06/08/2025. Halo Project. Combined. Leader: Jill Dodd
Mosgiel woke today with the countries national low weather temp – 3.5, this was the second or third time we have had the lowest temperature, so everything was very white and invigorating!
However, by the time 30 brave and enthusiastic members gathered at the Warrington surf club house at 10.20 we were rearing to go.
Alice the co-ordinator and her team gave us the low down of what was happening and then we walked to areas away in the sand dunes, where there were many pots of native plants and grasses laid out ready to be dug into the sandy ground.
Even at the beach there was evidence of frost and the pots themselves were frozen hard, so the plants needed to be bashed out with some difficulty.
Once the holes were dug and the seedlings packed into their resting spots they then had a wool blanket surround on top of the surface. Others were constructing cardboard collars to protect the young seedlings from local pests, trampling and adverse weather conditions, but open for the sunlight to filter through.
By the end of our sessions we had planted 840 seedlings in 3 hours so a jolly fine effort by all. Throughout the day there was lots of happy banter. A big thank you to everyone for such a great outcome.
We also were very privileged to have our President Phil arrive a little later than the rest of us but ready to help under strict instructions from Raewyn to limit his activities!! After all he is still recovering from recent surgery but it was so good to have him out with us! The weather was perfect and no wind so how lucky were we.
Also a big thank you must go out to the Halo project folks who were so helpful and supportive working alongside us. Alice was the BBQ queen with onions and sausages ready for us at lunch time and they were very delicious so thank you too.
Some people may find some muscles that haven’t used lately a bit niggly tomorrow, but it proves they had been put to good use.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.