Martin Driver (second from left) with founding Blake Botanic Reserve volunteers (from left) Ian Campbell, Eirlys and Gordon Farrant, Sally-Ann Dillon and Judy Bond.
Five of the founding Blake Botanic Reserve volunteers were among those to mark its 40th anniversary on Wednesday.
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A special event was hosted at the reserve by volunteers, in conjunction with Edward River Council and the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group.
Nature lovers of all ages joined a tour of the reserve, which revealed its early beginnings and featured talks along the way from volunteers and experts.
Completing the formal part of the morning was the unveiling of the Blake Botanic Reserve interpretive sign.
Founding volunteer Judy Bond - who had the honour of unveiling the sign alongside Edward River Council CEO Jack Bond - said getting to the anniversary was a labour of love.
She said the process of getting the signage itself was a task which took many years, but was finally achieved with the help of council’s coordinator tourism & community, Chloe Sztejman.
Kaye Whittaker, Nicky Bermingham and Vic Whittaker.
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Ron and Libby McCalman and Henry Gillespie.
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Reagan Macdonald, Liam Knuckey, Ryan Poka-Barlow, Hamish Rhook and Elijah Scott.
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Parker Milward, Connor Wilson, Catie Michael and George Day.
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Edward River Council CEO Jack Bond and founding Blake Botanic Reserve volunteer Judy Bond unveil the interpretive signage.
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Ricky Bond, Jack Bond and Janet Manzin.
Mrs Bond also paid tribute Deniliquin High School’s lagoon project students and ERC staff who help maintain the reserve, and everyone who has ever had a hand in its establishment and upkeep.
Some founding and early volunteers in the project made their way back to Deni especially for the celebrations, including Martin Driver and Eirlys and Gordon Farrant.
“It’s great to see what else they have done here since we left 25 years ago,” Mrs Farrant said.
“It’s been such a transformation, and it just goes to show what can be done in wildlife areas and parks.”
The Blake Botanic Reserve is located at the corner of Fowler and Harfleur Sts, Deniliquin.
It started as a community project involving the then Deniliquin Council, Southern Riverina Field Naturalists Club and local residents.
The land was purchased from Henry Blake - giving the area its name - and planting commenced in 1985. It took five years to complete.
Many more groups have been involved over the years, to develop a space which is acknowledged for its environmental and social benefits.
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