|
'Friends' are people who are interested in giving practical assistance to a particular conservation reserve, or a species of native plant or animal. This includes scenic, historic, cultural, and nature reserves and many different types of flora and fauna.
Friends groups, and groups with similar objectives, work in a great variety of natural situations - coastal sites, bush, grasslands, watercourses or wetlands. They operate in conjunction with the relevant management authority, usually Parks Victoria, a municipal Council, or some other organisation such as the Trust for Nature.
Every group is independent and autonomous. Some are incorporated and have a formal constitution and membership structure, others operate informally, with no membership  fee.
While each group will have its own specific objectives, these will include, in broad terms:
- providing support for the reserve or species;
- assisting with special projects selected by the Friends in consultation with the appropriate management authority;
- bringing into contact people with a common interest in the reserve or species;
- fostering public awareness of the reserve or species;
- supporting the effective management of native flora and fauna in Victoria
About Friends Network Committee The Victorian Environment Friends Network Committee was originally established to organise the biennial conference. Nowadays, as well as doing this it arranges seminars, produces a quarterly newsletter, administers the Best Friend Award, promotes environmental volunteering and liaises with managing authorities.
Here is some information about the current committee:
Maelor Himbury (City of Moonee Valley)
Teacher Librarian
Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley, Organ Pipes National Park, Steele Creek
Current convener Friends Network
Manager Friends Network website
Committee member VNPA
Produce daily environmental news digest for Australian Conservation Foundation
Produce twice monthly research summaries for ACF
Centenary medal
maelor@melbpc.org.au
Bernie Fox (City of Wyndham)
Friends of Brisbane Ranges; Great South West Walk; Werribee Gorge and Long Forest Mallee; Point Cook; Wyperfeld; Little Desert; The Terricks; Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group
Former convener Friends Network
Keeper of the Network e-mail list
President of the VNPA
Chairperson of the Western Region Environment Centre
Member of Werribee Waterways Management Committee
Very active interest in the area around Werribee and to its west. Also in the desert areas of Victoria.
hayburn@bigpond.com
Sue Wright (City of Hume)
Teacher - Early Childhood and Primary
Friends of Woodlands Historic Park; Wyperfeld; Point Cook CP,
Past Convenor Friends Network
Treasurer Friends Network
Interest areas: interpretation, heritage theatre.
suewri@tpg.com.au
Tony Woolford (City of Geelong)
Retired Marine Surveyor and Master Mariner
Friends of Buckley Falls Park; Pepperdine Creek; Wathaurong revegetation of Cowies Creek
Attended courses on park management at Kosciusko, Falls Creek and Melbourne.
Committee member of Friends Network for over 10 years.
Vice president and past president of the Geelong Environment Council Inc.
Member of environmental committees with Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Alcoa land and wetlands, Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd, Shell Geelong Refinery, Toll Port (Port of Geelong), Victorian Catchment Management Authority and park management with the City of Greater Geelong.
tony.woolford@bigpond.com.au
|
