Save the Dandenongs League

Prof. Michael Buxton from Environment and Planning at R.M.I.T. University.

Remembered by many as a  Councillor with Shire of Sherbrooke from1978 to 1984, Professor Buxton spoke on the changes to Melbourne's Residential Zones and the rise in townhouse and apartment style developments across Melbourne's suburbs. 

David Rothfield, retired civil engineer and long time former local resident of The Patch, spoke on behalf of Beyond Zero Emissions, which is an Australia-based not-for-profit climate change solutions think-tank, that was founded in 2006.  His talk was titled "How do we build a post carbon future in Australia?"

The illustrated talk commenced with a diagram of the earth that is protected by an atmospheric layer, consisting of progressively diminishing thinner layers, with the major threat from carbon dioxide produced by the burning of coal.

The VCAT hearing to decide the fate of the Glenfern Green Wedge Cattle run took place between 22 - 24 April. For the members of the Friends of the Glenfern Green Wedge, it confirmed our worst fears about this proposal to subdivide the property into 5 residential lots incorporating hobby farms

Glenn Brooks-MacMillan is the newly appointed Facilitator for the Southern Ranges Environmental Alliance, whose domain basically runs along the Puffing Billy Corridor. It is a three-year appointment that requires two to three days’ work per week, making people aware of groups and organising funding for them.

May Moon, MBE was born in 1893 and became a kindergarten teacher. During World War II she ran a nursery boarding school at Montrose. She retired in 1950 and built her own small cottage to live in at Kalorama.

May became aware of threats to the natural environment in the Dandenongs such as tree removal and small lot subdivision. With assistance from Prof. John Turner (Professor of Botany), she called a public meeting at Olinda Hall in October 1950, which was attended by 200 people and ‘Save The Dandenongs League’ was born.

She became hon. Secretary for the next 27 years.

At our AGM held on 5th June 2011, Jeff Latter from the Woori Yallock Creek Park Alliance gave an illustrated talk about the proposal to create the Yellingbo State Emblems Park.

The 60th Birthday of Save the Dandenongs League Inc. was held in October, 2010, at Karwarra Australian Plant Garden, Kalorama. About 40 people attended on a fairly cold day including two of our Yarra Ranges councillors, Cr Samantha Dunn and Cr Noel Cliff, whose Wards cover most of the Dandenong Ranges.  Betty Marsden, as President, welcomed those in attendance including Shire Councillors and also read a list of Apologies. She indicated that a number of former committee members would give some reminiscences of the League in earlier times.