Tom Hazell - Manly Lagoon Friends of the Bush

On National Tree Day in July, 1200 trees were planted near Manly Lagoon by about 240 students from Mackellar Girls and Northern Beaches Christian School, led by Manly resident Tom Hazell. The trees are growing alongside the 800 planted the previous year, and the 600 planted before that.

Tom counts National Tree Days as one of the most satisfying parts of his efforts to improve the local environment.

“It’s wonderful to see the new growth – the wattle in full bloom and the violet sprays. You can also see the wildlife is returning – the birds are coming back and there are now water dragons down the other end of the Lagoon,” he said.

Tom’s commitment to protecting the environment consumes his energies now, however his early years were spent in an office.

“I started to get involved with the environment with the netball debacle at Nolan’s Reserve about four years ago. Then I did my first Clean Up Australia Day at the Lagoon – found everything from supermarket trolleys to ammunition – and then later went to TAFE to study bush regeneration. My kids call me a ‘weed specialist’ but I love it. After years of working in an office it’s great to be outside.”

Tom has been involved in the Manly Lagoon Friends of the Bush project with Bernadette McCarthy for three years. The aim of the project is to establish native vegetation along the riparian zones of Manly Lagoon at Nolan and Passmore Reserves.

Tom is pleased that recently they’ve succeeded in getting Warringah Council to extend the riparian zone near the Lagoon.

“It’s a small thing but it does help stop siltation and pollution. I’ve found over the years you need to work within the system, rather than against it. Suddenly then you get results.”

It is Tom’s aim to see Manly Lagoon restored to the point where recreational fishing is safe.

“I don’t think we’re ever going to see people swimming in the lagoon again unfortunately, as it has deteriorated so rapidly over the past 50 years. However, if we don’t act now it will slip further and become an environmental and health hazard.”

Tom is looking for volunteers to assist the Manly Lagoon Friends of the Bush. A regular maintenance program is held every Monday, where local disabled people get involved.

“It’s a real highlight of their week – they carry and spread the mulch, it’s a really positive thing for the community.”