Darin Dix, the fifth-generation descendant of the founder of Australia's oldest surviving wildlife reserve, is on a mission to return the 88-acre wonderland to its past glory.
Darin's great great grandfather, noted early conservationist Thomas Bellchambers, established Humbug Scrub Wildlife Sanctuary near Mt Lofty northeast of Adelaide in 1904 to preserve flora and fauna as well as the rich heritage of the region.
He settled on the property with his wife and 11 children, died in 1929 and his resting place is on site.
Humbug Scrub had been a gold and copper mining deposit in the 1800s and it provided a hide out and passage for bush rangers who roamed the area.
For many decades the wildlife sanctuary, tightly held by Thomas Bellchambers' family, was part of growing up in Adelaide, a must visit location for local families.
It was a place where Adelaide families went for weekend picnics and to commune with nature as their city grew larger.
Over more than a century member of royalty, prime ministers and even author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited to be impressed by both the serenity of the area and also its natural produce.
"Conan Doyle wrote of the wild berries which were made into jam," Darin said. "The berry bushes are still there."
But in recent times Humbug Scrub has fallen into disrepair, although still open to the public.
Now Darin, a member of a board of trustees comprising seven members of the blended Bellchambers and Dix families, is setting out to restore and improve it.
Humbug Scrub is a registered wildlife trust, run as a not-for-profit organisation.
All work, including that of the family, is voluntary.
Their commitment is absolute.
Darin has sold his home in Adelaide and invested some of the proceeds in buying a Toyota Huski skid steer loader and a Takeuchi TB216 Excavator to be used by him, family members and willing helpers to restore the park.
Both machines have been provided by Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA), a leading provider of material handling and compact construction equipment solutions.
TMHA Area Sales Manager (Construction Equipment) Nick Andrushenko went above and beyond to support the project, personally trailering both machines to Humbug Scrub to enable Darin to trial them on site – a gesture for which Darin was highly appreciative.
"Most companies wouldn't do that," he said. "Nick's support and TMHA's willingness to work with us on this project has been exceptional. They understand what we're trying to achieve here."
For Nick, the site visit provided a unique insight into how TMHA equipment can support conservation and heritage projects.
"Right now, there are more than 140 birds and animals living there," Darin said.
"Some are in enclosures, but others are free range, visiting us when they choose."
Nick's ok with kangaroos but big birds are somewhat intimidating.
"The wedgetail eagle took quite a shine to him," Darin observed.
The Toyota Huski skid steer loader, with its compact design and versatility, is ideal for working in the sanctuary's confined spaces without disturbing the natural environment or the resident wildlife.
"The Huski's manoeuvrability is perfect for what we need," Darin said. "We can work around the established vegetation and animal habitats without causing unnecessary disruption."
The Takeuchi TB216 Excavator, distributed nationally by TMHA, brings precision and power to the heavier earthmoving tasks required for the restoration.
"TMHA's Takeuchi range is known for reliability and efficiency," Nick said. "For a project like Humbug Scrub where you're working in a sensitive ecosystem, that combination of performance and careful operation is essential."
Plans for Humbug Scrub include fencing the historic underground gold mines to make them safe and including them in a historic walking trail. Period displays will also be set up to curate the development of the area even before Thomas Bellchambers arrived. The machines from Toyota will really help in this endeavour.
Animal enclosures will be renewed and expanded.
Importantly both the Huski skid steer loader and Takeuchi excavator will work in tandem to build these pathways and picnic areas in what is an increasingly environmentally sensitive environment.
"TMHA has given us the tools to do this properly," Darin said. "The equipment is reliable, efficient and suited to the delicate work we're doing here."
Nick and the TMHA team have also provided ongoing technical support and advice to ensure the Dix family and volunteers can operate the equipment safely and effectively.
"It's not just about supplying equipment," Nick said. "We want to see projects like this succeed. Humbug Scrub is part of South Australia's heritage and TMHA is proud to play a role in its restoration."
"We expect immediate gains in access and facility, but it's also a long term project," Darin said.
"A lot of what we hope to achieve will be the result of support from the business community and from friends of Humbug Scrub like TMHA who believe in preserving our natural and cultural heritage."
Initial remedial work enabled by the TMHA equipment will allow the family to invite corporate inspection and demonstrate the sanctuary's potential.
An open day on 4 October will reveal plans to supporters and showcase the progress made possible through partnerships like the one with Toyota Material Handling Australia.
"TMHA's support has been transformational," Darin said. "We're not just restoring a wildlife sanctuary – we're preserving a piece of Australian history. And we couldn't do it without partners who share that vision."
Darin and the team making great use out of their new equipment