Bulletin of Moreland Rotary
EDITION 19|29 APRIL 2022
THE MORELANDER
WALKING ALONG THE MERRI
We take a walk along the Merri Creek in Fawkner
Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019
Pages 3 and 4
Moreland Rotary acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct our business. Moreland Rotary respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Moreland Rotary also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
Cover: Footbridge in Moomba Park, Fawkner (David Redfearn)
THE MORELANDER
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Walking along the Merri in Fawkner
The Merri Creek (Merri Merri means very rocky in Woiwurrung) is an important part of the Melbourne waterways. It flows through the northern suburbs of Melbourne to join with the Yarra and was home, a source of sustenance and a trading route for the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people for centuries. The arrival of Europeans from the 19th century saw a transformation of the creek, not for the better, with grazing, urbanisation and industrialisation turning the creek into little more than a polluted drain. A proposed freeway development alongside the Merri in the 1970s coincided with a growing environmental consciousness in western society both globally and locally, and led to a “rediscovery” of the creek which was now being seen with new eyes. The huge challenge was to reverse the degradation and to restore the pre-existing natural values as far as possible. This led to community and subsequently government mobilisation which saw considerable investment in the creek environs over several decades with protection and restoration of parkland, revegetation and the recreation of plant communities and landscapes. The pre-existing environment can never be completely restored and replicated, and threats and challenges still exist but it is beyond doubt that the Merri project has been one of great success and this has even been recognised by influential bodies such as National Landcare. It was against this backdrop, that a number of us, Rotarians, friends and community representatives gathered last Sunday at the end of Jukes Road in Fawkner for a walk and talk though the grasslands on Bababi Djinanang (mother’s foot in Woi-wurrung) with its 70 remnant plant species including the highly endangered matted flax lily. We then went down in the creek valley with its escarpments and basalt outcrops left bare by the creek as it cuts down into the basalt left by lava flows tens of thousands of years earlier back up to the plain with its she oak forest then through to the footbridge returning via Moomba Park along the Merri Creek Trail.
THE MORELANDER
TEXT: DAVID REDFEARN | IMAGES: DAVID REDFEARN
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Walking along the Merri in Fawkner
We saw the considerable restoration of the stunning landscape that has occurred though many thousands of volunteer hours particularly by Friends of Merri Creek and residents combined with professional support from the Merri Creek Management and Moreland Council, restoration that has led to improvement in local biodiversity and the return of once vanished birds and animals such as the Sacred Kingfisher. We saw evidence of extensive community plantings and modern day fire management used to help regenerate indigenous plant species and we also met a few of the other local “residents” such as Magpies and Tawny Frogmouths. We also learned how the Wurundjeri cared for their country over the millennia and of current day indigenous involvement in the restoration of the Merri. All in all, it was a pleasant and restorative walk on a balmy autumn morning, packed with information but also giving us a chance to enjoy the company of our fellows. We later adjourned to nearby Bonwick Street for a delightful coffee at Eatalian Made and to reflect on our morning.
Our walk was planned in the context of Rotary’s commitment to the environment where Rotary clubs around the world are engaged in environmental projects be they hands on or for community education such as this one. This is also in keeping with us being people of action who work alongside our local community to do things for our community. The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s philanthropic arm, now has as one of its areas of focus as the environment and resources will flow to Rotary clubs and communities to underpin and drive this focus, something which will grow in emphasis as we meet growing environmental challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
THE MORELANDER
TEXT: DAVID REDFEARN | IMAGES: DAVID REDFEARN, JOE PERRI AND DISTRICT 7030
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About Rotary
District Governor's Newsletter
"Our District, Our Voice" is the monthly newsletter of District Governor Anne Reid in 2021-22. There is a lot of information about the many Rotary projects and events across our District. Simply click here to read the latest edition Members of Rotary are part of a diverse group of community and professional leaders working to address community and international service needs and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world.
Rotary districts are a way of grouping a number of clubs in a particular geographic area. The area covered quite often crosses state and even international boundaries.
Rotary District 9790 encompasses the northern Rotary clubs receive a charter suburbs of Melbourne and from the worldwide organisation - stretches north and north east of Rotary International. Victoria to the Murray River and up into parts of NSW. A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her For more information about home or work or sometimes Rotary District 9790, click here because of the club meeting time. THE MORELANDER
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Rotary Leadership 2021-22 Rotary International: President: Shekha Mehta(Susanne) , Rotary Club of District Governor: Anne Reid , Rotary Club of Alexandra Assistant Governor Group 2: Emma Davis, Rotary Club of Moreland Rotary Club of Moreland President: Emma Davis Club Service Roles 2021-22
President President Elect Secretary Treasurer Community Service Vocational Services Membership, International Service and Assistant Bulletin Editor Rotary Foundation Youth and Assistant Secretary Club Administration and Governance Environment and Bulletin Editor Australian Rotary Health Public Relations Club History Valued members Honorary Members
Emma Davis TBA Rosemary Freeman John Hoffmann Rosemary Freeman Brian Bennett Trevor Moyle Rosemary Freeman Silvana De Pretto Nino Galgano and Lee Garwood David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman Russell Stuckey and Brian Bennett Nino Galgano Elly Gardner, Jo Connellan The Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Helen Bailey, John Awler, Richard McCarthy
District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2021-22
Assistant Governor, Group 2 and Director, 2023 Convention Host Organising Committee District Community Service Chair and Australian Rotary Health District Legal Officer District Bulletin Editor and Peter Toomey Community Police Award Shine On Awards
Emma Davis Rosemary Freeman Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett
WHEN AND WHERE WE MEET:
Moreland Rotary Club meets most Wednesdays at 7.30 for a 7.40 am start. We meet at the Sorrento Bar, 801 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056 HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE MORELANDER:
If you would like to receive our bulletin via email each week, email our editor at: dredfearn@vtown.com.au WHERE TO SEND FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE:
Attention: The Secretary, Moreland Rotary Club, PO Box 219, Coburg, Victoria, 3058
Chartered 14 August 1996 - Sponsor Club Coburg Rotary Club | Incorporated 13 August 2019 Designed using Canva - www.canva.com
THE MORELANDER
Images by David Redfearn and logos from rotary.org unless otherwise specified.
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Upcoming events and meetings A standing invitation exists for all readers of The Morelander to attend Moreland Rotary Club meetings and some of our other events. Please let us know if you intend to join us by ringing David Redfearn on 0448 852 747 or emailing on dredfearn@vtown.com.au (click on email address). Upcoming speakers/events
4 May: Strategic plan review 11 May: Monthly Board meeting 18 May: Guest speaker (tba) 25 May: Guest speaker (tba)
Our Guest Speakers
Moreland Rotary invites speakers to our club both from our local community and further afield. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and are invited because they hopefully inform and stimulate our members and guests. We feel that this is of value in fostering a deeper understanding of our diverse community and even providing guidance as to the types of activites and projects our club may engage in. However the opinions expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect any official viewpoint of Moreland Rotary nor those of individual club members. Irrespective of this we always offer a warm Rotary welcome to all of our speakers.
click here @RotaryMoreland
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During the pandemic we met via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.30 am but we NOW MEET in person at our usual venue (listed on page 7). You should contact us beforehand in case restrictions are in force but you can still join us on Zoom at any time and the link is below.
We always aim to have great guest speakers whether meeting in person or virtually! Why not join us one morning? Simply ring David on 0448 852 747 the day before to RSVP or go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3068589175 just before the meeting to join in.