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.
2026 Meetings will be held in Alvie Hall, Mt Waverley, on the fourth Wednesday of the following months from 7.30pm – 9.30pm
25 February 2026. Guest speaker TBA
24 June 2026. Guest speaker TBA
26 August 2026 AGM. Guest speaker TBA
25 November 2026. Guest speaker TBA
Water Watch/Nature Walk dates (all Thursdays) for 2026 as follows:12 March, 9 April, 14 May, 11 June, 9 July, 13 August, 10 September, 8 October and 12 November.
Meet at Alvie Hall, Mt Waverley, 9.30 – 12 noon.
Recognition in State Parliament 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 2026 – Please note – all held on the last Sunday of the month (Apart from Easter Sunday* and September Football Finals** weekend). Meeting place will be advised closer to each date – from 10am – 12.30pm. Billy boils at 11am. All welcome.
22 February 2026 (Clean Up Australia Day – meet at the Park Rd carpark for registration).
29 March 2026
19 April 2026
31 May 2026 – (Community Planting Day) free sausage sizzle, all welcome. Meet at Fern Gully. Wear all weather gear and solid shoes. BYO cups/mugs
28 June 2026
26 July 2026. NOTE working bee transferred to assist the National Tree Day – Planet Ark planting event of Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve. Please check location in Damper Creek Doings July 2026. All welcome
30 August 2026
20 September 2026
25 October 2026.
29 November 2026. 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.