Tag Archives: Minnehaha

Ruth’s Revenge: a morning of Montbretia weeding in memory of Ruth Ley

Ruth doing what she did so well: wiping Montbretia in 2013

The Minnehaha Bushcare Group would like to invite friends of Ruth Ley to join them to commemorate her by continuing her good work restoring Yosemite Creek.

Ruth was a founding member of the Minnehaha Bushcare group and was an active member for 25 years. She was also a founding member of the Katoomba Creek Bushcare group and also worked with the Brahma Kumaris, Leura Park and Upper Katoomba Creek groups for many years.

Ruth was obsessed with Bushcare, and one of her life missions was to rid the creeks of Montbretia. Come and join the group to continue this mission by weeding Montbretia on Saturday 1st April — her birthday. For those not so keen to work in the creek, there will also be an opportunity for planting. We’ll then finish up by enjoying morning tea (including date muffins, of course!)

You are more than welcome to join us just for morning tea if you are unable to weed or plant.

Please RSVP to schew@bmcc.nsw.gov.au by Monday 24 March.

 

 

Farewell to Ruth Ley

Accepting Minnehaha groups 20 year award in 2012

Accepting Minnehaha groups 20 year award in 2012

Music and nature were Ruth’s lifelines during her early years – they nurtured her and she wanted to give something back.

Ruth loved to get her hands dirty to help the bush. She proudly proclaimed her obsession with Bushcare, and backed that up with an impressive 25 years of volunteer work.

Ruth was a founding member of both Katoomba Creek and Minnehaha Falls Bushcare Groups and also worked with the Brahma Kumaris, Leura Park and Upper Katoomba Creek groups for many years.

Bushcare was never limited to monthly workdays, there was always something to check. She was the first to raise the alarm about the forest of broom seedlings emerging in early 2003 after the fires that roared through Govetts, Katoomba & Yosemite Creeks. This then flourished into catchment coordination. She played a big part in driving the massive effort to ensure that these creeks were not overrun by weeds. Ruth knew that tea and muffins were the key to success, ensuring a good supply of both as well as keeping everything ticking over in the background.

The Grose Valley and Bushcare will miss her – always there facilitating others if she couldn’t be there herself, or contributing to the bigger picture with  planning.

Ruth loved to get her gum boots on and rid the creeks of Montbretia. She was acutely aware of the small window of opportunity for treating it and often rallied support to join her for a bit of extra “guerrilla weeding”.

The Minnehaha Falls Bushcare Group is planning to run “Ruth’s Revenge” on her birthday next year to target Montbretia – Saturday 1st April, and would love Ruth’s friends to join them on the day.

Fencing at Minnehaha

Fencing at Minnehaha