Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve Inc.
Mount Waverley, 3149
Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve Inc.
Damper Creek is an ecological corridor located on Wurrundjeri land in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is maintained and constantly improved by the City of Monash, and The Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve, a voluntary environmental group which actively helps replant, clean up, weed and care for the bushland.
On 26 September 1968, The Damper Creek Conservation and Development Group was formed following a proposal by the then Waverley Council that Damper Creek be barrel-drained, the land subdivided and roads connected. After much community effort and consultation, that proposal was eventually rejected by Council, and Damper Creek Reserve was created.
The incorporation of The Friends of Damper Creek Reserve followed in 1993. The Friends worked in conjunction with the City of Waverley (now City of Monash) and the then MMBW (now Melbourne Water) to begin a staged restoration of the Damper Creek watercourse. Their combined efforts have helped restore, replant and preserve this bushland reserve for future generations.
In 2020, in recognition of its unique standing as a highly valued bio-diverse area with remnant vegetation, Damper Creek Reserve was designated as a Conservation Reserve by Monash Council. The designation formally recognised the area as a significant example of relatively undisturbed and restored native bushland in Monash.
Today, Damper Creek Conservation Reserve is an abundant habitat for native wildlife, and a peaceful bushland place to visit.
30 years of environmental restoration works at Damper Creek Conservation Reserve
This short video celebrates 30 years of environmental restoration works at Damper Creek Conservation Reserve and shows that community volunteers working in partnership with local government can make a positive change and protect our environment for future generations.
The Friends invite you to volunteer and be a part of this ongoing story.
2025 Meetings will be held in Alvie Hall, Mt Waverley, on the fourth Wednesday of the following months from 7.30pm – 9.30pm
26 February 2025
28 May 2025 – “What should you do if you find injured wildlife”. Guest speaker Michele Phillips from the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter (SOWS)
27 August 2025 AGM
26 November 2025
Recognition in State Parliaments of
the Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve
From Hansard Tuesday 7 March 2024
Ashwood electorate
Matt FREGON (Ashwood) (14:51): (555) My question is for the Minister for Water in the other place, and I ask the minister: how is the Allan Labor government acting to improve our local environment and habitats for native wildlife in the Ashwood district? We take pride in our local environment, parks, conservation reserves, native bushlands and natural waterways. These natural assets hold so much value to our local residents. I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the many groups who work tirelessly, some of whom have done so for decades, to improve our district: the Friends of Damper Creek, the Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve, the Friends of Gardiners Creek Valley and more recently the KooyongKoot Alliance under the leadership of Graham Ross, whose work for our local environment is so important. Importantly we should also thank the many volunteers who turn up time after time to improve our suburbs – people like Dianne Carra, the president of Damper Creek, Helen Clements, the former president, and also Sally Walker at Scotchmans Creek.
Working Bees 2025 – Please note – all held on the last Sunday of the month (Apart from Easter Sunday* and September Football Finals** weekend). Meeting site as advised closer to each date – from 10am – 12.30pm. Billy boils at 11am. All welcome.
23 February 2025 (Clean Up Australia Day – meet at the Park Rd carpark for registration).
30 March 2025
4 May 2025 – Meet at Golf Avenue – weeding at rear of Alvie Hall
25 May 2025 – (Community Planting Day) free sausage sizzle, all welcome. Meet at Swayfield Road park entrance. Wear all weather gear and solid shoes. BYO cups/mugs
29 June 2025
27 July 2025 NOTE working bee transferred to asst the National Tree Day – Planet Ark planting event of Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve. Please check location in Damper Creek Doings newsletter July 2025. All welcome
31 August 2025
21 September 2025**
26 October 2025
30 November 2025. No working bee. (Free Annual BBQ lunch as a thankyou to members/volunteers – from 12 noon – 3pm approximately – lunch will be served from approx. 12.30pm. – meet in the Reserve at the end of Richard Road). BYO chairs, ground mats, aerogard, sun screen, sunhats, cups, plates, utensils.