For the past 14 years, community participation in the protection and restoration of the Merri Creek corridor has involved the Friends of Merri Creek community group, schools, local residents and other community groups.

The Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) is an incorporated association that was established in 1989 to formalise a partnership between the local councils and the community. There are over 70 sites on which MCMC co-ordinates work along Merri Creek. MCMC works with the Friends group to plan and implement the volunteer activities and facilitates other environmental activities to raise awareness among local residents and park users.

MCMC aims to identify opportunities and facilitate involvement from all communities within the catchment, by building ongoing relationships that develop trust. Often this means organising different sorts of activities for different groups. In 2003, an Islamic women's group based near Merri Creek approached the MCMC requesting a women-only tree planting day. The group specified that the activity was to be held in school holidays so that women could bring their children and provide food for a BBQ. MCMC provided female staff to assist with the planting, and food for the picnic that followed. After the picnic, one of the women produced a small drum and the activity ended in singing and dancing.

The restoration of Merri Creek is as much about acknowledging Australia's Aboriginal cultural heritage and building local communities, as it is about restoring habitat for native plants and animals.

Volunteers working along Merri Creek

The Volunteer Coordinators Network (Natural Areas) Manual © 2004