Updated6.11.19, 28.5.19, 30.3.19, 17.11.18, 16.10.18, 23.8.18, 15.3.18, 6.11.17

The History of Damper Creek The Damper Creek Development & Conservation Group

and

The Friends of Damper Creek Reserve

Produced and Published by

The Friends of Damper Creek ReserveCommittee

October 2003

Original material Copyright 2003

Printed in Times New Roman

PREFACE

ay 2003 marks the tenth anniversary of the formation of The Friends of Damper Creek

Reserve Inc. This group, as it is now known, was created in 1993 from The Damper Creek Conservation and Development Group. This story traces the origin of the original group from 1968 when it was formed to oppose a development proposal for the area east of the Creek, through to its current role of supporting the restoration and maintenance of one of Waverley's prettiest bush surrounds.

M

Background required from Kevin Ryland- Heslop’s status with Waverley Council- Date(s) of Heslop’s purchases- Location and operation of the litter trap - Office bearers D&CG and FODC- Meeting venues of groups- Original crossing bridges (Alice & Tarella)- Publication of Educational Nature Trail

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This history could not have been produced without the valuable contributions of:

Present and past members of the Damper Creek Conservation and Development Group

Present and past members of the Friends Damper Creek Reserve Inc.

Monash City Council

Waverley Historical Society

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CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Pioneer History 1

Chapter 2 The Damper Creek Habitat

Chapter 3 The Survey of Mulgrave and Subdivision of 1853

Chapter 4 The Proposed Subdivision of 1968

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7 The Turn of the Century 1999/2000 and onwards

Appendix 1 Chronology

Appendix 2 Office Bearers

Appendix 3 Meeting Venues

Appendix 4 Development Stages of Damper Creek Restoration

Appendix 5 Plants from Damper Creek and their Aboriginal (Koorie) Uses

Appendix 6 References

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Chapter 1

PIONEER HISTORY

n considering the history of Damper Creek it is useful to note the early pioneer settlement of the Waverley - Mulgrave area, and Susan Priestley's book Cattlemen to Commuters [1] provides an

excellent word picture of those times. The following selected extracts describe the country and flora and suggest two possible origins of the name of what we now know as Damper Creek.

IAllen's Creek Run

One of the settlers who had beaten Clow to the more eligible country was Robart Allen. In November 1837, when Capt. de Villiers arrived at the Narre Warren police site to begin building huts and fencing a horse paddock, he found Robart Allen and his men already there putting up a stockyard. De Villiers appealed to Lonsdale. Twice, an official letter was sent out to Allen ordering him to leave and tempers flared between the men of both parties before Allen moved his camp to the country south of Cranbourne, where he found and finally claimed several thousand unoccupied acres. Allen's first cattle camp, however, touched Mulgrave more closely. In February 1838, his cattle station and hut were marked on a Boroondara parish map on the north bank of Gardiner's Creek not far from the present parish boundary of Warrigal Road. Although this station was merely a staging post in Allen's search for broader acres, Allen's Creek remained for more than a decade the name given locally to the upper reaches of Gardiner's (or Kooyong Koot) Creek, which flows through the north-west corner of Waverley.

In March 1841, Henry Lemann was the owner of 'Allen's station', but after he left in 1843 to expand his horizons on fourteen thousand acres of the Moyne river country north of Port Fairy, the Allen's Creek run seems to have been leased in two sections, each about three square miles in area. One section south of the creek, covered what is now East Malvern, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale and adjoined the run owned by the King brothers around Moorabbin. The other three square miles was the area known as the Stringy Bark ranges, which rise up to the east and south of the creek as it flows down from its source to its bent elbow at East Malvern. This was the section later included in Mulgrave.

Into these ranges, sawyers and timber-cutters came early, for stringybark was an excellent building timber. When the creek was surveyed in October 1840, a sawyer, J. Damper, had his hut on a little watercourse leading from the creek back into the ranges. Remarkably, although his stay must have been fairly brief, the watercourse still bears his name (Damper Creek).

[A search of the Victorian/NSW indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths from 1840 onwards has no record of any marriage, birth or death that could be identified with a J Damper. Of course, it is quite possible that he either moved elsewhere or no records were ever made of him - Ed.]

In 1841, another sawyer, William Hancock, settled on 'Stringy Bark Range, Allen's Station' and stayed until the middle of 1844. There is a suggestion that he also ran a bush inn, called 'Lady of the Lake', the lake in question being perhaps a waterhole on one of the creeks. The inn would have catered for the tastes of other sawyers and bushmen who settled in the ranges, built huts, cut timber and hauled loads of posts, palings and firewood by dray into ballooning Melbourne. …..

Scotchman's Creek Run

The five square miles of country which John McMillan leased in January 1840 was centred around a creek which became known as Scotchman's Creek. It was fed by a number of minor gullies and drained eventually into Gardiner's Creek near Allen's old hut. A few hundred yards north of the main stream was a sandy tributary, whose northern bank rose up sharply to form a natural boundary. South from Scotchman's Creek he claimed one and three-quarter miles of rolling country with 'good pasture, moderately timbered with gum and box'. From east to west his claim measured three miles, including some good stringybark forest in the east. A track leading to the Dandenong run of Dr. Farquhar

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McCrae and beyond that to Western Port passed close to the western edge of his claim and there seems to be a rough correspondence between some of the modern highways and the boundaries of the Scotchman's Creek run. If we begin on the Creek where it comes closest to Dandenong Road at Oakleigh, the line would go along Dandenong Road to Wellington Road to Springvale Road, north along Springvale Road to Waverley Road and back along Waverley Road to the high ridge above the creek.

John McMillan's sketch map of Scotchman's Creek run 1845, showing his house and the poundkeeper's house.

On a sketch map he drew of his run in 1845, McMillan marked the western boundary track as the track to 'No Good Damper', a locality reputedly named by disgruntled aborigines who had tried to make damper from a dray load of lime passing through the district, which they mistook for flour. The name was then given to a bush inn, built by Captain De Villiers soon after his native police force at Narre Warren had been temporarily disbanded in the middle of 1839. De Villiers began building his inn in 1840 near some fresh water springs on the track to his old police camp. The springs suggested the name Springvale for the area, where today Police, Springvale and Dandenong Roads intersect.

On to his new Scotchman's Creek run John McMillan brought cattle, and his camp site was noted by T. H. Nutt when he surveyed the Creek in 1840. But in March, 1841, when a Port Phillip census was taken, John McMillan was the householder who completed the form for Cuthbert and Gardiner's leasehold at Moonee Ponds. It seems likely that he, too, had to work for a season to gain the time and capital needed to build the family a house and to stock Scotchman's Creek adequately, while his older sons could have camped on the Creek to look after his own five square miles. Nevertheless by the summer of 1841, the family were probably all settled into their new home, for in November, 1843, John was at pains to point out to Commissioner Airey that 'I went for two seasons with my own catle (sic) to the dandilong (sic) creek for the scarcity of water'.

Although Scotchman's Creek may not have provided an adequate water supply for McMillan's whole herd during the summer months, it was nevertherless probably the run's most attractive feature. Though narrow and in places steeply banked, it was shaded by gums and ti-tree, with ferns and flowering shrubs and wildflowers in the undergrowth. T. G. Newton in his Early History of Oakleigh recalled the shady haven it provided on hot summer days thirty or forty years after John McMillan first saw it. Newton remembered, too, the springs of fresh water on the banks of the Creek, promising an underground supply should the Creek dry up. In fact, two dug out springs were part of the improvements on the run when McMillan transferred his lease at the end of 1846.

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Chapter 2

THE DAMPER CREEK HABITAT

The Damper Creek Habitat has been documented and well described[2].

To quote:

Damper Creek is a tributary of the Gardiners Creek Corridor. The Geology is of Silurian Anderson Creek Formation (mudstone inter-bedded with sandstone and shale) bordered by Tertiary Pliocene non-marine sand, sand clay, silt and gravel of the Brighton Group.

Habitat Type

Prior to European occupation Grassy Forest and Swampy Riparian vegetation communities (now only represented by small remnants such as Damper Creek and Valley Reserve) and the now depleted Sclerophyll Forest would have been widespread in the east and southeast of Melbourne.

Dominant components of the Damper Creek vegetation are Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) with an understorey of Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifloria) along the creek, grading into Yellow Box (E. melliodora) and Mealy Stringybark (E. cephalocarpa) with Prickly Tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium and/or L. continentale) in the understorey upslope. Tea-tree grades into a grassy ground layer with only scattered shrubs. Ground flora includes Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), Common Maidenhair (Adiantum aethiopicum) and native grasses including Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Spear-grasses (Austrostipa spp.), Wallaby-grasses (Austrodanthonia spp.) and Tussock Grass (Poa spp.)

The watercourse supports a diversity of habitats, including faster-flowing narrow channels and broader slow flowing ponds bordered by Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Tall Spike-sedge (Elaeocharis sphacelata) and River Club-sedge (Schoenoplectus validus). Some narrower sections of the creek also support submergent aquatic vegetation. This diversity of in-stream habitats provides the best habitat for frogs, water birds, water rats, tortoises and native fish (Galaxias spp.).

Habitat Importance

Damper Creek Reserve is a narrow strip of remnant vegetation and restored habitats about 1.5 km long and generally less than 150 m wide, bordered by residential development.

Remnant strips of vegetation offer the greatest value as fauna habitat when they comprise intact vegetation; species richness is often positively correlated with vegetation width. Generally narrow linear remnants experience higher edge effects due to a higher edge-to-area ratio. These effects can include higher weed invasion, invasion of exotic fauna or common and aggressive native species (eg. Noisy Mynas), rubbish dumping and dieback.

Despite its highly developed urban context, Damper Creek is a regionally significant refuge for fauna providing a good to high quality habitat. The restored vegetation represents some of the best examples of revegetation, and together with remnant vegetation, provides a diversity of microhabitats for vertebrates.

Damper Creek provides suitable foraging, nesting and perching substrate for a variety of native wildlife. The age of the trees is generally young but there is a moderate abundance of older hollow-bearing eucalypts and stags (dead trees) and provision of artificial nest boxes has provided nesting opportunities for hollow-dependent vertebrates (eg. Sugar glider, Common Ringtail possum, Common Brushtail Possum, some birds and insectivorous bats).

Rock beaching has stabilised the creek bank as well as providing basking sites for reptiles and denning opportunities for the water rat; a few scattered in-stream rocks also provide "feeding platforms" for the water rat.

There is a well-developed shrub understorey along the creek that provides nesting, perching and

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foraging substrate for some small birds. However there is a lack of fallen timber to provide habitat for reptiles.

Typical Flora of the Damper Creek Reserve

Damper Creek has two vegetation communities:

- Grassy Forest (Yellow Box; Silver-leaf Stringybark; Swamp gum)

- Swampy Riparian Complex (Swamp Paperbark)

In recent times, 25 Regionally Significant plant species have been recorded in Damper Creek making Damper Creek of Regional Botanical Significance [2]. See Appendix 4 for a list of Common plants found and their Aboriginal (Koorie) use.

Fauna of Damper Creek

Damper Creek is of Regional Zoological Significance [2] with 15 significant species either occurring or having at least a moderate likelihood of regular occurrence.

National significance – Southern Bell Frog (also the Superb Parrot sighted in 2000)

State significance – Grey-headed Flying Fox

Regional Significance – Peregrine Falcon; Latham’s Snipe; White-throated Needletail; Fork-tailed Swift; Rose Robin; Pink Robin; Gang Gang Cockatoo; Jacky Winter, Sugar Glider; Water Rat; Striped Marsh Frog; Eastern Snake-necked Tortoise; Red-bellied Black Snake

Species of Local Significance worth noting – Golden Whistler; Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike; Tawny Frogmouth; Verreaux’s Tree Frog; Lowland Copperhead; Eastern Water Dragon; Blue Tongued Lizard; Cool Temperate Water Skink.

Bird Sightings Rainbow Lorikeets Musk Lorikeets (seasonal) Crimson Rosellas Eastern Rosellas Red wing parrot (escapee?) Superb parrots (pair - escapees?) Galahs Cockatoos Cockatoo – Yellow tailed, black Gang Gang Cockatoos Kookaburras Currawongs Tawny Frogmouths Powerful Owls Butcherbirds Noisy Mynahs Indian Mynahs Blackbirds Little / Large Wattlebirds Pigeons / Doves Grey Fantails (occasional) Spotted Pardalotes (seasonal) Pink Breasted Robins (pair - occasional) Scrub Wrens Magpies Golden Whistler (female - occasional)

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (occasional) Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike (occasional) Australasian Grebe (sighted once) White Ibis or Heron (sighted once) Mudlarks Blue Wrens (pair released - not sighted) Sacred Kingfishers (pair released - not

sighted) Brown Goshawk (occasional) Black ducks Wood ducks Chestnut Teal Ducks (occasional) Thornbills Eastern Spinebills Mistletoe bird (not sighted) Stumpy Tailed Lizards Blue Tongue Lizards Eastern Long Neck Turtles (released - 4

sighted) Copperhead Snakes Tiger Snake (possible sighting?) Native Water Rat (possible sighting?) Common Domestic Rats Sugar Gliders Brush Tail possums Ring Tail possums

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Chocolate Wattle Bat (recorded Nov 1999) Gould’s Wattle Bat (Recorded Nov 1999) Small Forest Bats (Trapped Nov 1999) Fruit Bats (passing over) Eastern water dragons (2 released – sighted)

Frogs (Banjo and possibly Growling and Swamp?)

Foxes (occasionally sighted)

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Chapter 3

THE SURVEY OF MULGRAVE AND SUBDIVISION OF 1853

Following the excitement of gold discovery of 1851 many people departed Melbourne city and suburbs for the gold fields. Parts of the eastern outskirts of the city had been pegged out and by 1853 many people had returned and there was increased pressure to survey further to the east. By April 1853 Eugene Bellairs had surveyed the parish of Mulgrave including the township of Oakleigh.

The Parish of Mulgrave covered the area bounded by Warrigal Road on the west Dandenong Creek to the east and from Centre Road. in the south to Highbury Road to the north. Major roads were surveyed in a one mile grid starting from Warrigal and Centre Roads. Each one mile square was subdivided into four lots of 160 acres. Because the one mile grid did not fit in the area between what is now High Street Road and Highbury Road the four lots in the grid between Huntingdale and Stephensons Roads were 2 x 160 acres (lots 55 & 58) on High Street Road and 2 x 112 acres (lots 56 & 57) on Highbury Road.

Note the name changes over the years from the original survey:

Highbury Road was North Boundary RoadHuntingdale Road was Nelson Road, Bayview

Road and Box Hill Road Stephensons Road was Stevenson Road

For simplicity and consistency these later names will be used in the following sections. Topographical survey maps show the watercourse of what we now call Damper Creek's northern branch starting about 100 m east of the intersection of Stephensons and Highbury Roads at an elevation of about 400 feet (120 m) and flowing south west across Stephensons Road where it enters lot 57 and down through lot 58 across High Street Road at an elevation of about 75 m into lots 59 and 54 and west on towards its junction with Gardiners Creek.

The Parish Plans of Mulgrave and Nunawading, to the north, show an unnamed watercourse of which is now known as Gardiners Creek but there is no indication of the watercourse now known as Damper Creek. It is significant to note that the name Damper Creek has been shown as applying to the northern branch of Gardiners Creek as it passed through Burwood Highway and into what is now known as Wattle Park. A later subdivision plan of the 1930s shows Gardiners Creek as being Kooyong Koot Creek (as it was first known). Reference 3 includes a hand drawn map of the area for 1851-1879 showing this northern branch of Gardiners Creek to be "Damper or Gardiners Creek". Reference 4 also includes a hand drawn map based on Land Office records of 1854 showing it to be Gardiners (Damper) Creek. Long time residents of the local area, some of who were students of the Burwood Primary

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School in the 1920/30s, report that they knew the creek alongside the school as Damper Creek!

Fig. 3.1 Extract of Survey of Mulgrave - 1853 (redrawn)

A survey map (1 inch to the mile) of about 1925 shows both watercourses as unnamed. The contours of the land at the intersection of Stephensons and High Street Roads indicate that this was a steep valley. During rainfall water would flow from the north, east and south into this valley and then west into Damper Creek and along High Street Road to Gardiners Creek. In practice the intersection would be impassable and that vehicles travelling along Stephensons Road would veer west along High Street Road for 30 m to avoid the dip. Also High Street Road to the west of Huntingdale Road was a very low area such that the road reserve would be flooded. So much so, that the road actually deviated around the creek and the subdivision of that part north of the road allowed for the creek.

On 2 September 1853 those lots containing Damper Creek came on the market at about £14 per acre. By the 1890s, lot 57 was owned by J. Carmody and lot 58 had been further subdivided into one lot of 58 acres owned by G. W. Taylor and one of 102 acres owned by the Cornell Brothers. Where Damper Creek passed through High Street Rd there was a natural waterhole that, later in the 1920s, was dammed up on the north side by Harold Hore whose family operated an orchard and market garden to the west of the creek. The dam was used to irrigate the crops grown by the family. The entrance to the Harry Hore property became St Johns Wood Rd. St Johns Wood was the name of his wife Florence Brewer’s family resided. Armstrong Crt nearby, possibly derives from Jim Armstrong who worked for Harry Hore. Alice Street to the east of Damper Creek was named after Harry Hore’s neice Alice (Hore) Hardner.

Fig. 3.2 Harry Hore's dam on Damper Creek looking south west over High Street Rd. (circa 1944)

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Chapter 4

THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION OF 1968

In the 1920s Lot 58 was subdivided into a number of irregular lots along the route of what we now know as Damper Creek as shown in Fig 4.1 below. Note that Park Rd was surveyed as meeting with High Street Rd in the south, but there was no passable route across the creek at this point. Park Rd was actually shown also as that part running east west too! Lot 1749993 was used for the growing of vegetables and the raising of fruit trees in the 1940s and early 50s while Lot 1622861 was used for the grazing of cattle. In QQQ Bryant Heslop purchased lot 1622861.

Fig. 4.1 Part Subdivision of Lot 58

In 1968, residents in and near Sunhill Rd discovered that Heslop had approached the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) for the purchase of land in the reserve to add to his present lots for housing development. The MMBW was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the adjacent major stormwater drainage and sewerage networks in the area and “owned” the creek and the riparian areas immediately adjacent plus further areas adjoining. Note that Waverley Council was responsible for the smaller networks of stormwater drains from each residential lot. The actual demarcation of the responsibility of the creek and riparian areas between Council and the MMBW is: MMBW downstream of what is now known as the Fern Gully and Council upstream. (The riparian zone is not normally defined by a linear distance but rather by the vegetation and visible characteristics that reflect the influence of water. That is, for example, in a steep rocky valley the zone may be almost not existent while for a flat marsh area it may extend a considerable distance.)

An action group led by Barry Counsel of 1 Oak Court rallied local support and called a meeting to discuss the proposed acquisition. The Waverley Gazette had been advised of the proposed meeting and ran an article on the front page on 25.9.1968, as a consequence of this and the doorknocking of members of the group, an overwhelming response resulted in about 150 local residents assembling in Barry Counsel’s house (which had barely been completed a couple of months before) to raise their concerns with the proposed development. One of the key features

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discussed was the proposal to link Sunhill and Swayfield Rds which were separated by the creek valley. Linking of these roads was seen as creating a potential through way from Highbury Rd to High Street Rd and the consequent increase in vehicle traffic. At this time, Park Rd, which was west of Sunhill Rd and Alice St, did NOT cross the creek at its south end and terminated just south of the last group of houses. Local Sunhill Rd residents were most concerned as this new link road would pose a danger to the school children entering the Mt Waverley Nth Primary School via Kalmia Crt.

Heslop was present at the meeting and motion was put to exclude him from the proceedings but this was quashed by Chairman Counsel arguing that it was democracy. Heslop spoke ??? . From the group’s research, it appeared that Waverley Council did not oppose the proposed development provided that Heslop would construct the crossing over the creek at his expense. In the same Waverley Gazette of 25.9.68 the Council is reported as not opposing the proposed subdivision of land between Alice St and Swayfield Rd. After much heated discussion, the group resolved to petition the MMBW to reject the proposed acquisition.

Overall % area of parklands in the City of Waverley and that in the North West ward. Much was in the valley of the Dandenong Creek on the Eastern boundary of he city

A concession of the Group was that Park Rd be completed through to High Street Rd.

The Proposed Toilet Block in Damper CreekIn early 1977 the Waverley City Council proposed the installation of a toilet block

in Damper Creek Reserve behind (east of) no. 26 Park Rd. Local residents, on learning of the proposal, were unhappy and Helen Clements arranged a petition of protest. As a consequence, Council then resolved to abandon the original proposal and construct a facility in what is now the car park at the south end of Park Rd, (west side). This was built with blue stone pitchers (reclaimed from road guttering in another council district?) in 1978. After a couple of years it was readily apparent that the facility was being frequented for unsavoury practices and Council acceded to local resident’ demands that it be removed.

The restoration ProjectWho initiated the re-construction . Local residents or the Waverley Council ??

The Alice Street BridgeIn June 1995 a new bridge across the creek linking Alice Street and Bengal Cres was constructed

with the assistance of the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve.

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Chapter 8

THE TURN OF THE CENTURY 1999/2000 ONWARDS

Weed Brochure

Late in 2001 it was decided to produce a poster illustrating the weeds found in the Damper Creek and Waverley. A $1350 grant was subsequently obtained from Parks Victoria in early 2002 and with further contribution by Council the poster was produced by QQQ. It was eventually published in December 2002 with distribution through Monash Council and the Friends. Its release was featured in the Waverley Leader 3 Dec 2002 with a photo of Frank Palma at Middle Bridge.

The Schools' Photo Competition

Over the years Mt Waverley Primary School had been a supporter of the Friends Group and the preservation of the creek. The teachers would bring the children down to the pond area where they could explore the flora and aquatic life. As a further incentive to create a sense of ownership among the local children it was decided to run a photo competition in August/September 2002 featuring a creek water scene. It was hoped that a suitable picture could be used in further promotion of the creek and the Friends Group.

The invitation and rules were circulated to a number of schools in the surrounding area that would have students living in the Damper Creek catchment area. The Committee thought that the competition would be popular with the children and that they could exercise their photographic and computer skills in image manipulation. Three prize classes with $50 book vouchers were offered covering primary through to secondary students. As it transpired, the competition drew little interest with only one prize awarded to a student of Essex Heights Primary. He was given his prize at the December BBQ and Frank Palma gave the award formally at the assembly at the school a couple of days later. The lack of interest remains a mystery - maybe the rules were too complex and children were daunted (the Friends needed to hold the copyright for publishing), maybe the teachers never promoted the competition adequately, or perhaps children have no interest in such competitions.

Silt Removal from the Wetlands

The pond area was created out of the broader part of the creek. With reduced water speed in the region above the pond the silt that had washed down from the nearby streets was not washed away down stream and over time had built up to form the "wetlands". The ensuing strong growth of reeds further restricted the carriage of silt down stream. Analysis of the creek waters and the silt has identified significant quantities of heavy metals eg. lead, zinc, mercury. RESULTS QQQ. These have probably originated from the road surface and roof plumbing. The removal of this silt poses a problem as it cannot be just excavated and dumped on the banks as it will flow back into the creek and furthermore it cannot be dumped on other open areas without treatment.

The Schools' Essay Competition

As a continuing incentive to create a sense of ownership among the local children it was decided to run an essay competition in August/September 2003 to seek comments on childrens experiences with the creek. It was hoped that a suitable essay could be used in further promotion of the creek and the Friends Group.

The invitation and rules were circulated to a number of schools in the surrounding area that would have students living in the Damper Creek catchment area. The Committee thought that the competition would be a suitable alternative to the photo competition of 2002. Three prize classes with $50 book vouchers were offered covering primary through to secondary students. As it transpired, the competition drew little interest with only 3 entries. Prizes were awarded to students of

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Essex Heights Primary and QQQ. For 2004, the Committee resolved to advertise any competition in the local Leader newspaper as it was subsequently discovered that the schools had not circulated the invitation among the children.

At the end of year BBQ held in November 2003 in the reserve Barry Hunter was awarded the first Life membership of the Group for his longstanding contribution to the Friends that began with his being the foundation President.

In the April and May 2004 meetings the issue of leash free dogs was discussed with Council Officers present to answer questions relating to the proposal to restrict dogs to being on a leash. A similar proposal of 1996 was lost following the submission of the results of survey by Barry Hunter that showed that more than 90% of those walking in the park were in favour of leash free.

A submission was made by the group for the City of Monash - City Pride project. It contained the objectives, background over the previous 10 years since it was formed. It also outlined the range of activities that have been undertaken and those which continue including details of how many plant tubes were planted over the years.

]]

Bellbird Corner Cleanup

For some years Monash Council had been negotiating with Melbourne Water on a joint project to clean up and rebuild the waterway in Bellbird Corner. The Council had allocated funds for work in 2003/04 but Melbourne Water was planning to upgrade the creek bed to reduce erosion and was unable to fund its part of the project and so on May 17 council commenced work on cleaning up Bellbird without Melbourne Water participation. This was somewhat risky as firstly, no specific contract had been let and council was using its staff with outside contractors on an hourly rate but secondly and probably more importantly, was the point that ideally Melbourne Water, as being directly responsible for the waterway, should have undertaken the creek works first! The council could then follow with refurbishment of the surrounding area. As it happened, Council performed significant earth works along the creek route that would run the risk of being destroyed or at least severely damaged when Melbourne Water undertakes its part of project. Council work was completed in late July that resulted in removal of much rubbish, blackberries, fox holes and general smoothing of the steep banks. As a consequence, the actual path of the creek was now visible from High Street Rd.

The elections of office bearers for 2004/05 saw the management of the group move to the "left bank" with the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor all located on the west side of the creek. As usual the annual BBQ for the Friends and others was held in the reserve at the end of Sunhill Road. In recognition of their contributions over many years Kevin Ryland and Frank Palma were awarded Life Membership. Councillor Joy Banerji attended the event.

Council Plans for the Reserve

In early 2005 Monash Council staff invited representatives of the Group to discuss Council's program to survey users of reserves within the City to promote a healthy lifestyle through walking. Two medical students were assigned to the city to undertake the project by developing a questionnaire and analysing the results. The Damper Creek Friends were invited (together with the Friends of Valley Reserve and Scotchman's Creek) to participate in the survey by having their members interview users over a couple weeks to determine a typical usage pattern. Associated with the survey was the development of a new brochure to promote Damper Creek, Valley and Scotchman's Creek Reserve. We injected our views with a suggestion that the proposed map of the Damper Creek be stylised with some names for interesting locations eg. - The "junction" (between Damper Creek East and the West branches), Lower crossing, duck (and tortoise) pond, Middle bridge, the "meadow" (the area west of the creek behind Susan & Warren Courts), Fern gully, stone table, "Pulpit rock" (projecting out over the creek near the upper bridge). Alas, the contracted author included none of the suggested names and there were a number of crucial typographical errors in the first issue.

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Passing of Life Member Frank Palma

It was a sad day in September 06 with the peaceful passing of Life Member Frank Palma. Frank was well regarded amongst the local community and brought humour and enthusiasm to the Friends Group. His funeral at Holy Family Church was attended by many of the local community.

Swayfield Drain feeder

In late 2008 surveyors were noted at the south end of Swayfield Road. Questioning revealed that a new drain was planned to bypass that from Kathleen Street down to the fern gully which was apparently overloaded. The Friends sought Council’s support for the installation of a rain garden in the reserve at the south end of Swayfield. Although some Council staff and some Councillors supported the concept of water gardens as a method of cleaning the water entering the creek and reducing litter, this particular site was deemed by Council Engineering staff to be unsuitable (notwithstanding the proffered pro bono assistance by QQQ to assist in its design). In March 2008 work finally commenced in Kathleen Street with the contractors constructing a substantial pit to enable the redirection to the East. Some months later the project was completed with the new drain crossing to the east side of Swayfield then down the general line of the pathway to a new opening into the fern gully branch. The Council had stipulated that the trees along the route had to be retained without damage and the contractors managed to do so and also reinstate the site satisfactorily.

Upgrading of Damper Creek East branch

In July 2008, Melbourne Water contractors commenced work on rebuilding the base of the east branches in Bellbird Corner. The Contract for approximately $220,000 required the stabilisation of the banks and the filling of the base with rocks to create riffle sections to aerate and slow the flow from the north and south outlets into the open creek. Many, many tons of QQQ rock were placed on the creek bed where they sank into the soft clay to the consternation of the contractors who at one stage, managed to bog their excavator in the creek and another machine was needed to drag it out. The work was completed (or at least the contract money was exhausted) in October 2008 and the works area and pathway were reinstated. It appeared that little work was undertaken at the west end, certainly no rocks were used to stabilise the embankments perhaps due to the expense to date. Heavy rains of some 40 mm in one day a few weeks later in December tested the new works. Photographs were taken of the water eroding under the bank where no rocks were used.

Passing of founding life member Barry Hunter

It was a sad day in September 08 that founding life member Barry Hunter passed away after a long battle with poor health. It was fortunate that at the Xmas party in Dec 2007 Barry was able to unveil a plaque on a bench seat recognising his contribution to the group. This bench seat is located at the north end of Sunhill Rd at what is known in the group as Hunter’s Hill.

40th Anniversary Celebration

The main event of the 2008 Xmas BBQ on 30 November was the unveiling of a plaque to recognise the founding the Damper Creek Conservation Group, the forerunner of the Friends of Damper Creek in 1968. About 50 people listened to founding member Barry Counsel outline the background to the creation of the group. The group then moved down the slope to the rock where Peter Davies unveiled the plaque (by removing a leafy tree branch) and recalled his involvement as a group member and then his campaign and subsequent election to Council. The President of the Waverley Historical Society, Ed Hore, also said a few words on the event remarking that his ancestors probably contributed to some of the loss of the bushlands over 100 years previously and that it was pleasing to note the return to bushland due to the efforts of the Friends Group. The plaque was fixed to a prepared surface ground into the face of a large mushroom rock on the east path just north of the middle bridge.

Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) 2013

17

The FODC made submissions to the Monash Council over the proposed withdrawal of the VPO. Although there was no direct impact on the vegetation of Damper Greek Reserve, the Fiends were concerned about the possible reduction in trees along the rear gardens of those properties backing onto the reserve and reduction in bird and animal movement corridors in the city. Following the decision to take the proposal to VCAT some FODC members provided written submissions and subsequently spoke at the Tribunal. The Tribunal decided in favour of the retention of the VPO.

Although the Council accepted the VCAT decision many councillors continued their opposition to the scheme – primarily Councillor Lake who was the main instigator of the challenge.

18

Appendix 8NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

DAMPER CREEK GROUP RESISTS

LAND APPEALThe Damper Creek Conservation and Development Group, represented by its

Chairman (Mr. B. A. Counsel) and Cr. Peter Davies, last week opposed a land use appeal by Mr. Bryant Heslop to the Minister of Local Government.

The appeal, heard by a special panel of the Minister's advisers, dealt with Mr. Heslop's objection to a decision by the Board of Works preventing subdivision of about two acres of proposed open space at the north west corner of High Street Rd. and Park Rd., Mt. Waverley.

This piece of land, together with other areas, forms part of the proposed Damper Creek Reserve which has been subject to considerable controversy since October, 1968, when the Damper Creek Group was formed.

At the appeal Mr. Counsel stated that more than 750 resident ratepayers supported the retention of this land as parkland.

The Damper Creek Group intended to use every means to fight for conservation of parkland in the North-West Ward of Waverley, which was poorly serviced by playgrounds and parklands, said Mr. Counsel.

Cr. Davies announced his appearance as honorary adviser to the group, not as a councillor. The decisions on the land were made by Waverley Council before his election.

SIGNIFICANT VOTEBut, as he said, the parkland issue and

the Damper Creek Group's support for him were significant factors in his election last August.

Cr. Davies presented a written 12-page submission in which some of the points were:

Natural characteristics and positioning of the land rendered it suitable for open space and unsuitable for residential purposes - "despite attempts to destroy natural assets by filling, etc., contrary to ordinance clauses". Development of the land did not

appear possible due to ramifications of

the M. &. M.B.W. Act through the vesting of the bed and banks in the board. The land was an integral component

of the Damper Creek concept, and its inclusion to enable penetration of Damper Creek Park to High Street Rd. was essential.

The council in making its decision to release the land for residential purposes was influenced by an unwillingness to expend money at this stage, and possibly influenced by an incorrect appreciation of open space requirements.

BOARD'S OFFERThe Board of Works' representative

at the hearing stated at the Board would be prepared to buy the land in question without committing the council to heavy expenditure at this stage.

Mr. Heslop, through his representative, Mr. S. Custance, a town planning consultant, stated that he conceded the need for other land he owned in Damper Creek, to become permanent parkland.

His claim for the subdivision of this particular two acres of land was based mainly on the fact that the land west of Park Rd. was not an integral part of the proposed Damper Creek Reserve.

The Minister of Local Government (Mr. Hamer) will make a decision on the appeal after considering a report by his advisers.

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette

19

TALKS ONPARKLAND

Waverley Council will confer with the Board of Works over the development of proposed parkland along Damper Creek Mt. Waverley.Council also decided that it would not oppose a move to have part of the

land re-zoned for residential development.Council's decision follows talks with the Damper Ck. Conservation and Development Group some weeks ago.As a result of the talks, council instructed the City Engineer (Mr. C. V. Vaughan) to carry out a feasibility study for developing the area.The group has obtained the services of a lecturer in town planning, Mr Peter Davies, a local resident, to draw up a proposal.The part of the area which council is willing to have re-zoned for housing belongs to Mr. H. L. B. Heslop. It is situated at the corner of High Street Rd. and Park Rd.

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette

20

CREEK AREA TO BE MORE ATTRACTIVE

The Damper Creek area between Mt Waverley Bowling Club greens and High Street Rd. could be made more attractive than it has over recent years.

The City Engineer (Mr. C. V. Vaughan) stated this in a report on a letter from Mrs. M. F. Mander, of High Street Rd., urging council to preserve the area in its natural state.

Council adopted the report, then text of which was:The land in question is the eastern end of the parcel of

land between Alvie Rd. and High Street Rd. through which the Damper Creek is located. The western portion of the land is occupied by the Mt Waverley Bowling Club and the creek through this section is undergrounded.

"The eastern section is narrow through which the creek traverses as an open watercourse and a large sewerage main is also located within the reserve."

LITTLE LEFT"Of recent years the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board

of Works has necessarily entered this strip of land to clear the watercourse and also construct the main sewer and this has resulted in very little of the surface left in its original state."

"Three trees only have existed in this area of recent years of which two remain and the third, a dead pine tree, has been removed. A large area of blackberries until recently covered the area adjacent to the bowling club and the rear of Mrs. Mander's property."

"The writer claims that native plants have been placed in this reserve by both her husband and the board of works and, if this is so, it is unfortunate that the council was not informed of the action taken on the council's property."

"However, the area has been, to all appearances, unkempt and in need of some attention and in recent months an access track has commenced and the area covered by the blackberries cleared. Spoil from the bowling area has been spread in uneven areas adjacent to the site with a view to providing additional off street

parking and the access track will not only serve this area but also provide access to drainage and sewer maintenance."

"The proposed parking area will occupy the area previously substantially covered in noxious weeds"

"In the matter of this section of the reserve being a natural habitat for bell birds, it is difficult to of what value this has been in recent years."

"It is considered that improvements can be made to this area along the line projected and, with judicious planting of trees and shrubs it will be a far more attractive area than it has been since development prohibited the retention of natural bushland."

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette

21

Tree Preservation at Damper Creek

SIR -- In recent issues you have given publicity to my wife's letter to the Waverley Council and to the reply from the council regarding preservation of trees along Damper Creek east of the Mt. Waverley Bowling Club.

I was mentioned as having planted trees in this area.

Apparently in the name of progress, instead of trees we are to be presented with a vista of parked cars, on the grounds that this will look more attractive than the blackberries and unkempt surface that was there recently.

In this the City Engineer is correct but the fact is that this area and part of the area now being prepared as the third bowling green used to contain, as well as blackberries, a considerable number of trees.

BLACKBERRIESThe blackberries to which he refers

were the insignificant remains of the bushes which covered the whole area 10 years ago. I and my neighbours worked for years to press back the these blackberries and by spraying and burning they were confined to the locality referred to.

At that time I wrote to the council asking that these be sprayed by the council's men and was informed that, although arrangements would be made, the council was not under obligation to do so as the council did not own the land.

Apparently the council now finds it convenient to claim it and to express regret that they were not informed of the planting of trees by the M.M.B.W. and myself.

Of course there were blackberries still

there because, although everyone else did their share of ridding the place of them, the council did not.

When the main sewer came through, it was inevitable that any vegetation in its path would be destroyed, but after it passed a surprising this happened. The whole route was replanted with young trees, showing that someone in the M.M.B.W. was concerned about the resulting ugliness and was making a genuine effort towards restoration.

ENCOURAGINGI found this heartening and I renewed

my efforts to encourage this growth by watering the trees in the dry times, protecting them from damage and planting more.

What, then, has happened between then and now? Well, the bowling green was built and that area lost all, but there was still hope for the area beyond. It is difficult to know whom to blame for the destruction. One is conscious over the years of a succession of earth moving machines coming and going and one rarely knows who sent them or what they are supposed to be doing. I sometimes wonder whether the mess that is made is just the whim of the driver of the machine.

The engineer seems to indicate that the machine which has passed at least twice along the creek was sent by the M.M.B.W. If this is so, one cannot but wonder at this organisation which takes the trouble to plant young trees then sends a scoop to cover them with creek dredgings.

Before the bowling green was built comments were invited from surrounding residents. There are some in our community whose policy seems to be to oppose a new proposition on the grounds that it may be "the thin end of the wedge". We are not among these and we were pleased to give it our blessing despite the fact that we would rather have had the trees. After all, we reasoned there was still the area beyond where trees could grow and the children could play.

NOT ASKEDNow that this area, too, is to be

engulfed to provide more parking for the club we begin to wonder who has the right policy. This time we have not been asked.

The statement in the council's letter that the area will look better after being treated with a bulldozer seems to be just an evasion of my wife's request to replant the area.

The number of pleas for preservation which appear from time to time in your paper indicate that many residents are becoming desperate to salvage what is left of the natural beauty of our beautiful suburb.

It is slipping away by processes which often take place imperceptibly and are disguised under the names of "progress" and "improvements".

Must we chain ourselves to trees and lie under bulldozers to stop it?

M. F. MANDER344 High Street Rd.,

Mt. Waverley

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette of

22

A sign of things to come

23

Friends join for reserve

24

Recreated from the Waverley Post Tuesday October 26 1993

THE Land for Wildlife signs say it all at Mount Waverley's Damper Creek Reserve - well, almost all.

The 11 hectare reserve, now undergoing extensive restoration to its natural state after years of neglect and pollution, is not just for wildlife.

According to nearby resident Cr Brian Lydon, humans are starting to rediscover the delights of Damper Creek, too.

"A lot of work has been done and we are already starting to see wildlife move back in," he said.

"People are also Friends of Damper Creek group, comprising 64 families, gathered monthly to continue clearing out non-native vegetation and replanting indigenous species.

"The expectation is that we will bring the creek back to life. It will take another few years but it's already having a great effect."

With co-operation from the

Department of Conservation and Environment the reserve now also boasts Land for Wildlife signs to put the seal on the voluntary work.

A sign of things to

WILDLIFE Officer Virginia McCallum, Cr Brian Lydon (centre) andpresident of Friends of Damper Creek Barry Hunter prepare to erect

one of the new signs.

by GREG RUSSO

form the group. According to the council up to 75 people attended the meeting, which was chaired by Waverley mayor and West Ward councillor Brian Lydon.

The group's first full meeting was held last Friday at Waverley North Primary School. Its formation follows similar resident groups including Friends of Dandenong Valley Metropolitan Park and Friends of Valley Reserve in Mount Waverley

Waverley Council has developed a four-stage maintenance plan for Damper Creek Reserve and has started stage one. According to the council, deterioration and erosion problems had occurred in the reserve and there had been overgrowing of the native plants by weeds and other plants.

Further work is planned over the next two or three years.

.

25

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette 26 May 1993 Overgrown blackberry bushes were removed and replaced with such plants as Cootamundra Wattle and Prunus trees. Footpaths and seating arenow features of he reserve. An impressive waterfall has been built to hide the stormwater pipe.

Another feature to look out for is the 32 bird boxes hanging in the trees.

Many of these boxes, which were manufactured by a local scout group using wood supplied by the council, have become a home to rosellas, parrots and other birds that have returned to the park since its resurrection.

"We also have a lot of frogs," said Cr Brian Lydon.

"This shows that the water has cleaned up and is better for habitation."

A distinctive feature of the reserve is that it is long and quite narrow.

"People here can literally walk for a mile from one end to the other and look at the changing patterns of the park," said Cr Lydon.

Anyone wanting to join the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve can contact Barry Hunter on 807 3211.

Damper Creek Reserve runs between High Street Rd and Stephensons Rd, Mount Waverley. Melway’s Reference 61E10.

In a continuing series focussing on Waverley’s parks and recreational areas.

JOHN PIERIK visits Damper Creek Reserve

flourishes with native plants, fitness stations, walking tracks and playgrounds.

In April last year the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve was established to oversee the improvement of the reserve.

The group has 65 members and holds monthly meetings and working bees. As you stroll through the park the new developents are quite obvious. In stage one of the clean-up project along creek rocks were strategically laid to improve waterflow

In 1971, Mount Waverley residents were faced with two options they could either choose to enjoy the tranquil surrounds of Damper Creek Reserve or learn to cope with the stench and pollution emitted by cars travelling along a newly created road.

“The council had ideas of connecting Sunhill Rd to Alice St,” the president of the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve Barry Hunter explained.

“But any attempts at

subdivision were thwarted by the public.”

Although the park remaind for the next 20 years it was ill-kept and much of its natural beauty was hidden by undergrowth.

But thanks to the Friends of Damper Creek the reserve today

THE chairman of the new Friends of Damper Creek Reserve group believes local residents will play an active role in the reserve's future.

Resident Mr Barry Hunter was elected chairman at a public meeting in Mount Waverley. He heads an executive and a large support base composed of residents and 120 pupils from the nearby Waverley North Primary School.

Mr Hunter said ideally the group would offere residents the chance to be more involved in issues concerning the reserve. He said that they would be able to express ….. and at least get answers.

Residents had already expressed concern at the removal of trees from the reserve as part of restoration work .

Following the groups' formation, resident Mrs Kaye Brookes said the residents simply wanted to have a say as to what remained in the reserve.

The formation of the group follows the original Damper Creek Conservation and Preservation Committee which was formed in the early 1970s.Waverley Council called a meeting to

FROM left, Cr Brian Lydon, Frank Palma and Barry Hunter have been at the forefront of Damper Creek Reserve's resurrection. Picture: JO PATTERSON.Park beauty uncovered

26

Recreated from the Waverley Gazette 16 Feb 1994

27

Restoration almost complete

Recreated from the ?? July Aug 1995

BELOW: ENVIRONMENT-ALLY FRIENDLY.... the completed first stage of Damper Creek shows how the third stage will look like after restoration.

ABOVE: ALL THE HARD WORK....Tony Dalla Rosa from Wetland and Wildlife Creations working on the third stage of the Damper Creek project

WORK on the $80,000 third stage restoration of Damper Creek, Mt Waverley, is well on the way and is expected to be completed within the next week.

The first two stages of improvements along the creek, between Stephensons Rd and Alice St, involved placement of rock weirs and creek bed protection to control erosion and improve water quality.

Stage three of the project is continuing restoration work south of the Alice St footbridge, towards High Sheet Rd.

Landscaping contractors for the project are Wetland and Wildlife Creations, a partnership between environmental designer, Tony Brindley and construction expert, Tony Dalla Rosa.

Mr Brindley said the Damper Creek project is quite unique and the City of Monash is miles ahead of other councils in environmental restoration.

"This project really seems to be working for the the whole community. Members of the Friends of Damper Creek are very pleased with the progress we are making," Mr Brindley told the Post.

"The completed stages of the project really look fantastic and a lot of the natural wildlife has returned to the environmentally friendly creek,” he said

IN THE BEGINNING....the degraded Damper Creek before any work began on the $80,000 restoration project

28

putting their rubbish and the effects it may have.” He said.

The two first stages of improvements along the creek, between Stephensons Rd and Alice St, involved placement of rock weirs and creek bed protection to control erosion and improve water quality.

Stage three will continue the work south of the Alice St footbridge towards High Street Rd.

Monash Council works manager Claude Cullino said the aim of the project is to give Monash City residents "a beautiful creek in the area rather than a run down storm water drain".

"This is quite a long,and expensive project as stage one and two have already taken two years to complete and there is still a stage four (to come). Council is working very closely with the community and the Friends of Damper Creek and it will be marvellous to see the reserve when all the exotic and foreign plants have been removed from the reserve and replaced with native plants and trees," Mr Cullino said.

"Stage three of the improve-ments will begin as soon as possible and we (council) believe it will take the contractors any time between 8 and 10 weeksto complete.

Council has awarded the contract for stage three improvements

Recreated from the Monash post Tues 18 April 1995

WORK on an $80,000 third stage of restoration of Damper Creek, Mt Waverley, is about to begin and Monash Council has announced there will be a fourth stage to finish off the environment project.

However, thoughtless local residents are jeopardising the restoration work, aimed at improving water quality, already carried out over the last two

President of the Friends of Damper Creek environment group Barry Hunter said in recent weeks paint tipped into a storm water drain had been flushed into the creek.

"The council and the friends group has spent a lot of time and money on this project and it is fantastic to see the support continuing, but keeping the creek and the reserve beautiful is really the job of the residents living along Damper Creek," Mr Hunter said.

"There are quite a few peo-ple in the area who just keep ignoring the fact that Damper Creek is being improved and they keep on polluting the creek. For a few weeks now the creek has been polluted by someone putting paint down the storm water drain.

"I don't know if people realise this is happening, but everyone living along the creek line should really watch where they are

to Wetland and Wildlife Cre-ations, the landscaping company which carried out the work on the first two stages of the project.

According to a staff report to council Wetland and Wildlife Creations provided the lowest tender at $32,500 for stage three and have a proven history in the area, along with a knowledge of the local wildlife and the support of the Friends of Damper Creek environment group.

Council received three tenders ranging up to $83,000 for labour and machinery. It will spend about a further $47,000 for rocks, timber, gravel and other materials to be used in the creek improve-ments.

Mr Hunter said the Friends of Damper Creek were pleased with council's choice of contractor for the third stage as the company had a proven record of making sure everything is done "accurately and very quickly".

"Stage three of the improve-ments now means that the creek bank south of the Alice St bridge will be brought up to date with the area travelling from Stephensons Rd. The friends group will be very involved in all of the improvements that will be very similar to work already completed and should get rid of all the spwcies along the creek that are not indigenous to the area,” Mr Hunter said.

Melbourne Water now tips in

29

COMMUNITY SPIRIT BRIDGES THE GAP …. members of the Friends of Damper Creek Reservegroup building a footbridge over the creek. Their efforts will soon be complemented by

environmental work funded by Melbourne Water.than would otherwise have been possible.

Friends of Damper Creek president Barry Hunter said the group is very pleased Melbourne Water decided to resume support for the project.

"The funding is a great relief and now all we need is the weather to be kind to us and we will be able to get the project finished," Mr Hunter said.

Monash Council

infrastructure director Claude Cullino said there had been a lot of community support for the Damper Creek Reserve project, and highlighted by members of the friends groups get

ting together to build a pedestrian bridge them- '' selves in their own time.

"This project is a real winner for everyone and it is fantastic to see , everyone getting behind it," Mr Cullino said.

STAGE three of Monash Council's Damper Creek project has been extended to include environmental work along 240 metres of the creek rather than the originally planned 170 metres.

The $40,000 funding for the extra work has been provided by Mel-bourne Water, which originally indicated funding would not be available for the project this financial year.

As reported in the Post in April council had budgeted $80,000 for the project this year by reducing stage three and adding a fourth stage to finish the environmental restoration work because Melbourne Water indicated it could not contribute to the scheme.

The report to Monash Council last week said the additional $40,000 for stage three will mean the important environmental project can now be completed earlier

Recreated from the Monash Post 13 June 1995

30

Up the creek

five years on

31

Recreated from the ???? 1998

Creek gets

a boostTHE THIRD stage of redevelopment of the Damper Creek Bushland Reserve has begun.

The project, funded by the council and Melbourne Water, aims to reduce erosion and restore landscaping and, ultimately, return the bushland to its natural state with the replanting of trees and shrubs and repairs to the creek bed.

The third stage, which will cost $80,000, involves 560 cubic metres of rock and three loads of natural timber.

Small waterfalls and ponds will be created before the area will be heavily landscaped with indigenous plants collected locally.

The project, started in 1993, is due to be finished next year.

Anyone interested in joining the Damper Creek Friends Group can contact Barry Hunter on 807-3211.• DAMPER Creek remodelled - Friends of Damper

Recreated from the ???? July 1995

FORMED in May 1993, the Friends of Damper Creek group has grown from strength to strength through the years.

The group was formed to help the then Waverley Council restore and maintain the Damper Creek- Reserve in Mt Waverley. Friends of Damper Creek is represented by Damper Ward Cr Tom Morrissey.

Some of the group's recent successes include being granted the tender for the fifth stage of the restoration works at the Park Rd end of the reserve. The group has also received a $6000 grant from Parks Victoria to acquire plants for the revegeta-tion project, which is part of the stage five restoration works.

Secretary Di Carra was pleased to report that to date, the efforts of the Friends had been enormously successful, from the point of view of increased visitation, improvement to water quality and the return of native fauna.

"Recent sightings in the creek have included king parrots, crimson rosellas, musk lorrikeets, rainbow lorrikeets, galahs, thornbills, spinebills, kookaburras, tawny frogmouths, eastern rosellas, currawongs, magpies, cockatoos and pardalotes, among others," said Di.

In a letter to Monash Council, the Friends of Damper Creek committee wrote that it wanted to thank and congratulate council, parks and gardens staff, Mel-bourne Water, Parks Victoria and the vol-unteers who have worked on restoring the reserve. "The results can be seen in the improvements to the creek bed, in the regeneration of plants and the increase of wildlife in the area," the letter stated.

For more information about the Friends call 9807-5301 or 9888-3689.

Friends of Damper Creek founding president Barry Hunter (left), founding secretary Kevin Ryland and president Frank Palma at the reserve.

32

Waverley Council file 55/01/04

6/2/68 Letter from the MMBW to retain the Dr K S Cunningham property at 9 Norman Crt as open space in the planning scheme. Letter from MMBW to council enquiring whether Council is prepared to purchase land off Gillian Rd and Norman Crt as reserved open space. City Engineer reports that the square mile enclosing Damper Creek reserve has only 16.2 acres but should be 45 acres and that the council should be making provision for a further 30 acres. Four areas were identified for consideration: 1 Stephensons Rd, 2 & 3 Private and 4. MMBW. It seems appropriate that MMBW acquire 2 & 3 and that Council could them ultimately purchase 2, 3 & 4 over a period of years.

8/6/75 Letters from Kemble et al expressing concern at the development of Damper creek Reserve eg the removal of unspoilt bush which is the habitat of numerous small bird life.

11/5/75 Council agreed to advise the MMBW that: 1. Prior to permitting any development of land Council would require the whole of the existing watercourse to be piped with an underground drain. 2. A 30 inch pipe for the NW branch, 45 inch for the NE branch total cost estimated at $35,000. Council would permit filling to the natural surface level on either side of the watercourse. 3. Constructed drains required in the drainage reserves.

11/11/75 Dr Bridgewater,.through the ad hoc committee is reported as saying there are small areas of natural plant communities and south of Heslop’s land, which have high conservation potential. The committee favours installation of two notice boards of a shingle roof design at Park and Stephensons Road, plus a water drinking fountain. The ad hoc committee advised that it had been approached by an orienteering group which had shown interest in preparing a submission to Youth Sports and Recreation for a fun and fitness track.

21/11/1975 A H Warmington complains of blackberries spraying. Toxic effects on skin and damage to 12 tomato plants, 12 bean and 1 raspberry cane. Council uses 2-4-5T as a volatile spray as recommended by the Department of Agriculture.

16/12/75 Heslop is yet to claim compensation for his land in Swayfield and High-Street Rd.

6/4/76 Council discussion of a J. Warmington (an other’s) letter re. rape of Damper Creek. The City Engineer explained that blackberries had been removed and a pip drain extended along the creek bed and refilling of the watercourse. (Wallington had met the ad hoc committee on30/3/1976 and this had been explained to him.). It was recommended that Warmington be advised that he could claim damages if he believes damage to his property from the blackberry spraying.

13/4/76 Dr P. Bridgwater, a professional botanist resigns from the ad hoc committee, due to moving interstate. Ronald Graham Hodges, of Larch Crescent nominated as replacement.

1/6/76 City Engineer's report on proposal for 2 foot bridges across Creek at Tarella and South of Heslop land. . radiator length for superstructure with round timber stringers. These locations to be selected with regard to topography and observed that it, mostly by schoolchildren. The Damper Creek advisory committee wishes the proposals success.

8/6/75 Council noted encroachments by private owners abutting the reserve. During work to improve the reserve it was noted that private encroachments from 111 Kay St, and lots that 10 and 11 fronting Denyse Crt and lots of 6 and 7 fronting Park Road. Encroachment also noted from three properties fronting Bengal Cres also the Heslop property.

26/10/76 Owner of lot 28 (No. 28?) Park Rd, approached to serve as an entrance to Damper Creek reserve.

26/10/76 Council proposes to erect a footbridge across the South Fork of Damper Creek at Brolga and Bowman streets to allow Sunhill Rd residents to get to the station and shops along a ‘’ pleasurable route." action taken in that council consider the cost of a rustic timber bridge at $6,000.

21/6/1977 Council has allocated $18,000 for the erection of a toilet block and shelter at Damper Creek reserve. The proposed building is to be simple and designed to blend in with surrounding

33

Bollard at the Notice Board on Park Rd

environment, rather than be a feature itself.

Rebuilding of the creek

Tony Brindley Environmental designer Tony De Larosa Earthworks

Stages 1 and 2 north of Alice Street Bridge commenced in Mid 1993

Stage 3 south of bridge commenced in 1995 originally set to be 170 m but extended to 240 m. This stage to be completed in 1996.

Stage 4 from the point of a line drawn from Warren Crt to the western end of Richard Rd (approx) to Park Rd.

Signage

New bollard signage was installed in Nov 2018 at the entrances of Park Rd, Alice St, Tarella Drive and Stephensons Rd. Enamelled (powder coated) steel sign of rectangular section about 1m high. Black with Yellow top section and icons of laws and facilities applying to the reserve.

The old signg approximately 1.5m x 1.5m with a faded red handpainted Damper Creek Reserve script were removed from the entrances at Bengal Crescent, Alice Street, Tarella Drive.

34

Appendix 1

CHRONOLOGY(and significant speakers at general meetings)

1963 Bryant Heslop acquires land in reserve area

1968??? 8.68 - A meeting of concerned ratepayers with Barry Counsel as acting Chairman.26.9.68- 14.10.68 - First meeting of North/West Ratepayers Action Committee at 1 Oak Crt. Donations of $1 per household sought.9.12.68 - First General Meeting of Damper Creek Conservation and Development Group in

St Luke's Church hall, Essex Rd.

1969May 21 Peter Davies declares himself a candidate left vacant by VanStavrenSunday 27.7.69 - BBQ at Damper Creek Reserve 11.30 to 16.30June - Formation of the Waverley Ratepayers’ Association. Original meeting chaired by Barry Counsel. 3.9.69 - Waverley Gazette reported Peter Davies elected to Council on a majority of 186 overall over Neville Maple 616 people voted compared with 200 at the previous election.

1970Letter to Alan Croxford, Chairman of MMBW was prepared seeking a reply to the letter of 24.3.69 April - MMBW declares the area at the south east end of Park Rd to be public open space and that Mr Heslop may seek compensation. Title to pass to MMBW and then to City of Waverley. Waverley Council had opposed the classification as it had supported residential development on the site.8.7.70 – Committee meeting at 1 Oak Crt to discuss new nominations to the Committee and decide what active role the group will take in the development of Bellbird CornerSunday 10.12.70 – Xmas Party

1971

1972

1973

1974 Creation of Ad hoc Consultative Committee

197525.6.75 – Waverley Gazette reports that 400 new trees are to be planted east of Susan and Warren

Crts. 6.8.75 - Waverley Gazette reports that Damper Creek will be converted to an underground drain

where it crosses Stephensons Rd.10.11.75 - Waverley Gazette reports that Waverley Council has been advised that local residents in

35

Kay St, Dennyse Crt, Park Rd and Bengal Cres had encroached into the reserve.26.11.75 - Waverley Gazette reports that Tony Warmington of Kay St claims that Council blackberry

spraying had damaged plants in his garden. 21.5.1975 Chadstone Progress reports: Erection of 2 all weather bridges to be constructed, track plan

by A Thompson for passive use. Picnic tables to the south. Planting of 400 trees approved by Council east of Park Rd near Susan and Warren Crts

Dec - Botanical survey by Bruce Wellington of Monash University Botany Department completed.

19762.6.76 - Waverley Gazette reports that Council Engineers had started design work on pedestrian

bridges at Tarella Drive and Alice St. Also, a plan had been prepared for a path to be constructed in Bellbird corner.

1977A toilet block is planned for Damper Creek Reserve at the rear (west) of 26 Park Rd.

14.12.77 A toilet block is planned for the car park on Park Rd

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982Sunday 25.4.82 –BBQ at 1 Sunhill Rd 12.00. Reunion of original group

1983Waverley Gazette reports State Government provides $23,000 for a job creation scheme to stop soil erosion in Damper Creek. Pic of Colin Bock

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993May – 2 Willow trees were removed from the north end of the reserve

36

4.5.93 – Council writes to local residents advising that that major maintenance work will commence on 10.5.93 and invited them to a meeting in Alvie Hall on 14.5.93.14.5.93 - Inaugural meeting at Alvie Hall and the creation of the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve.21.5.93 - General meeting at Waverley North Primary School to introduce the Committee.Work starts on Stages 1 and 2 of reconstruction by Wet and Wildlife Creations (Tony Brindley an environmental designer and Tony Dalla Rosa, the construction expert)

June - First Newsletter of the Group.Oct – Local scouts make and erect 32 bird nesting boxes with Council supplied wood.

1994Incorporation of the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve

1995April, Monash Council accepts tender from Wetland & Wildlife Creations for $32,500 for Stage 3.April - Notice Board erected at North entrance by Council. ??? May Middle Bridge at Alice St rebuilt during which Frank Palma was injured during construction

1996Notice Board at Park Rd entrance erected by FoDC (based on north noticeboard design) from a grant from 95/96.

Installation of Litter Trap at north end of creek cost of $5000- 10,000 excluding installationConnection of Dennyse St court stormwater drains( #4 Dennyse through to 101 Stephensons Rd) Council proposal to restrict dogs to a leash failed when FODCR survey results were presented

1997April – Litter trap installed

1998

1999

2000

20014 March Clean Up Australia day.Friends of Damper Creek WebPages produced by Mt. Waverley Secondary College and published by Scott Clements.Water Watch programme Di Carra with Avila College students.Handrail constructed down the east side bank to the middle bridge (Ryland's Rail)December - BBQ up on the east bank reserve

2002Drinking fountain relocated 10 m closer to the walking track at the Park Rd entranceMarch - Clean Up Australia Day.July - Work starts on the creation of a new dam in the Riversdale Golf Club.??? Bengal Cr steps constructed.

37

August???- Tarella Drive footbridge closed.August - The Schools Photo Competition launchedDescriptive signage erected at 9 ??? points along the creekDec ??? - Tarella Drive footbridge removed for safety Dec – Xmas BBQ up on the east bank reserveDec - Weed Brochure published

2003January - Very dry summer requires fire prevention clean up in the ReserveMarch - Clean-Up Australia Day with Damper Creek and Bellbird corner cleaned up with the assistance of Avila College students. March/April - Wooden stairway and railings reconstructed down the west side bank to the middle bridge with earth works and rock placement adjacent to reduce water gully erosion.May - MMBW removed silt from the creek at the Mt Waverley Bowling Club.June - Riversdale Golf Club finishes retarding basin (which raises the water level and flood basin at the last stage of the creek).June - Work to start on silt removal from the wetlands area in the creek south of the Bowling Club.June - Monash World Environment Awards Ceremony Thursday 5th June. Friends win Community and Leadership Award (Organisation).Oct - Schools Essay competition launched. Jennifer Wong winner of Level 7/8 Essay. Mija Blanco winner junior level essay competition. Jory Scott winner of Special effort poem30 Nov - BBQ up on east bank reserve. 10th anniversary of FoDC. Foundation member Barry Hunter awarded Life Membership. Geoff Durham of Friends Network visited.

2004March - Tarella Street bridge rebuilding completedMarch - Tony Brindley restores rockwork in Stage 8 at Golf CourseApril - Clean up Australia day.May 17 - Work starts on development of Bellbird Corner by Monash Council (without assistance of Melbourne Water which was out of funds!)May - Discussions on leash free dogs in the Reserve June – Alf Salkins dedication of seat in Valley Reserve (in conjunction with FoVR&SC)Nov 28 - Xmas BBQ up on the east bank. Frank Palma and Kevin Ryland were awarded Life Membership

2005Feb 2 - Wild storm brings down many trees in the creek reserve.Feb 27 - Clean up Damper Creek Day.April/May - Monash User Survey of Damper Creek ReserveAug - Launching of new Brochure on Damper Creek, Valley & Scotchman's Creek Reserves.Aug – A number of Geocaches were placed in the reserve

2006Feb - A revised constitution formalising the Financial Year as ending 30 June was registered with the Department of Consumer & Business Affairs. March - Post and rail fence installed along the Stephensons Rd and High Street Rd sides of Bellbird corner.June - Revegetation of Bellbird Corner creek banks.July - Constitution amended to change the financial year to 1 July to 30 June. August 23 - Group resolves to oppose the construction of two housing units at 28 Park Rd on the grounds that it intrudes on the bushland nature of the reserve. Council also opposes the development on the basis of a substantial report prepared by Council staff.Sep - Life Member Frank Palma dies Sep - Constitution was amended to specifically include dispute resolution procedures (which were

38

implicit by virtue in the absence of a specific clause defaults to the model rules).Dec - President, Graham Lawrence granted Life Membership

2007Feb - Grant from Melbourne Water for $5555 received.Mar - Tarella St steps repaired.April (April 1) Newsletter item: Logging Tramway in Damper Creek Aug - VCAT hands down decision on the development of 28 Park Rd. Parallel subdivision recommended with the rear set back substantially increased.Aug - President, Graham Lawrence receives achievement award by Governor.Aug - Vice President, Doug Scott receives Caroline Chisholm award.Dec - Xmas Function 2.12, Barry Hunter unveils seat on East side. Loretta Palma unveils seat on west side in memory of husband Frank Palma.

2008Turning bay enlarged at north end of Alice St. Jan – Pathways washed away in heavy stormFeb - Grant from Melbourne Water for $10,000 received.Mar – Pathways resurfaced and Middle Bridge decking and post repaired.Mar - Work commences on a new stormwater drain at the south end of Swayfield through to the

fern gully branch. April (April 1) Newsletter item: Goldmine: Flower of Damper July- FODC Group attend the Waterwatch Training Session in Currawong Park, Warrandyte Aug - Work continues on the upgrade to Damper Creek East branch (Bellbird Corner) between

Stephensons Rd and High Street Rd. Sep – Founding Life Member Barry Hunter dies.Dec – Xmas function at which a plaque recognising the inception of the Damper Creek

Conservation Group 40 years beforehand, is unveiled at the rock near Middle Bridge.

2009Jan – Many mature trees and shrubs die in drought.Feb – Some FODC take personal care and watering of a number of trees and ferns.

Guest Speakers: Jieh Ying Lo – Sadies St, Ted Mason – Community RadioMar – Repair of the track washaways and mulching of the NW area at the rear of Kay St.

- Purchase of data projector.- Extensive cleanup of the fallen branches throughout the reserve.March (April 1) Newsletter item: Fish Ladder in Damper Creek

Apr - Matting and shrubs along the banks of Damper Creek west in Bellbird Corner. (April 1) Newsletter item: Fish Ladder and Traps on Damper Creek

May - Jun – Installation of fence on the west side from Bengal St bridge south to the pond.

(Project funded by FODC Reserve) Guest Speaker: Frank Leahy – Burke & Wills expedition

Aug – Guest Speaker: Greg Moore – Environment- Monthly Water Quality measurements commence and are displayed on WWW

Sep – Guest Speaker: Ian Penrose – Water KeepersNov – Guest Speaker Barry Counsel: Damper Creek history.

Xmas BBQ at Sunhill/Alice St

2010JanFeb - Guest Speaker, Tony Walker (Friends of Scotchmans Creek): Waterwatching Mar - 14 Clean Up Australia Day, 23 excavation of creek north of pond starts.April - Excavation and path rebuilding completed

39

April 1 Newsletter item: Hydro Power Station on Damper creek Guest Speaker Ian Nicholls: Granite our Bedrock

June - Guest Speaker Doug Scott: The Canning Stock RouteJune - Planting day drew a crowd of over 90 adults and children plant over 4500 itemsAug - Guest Speaker: Mardie Townsend of Deakin University: Healthy Parks Healthy PeopleOct - Installation of litter trap in the storm water pipe at the north end of the reserve

- Guest Speaker: Tim Fletcher: Stringybark Creek Project - Council staff work bans on external works for 7 weeks

Nov - 28 Xmas BBQ at Sunhill/Alice St

2011Jan Tarella steps rebuiltFeb Swales constructed at the end of Sunhill Rd and Alice St.

Guest Speaker, Trish Grant: Water Sensitive Urban Design Mar Pathway and spoon drains installed at Stephensons Rd endApr April 1, Newsletter item: Damper Creek Swimming Pool

2012Jan Rock Pools and drainage works at the Stephensons Rd end of pathwayJan Fire breaks enhanced alongside house boundary fences the north endMar – April 1 Newsletter item: Jordan’s Rice farming May – Guest Speaker MarJo Angelico: Waverley HistorySep – Pathways on the west side at Bengal Cres reformed and resurfaced

Litter trap at Tarella Drive cleanedNov – Pathways re surfaced on upper west side near Bengal Cres.Dec – 2nd Xmas BBQ at the Richard Rd entrance.

2013Mar – Guest Speaker Mark O’Loughlin (Museum Victoria): Discoveries in Marine BiologyApr - (April 1) Newsletter item: Motorcross Circuit in Damper Valley May – Guest Speaker Robin Drury (Field Naturalists Group): FrogsJune – Facebook page established by Mary Ann Hawthorn on 13th June.Jul – Guest Speaker – Annie Mayo (Bush Heritage Group): Bush HeritageAug – VCAT / Expert Panel recommend that the proposed planning amendment to the VPO be

abandoned and the VPO retained. Sep – Cr. Bill Pontikis attended the meeting Sep – Guest Speaker Bernard Heinze: Bee KeepingNov – Guest Speaker Geoff Lay: FungiDec – 20th Anniversary Xmas party at the Richard Rd entrance.

Lifetime membership awards to Campbell Miles, Doug Scott and Philip JohnstoneDamper Creek webpages move to Digital Pacific host (following Melbourne Library’sclosure of the general internet service.

2014Jan – Playground Park Rd replaced with new Explorer conceptFeb – Guest Speaker John Poppins (member): Trapping vermin and Frog survey Night WalkMar – Guest Speaker Dr Tim Fletcher : Talking TanksApr - Guest Speaker Sue Nicholls – Animal Carer Formal Opening of new Playground

(April 1) Newsletter item: Prickly Pear Field and Still May – Guest Speaker Councillor Little spoke on the Draft Housing Policy for Monash City Jun - Jul – Guest Speaker Andrew McKernan : Creating Habitat for Birds and Animals in Dead TreesAug – Guest Speaker Don Bladier : A trip to Lightning Ridge FODC submits comments on the

Draft Housing Policy with reference to recognise the creeks in Monash. Sep – Guest Speaker Janet Hand : Birds of Mt Waverley

40

Oct – FamilyFun Day (3rd) Guest Speaker Campbell Miles : The Kimberly, Spice Islands and Komodo Dragons

Nov – Guest Speaker Dr Caragh Threlfall : Bio Diversity in Urban Areas 21st Birthday and Xmas BBQ at Richard Rd. Lifetime membership to Helen ClementsMonash Council recognises the Creek environs with the creation of a Zone 7.

Dec

2015Jan – No meetingFeb – Speaker (member) Doug Scott A Trip to the Sierra NevadaMar – Speaker Councillor Rebecca Patterson Monash Council Planning Amendments Apr – Demonstration of Correa potting (from cuttings) per Doug Scott and Bungalook Nursery.

(April 1) Newsletter Item – Clay Paint Pigment Mine in Damper CreekMay – A replacement Water fountain replaced at the Park Rd Entrance

Speakers - Libby Anthony &Colin Goodwin: Sustainability and Straw Bale HouseNewsletter now in A4 size without tri-fold

Jun - No Speaker Working Bee 28.6.16 – Planting Day, west bank up to Alice St bridge plus Golf Ave

Jul – General Meeting (no speaker)Extra Working Bee 19.7.16 – Planting Day rear Warren Crt

Aug – AGM Guest Speaker – Andrew Kelly (new Yarra Riverkeeper)Working Bee 30.8.16, Planting Day meet at Park Rd entrance

Sep – Guest Speaker - Sharon Pfueller: Living and Gardening SustainablyWorking Bee 27.9.15 Richard Rd

Oct – General Meeting (no speaker)Nov – Speaker – Doug Bladier: Construction of the Upper Yarra Dam 1951-1959

Working Bee 1.11.16 Xmas BBQ on 29.11.16 Richard Rd Entrance

Dec – No meeting

2016Jan – No meetingFeb – The Great Damper Creek Trivia Night Speaker - Campbell Miles

Working Bee – 28.2.16 Clean Up Australia in Golf AvenueMar – Speaker (member) Walking the Cascades

Working Bee - 20.2.16 Bengal Crs Apr – Speaker: Andrew Kelly Yarra Riverkeepr – Our Yarra, Healthy, Protected and Loved

Working Bee - Stephensons Rd Entrance Clean-up.(April 1) Newsletter Item – Plein Air Artists

May – No speakerWorking Bee - 29.5.16 spreading of mulch around west bank of ponds

Jun - No SpeakerPlanting day 26.6.16 on west bank of ponds

Jul - Aug – Sep –Oct –Nov – End of year BBQ, end of Richard RdDec –

2017Jan – No meetingFeb – Guest Speaker: Tony Walker FSCVR) History of Valley Reserve 22.2.17Mar - Working Bee – 5.3.17 Clean up Australia

41

Working Bee - 26.3.16 Golf Ave weeding and clean up Concrete blue tongue lizard placed at the Park Rd playground 28.3.17.

Apr – (April 1) Newsletter Item : Vine yard in Damper Creek May – Committee meeting only Jubilee Project 50 years of the Friends GroupJun – Jan Mattrow – Wildlife Carer Jul – Planting at the NW Corner of Park and High Street Rds Jubilee Project .Aug – Sep –Oct – Robert Yates (Committee) leaves Mt Waverley for Victor Harbour SANov – Roger Tralaggan of Bush Crew spoke at meeting. End of year BBQ, Richard Rd entry.

ShowersDec –

2018Jan – No meetingFeb – Gravel laid on tracks east and west sides at Bengal bridge with diversionary water humps.

(Some of these humps subsequently destroyed by walkers and bicycle riders? )Mar - Working Bee – 4.3.18 Clean Up Australia

Meeting with Council Staff on site of diversionary humps 15.3.17 Ian Moodie : Picture Show of Damper Creek Working Bee – 25.3.

Apr – (April 1) Newsletter Item: Eucalyptus Extraction Plant in Damper Creek May – Jubilee Project 50 years of the Friends GroupJun – 26th Guest Speaker David Berry Blackburn & District Tree Preservation SocietyJul –.Working Bee Planting at the Wetlands PondAug – AGM, Working Bee Planting at 50th Anniversary Plaque on Park RdSep - 30.9.18 Unveiling of 50th anniversary plaque and historical display in Alvie HallOct – Repairs to Tarella Drv bridge and west steps

Guest Speakers Ben Crisfield–Smith & Scott Tunbridge Designing with Indigenous Plants Working Bee along Golf Ave section.

Nov – Signage (square bollards and signs about 1m high showing conditions and notices on the use of the reserve. Original (3m high signs) at Bengal Cres, Alice St, Tarella Drive and Stephensons Rd removed.

Dec – 2.12 Annual BBQ at the west end of Richard Rd. Cr.Patterson and Matt Fregon MLA

2019Jan - No meeting

Feb – 27th Q&A Session with Monash Council planning Officers, Councillors, and State Member Matt Fregon on the C-125 guidelines and the proposed development in 31 Bengal Cres. Working Bee 3.3.19 was the National Clean-Up Australia day meeting at Park Rd Carpark.Mar – 27th Guest Speaker Dr Greg Moore Burnley Horticultural College (Melbourne University)

on The Value of Trees Working Bee 31.3.19 weeding and cleanup.

April – 24th Business meeting - 28th Working Bee spreading mulch rear on West side, at rear of Park Rd houses May – 22nd Guest Speakers Anna Mezzetti (Sustainability Education Officer) MCC and Daniel Benincasa (Bushcrew) Gardens for Wildlife. Tarella and Bengal bridges resurfaced May – 26th Working Bee, Planting Day on west side at rear of Park Rd houses over 50 (including children) attended on a cold sunny free morning with about 3000 plants comprising grass, ground covers and native raspberry.

42

Appendix 2

OFFICE BEARERS

1968/69Damper Creek Conservation and Development GroupChairman - B. CounselSecretary - Dr. T. O'BrienTreasurer - G. Nisbet Committee - L. Nicholson, R. York, F. J. Leahy

G. G. Allen, R. Ellis, R. Main, R. Merry,K. Ryland, G. Nisbet, J. Ross

1969/70Chairman - Barry CounselSecretary – Dr. T. O’Brien Treasurer - Committee -

1970/71Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1971/72Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1972/73Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1973/74Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1974/75Council Res on Ad Hoc CommitteeCr John Taylor & Cr L RyanChairman – Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1975/76

Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1976/77Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1977/78Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1978/79Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1979/80Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1980/81Chairman - lSecretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1981/82Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1982/83Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1983/84Chairman -

43

Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1984/85Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1985/86Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1986/87Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1987/88Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1988/89Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1989/90Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1991/92Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1992/93Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Committee -

1993/94Friends of Damper Creek Reserve Inc.

President - Barry HunterSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer - Len WatersCommittee - Public Officer -

1994/95President - Barry HunterSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer – Len WatersCommittee - Public Officer -

1995/96President - Barry HunterSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer - Libby AnthonyCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

1996/97President - Frank PalmaSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer - Brian LydonCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

1997/98President - Frank PalmaSecretary - Helen ClementsTreasurer - Brian LydonCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

1998/99President - Ron ShawSecretary - Dianne CarraTreasurer - Brian LydonCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

1999/00President - Ron ShawSecretary - Dianne CarraTreasurer - Romy OrfanelliCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

2000/01President - Dianne CarraSecretary - Kevin Ryland (Acting)Treasurer - Romy OrfanelliNewsletter - Ron Shaw Committee -

44

Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

2001/02President - Dianne CarraSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer - Romy OrfanelliNewsletter - Ron ShawCommittee - Public Officer - Graham Lawrence

2002/03President - Frank PalmaVice President - Di Carra Secretary - Kevin Ryland (acting)Treasurer - Graham LawrenceNewsletter - Lisa WakelingCommittee - Fred Ward, Philip JohnstonePublic Officer - Graham Lawrence

2003/2004President - Frank PalmaVice President - Di CarraSecretary - Kevin RylandTreasurer - Graham Lawrence Newsletter - Lisa WakelingCommittee - Philip Johnstone, Bev CounselPublic Officer - Graham Lawrence

2004/2005President - Graham LawrenceVice President - Di CarraSecretary - Ian ParryTreasurer - Philip JohnstoneNewsletter - Lisa WakelingCommittee - Bev Counsel, Frank Palma

Kevin RylandPublic Officer - Romy Orfanelli

2005/2006President - Graham LawrenceVice President - Doug ScottSecretary - Ian ParryTreasurer - Philip JohnstoneNewsletter - Lisa WakelingCommittee - Bev Counsel, Frank Palma

Kevin RylandPublic Officer - Romy Orfanelli

2006/2007President - Graham LawrenceVice President - Doug ScottSecretary - Helen ClementsTreasurer - Philip JohnstoneNewsletter - Doug Scott

Committee - Campbell Miles, Kevin RylandPublic Officer - Romy Orfanelli

2007/2008President - Campbell MilesVice President - Doug ScottSecretary- Helen ClementTreasurer - Frank CarderNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee - John Clements, Judy Borg

Christine NichollsPublic Officer - Romy Orfanelli

2008/2009President – Campbell MilesVice President – Ian NichollsSecretary- Helen ClementsTreasurer – Frank CarderNewsletter -Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Judy BorgPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2009/2010President – Helen ClementsVice President – Ian NichollsSecretary- Campbell MilesTreasurer – Frank CarderNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Judy BorgPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2010/2011President – Helen ClementsVice President – Frank CarderSecretary- Campbell MilesTreasurer – Griff YoungNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Judy BorgPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2011/2012President – Frank Carder Vice President – Helen ClementsSecretary- Campbell MilesTreasurer – Kevin RylandNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Judy BorgPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2012/2013President – Frank Carder Vice President – Secretary- Campbell Miles A/gTreasurer – Kevin Ryland

45

Newsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Judy BorgPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2013/2014President – Helen Clements Vice President – Robert YatesSecretary- MaryAnn HawthornTreasurer – Kevin RylandNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – John Clements, Ian NichollsPublic Officer – Romy Orfanelli

2014/2015President – Helen Clements Vice President – Kevin RylandSecretary – John ClementsTreasurer - Ian NichollsNewsletter – Doug ScottCommittee – Robert YatesWaterwatch – Frank Carder

2015/16President – John ClementsVice President – Kevin RylandSecretary - Helen ClementsTreasurer – Ian NichollsNewsletter Doug ScottCommittee – Robert YatesWaterwatch – Frank Carder

2016/17President – John Clements*Vice President – Kevin RylandSecretary - Helen Clements*Treasurer – Ian Nicholls

Newsletter Doug ScottCommittee – Robert Yates* On leave of absenceWaterwatch – Frank Carder

2017/18President – Doug ScottVice President – Frank CarderSecretary – Campbell Miles Treasurer – Jennie ScholesNewsletter - Doug ScottWaterwatch – Frank Carder Committee

2018/19President – John ClementsVice President – Doug Scott ?Secretary – Helen Clements Treasurer – Jennie ScholesNewsletter - Doug ScottCommittee – Campbell MilesWaterwatch – Frank Carder

2020/20President – John ClementsVice President – Doug Scott ?Secretary – Helen Clements Treasurer –Newsletter - Committee – Campbell MilesWaterwatch – Frank Carder

46

Appendix 3

MEETING VENUES

1968 1 Oak Crt (B. Counsel's residence) 1969 St Lukes Church Hall1970 19711972 19731974 19751976 19771978 19791980 19811982 19831984 19851986 19871988 19891990 19911992 19931994 19951996 19971998 1999 Alvie Hall2000 Alvie Hall 2001 Alvie Hall2002 Alvie Hall 2003 Alvie Hall2004 Alvie Hall 2005 Alvie Hall2006 Alvie Hall 2007 Alvie Hall2008 Alvie Hall 2009 Alvie Hall2010 Alvie Hall 2011 Alvie Hall2012 Alvie Hall 2013 Alvie Hall2014 Alvie Hall 2015 Alvie Hall2016 Alvie Hall 2017 Alvie Hall2018 Alvie Hall 2019 Alvie Hall2020

47

Appendix 4

PLANTS FROM DAMPER CREEKAND THEIR ABORIGINAL (KOORIE) USE

Black She-oak Allocasuarina littoralis

General appearance: A leafless tree, to 15 m tall, with fine, curved, grey-green branchlets and woody cones.

Koorie use: Implements and weapons were made from the wood. Young starchy cones were eaten.

Common Reed Phragmites australis

General appearance: A robust, perennial grass (reed) with leafy, cane-like flower stems to 2.5 m tall. Inflorescence a densely clustered panicle, 15-40 x 5-10 cm, with numerous hairy flowers.

Koorie use: The roots were eaten. Spear shafts and ornaments were made from the stems. Sharpened stems were made into knife-like tools. Leaves were woven into baskets.

Slender Onion-orchid Microtis parviflora

General appearance: A slender wholly green orchid, to 50 cm tall, with 10-80, tiny green flowers in a dense spike.

Koorie use: The starchy tubers were eaten.

Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha

General appearance: Tall shrub or small spreading tree to 8 m tall, with bright green foliage, and golden yellow, globular flower clusters in racemes, arising from leaf axis. The trunk is usually straight in the lower part but often arched and drooping in the upper part. The bark is dark sliver-grey.

Korrie use: The gum was collected for food and also mixed into sweet drinks. Medicine, containers and glue were also made from the plant. Other similar species of Acacia may have been used in the same way.

Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata

General appearance: Erect or spreading tree to 30 m, but usually 10-20 m, with feathery grey-green foliage and bright yellow, globular flower clusters in racemes, arising from the leaf axis. The bark is a smooth dark brown and usually blotched with grey lichens.

Koorie use: The wood was fashioned into stone axe handles. The sticky gum was mixed with ash and made into a waterproof paste to seal holes in bark water vessels. The gum was eaten or dissolved and mixed with flower nectar for sweet drinks. Other similar species of Acacia may have been used in the same way.

48

Messmate Stringybark Eucalyptus obliqua

General appearance: Usually a tall straight tree with a spreading crown, to 50 m tall, but smaller and more-branched on poorer soils. The bark is brown, fibrous and fissured, persistent to smaller branches.

Koorie use: The brittle outer bark was made into a powder for starting fires. The inner bark was made into course string for making bags and nets for fishing. Other Stringybarks were probably used in this way.

Chocolate Lily Arthropodium strictum

General appearance: A slender perennial herb to 1.2 m tall with narrow grass-like leaves and purple or pink flowers on slender, drooping stalks. Flowers smell of chocolate when crushed.

Koorie use: The tubers were roasted for eating.

Small-leaved Clematis Clematis microphylla

General appearance: A dense, vigorous climber with pale green, divided leaves and large white or cream flowers.

Koorie use: The young roots were eaten raw while the cooked roots were kneaded into dough. The leaves were crushed and inhaled to ease head pain.

Austral Indigo Indigofera australis

General appearance: A shrub to 1.5 m tall with large, divided leaves and sprays of pale purple, pea flowers.

Koorie use: The crushed roots were used to poison fish and eels. The blue dye from the flowers was also used.

49

Appendix 5

DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF DAMPER CREEK RESTORATION

Monash Post 28.5.95 Total?? project $80,000

Stage 1 South from outfall drain to Tarella Drive Bridge

Stage 2South from Tarella Drive to Alice St Bridge

Stage 3South from Alice St Bridge to a line joining Warren Crt and Richard Rd . Monash Post reports 28.5.95?? South of Alice St completed in June 1995 at cost $

Stage 4To tunnel mouth under Park Rd

Stage 5Park Rd to High Street Rd ?? (maybe further N and S)

Stage 6

Stage 7

50

Appendix 6

REFERENCES

1. PRIESTLEY, Susan; Cattlemen to Commuters. Sydney, NSW 1979

2. CITY OF MONASH - Indigenous Reserves Corridors Conservation & Management Plan (Ecology Australia - October 2000)

3. LEMON, Andrew; Box Hill, Melbourne. Victoria 1978

4. GOFF, John; The Life of a School, Melbourne, Victoria 1998

51

INDEX

AALLEN, RobartAlvie Hall

BBELLAIRS, Eugene

CCARRA, DianneCLEMENTS, HelenCLEMENTS, JohnCOUNSEL, Barry

D

E

F

G

HHANCOCK, William HESLOP, BryantHUNTER, Barry

I

J

KKoorie

LLEMANN, Henry

MMcMILLAN, JohnMILES, Campbell

N

O

PPALMA, FrankQ

RRYLAND, Kevin

S

Scotchman's CreekSCOTT, DougSCHOLES, JennyT

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

3.

52