05/10/2025
Thursday I had the pleasure of visiting the River Conservation and Wildflower Society at the beautiful Gogular Bilya Environmental Discovery Centre — and what a vibrant, community-driven project it is!
From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by John, Ken, Helen, Peter, Melody, Liz, Peter, Maryanne, Kevin, and the whole team. Their passion for conservation, education, and native ecology is truly inspiring.
This group has transformed the old tennis club grass courts into a magnificent native garden, complete with rock sculptures, water-wise stone gardens, and thoughtful landscaping that reflects the beauty of our region. The tennis club building itself has also been beautifully renovated, creating a welcoming space for community use, learning, and environmental discovery.
Thanks to state and shire funding, exciting plans are underway for a:
• 🌿 Yarning circle
• 🌼 Sensory garden
• 🌳 Shaded community areas and further landscaping improvements.
There’s also a future collaboration with York District High School in the works, aiming to showcase student artwork on-site — a fantastic way to bring young people into the fold and celebrate local creativity.
Each year, York Daycare participates in an annual planting, nurturing a sense of environmental stewardship from a young age.
What impressed me deeply is the Society’s ongoing commitment to managing 10 local nature reserves, including:
🪵 Tanjinn
🌱 Kauring (Cowering)
🌿 Dell
🌳 Drummond Gum
🌼 Jim Masters
💧 Gwambygine Pool
🌸 Orchid Reserve
🌊 Callie Pool
🌾 Baffin Creek
🌿 Crees Road
These reserves are in good hands thanks to the tireless work of the volunteers.
They also fundraise for future projects through a plastics recycling bin — a simple but smart initiative with real impact.
And a quick note for the history lovers: the historic grapevine on site has had a careful light prune this year, with hopes to see it grow even further! 🍇
👉 Interested in joining? The Society meets every Thursday from 8–11am at the Discovery Centre. Annual membership is just $20 for individuals or $25 for families — a small contribution that helps support this incredible work.
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As someone running for Shire of York Council, I was grateful to hear the views of such a proactive group. Their efforts embody what community-led environmental stewardship looks like, and it’s clear that with the right support, they’ll continue to grow this space into something truly special for future generations.
📮 Postal voting is now open and closes at 6pm on October 18. Make your voice count!
🙏 A huge thank you to everyone at the Centre for your hospitality and your vision for a greener, more connected York.
Written and authorised by Elaine Ashford