Federation University Students tour Pentland Hills farm to learn about tussock challenges

Students from Federation University recently joined the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) on a field tour of Alan Morton’s property in Pentland Hills, Victoria, to gain first-hand insight into the challenges of managing one of Australia’s most invasive weeds — serrated tussock.

Alan Morton has been battling serrated tussock on his farm for decades, making his property a living case study of both success and ongoing challenges in weed management. While Alan has worked tirelessly to reduce infestations, his efforts are often undermined by reinfestation from neighbouring properties that are not being properly managed.

“Controlling serrated tussock is a long game,” Alan explained. “I’ve spent decades treating it, and while we’ve made real progress on our land, the reality is that unless everyone in the district does their bit, the weed just keeps spreading back in. It’s not a problem you can solve alone.”

The students were guided through the paddocks by Alan and VSTWP Engagement Officer Ivan Carter and VSTWP Community Representative Joe Lesko, who highlighted the social and environmental impacts of serrated tussock across Victoria. Carter said the visit was a valuable opportunity for the next generation of land managers to understand the complexities of weed control.

“Seeing the impacts of serrated tussock on the ground really brings home the scale of the problem,” Carter said. “It’s one thing to talk about it in the classroom, but walking a farm and hearing directly from someone like Alan shows how difficult — and how important — it is to keep at the fight.”

The day-long tour was also supported by Federation University Professor Dr. Singarayer Florentine, who accompanied his students and emphasised the value of hands-on learning.

“On behalf of the University, and also personally, I would like to extend our sincere thanks for spending almost the entire day with our students,” Dr. Florentine said. “The students gained a tremendous amount from the experience. Many have already shared very positive reflections on what they saw, learned, and understood through your guidance. Beyond the learning outcomes, they were particularly inspired by your passion and ongoing commitment, which left a lasting impression.”

For the VSTWP, the visit was an opportunity to demonstrate how serrated tussock not only affects individual farms, but also entire landscapes if not controlled collaboratively. The weed, which can dominate pastures and drastically reduce productivity, remains one of the most serious threats to Victoria’s grazing land.

“Alan’s story is unfortunately not unique,” Carter added. “We’ve got dedicated landowners doing the right thing, but their work is undone when neighbouring properties don’t control infestations. That’s why awareness, collaboration, and community involvement are absolutely essential.”

The visit concluded with open discussions between students, Alan, and the VSTWP team, giving the next generation of environmental managers a practical understanding of the challenges they may face in their careers.

The day was hailed as a success by all involved, reinforcing the importance of education, collaboration, and persistence in the ongoing battle against serrated tussock.