A decade ago – before the local Friends group got to work – Toolern Creek looked like a dump yard.
Road signs, bikes, car parts, tyres and household rubbish were regularly dumped in the creek that flows through Melton and Melton South.
Thanks to the efforts of the hundreds of Friends of the Toolern Creek (FOTC) volunteers, the creek has returned from the wastelands.
FOTC founder and president/co-ordinator Lyn Holdsworth said Toolern Creek had been in “such a pathetic way” 10 years ago. “It just looked awful,” she said.
“When we used to drive up to Melton, it was a poor showing. We regenerated the creek from the freeway down to the railway and we’ve taken out the rubbish and the trolleys.”
Local schools, Scout groups and residents have joined Ms Holdsworth’s efforts to transform the waterway.
“I’m very proud of everyone who’s worked with us. We planted 25,000 trees the year before and 15,000 last year,” Ms Holdsworth said.
She is urging the locals to take pride in their creek and stop dumping there.
“People just dump stuff and they think it’s their right to dump stuff. We’ve got to go down a steep hill to retrieve all that rubbish,” she said. “I wish people wouldn’t do this.”
The FOTC celebrated its 10th anniversary last month and desperately needs more volunteers to help keep Toolern Creek clean.
Can you help?
Phone Ms Holdsworth on 0412 321 848.
