And it was the topic of an interesting presentation at Berry Public School recently.

Longtime anti-fireweed campaigner and former Kangaroo Valley dairy farmer Robert Cochrane was put under the microscope by his grandson, year 6 student Alastair Urquhart.

Also a keen fireweed fighter, Alastair chose to interview his grandfather on the topic as part of his personal interest project.

Held like a television interview in front of the class, the segment was introduced by compere Dylan Faust, before question and answer session started.

“I was amazed by the interest of the kids in the topic,” Mr Cochrane said.

“They were obviously interested by the questions they asked which were very appropriate.”

Mr Cochrane pointed out that in some areas fireweed was beyond control.

“Some areas are looking for more government subsidies into research and biological controls,” Mr Cochrane said.

“Control methods through the use of beetles and viruses are being trialed in South Africa and appear to be working successfully. The CSIRO is monitoring those trials and determining if they are suitable to be imported into Australia. After all we don’t want to import something, that while it controls fireweed, might have a detrimental affect on other things.

“The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is also doing research into both fireweed and giant Parramatta grass at a hub outside of Grafton.

“While there are chemicals that can control fireweed, manual removal is still one of the most effective methods. Dorper sheep also have a big impact on the weed.”

Mr Cochrane has been a longtime campaigner for keeping Kangaroo Valley fireweed free and he hopes his talk might have inspired the next generation of fireweed eradicators.

Teacher Brett Sutton said the interview setting was a novel approach to the project.

“I think the kids got a lot out of it,” he said.

“They were certainly engaged and interested in the topic.

“Alastair is quite passionate about the topic, like his grandfather, and that certainly came across in the interview.

“The students learnt a number of things apart from how devastating a weed it is, like how it got its name which was simply because it spread like wildfire.”