I have been Secretary of Yarran Dheran Advisory Committee since 2002.  When I retired, I began to learn more over time how I might contribute to the care and maintenance of the remarkable bushland that still exists in the Mullum Mullum Valley, of which Yarran Dheran forms a part.  Over my working life, I have been a teacher at primary, secondary and TAFE levels, and worked in national curriculum and policy development for the Vocational Education Training (VET) sector.

I developed a love of the bush a long time ago; as a child in a small country town in NSW, I spent whole days in the bush near our house, required only to ‘be home before dark’ as so many of my generation were so lucky as to be able to do. I look back now and wonder at the freedom I had.  There was a swamp, a creek, there were birds, and there were snakes, but I never saw any.  My love of plants and the bush was rekindled  in a position I held at one time in my working life which saw me in close contact with the Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management industries and where I had both the honour and the pleasure of working with people who had a passion for their occupations and for the  environment.

I joined the committee in 2002; this was not long after the community won its battle to save the Mullum Mullum Valley from the planned above ground route for Eastlink, which would have seen the Mullum Mullum Creek and its wonderful bushland being replaced by a freeway.  The unprecedented decision to build two tunnels under the Valley was made in 2000 and was a huge victory for the community, supported by the Maroondah, Whitehorse and Manningham councils and environmental groups. I believed then, as I do now,  that the community needed to work to protect and value the creek, and the diverse habitat that made the Valley which so many people had deemed to be so important to save, and to educate the community about the environmental values of our bushland.

I have discovered that volunteer work is both enjoyable and rewarding.

I have learned many things in my Secretarial role, including the practical skills involved in keeping and maintaining records, developing and maintaining a website, writing submissions to obtain funds, utilising various communication strategies, both old and new, including social media (this is an ongoing challenge for me). In working with like-minded and enthusiastic people, I have learnt more about the bushland on a personal basis over the years. There is still more to learn.

I have much enjoyed working with the energetic and committed members of the Yarran Dheran Advisory Committee in our shared role of caring for Yarran Dheran, and in our efforts to bring the community along with us in an appreciation of the bush.    

Firstly, enjoy the bush for its plants, its beauty and its tranquillity. Walk through Yarran Dheran and enjoy the serenity of this location.  Enjoy the changes of season and any sightings of our wildlife that you might see.   Add to our knowledge by reporting your sightings.  Learn more about Yarran Dheran and its environmental features by participating in some of our activities, including Waterwatch and other Citizen Science surveys. Contribute to our work of caring and maintaining the bush by volunteering: participate as a volunteer yourself in our monthly working bees or offer special skills you might have to support the work of the committee – you will be most welcome.