Change of Staff Wollondilly Community Nursery

After 12 years of involvement at Wollondilly Community Nursery, 10 of those as the Coordinator, Eileen Burnus is calling it a day. Eileen has seen the Nursery grow from being at the old tennis courts at Victoria Oval in Picton needing 2,500 plants for the Healing Stonequarry Creek Project to today when it is producing over 40,000 plants a year for Community, Council and private projects.

“The operations of the Nursery are a key part of Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and Sustainable Wollondilly Plan so it’s continuing operations are important if we are to keep our Shire green and sustainable,” said Brad Staggs, Manager Environmental Services.

The Nursery celebrated Eileens’ time as coordinator by having a special lunch on Tuesday 1 July. The lunch was attended by volunteers, bushcare group representatives, Councillors, Council staff, Rotary and representatives from the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority. The lunch also welcomed the new coordinator, Damion Stirling.

Mayor Cr Judith Hannan said “Eileen has devoted the last 10 years to developing the Nursery, not only in size and production but also its profile and reputation. The number of people who attended her farewell is testament to that good work”.

Eileen first became involved as a volunteer at the Nursery and went on to get qualifications as a Horticulturist and eventually the Nursery Coordinator. In that time she has overseen the introduction of a computerised seed bank data system, the move to the current Wonga Road site, the expansion of volunteer numbers and the raising of the Nursery’s profile in the local and regional Community. She has hosted Greencorp groups, ran seed collecting and propagating workshops and often been asked to “show off” the Nursery to others wanting to copy the model that the Nursery has now become.

But the most important contribution Eileen has made has been her support of the volunteers. Her leadership, friendship and concern for all the volunteers at the Nursery have kept it a cohesive team. Eileen has made sure that each and every volunteer is welcome and wants to come back.

Eileen said “As much as I like producing the plants the best part of working at the Nursery is the friendships that have been formed with the volunteers, bushcare groups and Council staff”.
“As sad as it was to say goodbye to Eileen, although she is expected back as a volunteer after a break, everyone involved is excited about having Damion on board,” said Cr Hannan.
Damion has impressive credentials having run Greening Australia’s Nursery for a number of years, being a Coordinator for Conservation Volunteers Australia and holding many other roles either directly involved with conservation or educating others on conservation techniques. Damion is no stranger to the Nursery having delivered the first propagation workshop for volunteers at the old nursery over 10 years ago and being involved in various projects since.

Cr Hannan said, “Damion has big shoes to fill but Council is lucky to be able to replace Eileen with someone with such skills and background”.
Damion said “I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it and continuing the good results that Eileen has achieved over the years.”

If you would like to volunteer at the Wollondilly Community Nursery ring Council on 46 771177 or just turn up on either a Tuesday or Thursday between 10am and 3pm.

Contact details
Environment Officer
Tel: 02 4677 1177
Fax: 02 4677 2339
http://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

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