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ENVIRONMENTAL
FRIENDS OF MOONEE VALLEY
Group Directory
ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDS OF MOONEE VALLEY
The Friends Groups operating within the City of Moonee Valley are made up of
a variety of groups with members of all ages, all abilities and all walks of life.
Get in touch with your local group to meet new people and share your knowledge and appreciation
of our local plants and animals.
By being part of a Friends Group you will help the environment in Moonee Valley by working in
your local waterway, parks and conservation reserves. You can also have your voice heard by
assisting Council and other public land managers with their policies and works planning.
You can give as much or as little time as you want - from a one off activity such as a planting
or a Clean Up Australia Day to becoming a regular volunteer or committee member.
As a student you can come along to gain valuable work experience.
All groups are ‘not for profits’ and contribute many hours to our local community and environment.
Groups welcome new members and share their skills and knowledge with others in the community.
For information – www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/environment
THE FRIENDS OF AFTON STREET
CONSERVATION PARK
The Friends of Afton Street Conservation Park are a
group of friendly volunteers from the local area. We
work with Moonee Valley Council to revegetate, control
weeds, preserve and promote the history of the park
and to keep it tidy.
Afton Street Conservation Park is situated beside the Maribyrnong
River, just 6kms from the Melbourne CBD. The park is approximately
17 hectares / 42 acres and has a number of walking / cycling tracks. A
small tributary known as Smiley’s Creek runs through a section of the
park into a series of five linked ponds. These ponds act as a filter and
prevent dirt and rubbish from flowing into the Maribyrnong River and
also Port Phillip Bay.
The Park itself is home to several species of birds and occasionally is
visited by swamp wallabies. Various species of frog live in the ponds
and Smiley’s Creek whilst snakes and reptiles can be seen on warmer
days.
www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofAftonStreetConservationPark
AVONDALE HEIGHTS
COMMUNITY GARDEN INC.
Avondale Heights Community Garden Inc.
was established in 2010 by local gardening
enthusiasts. Its aim and focus is ‘making use
of public land by providing all residents with
access to the joys and health benefits of
gardening while following organic principles’.
Members come from a wide range of cultural
backgrounds, and bring with them a mixture of gardening
skills and knowledge. Through the art of gardening we
hope to cultivate a strong sense of community among
residents and to establish a healthy forum for shared
knowledge. With a focus on community, fresh food and
conservation of heritage and indigenous plant varieties,
the group hopes to create an environment that promotes
and encourages sustainable, organic gardening principles.
www.facebook.com/groups/131772866835850/
EAST KEILOR
SUSTAINABILITY STREET INC.
East Keilor Sustainability Street Inc. is a group of
predominantly Keilor East residents, who formed in
2003 with the aim of promoting sustainable living.
The Community garden established in Tuppal Reserve, not only
grows food for our members, but provides an education resource
for food production and gardening and a valuable platform for
the many ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ applications. The garden has a
combination of individual production and community activities
including poultry, orchard, disability and children’s gardens.
Community building is an important feature of the group
through shared produce and knowledge, Open Days, Festivals,
community group visits and Clean Up Australia activities.
www.facebook.com/East-Keilor-Sustainability-StreetCommunity-Garden-Inc-168466587991/?rc=p
THE FRIENDS OF
FIVE MILE CREEK
Five Mile Creek Reserve is a peaceful
park situated at the junction of Moonee
Ponds Creek and Five Mile Creek in
Essendon.
The creek flows underground from the airport,
and emerges at the Reserve. There is evidence at
the site of previous habitation by the Wurundjeri
people. The Pascoe Vale National School, precursor
to Essendon Primary School was located here from
1850, and a plaque marks the site. The Friends of
Five Mile Creek group was formed in 2008, and
meets throughout the year to weed and plant.
Indigenous planting has re-established a wildlife
corridor stream side.
www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/plantingdays
FRIENDS OF MARIBYRNONG VALLEY
Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley Inc. (FMV) aims to
prevent misuse and degradation of the Maribyrnong
Valley and to assist in its rehabilitation.
The Maribyrnong River, flows from the slopes of Mount Macedon to
Port Phillip Bay. The Maribyrnong River and Valley was originally home
to Aboriginal tribes as far back as 40,000 years.
For over 150 years the river played an important role in the swift
development of the urban region. Its waters once formed a natural
boundary for the early City of Melbourne and was crossed by
anyone travelling west to the goldfields and grazing lands. Local and
international trading ships would also come to dock at its banks. More
recently, the Maribrynong River has moved away from its industrial
roots to become an important community asset.
www.fmvonline.com
www.facebook.com/MaribyrnongValleyInc
FRIENDS OF STEELE CREEK
Victoria’s Volcanic Plains were laid down by
volcanoes between 4.5 million and 7000 years ago.
Steele Creek carved a 20km valley through the lava
from Tullamarine to the Maribyrnong River at West
Essendon.
The Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri managed and cared for
this land and drank the creek’s pure spring water. The impacts of
grazing and industry left the creek polluted and weed infested.
In 1995 residents formed FOSC to protect and enhance the creek,
its open spaces and plants. Past community plantings, which are
now mature, support a diversity of local wildlife. FOSC welcomes
participation from residents who would like to help enhance this
unique, natural environment.
www.facebook.com/FriendsOfSteeleCreekInc
STRATHMORE
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This project has been supported by a
Moonee Valley City Council community grant.
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FARNHAM STREET
COMMUNITY GARDEN
FSNLC community garden is located in the Farnham
Street Reserve at the rear of Farnham Street
Neighbourhood Learning Centre. It consists of
individual plots and communal facilities including a
Food Forest with educational signage.
Throughout the year the garden hosts community events
and education activities in conjunction with like-minded
organisations such as Melbourne Inner Northwest Transition
Initiative (MINTI) and My Smart Garden.
Some of the plots are there for growing produce for use in Life
Skills Cooking classes at FSNLC. The rest of the plots are allocated
to individuals who wish to tend their own plot. Preference
is given to gardeners who do not have their own private
garden and are interested in attending the Horticulture in the
Community group on Friday mornings between 10am-12pm.
As part of this group, more experienced gardeners share their
knowledge and skills with each other and less experienced
gardeners in caring for their own garden plots and communal
areas. The garden is largely used for growing edible plants using
organic and sustainable gardening methods.
www.farnhamst.fsnlc.net/online/community-garden
FLEMINGTON FOOD FOREST
COMMUNITY GARDEN
In 2013 a patch of overgrown grass and fruit trees
was transformed into a productive Food Forest
Community Garden.
Since then the trees have flourished and it has become a
sanctuary for birds and beneficial insects, an inspirational space
for the community to learn about different perennial crops,
preserving, pruning and planting: beautiful and productive for
everyone to enjoy.
The dream continues with your help: flowers as well as fruit,
a secret pathway for the kids to play amongst the trees, little
clearings where they might find a bench repurposed from a pallet
for tea parties, or sculptures made by local artists. And maybe,
just maybe when people see how lovely a perennial food garden
can be they might start popping up everywhere. So plant, weed,
water and harvest, but remember to leave enough for others to
share in the bounty.
Using the key provided, we encourage you to explore the garden
and discover some of the plants that make up the Flemington
Food Forest Community Garden.
www.facebook.com/groups/flemingtonfoodforest
THE NORFOLK TERRACE
COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Norfolk Terrace Community Garden is
a partnership project between FSNLC and
Norfolk Terrace CCU to give Mental Health
clients an opportunity to participate in
growing their own produce and learning the
benefits of how this can impact on their
health and wellbeing.
Four raised wicking beds have been constructed and
planted out as have several surrounding garden beds
planted out with vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit trees.
Weekly workshops are conducted in the garden by a
facilitator with gardening expertise. Activities include
maintenance of the garden beds, plant propagation,
harvesting, plant feeding and watering, use of tools, pest
management, seed saving, preparation of food from the
garden etc. CCU residents are encouraged and supported
to participate in these workshops by CCU staff.
www.facebook.com/groups/norfolkterracegarden
THE FRIENDS OF
MOONEE PONDS CREEK
The Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek Inc (FoMPC)
was founded in 1989. It is a community
organisation working to protect and enhance the
Moonee Ponds Creek along its length, from its
source above Greenvale to its junction with the
Yarra River.
Our aim is to develop the Creek and its surrounding
environment so that it can best support native flora and fauna,
to create biolinks and a corridor for wildlife and to provide a
valuable natural resource for local communities to enjoy.
We do this by working closely with the abutting Councils,
Melbourne Water, Landcare and community groups on planting
and other projects along the Creek corridor. We also take up
advocacy and strategy roles to support the Creek.
www.mooneepondscreek.org.au
www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofmooneepondscreek
THE FRIENDS
OF NAPIER PARK
The Friends of Napier Park was formed in 1985
after several local residents expressed concern
about both the neglected state of the park and the
lack of consultation by the council at the time.
In 1925, Theodore Napier, one of Strathmore’s
earliest residents, gifted the area bounded by
Woodland St, Napier St, Glenbervie Rd and Noble
Avenue to the people and councilors of Essendon,
to be looked after and enjoyed by everyone.
As one of the few remaining examples of remnant
River Red Gum bushland in Melbourne, the Friends
have liaised with Council to make sure the park is
maintained in accordance with Napier’s original
wishes. We are only passing through and want to
ensure that the park is enjoyed by all who come
to it, now and well into the future. We also have a
wonderful annual Carols and Street Party a couple
of weeks before Christmas.
www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/plantingdays
STRATHMORE
COMMUNITY GARDEN
Strathmore Community Garden was
established in 2010. The founding principles
by which we operate include organic
gardening, sustainability, environmental
awareness and community interaction.
We are inclusive of various Community groups and
provide the local community with opportunities
to share and improve gardening knowledge in a
friendly, non-judgmental manner.
Members share gardening wisdom, know-how and
experiences about soil, seed propagation, and by
growing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Our sustainability practices include composting,
worm farms, rain water tanks and seed collection.
The garden provides an active social network for
members including coffee mornings, monthly
meetings and other social events.
www.facebook.com/Strathmore-CommunityGarden-138932509503365/?fref=ts
OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE
40,000 years ago the Wurundjeri people were the traditional
owners of the land where the City of Moonee Valley now stands.
The Wurundjeri-william, meaning ‘white gum tree dwellers’, relied
on the Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds Creek and Steele Creek
for fishing, transport and food. They were hunters and gatherers
and did not accumulate unnecessary possessions, moving
with the seasons, the availability of food, or the need to visit
ceremonial sites.
A large number of artefacts and significant sites are found within the municipality,
highlighting the area’s long and extensive occupation by Aboriginal people
before European settlement. Occupation is evident in the form of scar trees,
silcrete quarry sites and many scattered artefacts, particularly along water ways.
Wurundjeri sites around the City of Moonee Valley include Lily Street Lookout,
Solomon’s Ford, Moonee Ponds Creek and Steele Creek.
The City of Moonee Valley proudly acknowledges its Indigenous heritage, with
many of our place names inspired by the Wurundjeri. Although there are many
theories to the origin of the word Moonee, according to the Victorian Aboriginal
Languages ‘Monee Monee’ was the name of a Wurundjeri-william man who died
in service with the Native Corps in 1845.
www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/local-history/aboriginal-history.aspx
Wurundjeri
Tribe
ENVIRONMENTAL
FRIENDS OF MOONEE VALLEY
Land & Compensation
Cultural Heritage
Council Incorporated
ENVIRONMENTAL
FRIENDS OF MOONEE VALLEY
Group Directory