A win for wildlife

Wildlife is the ultimate winner, following the announcement of Barossa’s Best Native Garden for 2025.

An initiative of Barossa Bushgardens, Eden Valley couple, Kevin and Debbie Davey were delighted to take out the title and bring home the extra native plants they won to add to their property which was basically “an empty acre” when they bought it.

“All it had was two dead trees on there. We retained the trunks of the trees, cut the branches back to where it was safe and left all the hollows,” Debbie said.

Introducing native plants created the added bonus of attracting more critters to their backyard which has now become a sanctuary for wildlife.

“We knew there were bats and birds here,” Kevin explained.

“More and more wrens came in, then Deb started volunteering for Barossa Wildlife Rescue and was caring for animals. We started with possum boxes for the Ringtails and Brushtails and then it evolved into kangaroos.”

The couple now have six kangaroos in their keeping, including four Western Grey joeys Debbie keeps snuggly warm in beautifully made pouches.

Barossa Bushgardens Natural Resource Centre Co-ordinator, Doreen von Linde, said the Davey garden was a deserving winner of the annual competition aimed at promoting biodiversity in Barossa’s backyards.

“They have mostly local native plants,” Doreen said, describing the photos the couple entered in the competition that captured the judging panel’s attention.

“The kangaroos were an extra bonus! There’s a nesting box, a native bee hotel and huge old gum tree which will provide perfect habitat for many native animals.

“They also have a Grass Tree which is very slow growing and looking great right in front of the gum tree.

“The garden is a perfect winner, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow and evolve as a sanctuary for rescued native animals.”