MCMC honours the life of Gil Freeman, an inspiring leader in our community of Merri Creek protectors and advocates. Gil was a giant at CERES, in Brunswick and more recently South Gippsland. Gil Freeman died after a brief illness in late March. He was 85 years old and is remembered with fondness and gratitude.

We thank Chris Ennis from CERES for permission to reproduce his tribute to Gil, with small amendments to his original article.

Gil Freeman, image supplied by Mark Phillips, Editor at the Brunswick Voice.

MCMC is seeking expressions of interest for someone with expertise (and/or qualifications) in accountancy, bookkeeping, and/or financial management, to join our Finance Subcommittee in a voluntary capacity. We value sound financial management as fundamental to our environmental, educational and advocacy goals.

In the upper Merri Creek catchment, the landscape is changing, with new suburbs spreading across plains that were once defined by wetlands and waterways. But just beyond the edges of development, another story is still visible: volcanic cones, remnant grasslands, and a creek system that continues to shape the land.

For local campaigner and former Mitchell Shire Councillor Rob Eldridge, who has been advocating for the establishment of a Regional Parkland here for decades, it’s a place that is full of possibility.

Early spring, looking towards Mt Fraser. Image by Michael Longmore.

Standing on a low bridge over Merri Creek at galada tamboore, the assembled group falls quiet. With eyes closed, the landscape begins to separate into layers: water moving below, a gentle breeze through the beal (River Red Gums), birds calling overhead. Each person hears something different.

It’s November, in the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung season of buath garru, when grasses flower across the landscape. In the surrounding grassland, seed heads are already forming, shifting between pale green and sandy gold as they catch the light.

marram baba Merri Creek Parkland, image by Dianna Wells. 

In the face of increasing development throughout Melbourne’s northern growth corridor threatening the natural environment and ancient landscapes, an alliance of groups has formed, seeking State Government commitment to an extensive regional park focused on the waterways of the upper Merri Creek catchment. 

The Merri Creek Management Committee, along with the Wallan Environment Group, Friends of Merri Creek and BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, are banding together to form the wallan wallan Regional Parkland Alliance. With support from other environmental and community-focussed groups, we are asking the State government to provide the essential natural framework that will help to ameliorate the impacts of the substantial growth and help new communities to thrive.

View from Green Hill overlooking Mt Fraser and Herne’s Swamp. Image by Claire Weekley.