Last week we received the very exciting news that Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands would be awarded an Australia Day Award by Yarra Ranges Council for Community Group of the Year, shared with the Philanthropic Collective. 

On Thursday a group of us attended the award ceremony at the new council chambers in Lilydale to be presented the certificate and trophy by the Councillors and Mayor. The award is wonderful recognition for the important work undertaken in rehabilitating the bushlands and the contributions to the community the Friends Group has made over the years. 

I wanted to thank and congratulate you all for your part in making the friends group such a success. Your efforts are appreciated and our achievements will be evident in the reserve and the community for years to come.

Below is an image of the group following the award ceremony and below a link to the Star news articles.

"Australia Day Awards recognises Hills community groups"

Jackson Ellis
President

​An article about our Glenfern work in the Mail newspaper today. Well done everyone. Ferntree Gully Belgrave Mail 30th May 2017 page 3.

Andrew Fullagar is the Yarra Ranges Citizen of the Year for 2012. The well deserved recognition was awarded at the Australian Day celebrations held recently at Burrinja in Upwey. 

As many will know, Andrew has worked tirelessly for the Glenfern Valley Bushlands since its beginning. What he has done for Glenfern would tire most people out! But there is much more to it than that. Andrew was the first to acknowledge the support of his wife Linda, for working with him and supporting his many community interests. Together they contribute to the Upwey community across a range of activities.    

Andrew is a key player at the Upwey Township Group. He has helped revive and drive this group into what is now a powerful community- minded team. He and Linda can be seen just about any day of the week scrubbing out graffiti, or helping with breakfast at a local primary school-all just part of the many contributions they make to the Upwey community.   

Andrew has a number of broader community interests that include; Upwey-Tecoma Recreational and Sporting Hub (CRASH) – where Andrew’s role has been to ensure that a wide range of community group needs are understood and can be accommodated by the proposed new mixed- purpose complex. 
 
Andrew has been active in the Southern Region Environmental Alliance – to ensure it was adequately funded to get on with the task of developing a management plan for the Puffing Billy corridor.   

The sense of community spirit and love of nature shown by Andrew and Linda has been a catalyst for many of the supporters of our Glenfern Valley Bushlands group. We also see their positive example and constant encouragement influencing many volunteers in our wider community. 

Congratulations Andrew from the Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands!