Trevor Woodward Art Exhibition

As part of the Great Southern Treasure’s Bloom Festival 2025, Gillamii proudly hosted an art exhibition at the Cranbrook Hub from the 27th - 29th of September, celebrating the remarkable work of the late Trevor Woodward, a former Cranbrook local.

Trevor’s vibrant and expressionistic art was deeply personal. His pastel drawings were inspired by the Australian landscape, while his powerful acrylic works reflected his journey of healing from post-traumatic stress disorder following his service in the Vietnam War. For Trevor, art became a way to move forward—a source of hope and expression beyond the hardships of the past.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, to the Woodward family, all the volunteers who donated their time, and to the Cranbrook Shire for making this special tribute possible.

A very special thank you goes to Hilary and Jan, whose thoughtful planning and dedication brought this exhibition to life.

Historical Highlight: Capacity Engagement Project (2008–09)

In 2008–09, the Gillamii Centre led the Capacity Engagement Project across the North Stirlings Pallinup and Kent-Frankland North areas, funded by Caring for Our Country through South Coast NRM ($108,000). Project Officer Megan Jones coordinated a range of community engagement activities aimed at strengthening involvement in natural resource management (NRM).

Key Achievements & Recommendations:

• Delivered activities to raise awareness and encourage long-term practice change in NRM.

• Recommended sustained funding for a local Project Officer to ensure project continuity.

• Called for annual audits of community interests to guide future project development.

• Emphasized the need to invest in sustainable farming practices—vital in a region where agriculture covers 86% of land use.

• Strengthened partnerships, especially with the Shire of Cranbrook, through projects like the Cranbrook Federation Wildflower Walk and Lake Poorarecup upgrade.

• Successfully engaged local schools with educational tools and resources.

• Encouraged future links between urban and rural land managers through initiatives like Europe’s LEF program.

This project laid the groundwork for ongoing community-led environmental stewardship and stronger regional collaboration.

Gillamii’s 2025 AGM

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!
Join us for the Gillamii AGM 2025 on October 22 — a night to connect, reflect, and celebrate!

Enjoy dinner, drinks, and great company as we look back on our achievements and share what’s ahead. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the celebration!

Book your tickets now!

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Project Focus

New SALTdeck for Native Revegetation Coming Soon

Gillamii is continuing its commitment to tackling salinity—through the development of a new SALTdeck online glovebox guide focused on native revegetation species for Southwest WA. This builds on the success of the Saltland Genie WebApp, a digital tool designed to help land managers understand salinity and apply plant-based solutions for salt-affected land.

While the Genie already includes a SALTdeck of salt-tolerant pasture species, there's a clear need for better resources to guide the use of native species in saltland rehabilitation. This new SALTdeck will fill that gap, providing critical information to support successful planning, site assessment, and establishment.

Outcomes of the Project:

• Improved soil health, water management, and erosion control

• Increased productivity on marginal lands

• Enhanced biodiversity and protection of water assets

• Greater confidence for land managers in selecting the right species for the right conditions

Fully integrated into the Genie and publicly accessible, this resource will empower land managers to take informed, independent action—improving land health and resilience across the region.

This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.

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Students Join Gillamii for Riverbank Revegetation!

The Gillamii girls recently visited the Tambellup River Reserve to carry out important bank infill with native revegetation. The work focused on strengthening the riverbank by introducing local native species that will help stabilise the area and provide long-term environmental benefits. This effort forms part of an ongoing commitment to care for the reserve and support the health of the local ecosystem.

Tambellup Primary School students, along with their teachers and a group of Christ Church Grammar School students, joined in the planting. Together, they added a wide range of native vegetation to the riverbank, learning firsthand about the importance of revegetation and caring for natural spaces. Their contribution was made as part of the Connecting Kids to Country ‘Adopt a Patch’ Initiative, which encourages students to connect with the environment while taking an active role in its restoration.

A big thank you goes out to Tambellup Primary School students and staff for their wonderful efforts and enthusiasm in helping care for Country.

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Spring Orchids Light Up the Region

Orchids are now blooming across Gillamii’s catchment area, brightening the bushland in the Shire of Cranbrook and the Shire of Broomehill–Tambellup. With over 450 species found in the region.

These wildflowers occur in all kinds of habitats, but you’ll often find them around sheoak woodlands, and even in areas that have been recently burnt. Some of the more common species you might spot include Enamel Orchids, Cowslip Orchids, Donkey Orchids, Zebra Orchids, and several Spider Orchids. Whether you join a guided wildflower walk or head out on your own, now is the perfect time to enjoy the orchids in full bloom.

Discover orchids in bloom at the Cranbrook Wildflower Walk, Boot Rock Reserve, Tambellup Water Reserve, the Tenterden Orchid Reserve, and the Frankland Wildflower Walk.

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Integrated pest control efforts across our catchment area are going great guns! There has been significant on-ground activity, with targeted control of foxes, rabbits, and the occasional feral cat. Pending the approval of restricted chemical permits, 1080 baiting will also commence shortly.   

Preparation is in progress to deliver a community information session on feral cat management, including guidance on the use and deployment of feral cat traps. Further details will be shared in the coming months.

We're always focusing on education—raising awareness among younger generations about the importance of protecting our native wildlife. Plans are underway for a local school incursion and an excursion to the Stirling Ranges, featuring informative talks on feral animal management. 

The coming months present an ideal window for effective pest control. If you’re interested in having shooting or baiting operations conducted on your property, please contact the Gillamii Centre for more information by clicking here.

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PestFacts WA: Native budworm moth numbers surge in northern and central grainbelt

Reports from volunteer trappers have indicated that native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) caterpillars are over threshold at Kellerberrin, Koorda and Merredin.

The economic thresholds for native budworm caterpillars at pod ripening (based on $10/ha control cost) are:

• Fields peas: 1 caterpillar per 10 sweeps (at $300 per tonne grain price)

• Chickpeas: 1 caterpillar per 10 sweeps (at $420 per tonne)

• Faba beans: 1 caterpillar per 10 sweeps (at $280 per tonne)

• Lentils: 1 caterpillar per 10 sweeps (at $520 per tonne)

• Canola: 2 - 3 caterpillars per 10 sweeps (at $700 per tonne)

• Lupins: 4 caterpillars per 10 sweeps (at $350 per tonne)

For more information click here.