HOPE ON THE HORIZON FOR KI

Jeanette Gellard, President of the Trees For Life Board, has lived on Kangaroo Island for 25 years. Last summer’s bushfires devastated the unique landscape she and many others call home, presenting massive challenges for Kangaroo Island’s tightknit community.

Several months into the recovery effort, and with many years still to go, we’re witnessing the profound resilience of fire-affected communities on Kangaroo Island and across SA. Importantly, we’re also seeing the incredible healing capacity of nature.

We spoke to Jeanette about her life and experiences on this iconic and beautiful South Australian island.

TOP LEFT: Seed Bank Manager Daniel with the volunteer grown seedlings off to KI.

TOP RIGHT: President Jeanette Gellard (left) hosted the KI seedling giveaway from her house in Kingscote. Pictured with Maren Norris (right) from Islander Estate Vineyards.

Nature-lovers are drawn to the island and it’s certainly appreciated on a national scale. What’s so unique about the landscapes there?

Significant areas of intact native vegetation; incredible levels of roadside vegetation; high levels of biodiversity and high-functioning ecosytems; variety of wildlife that is easy to observe – kangaroos, goannas, echidnas, wallabies, possums, birdlife; marine environments and beautiful white sandy beaches (that are not crowded!); soaring cliff coastlines; and overall incredible diversity in land and seascapes.

Have you had any stand-out experiences with KI’s special flora and fauna?

Echidnas frequent our property – the little earthmovers dig up the front grassed area of our house!

Glossy black-cockatoos just started to move into some feeding habitat at the end or our road. Some early morning drives we encounter four to six birds feeding by the roadside.

Do you remember the moment you knew the island was in real danger from the fires this past summer?

Our property came under threat on the 20th of December. At that point I thought it was going to be a ‘typical’ campaign fire situation – we had two main fires burning.

On Friday 3rd of January I had travelled up to Adelaide in the morning and started getting messages about the fire activity and behaviour in the afternoon. By that evening I was really concerned and cancelled my Adelaide plans and returned home on the Saturday morning.

What was it like being there during this bushfires?

It was surreal … what I imagine being in a war zone would be like. At various points our town streets were full of defence personnel and vehicles, chinooks and other aircraft were in our skies.

Much of our landscapes were devastated. The levels of anxiety and fear in the community were heightened.

Has life on the island or in your community changed since this particularly difficult summer?

In a word: yes.

There was such devastation to our landscapes and infrastructure, as well as wildlife and our community members, that it has affected everyone. All our businesses have been affected in some way – either through loss of infrastructure or tourism business.

There’s real concerns about the mental health and well-being of Islanders. Particularly fire crews and those who lost homes and livelihoods and stock.

We know recovery will take many years. How can we continue to support the people and animals who call the island home, during this year and into the future?

Don’t forget us. The news cycle will move on but it will take us years to recover. Come and visit and help the local economy. Donate to organisations that are helping the recovery process – both social and environmental.

Has anything come as a surprise to you or other residents during the aftermath and recovery effort?

Broader public support (local, state, national and international) has been overwhelming.

Your home has recently become a makeshift depot for people to collect Trees For Life seedlings grown from KI provenance seed. How will these seedlings make a difference in the landscape?

These seedlings will help replace vegetation that was totally destroyed by the intensity of the fires. Many of the seedlings are being used to replace shelter belts, which not only provide protection to stock but also provide habitat ... for wildlife.

Some are going directly to support habitat restoration.

Kangaroo Island is so close to the hearts of many South Australians, who’ve shown a lot of support for the recovery. As a resident, is there anything you’d like to say to the many Trees For Life supporters who’ve donated generously and grown plants to restore the landscapes around your home?

Thank you. Only two words, but they reflect immense gratitude and acknowledgement of everyone’s contribution. Kangaroo Island is important to all South Australians as a place of incredible beauty and environmental importance. Working together we can support the future of Kangaroo Island for all South Australians. 

Many of the seedlings are being used to replace shelter belts, which not only provide protection to stock but also provide habitat ... for wildlife.

Daniel with the trailer full of seedlings bound for KI.