Merri Creek runs through Galada Tamboore with the suburb of Campbellfield to the west and Thomastown to the east. A large part of Galada’s nearly 100 hectares is managed by Melbourne Water. Hume Council and Whittlesea Council own adjacent land. The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Team helps with management as does the Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC), when funding is available. The important area of grassland, galada tamboore grassland, is Parks Victoria's responsibility. |
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LandscapeThe landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions over millions of years. The resulting lava flows shaped the course of Merri Creek and formed the impressive basalt escarpments that are found along the creek valley. Merri Merri means ‘very rocky’ in the Woi-wurrung language of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. Find out more about the geology of Galada Tamboore |
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Environmental impactsThere is a stormwater drain outlet in Galada Tamboore thatis full of litter and weeds. How does it get there? Rubbish gets to Galada Tamboore from schools, parks and the streets when it rains and the water washes the litter into Merri Creek via stormwater drains. How many types of litter can you find in this picture? |
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WeedsExotic weeds such as Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae) invade Galada Tamboore and threaten indigenous plants. |
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A Rich LandWurundjeri-willam peopleGalada Tamboore has been a significant place for many thousands and thousands of years for its Aboriginal Traditional Owners. The Wurundjeri-willam clan of the Woi-wurrung people created tools near Merri Creek whilst looking out across the grasslands. Tool fragment scatterings from this work make up many sites that are of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage significance. These important sites also include scar trees, from which bowls and sometimes canoes were cut. Current land use
During the 1990s and 2000s Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) and Friends of the Merri Creek worked towards regenerating important parts of Galada Tamboore. Indigenous species were planted, weeds removed and ecological burns undertaken. More recently MCMC has worked to restore specialised saline seep communities in the gorge area and has continued to restore the galada tamboore grasslands, assisted by community volunteers. Since 2022 the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Team has managed the ambitious removal of large amounts of woody weeds on various escarpments and replanting of these areas. Indigenous plants commonly planted include: Tree Violet, Sweet Bursaria, Hopbush, Yellowbox Eucalypts, Red Gum, Black Wattle and Manna Gum, as well as many smaller understorey grasses, lilies and sedges. |
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Life at Galada TambooreHabitat for significant faunaEscarpment cliffs are valuable habitat to many reptiles as well as birds of prey such as kites, kestrels, falcons and eagles which enjoy the soaring updrafts. The north-facing slopes of the grasslands are warm and full of insects and therefore a great hunting ground for insect eating birds. In-stream lifeWithin the creek there is an ever changing waterbug life including dragonfly nymphs, caddisfly larvae, freshwater shrimp and needle bugs (pictured). The needle-bug has a stick-like body and a tail that acts like a snorkel. |
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Find out more about Galada Tamboore.