Congupna Bushland Reserve The Congupna Bushland Reserve situated on the corner of Lemnos and Congupna East roads, was once known as Tank Corner, because it was used as a watering stop for cattle and sheep being moved through the area. There was a dam on the reserve and in those days a dam was known as a tank, hence Tank Corner Reserve. Pine Lodge Creek subdivides the area into two sections. In 1881 the residents in the area, concerned at the distance (up to 4 miles) that their children were travelling to attend the nearest school which was situated at the then township of Congupna, petitioned The Minister of Public Instruction for a school to be erected on the Reserve. By 1883 a portable building had arrived, and in 1884 school commenced with 53 students. A fence was then erected around the 2 acres that was allocated to the school to keep the cattle and horses away from the younger children. There was an outbreak of diphtheria at the school in 1888 due to overcrowding, poor ventilation and contaminated drinking water which came from a dam. A second building was approved but attendances started to drop away and by 1895 they were down to 7 children so the second classroom was not built, instead it was decided to move the school to a more convenient location in Congupna Road beside the railway station. Before it could be removed, it burnt down in December 1901. The history of the reserve was a bit hazy after that but we do know that there was a family living in a Hessian bag hut there at some stage after the school was burnt down and until fairly recently it had been used for cattle grazing by local farmers, firewood collection, and occasionally for camping. Trail bike riders have also used the reserve. On behalf of the GBCMA a draft plan for the future environmental management of the Congupna Bushland Reserve was established in consultation with Parks Victoria and the Congupna and Tallygaroopna Landcare Group, by the DPI. A revised draft plan was submitted in 2005 which was approved by both these organizations in 2006. As a result of this plan we now have full management responsibilities for the future of the reserve, with support from Parks Vic and the Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee. The whole reserve has been fenced properly by Parks Vic, and we have gravelled an all weather car park at the entrance. It is still open to the public and can be used by schools for educational purposes, it can also be used for bushwalking and limited camping, and last November we had a grass identification day there. The flora consists of Grey Box and Red Gum with some understory planted by school children and Dhurringile prisoners a few years ago. The native grasses have been depleted but there is still some Wallaby Grass, Spear Grass, and a few other species remaining. Unfortunately the reserve has its fair share of weeds which will need a lot of work to control over the next few years, Phalaris and Paterson’s curse to name just two. Our Landcare Group considers The Congupna Bushland Reserve of importance to this region and we will continue to maintain it the best we can.