peter Pigott was also present. Megan Rowlatt spoke briefly about the origins of this new venture.

Guests then explored the Arboretum of locally indigenous species that have been planted on National Tree Days following the  initial memorial Landcare planting in 2006, and marvelled at the varieties and their growth in the 7 ½ years since they were planted in a bare patch of ground at the eastern end of Mark radium Park.  An extension of the Arboretum which had been planted along the roadside edge of the park and removed in preparation for the highway realignment will be replanted once the roadworks are  completed.

The celebration ended with a traditional Landcare Sausage Sizzle. Berry Landcare thanks all those who participated, contributed and helped with this splendid occasion.