No, we don’t do it alone.

A team of volunteers helps us to restore habitat on the "Raakajlim" conservation property, and build awareness and appreciation of the plants and animals from the Mallee of northwest Victoria.

We are an incorporated member group of Landcare Victoria Inc and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

Contact us if you’d like to join.

I’m the planner and writer.

This website and blog is all about the things in our backyard that I think are awesome. I hope you think so too! This is me, trying to save the world one little patch of habitat at a time. To be honest, this blog is my motivator to keep learning and doing, and a way to connect with you, share, and hopefully inspire. Good news only, promise!

I‘m a plant nerd and have a PhD in Restoration Ecology. This means I know I don’t have the answers, but I’ve got an endless list of things I want to try!

Phil is the bloke who gets stuff done.

Without Phil, all my ideas would come to nothing. He is the one who can turn seven bits of metal, a wheel and a pipe into a direct seeder for revegetation. Phil is the practical one who drives the tractor, the excavator, builds fences and manages pest plants and animals.

Phil has 40 years of experience managing national parks. He’s now “retired” to work on Raakajlim. He says “I’m not retired, I’m very tired”

Emily is the one who keeps us on track.

Em has grown up in the bush and won’t have it any other way. She has been planting trees since she was a baby, but she much prefers climbing them. She’s also the drone operator, social media adviser, and is a reality check when we get too carried away.

These are the volunteers that everyone dreams about. They are dedicated, reliable, autonomous and fantastic company.

Judy says “The impossible just takes a little longer.” and with this attitude they have waged war on weeds across the property. They are also enthusiastic contributors to the propagation and planting of rare plants on Raakajilm.

Jazz is our conservation dog and minor celebrity.

She is a Hungarian Vizsla and we use her on the property to find rabbit warrens, fox dens, and cryptic birds like quail.

Jazz is a winner every time she appears in a social media post.

We received some feedback from visitors: “There needs to be more Jazz!” So, in 2024, we added Ruby to the team.

Ruby is already an excellent help with rabbits, but she has a greater destiny. We hope to train Ruby to find our rare Mallee Bronze Azure butterfly. We will let you know how that goes!