The couple are members of Bonny Hills Landcare and are two well known faces in the area, due to their connections with a number of community groups.

When the couple first moved to the area, Fred, along with other community members, helped to establish a clear walking trail across the headland.

The coastal trail from Bonny Hills to North Haven has become a popular path for visitors and is used by residents on a daily basis.

Judy and Fred's passion for the environment stems from their childhoods.

Fred grew up in Manilla and Tamworth, while Judy fostered a love for nature at Oxley Island.

Fred credited Graham Guy (now retired) and others from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's weed control team, as playing an integral role in the battle against some of the area's most notorious weeds.

"They were very active and energetic guys," he said.

Fred said the bitou bush was their primary target, along with lantana, coral trees and others.

The men used their own equipment to battle the weeds by hand, despite some of the pests being at head height.

More recently, Judy and Fred have been working hard to educate the community about the potential threat of the African Tulip Tree.

Fred and Judy built their Bonny Hills property in 1974 and have raised four children together. They have two grandchildren.

They moved to the area permanently in 2000.

Fred was sadly diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2008.

He said his children and grandchildren keep the positive spark in his day.

Fred and Judy hope the environment will continue to be kept on the radar of environmental organisations in the future.

They said the bitou bush will continue to get out of control if it is not maintained.

Judy and Fred are advocates of the use of aerial spraying in an effort to target weed locations from the air.

As a former science teacher, Fred has also conducted research into the use of roundup for controlling bitou bush.

His findings suggest roundup can be used at lower levels than they have been in the past, as the weed is very sensitive to the product.

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