Bellarine Landcare Group volunteer Kelly Scott talks to Luke Voogt about the move south that reignited her passion for nature.
Tell us about you…
I’m 28 and I grew up in Cairns before moving to Brisbane, then Melbourne, and then Geelong in 2016.
My partner and I live in Highton, but we soon will relocate to Drysdale to be closer to work.
I grew up on five acres in the bush and my family and I spent all our time outside and going camping.
My parents are amateur naturalists: dad loves native plants and timbers, and mum loves everything else – particularly wildflowers and orchids.
My grandparents and extended family are all gardeners and used to run a bushwalking business – so I have really fantastic roots, pun intended!
How did you get involved with Bellarine Landcare Group?
After moving to Brisbane to study film at uni, and finding that I hated it on a corporate level, I decided to ditch the Queensland humidity and move to Melbourne.
Then I realised that maybe I just hated large cities, so I moved to the slightly smaller Geelong.
I went back to studying conservation and land management at The Gordon TAFE, which reignited my passion for nature, and in my volunteering subject I met Bellarine Landcare facilitator Sophie, who is a powerhouse of local knowledge.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with the group?
Bellarine Landcare is comprised of so many fantastic good souls.
Every member is so generous and willing to share their treasures with those who care.
One member, who knows I’m a keen photographer, said to me recently, “if you ever want to swing by and take some orchid photos, and we’re not home, just jump the fence!”
And that’s not rare.
I volunteer through their Grassland Interest Group, which we started to raise awareness about our endangered grassland ecosystems here on the Bellarine.
I’m also on the committee for the Smart Farms Grant, which Bellarine Landcare was awarded recently to investigate sustainable farming practices on the peninsula.
Through the support of my friends at Landcare I finally realised my dream of starting my own revegetation business, Radical Botanical Eco Works, this year.
We help landowners to revegetate their properties, remove weeds and increase biodiversity.
Most of my first clients were members of the Grassland Interest Group, and I feel so privileged that I’m trusted to care for their beautiful bits of habitat!
Our environment on the Bellarine and around Geelong is under so much pressure right now with such extensive urbanisation and population growth. We all have to work together to heal this land.
How are you coping with COVID-19?
It’s been such a lifesaver having my own business.
I have an anxiety disorder, and being able to leave retail and crowds behind to hand-weed around some remnant sun orchids and take photos of moss has been the delight of my life so far.
What are your favourite things to do locally?
I love photographing local flora – particular wildflowers like orchids, going to environmental events and hiking.
Charles Mccarthy Reserve out at St Leonards is very beautiful, as is Ocean Grove Nature Reserve.
I love checking out the different op shops and country markets around Geelong on weekends.
