VSTWP at the East Gippsland Field Days 2025

On April 11 and 12, 2025, the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) took part in the East Gippsland Field Days in Bairnsdale, an important event for regional engagement and land management education. It was a fantastic opportunity for our team to connect with landholders, community groups, and government agencies about the ongoing challenge posed by Nassella trichotoma — better known as serrated tussock.

Strategically located alongside the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Landcare networks, “Friends Of” groups, and agency representatives from DEECA and Agriculture Victoria, the VSTWP stall found itself in good company. This prime positioning enabled us to share knowledge, network with like-minded organisations, and meet passionate individuals already fighting back against invasive species like African Love Grass, Hawkweed, and various feral animals.

Our Chair, Lance Jennison, and Community Representative, Loki McIntyre, were both on the ground representing the VSTWP. “Seeing these specific focus groups already established and working in the community is encouraging and shows there is an understanding of the importance of the community-led approach to tackling issues locally,” Lance noted.

Throughout the event, we connected with various East Gippsland residents, from large-scale farmers to hobbyists and small lot holders. We were also pleased to meet Katie, the local biosecurity officer, who actively engaged with attendees and helped answer questions about managing invasive weeds.

The encouraging part? Awareness and knowledge of serrated tussock already exist within the community. Our goal now is to build on that foundation, working closely with local Landcare networks to strengthen biosecurity practices and promote effective management strategies.

As Loki highlighted, “We shared resources, left corflute signs and brochures with groups and businesses, including Elders in Bairnsdale. It’s all part of growing the movement and empowering locals with the tools they need.”

The VSTWP team promoted practical prevention tips, including:

• Boosting on-farm biosecurity,

• Using contained feedlots to avoid contaminated pasture spread,

• Purchasing clean, preferably silage, feed from trusted sources,

• And, importantly, knowing where your feed is coming from.

By reducing the risk of introducing serrated tussock to new areas, these actions help protect both individual properties and the broader landscape.

The relationships formed during the event were invaluable, and we’re committed to keeping them strong. Based on the success of this year’s engagement, we’re already marking our calendar for a return visit in 2026.

A big thank you to Krystel Handley from East Gippsland CMA for her support and placement of our stall, and to all the landholders and community members who stopped by to learn more about how we can work together to combat serrated tussock.

Together, we can make a real impact.