On Wednesday 15th October 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare hosted a corporate volunteering day for a team of 19 employees from NTT Data at the beautiful Mount Schoenstatt Shrine & Retreat in Mulgoa, within the Penrith Local Government Area.
Together, the group contributed an incredible 95 volunteer hours to improve native vegetation, removing 30 cubic metres of weeds. This fantastic effort will help create a safer passage for local Koalas to move through the landscape and find their favourite food trees.
NTT Data Team Helps Clear the Way for Koalas in Mulgoa
The day was led by Greater Sydney Landcare’s Corporate Engagement Manager, Sabina Roe, along with Southwest Sydney Koala Project team members Vanessa Gimellaro (Local Landcare Coordinator) and Alicia Harb-Akins (Project Officer).
Sabina began the morning with a warmup, leading the group through some stretches in the dappled shade of the canopy—soundtracked by birdsong and chirping crickets—before introducing the day’s task: removing Lantana camara, a Weed of National Significance.
Tackling a Weed of National Significance
Lantana forms dense, impenetrable thickets that outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and increase fire hazards. By removing this invasive plant, the NTT Data team helped open space for native vegetation to regenerate, improving habitat for local wildlife.
The group removed a fantastic 30 cubic metres of Lantana—a huge achievement that will make a valuable difference to the site’s ecological health, and provide space for native plants to regrow.
Conserving Local Koalas
As the day warmed to 28 degrees, curious Kangaroos watched from a distance while the group worked. In the afternoon, the volunteers were joined by Lisa Harrold, President of Mulgoa Valley Landcare and local koala conservation expert.
Lisa led a walk and talk through the property, sharing her deep knowledge of koala habitat conservation and local stories, including the tale of Martin, a koala tracked for months in the area. The group learned about ongoing monitoring efforts and how local communities are helping protect koalas across Greater Sydney, and also tried their hand at a bit of monitoring under Lisa’s guidance.
Connection & Care
After a productive morning, the team enjoyed a relaxed barbecue lunch, taking time to chat, connect with colleagues, and soak in the natural surroundings.
“The group were very inquisitive and asked lots of questions. Their curiosity and interest shone through and made the event enjoyable,” said Alicia from Greater Sydney Landcare.
“They worked really well as a team and showed pride in their tidy, efficient work,” added Sabina.
What the Volunteers Said
Participants shared their reflections on the day, expressing appreciation for the learning experience and their impact on the local environment.
- “Very educational and informative day.”
- “It’s very satisfying to see the amount of Lantana we have cleared.”
- “Thank you, Lisa, for coming out today. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
Working Together for Conservation
Thank you to Mount Schoenstatt Shrine & Retreat Greater, Lisa Harrold and Mulgoa Valley Landcare, and NTT Data for partnering with Greater Sydney Landcare. By working together, we multiply our positive impact for nature. This event highlights how coordinated, well-supported corporate volunteering efforts can contribute to positive environmental outcomes: increased habitat connectivity, recovery of native vegetation, and improved habitats for koalas and other wildlife in Greater Sydney.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Penrith
If you’d like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Penrith LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
