Marnie Goding, creek lover and Cofounder of sustainable clothing brand ELK

Marnie and her team at ELK spend two days each year supporting environmental organisations, including MCMC, through their paid volunteering program. ELK regularly join MCMC clean-up days, usually working to collect litter along the creek and surrounding parklands.

ELK Cofounder Marnie Goding. Photos courtesy of ELK.

What’s your favourite time of year on the Merri Creek?

I love the creek and parks in autumn, especially early in the morning. There is something really calming about the cold air and light, the birds and the feeling that nature is quietly getting on with its day before the city wakes up.

Do you have a favourite Merri Creek animal or plant species?

I love seeing the mix of native vegetation that grows along the banks of the creek and how these spots are alive with bugs and birds. This is their place.

Can you share a memory from the creek, and how it strengthened your sense of care for the Merri?

Every time we have attended a clean-up, I have loved looking back over the area we’ve worked at the end of the day, to see it looking returned to how it should be: free of human touch. It’s a simple reminder that even small actions can have a positive impact and that looking after local places really matters. The other thing I find pleasing (rather than surprising) is the looks and questions we get from the general public in the park. People often thank us as we are cleaning up – I love that perhaps they too might think differently or join a clean-up in the future.

Describe a volunteering day that ELK did with MCMC and what impact it had on your team.

We meet as a group in the morning and spend some time learning about the area, looking at a map of the waterway system and reflecting on the work MCMC have been doing. The work is simple but incredibly rewarding. It gives our team a tangible way to contribute and creates a stronger connection to the environment right on our doorstep. We always get a real kick out of the strange things we find and it naturally turns into a competition of who can find the most or weirdest things. Everyone without exception gets stuck in and does not hold back – it’s a way for us to see each other in a different light.

ELK staff at MCMC litter clean-up.

What inspired you to partner with Merri Creek Management Committee?

We were looking for meaningful local environmental volunteering opportunities and MCMC felt like a natural fit. Their work is practical, community-focused and creates visible outcomes.

MCMC are local and hands-on. The ELK office is in Preston, we operate a retail store here and our distribution centre is in Reservoir – the Merri Creek is in our ‘hood. We want our team to be able to see the direct impact of their efforts and build a connection with a place that we all work and spend time around.

What is it about MCMC's values that align with ELK's?

We share a belief that positive change comes from action. MCMC's focus on stewardship, community involvement and long-term care for the environment aligns strongly with how we approach responsibility at ELK. I always love the lessons from the committee before each clean up too as we look over the map to see where and how far the waterways run. ELK's values include community and authenticity amongst other things – actually turning up and putting in effort is really important. We can achieve so much if we live these values.

When you imagine your favourite spot along the Merri Creek in 50 years' time, what does it look or sound like?

I hope I see more people visiting. Flourishing native vegetation, more wildlife, cleaner water free of debris and no cigarette butts!! We are so lucky to have this ecological aspect to our inner-city location, so I hope most of all, that future generations value it enough to keep caring for it.

 Find out more about how MCMC can work with your organisation to develop corporate volunteering opportunities.