REGROWING THE FOREST

Graham Sutherland has a passion for growing things and creating ecosystems. This is not an easy task in Wilkesdale in Queensland’s South Burnett region, which has been devastated by cattle grazing and other farming practices, resulting in constant drought pressure for the past few decades, together with intermittent flooding.

This summer has been especially dry and hot, with temperatures reaching well into the 40s. Graham’s 40 acres are dominated by a handful of drought-, frost- and fire-tolerant species, but he’s determined to rehabilitate the land and restore it to what it once was: a rainforest that covered the entire region. Despite the difficult conditions, he has a few neat tricks tucked in his hat and he’s very enthusiastic to share them.

“The issues I face in trying to grow fruit and rainforest trees are mainly drought, fire, frost, poor soil condition and hungry wildlife,” explains Graham. “My goal is