Volunteers welcome gardening equipment donation

(Back L to R) Julie Blackmore, Heidi Wild, Gerd Bachman, John Couch, Eleanor Redding, Micheal Meinhold (Front L to R) Helen Calvert, April Meredith. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

Parks Victoria have recently supplied the Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group with around $1000 worth of gardening equipment and tools.

The welcomed donation will help the volunteers during their working bees which tackle garden and facility maintenance.

The Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group re-formed last year and has undertaken many working bees within the park during that time, including most recently completing the restoration of the historic sundial at the dam wall.

Quotes April Meredith, Coordinator Friends of Maroondah Reservoir said, “The recent supply of equipment by Parks Victoria is a genuine benefit for the group, it will really add to the impact we have during our working bees.”

Parks Victoria run Volunteer programs to improve the facilities and visitor experiences within the parks and reserves they manage.

The recent funding was supplied as part of the Volunteer Activity Plan, an annual plan detailing the works the group intend on completing over the coming year and the tools required in order to do so.

“The works we do are designed to complement the maintenance Parks Victoria do. We have a great relationship with the local Rangers from Parks Victoria,” she said.

Ms Meridth said the group often receives comments about the appearance and maintenance of facilities at the reservoir in comparison to when Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works managed the park.

“Things have changed so much since then, MMBW had full time gardening and maintenance staff assigned directly to working on the site.

“Parks Victoria do all they can to maintain the facilities but are working with a much smaller group of staff managing many more facilities across Yarra Ranges. The Rangers we work with have a genuine passion for making things look the best they can within the time and resources available.”

If people are interested in joining the Friends of Maroondah Reservoir group, contact friends.maroondahreservoir@gmail.com