Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail Inc.

News

RAIL TRAIL FACILITIES

Christies Road, Leopold (Toilets, Drinking Fountain, Heritage Shelter)

Curlewis Avenue of Honor (Drinking fountain & Heritage Shelter)

Drysdale Railway Station (Toilets; cafe - Tuesday afternoon & weekends)

Banks Road (drinking fountain)

Queenscliff Railway Station (Toilets & Café)

Autumn on the Trail

Up to this point on the Trail, with the 'rains' still being very intermittent, no new plantings or bed preparation has taken place. Working Bees conducted have concentrated on maintenance and weed control. When the wet weather finally arrives, our planting program will get underway.

It should be noted that council has decided to place a plaque that recognises the achievement of the Friends Group, that was Incorporated in 2002, and is approaching the planting of 90,000 trees/shrubs/grasses along the Trail, plus trail furniture - picnic tables, seats and signage, constructed by our members out of red-gum timber.

Because of intended 2017 planting program is as extensive as other years, applications for funding to Council and other supportive organisations is being put in place. This funding is greatly appreciated to continue to make the Trail a wonderful asset to our community.

Growth Rates

Our Volunteers continue to propagate new stock at the community nursery in South Geelong.

We continue to be guided by the trail manager, the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG), on where our environmental efforts need to be directed. At the instigation of CoGG we recently planted out a small area near Kildorary St. Moolap, so that less mowing was required in the area. Safety for trail and road users is also a consideration when selecting plants for trail entry points near adjacent roadways. On the subject of safety please also keep an eye out for snakes moving about when taking the daily walk or ride!

We continue to enjoy the friendships and our morning teas where the problems of the world are discussed and solved over a ‘cuppa.’

Lone Pine Tree at RSL site

The Lone Pine tree in the photo below has more than doubled in size since it was planted as a seedling at an Anzac Day ceremony at Curlewis in April 2011. A bronze plaque on the rock in the foreground bears the inscription ‘Aleppo Pine, descendant of the original lone pine of Gallipoli. Presented by Legacy.’

The photo shows the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL site at the Avenue of Honour, Curlewis, which is dedicated to fallen members of the armed forces from the Bellarine Peninsula. This area has been planted out as a joint initiative of the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail and the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL sub-branch. Flanders poppies have been planted next to the tree in remembrance of all those who served in the Great War.

This RSL site is located at the former Curlewis rail siding, one of several sidings/stations built along the Bellarine to Queenscliff rail line after it was established in 1879. The railway was built primarily as an integral part of the Port Phillip Bay defence system to supply Queenscliff and other forts located at the south end of Port Phillip bay to defend the city of Melbourne. The rail line for many years carried not only military needs, but also passengers, outgoing farm produce and incoming supplies to local farmers and townships. It was finally shut down in the 1970’s, a victim of more efficient road transport systems.

Fred Cook OAM from the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail volunteer group, and Wally Gee from the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL, are shown in the photo paying respect to those who have served in our armed forces. Adjacent to the site there is now a shelter from the weather, picnic tables, seats and a water fountain, all provided by City of Greater Geelong for users of the trail, together with signage telling of the history of this former rail siding.