GOSSIP is a local community based, environmental project, planned to utilize the energy and enthusiasm of green thumbed retirees, to produce a continuous supply of trees for bush rehabilitation.
SOWN (Save Our Waterways - Now) has successfully operated a pilot project, based on these principles, starting with a group of Golden Oldies at the Iona Retirement Village, in Kenmore, Brisbane, for the past four years.
It all started with a plant propagation programme by the residents of IONA Retirement Village in which, with the help of the, then Co-ordinator of SOWN, Brian Sait, native plants were raised to planting stage. The raw materials were provided by the local council, and the residents gave freely of their time and labour, to propagate trees and under-story for bush regeneration projects.
In addition to the great contribution to the environment, it also provides an opportunity for retired people to contribute their time and energy to a worthwhile project, resulting in a feeling of self-worth and a great opportunity for social interaction.
In recognition of its outstanding work in pioneering this great system, Iona was awarded 'Highly Commended' in the '2000 National Community Link Awards', and awarded $1,000 to upgrade its environmental facilities. 250 such villages throughout Australia would produce some 6,000,000 plants per year.
SOWN members are pleased that their work has gained recognition and that their project can be used as a model for similar projects in other retirement villages, across south-east Queensland and, eventually, across Australia.
Currently, SOWN is being provided with 50,000 plants per year from the first two GOSSIP sites at Keperra Sanctuary and Parklands Retirement Villages. 35,000 of these plants are used for SOWN projects in the catchment of the Enoggera and Ithaca creeks' systems, while the remainder are traded for other species of plants not currently produced.
To bring the GOSSIP project to a state level, a partnership is needed, possibly between Aged Care Qld. Inc. and Lions Clubs International, together with various bush care groups, firstly in southern Queensland, then across the whole state.
