By JESSE GRAHAM
A GROUP of passionate environmentalists is working to restore the grounds of the Maroondah Reservoir to its former glory and calling on residents to volunteer their time (and their hands).
The Maroondah Reservoir Friends Group has been set up by former-Green Army member Stephie Barber, and her co-workers, and meets fortnightly to work on the grounds at the Healesville park.
Ms Barber told the Mail the group started after the members landscaped areas around the reservoir park as part of their five-month Green Army work.
“We decided that, because of the hard work that we’ve done over the last five months, it would be a massive shame to see the park fall apart again,” she said.
She said that, although more Green Army groups would be working on the area, the friends group would work with Parks Victoria and volunteers to clear weeds and start projects during fortnightly working bees.
“We’re really familiarised with the park and continue working on it, so when the green armies do eventually run out, we’ll have a solid friends group that can continue working and maintaining the park,” Ms Barber said.
“If we are able to get a bit more funding, we’d like to, in conjunction with the Green Army, see if we can get the rose steps planted again properly, work on azalea planting – just trying to get the parks to a nice state, how the original gardener had them.”
Their first working bee on Saturday 12 March saw about 10 people working to remove weeds at the dam, and another has been set for Sunday 3 April at 10am.
Ms Barber said they had already been approached by a person who was part of the former friends group for the reservoir, expressing interest in joining up.
“In the group, there’re about 14 members, but it’s sort of like a casual thing -not everyone’s going to be able to make it every time,” she said.
For more information about the working bee, search Working Bee – Maroondah Reservoir Park on Facebook, or call Stephie Barber on 0400 244 714 or Shane, Parks Victoria ranger, on 0488 326 170.
