VicTrack Proposes Sale of Merri Creek Park

Tomorrow morning we have Channel 9 coming to cover the contentious proposal to sell the land beside the Creek, just over Merri Parade from us, extending from St George’s Rd Bridge downstream to around the bike bridge. Please come along at 10.45 tomorrow morning so we can show the cameras some numbers! Bring your kids, dogs, bikes, etc.

VicTrack is evidently seeking $1.5M from the Darebin City Council for a transfer of ownership of the parkland between the Creek and Merri Parade. Basically, the land ownership is a hangover from the 19^th century, when the train line was proposed come over the Creek closer to St George’s Rd.  Instead, VicTrack's precursor bought up lots from the public sale of the “St George’s Park” estate (ie our adjacent neighbourhood!) and built the train line and Merri station in its current location.

This land has been maintained by Darebin for decades, mowing, weeding and maintaining the bike path. The Friends of the Merri Creek have maintained the native vegetation and secured funding for the rejuvenation of this land. The Merri Creek Management Committee has effectively governed the land. Many of us have organised and/or participated in removing rubbish from this land as a part of Clean of Australia Day. It’s classified as an area of significance for its importance to our local Indigenous people, its environmental values and its high amenity for residents from all over the Cities of Darebin and Yarra.

As our rates fuel much of the City’s activities and programs, and our volunteer labour has returned some stunning results, I consider that we have already paid for this community space many times over.

Most disturbing, from the Council report, is the implication that if Council cannot purchase the land, then it may be sold privately. This is unacceptable. We should support our Council on this one and call for VicTrack to have the land reclassified as Crown Land, with the City of Darebin appointed as its Committee of Management.

Hope to see you there!

Blueberry Time

Hi All
The blueberries are now in fruit and we have a fridge full if you would like to order any for Christmas.
$40/kg; $20/500g; $12/300g or $6/150g.
We deliver locally!!
Cheers
Anne-Marie and Rowan
tennihore@bigpond.com or 0438822508

A Sad Goodbye to George

Many of us will be familiar with our neighbour George Sarosi and his dog Beba as they patrolled the neighbourhood on their daily rounds.

Sadly, George is no longer with us, having passed away at his home in Union Street early this week.

George was from a Hungarian family. His parents left Hungary while his mum was pregnant with George, escaping the Soviet crackdown following the 1956 Uprising, apparently smuggled out by the Hungarian Football Team! Born in Australia, he was raised in Acland St, St Kilda, his family running a restaurant called the Hungarian Social Club.

A keen and talented soccer player as a young man, George became very involved with Melbourne's Indigenous community and married into the Griggs family, who have a proud Gunditjmara tradition. He had strong connections with a range of Indigenous peoples from our region, developing a particularly keen interest in the traditional knowledge base and spiritual framework of the Kulin alliance.

He has lived in community housing on Union Street for many years on a disability pension with his gorgeous dog Beba. George suffered from an acquired brain injury, but maintained a very active mind. A keen reader and student of history, he was good company; a fascinating conversationalist and an insightful commentator on current affairs. His companion Beba, now with family, has a beautiful, gentle nature and she was a delight for our kids. George did some helpful work for some of us on Bridge Street, putting the bins out every week for elderly neighbours, maintaining the grass on the nature strip and generally keeping an eye out.

George with Beba

We are very sad today at the loss of a friend and neighbour. Over recent years, many of us have got to know George and his extended family who have sometimes come to stay. In particular, the families of Monica Parravicini, Genevieve Kavanagh, Tanya Wolkenberg and Lyn Walker have enjoyed the company of George, his son Leigh Griggs and his grandchildren Kooric, Kelvin, Vanessa and Viviana. Our thoughts and condolences are with George's family and friends today. He was a good man who died too young and we miss him.

George, may Bunjil keep you safe on your journey.