In a powerful display of grassroots action, Greta Valley Landcare Group has delivered a transformative project that has reshaped Moyhu’s local landscape and strengthened its community spirit. With the support of a $5,000 grant from the Gardiner Foundation, the group has turned a disused road reserve into a vibrant, one-kilometre native walking trail connecting Moyhu to the King River.
The Moyhu Walking Track Landscaping Project is more than just a beautification effort — it’s a bold investment in environmental sustainability, local wellbeing, and cultural education. Lined with over 40 indigenous plant species, each accompanied by interpretive signage, the track has become an open-air learning space and a new focal point for residents and visitors alike.
“The response from the community has been overwhelming,” said a spokesperson for Greta Valley Landcare. “People are walking the trail daily. They’re reconnecting with nature, learning about local flora, and most importantly, they feel proud of what’s been created together.”
What began as a modest initiative quickly evolved into a large-scale revitalisation. Volunteers of all ages cleared dense invasive weeds, prepared the site, and planted a rich variety of native flora. The educational signage details each plant’s growth habits, ecological role, and traditional Indigenous uses — blending biodiversity with cultural storytelling.
Despite unexpected challenges, including extensive weed infestations and the high cost of stump removal, the team remained resilient. They completed the project on time and on budget, powered by community effort and sheer determination.
Now, this once-forgotten strip of land has been reborn as a lasting asset — a safe, beautiful, and educational corridor that connects people to the landscape and each other. Plans are already underway to extend the trail, building on the momentum and enthusiasm the project has inspired.
This initiative stands as a shining example of how a small grant, local knowledge, and community resolve can deliver enduring impact.
“It’s not just a trail — it’s a legacy of what can happen when community, environment and vision align.”
Since 2003, the Gardiner Foundation has proudly invested $2.3 million across 574 community organisations in regional Victoria through its Community Grants Program. This initiative, delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), provided individual grants of up to $5,000, with annual program funding of up to $120,000.
This consistent support has provided significant benefits to the dairying regions of Victoria, resulting in more engaged and participative communities through empowering locals to create more vibrant, sustainable places to live and work. It leaves a strong legacy of revitalised community facilities and enduring program outcomes, enabling wellbeing and social connection across Gippsland, Southern and North Eastern Victoria.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said, “This project reflects exactly why we’ve proudly invested in grassroots initiatives for over 20 years — they build stronger, more connected communities.”
In 2024, the Gardiner Foundation made a strategic commitment to review and revamp its Community Grants Program to serve the needs of regional Victorian dairying communities with a view to the future and enabling enterprises to sustain community development. As a result, we are excited to announce that the first grant round will launch mid-2025.
“As we prepare to relaunch our Community Grants Program in 2025, we remain committed to supporting the people and places that drive positive change in Victoria’s dairying regions,” Allan said.