Lilydale Landcare Report
The Lilydale Landcare group held a Bird Identification walk at Merthyr Park on Saturday 5^th April. The walk was well attended by families and individual members of the group who enjoyed the sights and sounds of many bird species present in the Park. The group then moved on to the Lilydale Falls for a picnic tea to finish off a very enjoyable afternoon.

Lilydale District School and Lilydale Landcare Group combined forces earlier this year to tackle Ragwort in our district. Students were asked to report locations of ragwort infestation by way of a survey in the School Newsletter. This project complements the annual Fire Brigade Road Clean-up.

Ragwort is thought to cost Tasmania $3 million each year in lost production and control costs. One plant can produce up to 250 000 seeds, which buried in the soil can remain viable for a number of years.  The aim of the exercise was to map the areas of ragwort around the Lilydale district so that locations can be
entered on the new state database "RETICLE". 
Students who responded to the call for help were
recognised with a presentation at the School's Easter Celebration Assembly on Thursday 17^th April. A huge vote of thanks to them for their initiative and
enthusiasm!

Please look out for our Working Bee notices coming your way in the weeks ahead!!

Retirement Units
Recent activity at the Units has seen the large tree at the entrance to the Units removed for safety reasons.   This has enabled us to repair the footpath leading into the units which was in less than favourable condition due to the slabs of concrete being lifted by tree roots.

Painting of the guttering and eaves, and other 'housekeeping' has all done their bit to enhance the look of the complex.   

The residents asked for some means of giving them a little privacy, this has been achieved by the new fencing being erected at this time.   This is a very attractive
option and will further add to the ambience of the Units.

It is now 20 years since the first four units were built, and we hope to organise a small celebration of this achievement later on this year, to celebrate the
foresight of past Community members to start such as project, and the ongoing commitment by others to their original concept.

During this time, the Units have been maintained in
excellent condition by the work of many local
tradespersons.    We would like to mention the work performed at the Units over many years by Max
Williams, who always responded to our calls for help.