Last Sunday the cactus warriors gathered to show their enormous appreciation to Nuggetty farmer Barrie McKnight for his significant contributions to the control of Wheel Cactus, and presented him with a Life Membership of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group.
Barrie has been a dedicated cactus volunteer, beginning more than 30 years ago in the 1990s, when he contrived a special kit to more effectively poison the plants. He was also part of the team of three (with Ian Grenda and the late Wendy French) who wrote a submission to the State Government in 2005 requesting urgent action to stop the Wheel Cactus plague in Maldon. They successfully gained a grant of $30,000 (a significant amount 20 years ago) and which was the impetus of the special wheel cactus committee.
Barrie has been a champion Cactus Warrior. He’s been attending our regular community field days from the very beginning in 2005, helping to demonstrate the injecting technique to many local landowners and volunteers. Barrie served on the committee of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group for 15 years, contributing to the groups objectives of raising awareness about this noxious weed, organizing field days and motivating other local landowners to control their infestations. He’s always been available to support our group at important events such as our Wheel Cactus Workshop in 2015.
Ian Grenda, our other Life Member, presented Barrie with a certificate and thanked him for the many ways in which Barrie has contributed to the war on wheel cactus. Barrie then speared the cactus on top of a specially decorated cake and the warriors enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea. Thank you, Barrie, without all your energy, insight, dedication and tireless commitment, we would now be living in a forest of wheel cactus!
