By Olivia Condous
Barbara Frampton is a Melton resident who is actively involved in her local community as the secretary of the Friends of Melton Botanic Garden and the Melton Bushwalkers club. She spoke with reporter Olivia Condous about her connection to the community and her love of the local Botanic gardens.
What’s your connection to Melton?
I have lived in Melton since 1975, the population back then was 8,000. My late husband, Doug, and I became involved in community groups shortly after moving to Melton. He was a founding member of the Melton Racing Pigeon Club. For a number of years we were both active members of 979 FM Melton Community Radio. On retiring in 2006, I became a volunteer at the Melton Visitor Information Centre until it closed in late 2018. I also joined Melton Bushwalkers Inc. and I am in my 13th year as secretary.
What do you like about where you live?
The location, the proximity to regional centres and bushwalking options. Also the co-operation between community groups, council and local businesses over many years. This has been evident from the 1970s through to the present day.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
It would be good for infrastructure to catch up with development, for example the Western and Melton Highways. I look forward to the day that the Melton Hospital is completed and open.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
The Melton Botanic Garden and walking paths along the creeks. Both of these were discovered and valued by many during the lockdowns of 2020-21. I was a local walker for many years prior to joining the bushwalking club. I still walk locally two or three times a week.
How did you get involved with Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden?
I was recruited as a member by an existing member. I participated in some weekend volunteering ‘Grow the Garden Day’ and ‘Clean Up Day’. In 2016 when the secretary stood down I got a call from the president. I agreed to nominate for the position and am now in my sixth year.
What’s your favourite thing about the gardens?
I love the old river red gums. They make a great back backdrop for more recent developments. The variety of bird life is another great attraction. There is always something in flower and something to discover on every visit.
What is the best part about being involved in the club?
The satisfaction derived from being part of the volunteer team developing and promoting the garden. This can come from a successful planting day or an event such as ‘BGANZ Botanic Garden Day’ which is on Sunday 29th May this year. It has been great to meet visitors from afar following our recent segment on Gardening Australia. We are often surprised at where our visitors are from and how they found out about the Melton Botanic Garden.
