The Oatley Park Bushcare Group is celebrating 30 years of volunteer conservation work, having removed tonnes of invasive weeds and restored significant areas of endangered bushland in one of Sydney’s most treasured urban reserves.

The group, which meets every Saturday morning, has grown from a handful of founding members to a regular crew of 40 volunteers who dedicate their weekends to protecting the park’s ecological values.

“When we started in 1995, lantana had taken over entire hillsides,” recalled founding member Dorothy Chen, 78. “You couldn’t see through it. Now those same areas are thriving with native plants and the wildlife has returned.”

Three Decades of Achievement

The group’s work has made a measurable difference to Oatley Park’s ecological health:

• Over 50 hectares of bushland actively managed
• Complete eradication of privet from several gullies
• Successful regeneration of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, a critically endangered ecological community
• Return of species not seen for decades, including the powerful owl
• Training of over 500 volunteers in bushcare techniques

The park, which covers 45 hectares along the Georges River, contains some of the last remaining examples of vegetation communities that once covered Sydney’s southern suburbs.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite three decades of progress, the work is never finished. New invasive species emerge, and climate change is altering growing conditions.

“We’re seeing weeds we never used to deal with,” said current group coordinator Michael Petros. “African olive wasn’t a problem 20 years ago. Now it’s one of our biggest challenges.”

The group has also observed changes in native plant behaviour, with some species flowering earlier or in different seasons than historical records indicate.

“The bush is telling us something,” Chen observed. “We need to listen and adapt our methods.”

New Generation of Volunteers

As founding members age, the group has worked to attract younger volunteers. Recent initiatives include partnerships with local schools and corporate volunteer programs.

“We get groups from nearby offices who want to do something meaningful for team building,” Petros explained. “They come for a morning, we teach them some basics, and often a few come back on their own.”

The group has also embraced technology. Volunteers now use smartphone apps to map weed infestations and track their removal, creating data that helps prioritise work across the park.

How to Get Involved

The Oatley Park Bushcare Group welcomes new volunteers of all ages and experience levels. No prior knowledge is required—training is provided on site.

Regular working bees run every Saturday from 9am to 12pm, meeting at the Oatley Park boat ramp. Morning tea is provided, and tools are supplied.

“You don’t need to commit to every week,” Petros emphasised. “Even coming once a month makes a difference. And there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing an area you’ve worked on recovering and thriving.”

The group’s 30th anniversary will be marked with a celebration at Oatley Park on June 14, featuring a guided walk through restored areas and morning tea. All current and former volunteers, as well as interested community members, are welcome to attend.

For more information, contact the group through Georges River Council’s environment team or visit the council’s bushcare webpage.