BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS June 2005

Picture of official opening of Back Creek boardwalk in October 2004

The Newsletter of
FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK INC. - FOBC
ABN 43 819 801 067

The photocopying of this newsletter is courtesy of Bob Stenholt local 
MLA for Burwood. Funds supporting the printing and distribution of 
newsletters provided by Melbourne Water

Greetings friends and other residents interested in Back Creek

This is the 19th edition of BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS. There are many tasks 
to be done during the 2005 year  with FOBC being involved in 
revegetation projects along the creek.  

Progress made is as follows:
Membership subscription: Membership subscriptions for 2005 are now due. 
If you would like to become a member and or make a donation, contact 
our treasurer Bob Strickland on 9830 0749 or print off a membership 
form from our website and send us your subscription. 

Community Events: Once again FOBC has registered for National Tree Day 
on Sunday July 31 2005. We plan to consolidate previous plantings by 
filling gaps as well as extend planting in sections along the pathway 
embankment. 

This year we hope to plant over 1500 seedlings. If you would like to 
participate either contact us on 0400 077 439 or simply turn up on the 
day. Planting will commence 10:00 am and finish 12:00 pm. We will be 
based at the Quinton Road entrance to the creek. Bring along your 
children.  

In the meantime we will be conducting a community event next Sunday 19 
June 2005 where we will be preparing ground in readiness for planting 
in July. Again we will be based at Quinton Road end and starting 
10:00am 

Other community events will generally occur around the third Sunday of 
each month. All our community events will be based at the Quinton Road 
end of the creek. If you would like to participate, details of the FOBC 
event dates are as follows:

June 19th 2005
July 17th 2005    -  (Preparation for Tree day)
July 29th 2005 - Schools Tree day
July 31sth 2005 - National Tree day
August 21st 2005
September 18th 2005 - Spring Planting Festival
October 16th 2005 - Spring Planting Festival
November 20st 2005 - Spring Planting Festival
December 18th 2005 - (only if numbers permit)

FOBC website:
We continue to update and add to our website so why not check us out.
www.friendsofbackcreek.org

Annual General Meeting: On Sunday 3 April at 4.00pm, FOBC held its 5th 
Annual General Meeting of members. 

I am pleased to welcome Rosemary Buchanan as a new committee member. 
Details of minutes of the AGM including President's statement can be 
found on our website. Copies can also be obtained from our Secretary 
Chris Walta 29A Cornell Street Camberwell. 3124

Rotary of Boroondara
Rotary of Boroondara have donated a bench seat to mark the Centenary of 
Rotary. It is located at the Cornell Street end of the pathway. We will 
be officially acknowledging its donation at our next working bee Sunday 
19 June 2005. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Rotary contact 
Cathie Macmillan via e-mail   cathie.macmillan@bigpond.com

Weed spraying:  FOBC has arranged with City of Boroondara for weed 
spraying to occur along the creek   pathway embankment south of the 
Quinton Road access. Spraying took place at the beginning of June just 
prior to recent rains.  The purpose will be eliminating a diverse array 
of weed species that have infested the creek over the past 50 years. We 
aim to follow up with mulching and planting over the next few months. 
Willow branch lopping:  

As you walk along the pathway you will notice that a number of willows 
with overhanging branches have been lopped. This was done during May 
and is intended to minimize the risk of falling branches along the path 
as well as provide space for our native plantings to take hold.

Volunteers
We are always interested in volunteers participating in our activities. 
If you belong to a local community group / scouts or perhaps know of 
students wanting to get first hand experience on sustainable 
environment management give us a call.

Friends of South Surrey Park
Most residents venturing across Riversdale Road to South Surrey Park 
will have noticed that Melbourne water have undertaken significant 
creek bed works between the footbridge and Riversdale Road. This 
includes willow removal and laying rocks along the creek. Planting will 
follow.

FOBC Committee: 
President - Robert Brierley - 9836 3779
Secretary -  Chris Walta - 9888 4461
(29A Cornell Street, Camberwell, 3124)
Treasurer - Bob Strickland - 9830 0749
Committee members - Barrie Gallacher, Eleanor Stephenson, John Cott, 
Jim Breen, Rosemary Buchanan