The nursery was established around the year 2000, when Bellarine Landcare recognised a pressing need to source indigenous plants for local projects.

“The initial aim was to get trees in the ground at a reasonable cost to farmers and landholders,” said Bernie Malone, President of the Bellarine Landcare Group.

“We needed indigenous plants that were native to the Bellarine Peninsula, which had been largely denuded through early settlement.”

With spare land available at the back of Bellarine Secondary College, the partnership took root. Over time, it has far exceeded its original vision.

“We reckon we’ve produced over a million plants in the last 20 to 25 years,” Bernie said.

“It’s become way more successful than I for one ever envisaged it to be.”

Supported by the expert community-building skills of a manager, funded through the proceeds of plant sales, almost all of the work is undertaken by volunteers.

The nursery itself was built largely by community effort – from welded benches to irrigation infrastructure – and today it’s largely self‑funding.

Producing between 50,000 and 70,000 plants each year, the nursery underpins landcare projects across the Bellarine Peninsula, while also supplying urban landholders increasingly keen to plant indigenous species and bigger commercial projects.

Alison Murphy is a former principal of the Bellarine Secondary College and now an avid volunteer at the nursery. She has always viewed the nursery as more than just a place to grow plants.

“I saw it as a really valuable community connection,” Alison said.

“Schools can become their own island in lots of ways, and partnerships like this help connect students with the local community in a really authentic way.”

Located alongside the school’s agriculture and horticulture program, the nursery offers students access to professional propagation facilities and expertise.

Students work alongside adult volunteers in an environment without traditional hierarchies.

“That opportunity for young people to work alongside other adults, with no real power imbalance, is incredibly valuable,” Alison said.

She said the nursery plays a critical role in helping young people feel empowered in the face of environmental challenges.

“There’s a lot of worry about the environment for young people, and they often feel powerless.

“The nursery shows them that when you act locally and you make a difference.”

Bernie said the nursery has grown to become “absolutely crucial” to Bellarine Landcare’s operations.

“The nursery and the landcare group feed off each other,” he said.

“If one ceased to exist, (the other) would be in real trouble.”

From wildlife corridors and seed collection to school engagement and community volunteering, the Bellarine Landcare nursery stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved on a shoestring, with commitment, collaboration and care for place.

As Bernie put it: “it’s become a really special place … a true community hub”.