The rain on Saturday couldn’t deter the Millgrove community from coming together to celebrate the opening of what is now called the ‘Courtney Dix Walking Trail’.
Named in honour of the prominent businessman Harry Courtney Dix (1864-1931), who purchased the 300-acre property named ‘Mill Grove’ which was once owned by the original settlers, John and Bridget Kennedy. He suggested to the Victorian Railways that if a railway station was built nearby it should be named Millgrove; and that is how the town got its name.
After missing out on the Pick-my-Project grants in 2018, Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) was very fortunate that the Victorian State Government was able to allocate funding to create a safe walking trail along part of Yarra River on the River Road side in Millgrove.
Sally Brennan, who is a big supporter of MRAG, was the good news bringer at the time.
It has been a long journey for MRAG to get to this stage.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child stated in his speech, ‘having the 2015 Millgrove Community Plan and the determination of a strong group like MRAG who stuck with their plan had the result as we see it here today’.
With an interruption due to Covid-19, the finalisation of the project took longer than anticipated and was delivered in April 2023, after the team from ‘Scratchin the Surface’ had built the trail.
Through the Upper Yarra Community Led Recovery Grants Program signs were created and have been installed along the trail to inform the public about some of the history of the area, as well as about local flora and fauna. A great addition, as this will be an incentive for school excursions. MRAG has a lot of projects planned for the next few months and invites the community to stay in touch either through social media or in person.
MRAG President Maureen Halit ended the official gathering and said that with the positive energy in Millgrove, they can achieve big things and can be proud to call this beautiful town home.
“MRAG is very grateful for the grant from the Victorian State Government and support received by Yarra Ranges Council to bring the project to realisation,” she said.
After cutting the ribbon as part of the official opening, attendees had a good time walking the trail.
