History Project Stories
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
The Outdoor Classroom
From 2005 until 2007 Queanbeyan Landcare was responsible for weed removal, planting and the installation of the seats that comprise the Outdoor Classroom. This site can be found along the Queanbeyan River between the stormwater drain that runs off Thorpe Avenue and the small rocky outcrop further downstream called Connie’s Rock. It was used on many occasions for Environmental talks with school groups.
Plant lists for plantings at this site circa early 2000s
In recent years that planting has been accidentally sprayed and more recently mowed resulting in the loss of many of the native understory plants. The site has been inundated several times due to flooding, erosion has occurred, and weeds have appeared.
2011 Flooding images © Tom Baker
In 2022 the Friends of Queanbyan River group met with staff from QPRC and decided that with support they could improve the area. Queanbeyan Landcare had the plants ready to go as Tom Baker had been propagating the seeds of Carex apressa and Gynatrix pulchella for some time. These two species were ideal for this area as they both are important riverbank stabilizers in times of flood. Other plants were selected that would provide habitat for many of the small birds and native animals that frequent the river corridor. The first planting occurred on 15 December 2022. 170 plants mainly Carex apressa (Tall Sedge) and Gynatrix pulchella (Hemp Bush) were planted by 6 volunteers in just 1 hour with the help of our Hamilton Planters.
[Gallery images from 2022 & 2023 © Michele Dovers]
Since then a number of planting, weeding and mulch spreading events have taken place at the site. A focus every year in February/March/April has been the hand removal of the weed Caltrop. This spiny, prostate plant produces significant burrs that are problem for dogs, bikes and people.
Connie’s Rock which is just downstream from the Outdoor Classroom is part of Queanbeyan’s early history being a significant site for gold mining along the river. The rock is called Connie’s Rock for the nuns from the nearby convent who would cross the river at that point (the river looked different then).
Gallery of the 2024 & 2025 Plantings/Weedings
[Gallery images above from 2024 & 2025 © Michele Dovers]
Lindsay Peak, a local resident also visits the site at other times to water, weed and plant as required. His partner Leanne C has taken several lovely photos of this site in 2025.
[Gallery images above from 2025 © Leanne C.]