Volunteer Friend Groups
"Friends Groups" are groups of local people who have come together to improve the bio-diversity and conservation values of local parks and reserves in Mt Eliza. ​Our "Friends Groups" sometimes apply for government grants to improve the bio-diversity and conservation values of local parks and reserves.
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We have a number of active groups in operation in 2025 - 2026. If you would like to join in. Please contact the people below.
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Carol Shelton
Mob: 0434 847 311
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Melinda Gustus
Mob: 0417 052 236
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Barbara Macpherson
Mob: 0417 506 936
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Gerard McDonald
Mob: 0418 505 290
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Cathy Dowling
Mob: 0402 027 081
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Ann Scholes
Mob: 0490 262 834
1
Earimil Creek Group
Pictured - Earimil Estuary at Ranelagh Beach The Earimil Creek Group works at the upper creek around Acheron Avenue.
2
Williams Road Group
The Friends of Williams Road Beach, commenced bush regeneration in 2003, and continues to work on the Mount Eliza foreshore. Their work area extends between Ballar Creek and the north side of Jacksons Road.
Since its inception the Friends group has obtained regular grants to aid bush regeneration and also, to raise environmental awareness among scouts.
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Melinda Gustus coordinates the Friday bush regeneration group who meet at the scout hall.
3
Millbank Reserve Group
Originally started as a fireguard group in 1999, after a few years became a Friends Group. We look after a stretch of reserve which starts at Bellbird Road and finishes on Millbank Drive, approximately one
kilometre in length.
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The reserve follows a tributary of the
Kackerboite Creek and over the past fifteen years we’ve pulled, planted and propagated.Originally covered with sweet pittosporum,
ivy, blackberry and every other sort of weed
imaginable, we now have a mainly indigenous array of plants along the track (over 30,000 have been planted.) This has greatly increased the number of birds. Most of the track is covered in mulch, so it is suitable for walking along year-round.
We meet twice a month from March to November on a Wednesday and Sunday and work from 10 am until noon, finishing with tea and coffee. Everyone is welcome. As we start at different points; depending on where we’re working, if you’d like to join us ring Barbara on 0417 506 936 and she can give you the dates and place.
5
Victory Reserve Group
Victory Reserve is a small remnant bushland running parallel with Claremont Street and is part of the Mount Eliza Regional Park. A small community friends group was started about 12 years ago to help combat the invasive weeds.
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Originally the ecological vegetation class (EVC) was Swamp Scrub but due to changes in hydrology and climate change some plants are dying. (eg. the Melaleuca ericifolia, Acacia mearnsii and
E radiata.) We use a variety of techniques to focusing on a small area of woody weeds and scamblers. Recently spraying an area of grassy weeds and also direct seeding indigenous wallaby grasses and a mix of lilies, shrubs and trees.
Due to the recent loss of so much canopy the focus will be planting more trees. Our working bee day is the third Sunday of the month starting at 1pm.